Page 151 of Remnants: Disruption
“This is outrageous,” Gareth hisses, his petulance erasing any semblance of handsomeness that he’d held before. ”Thatis not a Remnant. That’s not even a fucking supernatural. That is an abomination.”
I roll to my knees and swat off someone’s hand.
“Clearly she is important to the Prophecy,” Cass’ more modulated but definitively icy voice answers.
I can’t see her face, but her lack of defense is less than heartening. Though giving Gareth any indication of our relationship would likely lead to rumors. And rumors would turn to resentment in a heartbeat.
At least, I hope that’s what she’s avoiding.
”Clearly,” Gareth says, over enunciating the word, “she is too powerful to be allowed. Did you not see the same thing I did? I understand you think she may beuseful, but those were not Affliction rifts.”
Useful.
“I saw them,” Cass answers, “and I still believe that, with training, she could be anasset.”
Asset.
I know her words are for them. For the Council. But damn they don’t feel good.
My legs are weak as I stumble towards them. Azazel shoots a glance over their shoulder and moves to intercept me.
I try to wave them aside, but the shadows strike them like a runaway vehicle. They ragdoll across the room and collide with the far wall, falling limply to the grassy floor.
And, somehow, I know they’re alive. I can feel them. All of them.
Oh, God, I can feel all of them.
Cass swirls towards me, eyes wide with confusion and a tinge of fear.
I cough out something wet and spit the gooey red substance onto the floor beside me.
“Say it to my face, Gareth,” my throat hurts. My head hurts.
Everything fucking hurts.
“Hiraeth,” Cass’ warning tone barely even registers. My eyes are locked on the tiny excuse for a man.
“Gareth,” I growl, the noise raw and evermore painful.
Gareth takes a step back, eyes darting between Varun and Cass.
“No,” I snap. “Look at me. I’m the one you want to put down like a feral dog.”
I feel the shadows like they’re extensions of me. Like any absence of light could be manipulated. Like the space behind Gareth’s eyeballs could be used as a weapon.
“Stand down, Acolyte,” he says, finally returning his frightened eyes to mine. “If you attack a councilor youwillbe Contained.”
I spare a glance at Cass. She’s staring at Gareth like can’t believe he would suggest it.
“Is that so?” I whisper, my nerves iced from the word alone.
“God Queen’s pet or not, you already spent your free chance when you accosted Loki at the meeting. I pity the creature that slew the poor man.”
I huff out a breath, trying to regulate my heart that feels as if it might leap from my chest.
Another gooey wad works its way up my throat, and I spit it at the ground between, narrowly missing Gareth’s foot.
Cass doesn’t try to stop me again. But she also doesn’t move to help me.
