42

Coastal Road, somewhere between Kirlan and Triah

CINZIA KNEW SHE WAS back in the Sfaera when Knot—Lathe—looked at her, smiling. His eyes glowed silver. She had not noticed that before.

That is Bazlamit, a voice said inside of her. She is a tricky one.

You, Cinzia hissed. I don’t want this, get out of my head.

I’ve infested more than your head, my dear. You cannot get rid of me now.

Cinzia frowned. No matter. She would help Astrid, free Knot, and then deal with the bloody Daemon inside of her.

I’m not sure you’ll have time for that, Cinzia. We all have avatars, now. Mefiston has already taken his true form. Samann will be next, and I will soon follow. You will not last long enough to save your friends.

Around her, Eward and his Prelates fought the Sons of Canta and the Goddessguards. A few Sons had fallen, but so had two Prelates. The Black Matron knelt by Astrid, while Lathe, eyes glowing silver, walked towards her.

You never told me that becoming your avatar would mean I would have to die, Cinzia thought.

You never asked, darling.

“Knot!” Cinzia shouted, looking at the man who had once been her Goddessguard. “You must be in there somewhere. I know you can hear me!”

She heard Luceraf’s echoing laugh inside her head, while Lathe laughed along with her. “I’m sorry, Cinzia. Knot is gone. He really can’t hear you.”

“Let me speak to him,” Cinzia said, meeting Lathe’s eyes— although such a thing was impossible, with the strange effect his eyes had.

Do my eyes glow now, too? Cinzia wondered.

They do, Luceraf replied, but only Lathe can see it now. Only another avatar can see the glow behind your eyes, the essence of your power, until I am able to take my true form through you.

You said I have power. That you’ve enhanced me. You mean I am strong?

Cinzia could feel the pride emanating from Luceraf within her. Stronger than you know, darling.

Good, Cinzia thought. Then, she rushed forward, kicking the Black Matron in the face with all her might. The woman’s head snapped back as she flew into the air, then slid along the dirt road.

Cinzia grabbed the nightsbane and sprinted away, tossing it as far as she could. She sprinted back—faster than any human could—in time to see Astrid stir.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Lathe said with a frown.

“You should have stopped me,” Cinzia said, glaring at him.

Then, Lathe rushed at her.

* * *

As Astrid slowly regained awareness, she saw Cinzia trying to defend herself against Knot. Or Lathe, perhaps, or whatever Goddess-damned daemon had taken over his body.

Bloody Oblivion, this shit got confusing.

In the distance, Eward and his remaining Prelates battled the Sons, but she could not help them, now. Knot was more important.

Astrid stumbled to her feet. Cinzia rushed at Lathe, but he kicked her, hard, in the chest. Cinzia stumbled back, gasping. A kick of that power should have cracked a few of her ribs, but the woman seemed to be all right.

“Knot, I know you can hear me!” Cinzia shouted. But her voice was different. Malice and pride underlay every syllable.

There are daemons even daemons fear.

A shiver swept through Astrid’s bones. “Cinzia, what have you done?”

“What I had to do,” Cinzia replied, her voice nearly a growl. “Now bloody help me.”

“I… I don’t think I can help you anymore,” Astrid whispered.

“You can, you stupid girl.”

Lathe attacked Cinzia again, and the woman dodged with more speed than she should’ve been able to muster, then punched Lathe in the gut. Lathe recoiled, but retaliated quickly, shoving Cinzia to the ground.

“I’m still me,” Cinzia said, looking at her. “That,” she said, pointing at Lathe, “is no longer Knot. We can still save him.”

Instead of advancing on Cinzia, Lathe took a step back. Behind him, Eward and his Prelates had gained the upper hand against the Sons. But then Lathe rushed to Eward, grabbing him from behind, and dragged him towards Cinzia.

“I can’t kill you now,” Lathe seethed, “Bazlamit will not let me. But I can kill this one. Your brother, isn’t he?”

“No,” Cinzia said, tears in her eyes.

Astrid looked back and forth between them, Cinzia lying on the ground, Lathe standing tall, holding Eward in front of him.

Then, Cinzia’s eyes began to glow a bright, bold blue.

Lathe laughed. “Or perhaps I won’t have to. It seems it is Luceraf’s turn, after all.”

Astrid watched in horror as Cinzia’s head snapped back, and her friend’s high-pitched scream entwined with another voice, monstrous and menacing. The fog around Cinzia was blown back, as if by a swift wind that originated within her. Blue light leaked from Cinzia’s body, from her eyes and mouth, as bright blue smoke seethed from her.

“No,” Astrid whispered. There was nothing she could do. Cinzia was far beyond her help, now.