Page 251 of The Gods Order

Fucking smart-ass. He’s as bad as Amick.

Granted, this is why I asked for his help.

“Do you need me to tell you how to embed your power as well or do you believe you know how to do that?”

“Are you being a smart-ass right now?”

He laughs and shrugs.

“Just making sure.”

I scoff and roll my shoulders out. I pick up the sword I just discarded and turn my wrist over as I examine it.

The moment I reach inside myself, Death answers. A black thread stretches outward, searching.

Not for names. Not for faces. Not for souls.

I direct it to the weapon in my hand and command it to spread through every ounce of material. My essence sinks deeper into the steel, and as it goes, I give it my order.

Seek corruption. Recognize it. Kill only it.

The sword hums softly as my power accepts the command, recognizing the difference between who I want it to kill and who I don’t.

“Seems like it worked,” Val says.

“Want me to test it out on you?”

He frowns.

“Just because it won’t kill on contact doesn’t mean it won’t cut.”

I let out a low chuckle, then command my essence to spread across the room. Into every blade, axe, spear, every weapon waiting to be carried into a war none of us know if we’ll survive.

Hundreds of pieces of steel become extensions of the same purpose in a matter of seconds. A faint pressure settles over the room as the last weapon accepts my essence. The connection fades, but the command remains.

“Very good,” Val says, sounding actually proud.

“Thanks. Pick your favorite. That can be the one you swing out there.”

The smile fades from his face, and I frown at the sudden shift in him.

“I won’t be on the battlefield. Neither will Meridamus.”

“What?” I ask.

The glare and utter disbelief on my face have him holding his hands up.

“The second the replicas are placed back into the Gods Binding, your father is going to attempt to get to it. That may be his immediate reaction, or he’ll attempt to tear through our army first, then march his way through the Godsdawn. Who knows. What I do know, though, is he will come for it, and it has to be protected. We could put twenty Defenders on that hall if we’d like, but that will end in nothing but senseless death.”

A long, annoyed sigh rumbles in the back of my throat.

Fuck. He’s right.

“What about Derivius?” I ask.

“Chaos will no doubt be in the fray. If we need his help at the Binding, though, he’ll come.”

I nod.