Bonds of Chaos (Threadlight Book 3) by Zack Argyle

Author:Zack Argyle [Argyle, Zack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Alverax took a few more steps toward Xuçan and felt his heart racing in his chest. The massive ataçan reminded him of the corespawn monstrosities, just a little more...solid.

He had no idea what to expect. Why did the ataçan want to speak to him? Laurel seemed the more obvious choice, since her animal bond seemed similar to what Roshaw had taught him about the ataçan bond. Why not his father, who had lived in the Wastelands and understood the culture and language?

What was special about Alverax?

You are not like them, a voice thundered in his skull, bouncing off the walls of his mind with a deep bass.

Alverax looked up and saw a pair of deep-set ataçan eyes, shrouded by the cliff of his brow, staring down at him. Somehow, when Roshaw had explained that Xuçan could speak telepathically, the voice he had imagined had seemed more primitive. But the voice he heard was clear and confident.

Xuçan leaned forward, knuckles flanking either side of Alverax as he examined his body. What are you?

The question startled him, both the voice and the words. “I’m, um, Alverax. My name is Alverax Blightwood.”

No, the voice rumbled, sending a chill up Alverax’s spine. What are you?

Alverax swallowed and glanced back at Chrys, remembering his words. It wasn’t the first time someone had told him not to do anything stupid. “I’m not sure I understand. I’m an Obsidian threadweaver?”

Xuçan let out a huff of air, then gestured toward Chrys and the others. You are like them, but not. You are different. Tell me, he-who-does-not-understand, what are you?

Still, Alverax had no idea what Xuçan was talking about. How was he any different than the others? If his father wasn’t there, it might have been because he was Felian. If not for Chrys, Willow, and his father, it might have been his Obsidian threadlight. He was the tallest of the group, but surely that’s not what the chief of the ataçan was referring to.

“I’m sorry,” he said, bowing his head. How could he answer a question he didn’t understand? “I am no different than the others.”

LIES! Xuçan roared, standing up on his feet and beating his chest. As he came back down, all four fists slammed into the dirt, sending tremors through the ground and ripples through the swamp water. You are not like them! They are human. You are not!

Alverax startled back, hands trembling. “I don’t... I am human.” He pointed a finger over his shoulder. “My father is right there.”

Hmmm, the voice boomed in his mind. Perhaps. But you are not all human.

His head whipped around to look at his father. His eyes wide. His mouth hung open. This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t possible. His mother had... She was from a small farm outside of Alchea. She wasn’t...what? Inhuman? Was that even possible? No. Xuçan was an animal. Intelligent, powerful, but still just an animal. And he was trying to get into Alverax’s head.

Roshaw took a few steps toward him. “Is everything okay?”

“I...I think he’s trying to mess with my head.

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