Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,1

see we’ve thoroughly confused everyone.” She heaved a sigh. “Could we at least sit down for the explanations? We’ll offer whatever aid we can to help take down this Merlin person Hollyn mentioned.”

Grumpy’s arms tightened around me. “You’re more than welcome to come in. But we’re already at capacity, so it’s either find a spot on the floor or stand.” With that welcoming statement he turned and pushed me back towards the living area that we’d been standing in before.

Ari shoved me in the chair she’d been using. She arranged my men behind me, along with Drace and Finn, before she stood at my right side.

The remaining elders scooted closer together so they could offer at least one spot for the invaders. After Esmerelda took her seat again, she waved to the man named both Saint and Tenny to take the last remaining seat on the couch.

The man smiled. Shook his head. He gestured for Kiema to sit.

“I’m Kiema. Daughter of Heppni and Apollo. I’m a Prime in my own right in addition to being a demi-goddess on my father’s side.”

I nodded even though I had no idea what any of those words meant in that combination.

She smiled at me. “I’m a powerful goddess on my world. Azica.”

I nodded again. At least I understood her that time. “Good for you. How are you here? Why are you here?”

The dragons all sucked in noisy breaths. It sounded like a wind tunnel had taken up residence in our living room for a couple moments. Then the expectant pause as they waited for something else to happen settled in the room.

Kiema smiled. “The Wardens,” she jabbed her thumb at her crowd, “let us know whenever there is a magical spike in any of the Gateway worlds that they patrol. We’ve got some important business of our own to handle. When they called us up, told us that Earth was lit up like a freaking fireworks party, we came over.”

I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “Sorry. That was probably me.”

Kiema smiled. “No worries, no stress, no judgments. From what I felt and saw on your spirit plane, you’re not who we’re looking for. That being said, if we can help in some way with the problem you’re facing, we would like to offer it.”

I shrugged. “Well, I did just kill a goddess, broke some weird kind of vessel thing of my rapist uncle, and managed to piss off my Grams’ parents. So I’m certainly not saying no to the help. I just have no idea what that help would even look like at the moment?”

I hadn’t meant to make it a question, but oh well. I couldn’t very well accept help from people who had no idea what was going on. That would make me no better than Calleach or Brigid.

Ari settled her hand on my shoulder. “If I may?”

I nodded. “Sure.”

Ari stepped forward just a little bit. “I’m Arianrhod. Feel free to call me Ari though.”

Kiema and her crew nodded.

“What do you know of Merlin the Great?”

The man who’d been introduced as a Warden stepped forward. His face was stark. He shook his head. “No. He’s gone. For many centuries now.”

I looked up at Ari, saw her mouth tighten at the corners. “Not gone, merely locked away. Through the machinations of my siblings, he has been awakened. My granddaughter is now tasked with killing him.”

The Warden looked at me, his deep blue eyes wide. The lights reflected off his shiny bald head. He looked back at my grandmother. “Even as a goddess, she’ll struggle to defeat him. I remember his power.”

Ari nodded. “Yes. It will be a war. But I have faith in my daughter and her daughter.” She squeezed my shoulder. “Hollyn will prevail.”

“If I may be so bold, Goddess Ari,” the man with two souls said.

Ari nodded.

“I remember hearing your name in my youth. But that was millennia ago. From what system do you hail?”

Ari smiled. “Celtic. Not quite as big or consuming as the Greek or Roman, nor as powerful as the Primes, but we manage to hold our own.”

The man smiled. “A goddess, nonetheless. I am unfamiliar with this Merlin. If you could please provide us with a brief history, we will be better able to determine if we can assist in whatever capacity you require.”

Ari nodded. “Merlin was a wizard of some repute. He once aided kings before our times progressed beyond their system of rule. Legend says that he is the bastard child of a demon