Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Sybilthe woman I previously referred to as Seersaw us off. The exits were towards the top of the silo in a large cubic room that was littered with narrow stairways that led to various ovals lining the walls, framed by stone. The oval openings contained what looked like a whirlpool of glowing liquid, all draining towards the center from the edges.

There were hundreds of them. Maybe a thousand.

I hung back and studied the scene. Most of the oval portals were slate blue, but severalin rows high above the floor with no access point from the stairsshone in green, orange. And a single red portal, positioned at the top in the center.

I asked the obvious question. What are they?

Nick looked ready to answer, but Sybil beat him to it. Only her mouth moved, the rest of her body frozen in an almost statuesque poise. The indigo thresholds lead to various locations within the human domain. Only a portion are securedthough their number grows by the day.

That explained a hell of a lot. It explained how the Order remained so elusive. Kinsleys door spell on a grand scale. Even the color reminded me of Kinsleys door. Which led to my next question.

Did they stay active during the transposition? I asked.

Nick tensed. Both Halima and Keith cast concerned glances my way. I couldnt tell if they were uncomfortable with the line of questioning, or that I was interrogating Sybil.

Sybil herself seemed unbothered. Most of them, yes.

Another unfair advantage. And Most. What portals were restricted?

I cleared my throat. The rest of themthe ones that arent blue. Im guessing they lead to Flauros realms?

Nick subtly drove an elbow into my side.

Shut up. he whispered.

So it wasnt what I asked that was making my companions uncomfortable. It was the fact that I was questioning Sybil at all. Which was odd. She didnt seem all that intimidating from my initial impression, and so far, shed done little other than speak in riddles and act as Hasturs mouthpiece.

Sybils dreamy expression remained fixed in place. I cannot answer that question at this time. If you wish to know more, Ordinator, come find me on your own.

Fucking Sybil. This marked the second time shed screwed me.

Keith and Halima both stepped away from me. Keith looked visibly horrified, while Halima maintained a stoic expression, hand reaching towards her rayon-wrapped hilt.

Nick snapped his fingers twice, rounding on Keith and Halima. Hey! Guys. Myrddin took the oath. Which means?

Not funny, asshole. Nick seethed. Thousands of people died. All I want to know is if you pulled the plug yourself.

I considered lying. But what was the point? Sybil probably already knew the answer. And if any fragment of Nicks traditionally staunch sense of right and wrong was intact, no matter how twisted, I was pretty certain how hed come down on wholesale slaughter.

Maybe. The word popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

What the fuck does that mean? Nick growled.

It means I dont fucking know. I shouted, then regained control of myself. Something already altered them before I got there. Blood, guts, organs spread out everywhere like some sick painting. There were clothes and cores littering the street. They should have all been dead, but they werent. They were still moving. Still alivereanimated, maybe in some fucked-up capacity. And they were trying to move lux and cores into their receptacle.

Why? Nick asked, mystified.

Thats the great part. I said bitterly. I stopped them, and still dont know. No clue what would have happened if they filled the receptacle. Maybe they would have been fine once it was full. Gathered around a bonfire and sang kumbaya. Or maybe what happened to them would have spread like a fucking wildfire.

Sybil chuckled. It was quiet, almost imperceptible. But I hated her for it.

Something in Nicks posture changed. The sickly red fire behind his eyes burned out. For a moment, he looked like nothing more than the lost kid I ran into in the rehab center. Scared, and confused, and tired. Not sure I could have made that call.

Yeah, well, now you know. I stood to my feet

You, uhyoure not what I thought.

I strode toward the portal. The sooner we got into the tower, the better. I needed to punch something. Just do me a favor and keep the truth to yourself.

Nick stirred from his reverie. What, why?

Getting blamed for it, regardless. Might as well bank the infamy.

You want people to think youre a cold-blooded murderer? He asked.

Frustrated, I made a spastic gesture, indicating the grim portal room and the silo beyond. Where the fuck do you think we are?

Nick absorbed this, and followed me towards the portal, deep in thought. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sybil gently catch his shoulder and lean in to whisper. Turns out, she did know how to be discreet. I lost most of what she said in the portal's hum. It was a struggle to pick out the last few words.

Cast off the chains that bind you.