The Rival: The Third Book of the Fey (Fey Series) by Rusch Kristine Kathryn

Author:Rusch, Kristine Kathryn [Rusch, Kristine Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WMG Publishing
Published: 2011-12-25T08:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-SEVEN

Titus whirled away from the window. He hurried back through his chamber, nearly tripping over the ornate furniture, his heart pounding.

Fey, surrounding the Tabernacle, coming into the city. It was the invasion all over again. Only this time he was Rocaan. This time, he was in charge of holy water.

Of the only thing that could help the Islanders survive.

He burst through the doors of his apartments, and looked for an Aud in the hallway. Anyone. But the hallways were empty. The night's torches still burned.

He knew where he would find people. Near the windows.

Thinking they were looking at a miracle.

He hurried down the corridor, and took the steps at the end two at a time. The effort jolted his knees. He was horribly out of shape, which surprised him. In his mind, he wasn't much older than the nineteen-year-old who had become Rocaan.

At the window on the landing, five Officiates stood. Titus grabbed the arm of Lindo. His plush black robe flared as he turned. Lindo was an older Officiate, one who never made the cut to Elder, but served well in this capacity. His narrow eyes widened when he saw Titus.

"It's a miracle, Holy Sir," he said.

Titus didn't have time to argue with him. "Get the Elders in my suite immediately. Then I want everyone away from the windows, and I want the doors sealed. Double-check the supply of holy water, and then report to me."

"Holy Sir — "

"Oh," Titus said, "Open the catacombs below and stock them with as many supplies as you can find. Including holy water."

"Holy Sir, what?"

"That's not a miracle," Titus said. "That's the Fey. Now get busy."

The other Officiates turned at that news. They looked confused. Rusel was among them. His portly frame shook. "Holy Sir, if that's the Fey — "

"Then we don't have much time," Titus said.

"Shouldn't we just pour holy water on them? Stop them before they do anything?"

"Have they threatened us?" Titus asked. "From my understanding, they've just been sitting there most of the morning."

"Yes, Holy Sir."

"Well, then, we can't really attack. We are supposed to have a truce with them, remember?"

Without waiting for a response, he hurried back up the stairs. The door to his apartments stood open, as he had left it. He went inside, heart pounding. Rusel had a good suggestion. Just attack. But Titus couldn't. Matthias would have been able to. But Titus knew God's strictures and abided by them. A man is only as good as his word, said the Words Written and Unwritten in one section. Then, in another, they said, A promise broken is a trust forsaken. And then, again, it said, A promise is a man's solemn oath between himself, another, and God.

Matthias might have been able to break his promises, and sever his relationship with God. Titus could not.

When he reached the inside of his apartments, he made himself stop and catch his breath. He leaned on one of the velvet couches, and it slid. He caught it, and held on. His life had suddenly become impossible.

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