The Grey God

Darian lowered himself to the ground and sat, draping his elbows loosely over his knees as he gazed at the obelisk. With his disappointment at the discovery of his immortal home no longer standing, he also felt a sense of peace that had eluded him. The black memories that made him wake up screaming at night, the fear he could still taste in moments of despair, were softened by the sense of stillness that settled into him.

At least their bloodline wouldn't end. The magic of the immortal world would continue to record their children and grandchildren on the obelisk. Damian and Sofi's son might already be listed. They weren't lost, even if it seemed like everything else was.

Deep in thought, Darian sat for a long while, until the wind at his back shifted to carry the scent of the sea to him. The sun would set soon in the immortal world. He roused himself and trotted down the hill, towards the obelisk. It was pristine and white, rising out of the ground like a natural formation. The souls of his forefathers inhabited the obelisk, making it hum with immense power. In his time as White God, the obelisk had been the source and seat of power for the White Gods in the immortal world. The Schism changed that, severing the tie between Damian and the source. Damian's son would be the first White God born outside of the immortal world, and not even Jule dared to guess what that would mean for the White God's power.

Darian knelt and found their father's name. Dristian. Beside it was the name of their Oracle mother, Kinila, who had gone crazy soon after Damian's birth. Damian, Sofia, Adrian were written beneath it, and Darian grinned, wondering when Sofi had picked a name for her son.

Although older, his own name was present under Damian's, as if it had been erased during the long years of his slavery and newly added. Not only was Claire's name gone, but a new one was in its place.

"Holy shit."

Darian, Jenn. Suddenly, the secrets of those around him began to crack open. Jenn knew. She had to. It was the only thing that explained why she tried to push him away. Sofi knew, or she wouldn't have told Damian to send Darian to check on Jenn.

Which meant Damian knew. And the Others. Why else would they want Jenn, if not because they'd seen her name written as the mate of the one creature who could prevent them from executing goals as mysterious as those of the Watchers?

Everyone knew! Darian stared at the names. When they were written on the obelisk, it was meant to happen. How long had her name been written? Since he was freed from his imprisonment to the Black God?