Erador banged on the door. “Aminria!”

  A curtain moved in the window and shut. Aminria’s voice sounded from the other side, “You expect me to open the door with how you’re acting?”

  Erador let out a slow aggravated breath. “Open the door, please.”

  “You can speak to me through the door.”

  Erador let out a slow breath to try and contain the shaking in his voice. “What Paradins did you promise to leave with?”

  After a brief pause, she answered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Medina told me.”

  The lingering silence confirmed she was lying.

  “Why should I tell you anything?” Aminria said. “You’ll say I’m betraying Lucrethia.”

  It felt like she was, like everyone else who left.

  “Why are you doing this?” Erador said with an even tone. He didn’t want Aminria to think it was about her, when it was the idea of her leaving that bothered him.

  “Haven’t you looked around? We’ve been waiting for change and it’s only gotten worse. There’s no chance here and you know it.”

  “We all agreed to stay here until Judgment’s death,” Erador said. “That was our promise.”

  “He’s not dying anytime soon, it seems.” Aminria’s voice became distant as if she backed away from the door and was too afraid to admit how she felt. “We’re tired of waiting.”

  Erador sighed and walked across the creaky porch, looking at the decaying street. Everyone seemed enthusiastic after they learned a princess’s blood could save Judgment. With Eli gone and the other Paradins wanting to leave, did they ever have hope?

  The window opened and Aminria leaned her arms on the sill, as she played with her bracelet. “We weren’t trying to leave you out. We were afraid you might tell your father.”

  Erador turned to Aminria as she shifted back inside. “It’s because you’re afraid he’ll order you dead.”

  He stepped toward her and she didn’t falter. She read the contract but signed it because she was desperate after being wanted by her aunt, the queen of Elsgrith. Like Eonidas was desperate to live after being tortured and how Pia’s mother was desperate to save her and her daughter.

  Erador slipped his hand in his pocket and twirled the anchor necklace. “That means...” He pulled it out. “Sescina wasn’t put in the lake. None of them were.”

  “What are you saying?”

  Erador looked up. “Pia, Breck… they were all thrown in the pit.” He showed the necklace. “I found this in the forest nearby.”

  Aminria touched her parted lips. “Oh my. They were unworthy because...”

  “They betrayed Judgment. They betrayed their contracts.” Erador frowned at the necklace. “Then what was in those coffins?”

  They didn't deserve that, to be dragged through the forest and thrown in a hole. The ceremony was for show. It was all a lie.

  Aminria hugged herself. “I don’t know if I want to leave anymore. I don’t know if I can trust anyone.”

  She reached out the window and raised the anchor on her bracelet and Erador took it, recalling the anchor on the other Paradins: Breck—coin, Sescina—necklace, Pia—ring, Eonidas—earring, Jerus—tattoo. They made that promise and three of them were dead. That’s why it skipped over Haven and Fedra. All this time, he thought it was a witch. Not that it still couldn’t be a different one.

  Erador cursed. “Someone is killing you because of this.”

  Aminria frowned. “You forgot Hawth.”

  “Hawth too?”

  She nodded.

  “Where’s his anchor?” Erador said, letting go of the jewelry.

  “He carried one,” so he said.

  “Really? I never saw it.”

  “He said it made him uncomfortable.”

  “His father is a witch,” Erador said, walking toward the banister. Anchors were for sailors, pirates, and witches and because of the latter, that symbol wasn’t welcome here. Maybe that’s why they chose it. He turned around. “Why did you choose the anchor? Why not another symbol?”

  Aminria shrugged. “I didn’t start the promise.”

  “Who did?”

  Aminria shook her head. “I never asked.”

  "What about Emera?"

  "I... don't know."

  Maybe it was because she left. Eli said he helped her into New Akthelia and he would do the same for Erador. Now he wished he hadn't run into her and they hadn't brought her home. She didn't deserve to die for that, but it didn't add up. She didn't have to sign a contract like a Paradin.

  “That leaves…" Erador said. "Six Paradins who aren't apart of it. Why didn’t you ask them?”

  “Dethil is too close to you and Jerus was going to wait until the last moment to tell him. Loma has been with Judgment for too long and Cade… he isn’t going anywhere. Fedra is a hard sell with being wanted by New Akthelia. Mikra is too loyal to Judgment. Haven… I doubt she’d make a promise with us. And if we count Gillian, she’s too hopeful for Judgment’s return and I have no idea where she's been.”

  If the deaths were related to the promise, than anyone here could be murdering them. Maybe they were following orders by killing the Paradins who were breaching their life-binding contracts. Was his father directly involved? Did he give the order?

  “Why the cards?” Aminria said, but not in a mocking tone like he expected.

  “If it’s someone who’s working for Judgment, maybe it’s a warning for the rest of you to stop trying to leave.”

  “Who’s next?”

  “Eonidas.” Erador jumped off the porch. “I need to get to the manor.”

  Erador dashed down the street and turned, stopping before the alley. The sunflowers appeared uninviting with how the paint had been chipping away. Footsteps pounded after him and Aminria grabbed his arm, trying to catch her breath. He ignored her complaints on how he shouldn’t have left without her.

  It was hard for him to believe lurkers weren’t mindless monsters like that man in the bookstore said. His advice wasn’t enough to help him go through the alley.

  “What’s going on?” Aminria said, looking down the alley as if she missed something.

  Erador ignored her and took a different path. He didn’t respond when Aminria told him that way was faster. She followed him to the manor and through the front doors.

  “Erador ran through the throne room, looking at each Paradin until he spotted Eonidas near a pillar.

  Eonidas rose from the bench, furrowing his brow. “What’s going on?”

  Erador looked at the other Paradins. “I need to talk to you and Jerus.”

  “What’s this about?”

  Erador took Aminria’s wrist and showed the anchor charm. Eonidas looked at her irritated, but she acted dumbfounded. Eonidas whistled to get Jerus’s attention and they went to entrance.

  “What’s this about?” Jerus said.

  “Your promise,” Erador said.

  “Who told?” Jerus panned his gaze to Aminria.

  “Someone already knows,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “And they’re betraying us.”

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  “Woah!” Jerus said, looking her over. “It ain’t me.”

  “Three of us who made the promise are dead,” Aminria said. “According to Erador, Eonidas is next.”

  Eonidas looked nervously around the room. “What about Hawth?”

  “What about him?” Erador said.

  “He made the promise too. Where’s his place with the cards if he has no mark?” Aminria said.

  Erador shook his head. “Did you think maybe he’s doing it?”

  Jerus laughed. “Little Hawth? Nah.”

  “It’s possible,” Erador said. “Someone else learned about it, or one of you is staying true to the contracts.”

  “Contracts?” Jerus said.

  “The Paradin contracts.” Erador crossed his arms at his baffled look. “Don’t tell me you didn’t read it.”

  Jerus scratched his head, which confirmed to Erador he didn’t. Like he expected, Jerus signed away his life and Dethil’s.

  “I’m paraphrasing but if any Paradin chooses to resign they must get consent from Judgment,” Aminria said. “It’s difficult and done under certain circumstances such as an injury or health issue. They can remain in Lucrethia as they please, but they lose their position. If a Paradin leaves Lucrethia without being given a formal release, they will be hunted down and killed.”

  “Followers too?" Erador asked.

  Aminria lowered her gaze. “I'm not sure."

  Jerus gritted his teeth. “We haven’t left.”

  “But we’re trying…” Eonidas said, looking around as he licked his lips. “Maybe we should rethink it.”

  “Is it too late?” Aminria whispered.

  “Judgment no longer trusts people who want to leave, so it’s likely he’ll do the same to you,” Erador said.

  “I’m not going to stay in this miserable place,” Jerus said. “Promise or not.”

  “What do we do?” Eonidas said, touching his anchor earring. “If I get rid of this, what then?”

  Aminria tried to pry the charm off her bracelet but couldn’t.

  Erador grabbed her wrist gently, so she looked at him. “I can try to reason with my father.”

  “Like he listens to you,” Jerus remarked.

  “Would you rather me do nothing?”

  “Please,” Aminria said, grabbing Erador’s arm. “Help us.”

  Her scared silver eyes peered into him as if he was her last resort. Erador wasn’t sure he could convince his father to do anything.

  “What if he doesn’t know about it? Now you’re going to expose us,” Eonidas said. “How do we know it isn’t someone else?”

  “The witch coven that wants my father dead would’ve done it by now,” Erador said. “New Akthelia has no reason… they know Judgment is dying and isn’t a threat and the Raven… he probably already left.”

  “And what happens when Judgment’s dead,” Jerus said.

  “Just let me try.” Erador moved to the bedroom and opened it.

  His father laid in bed asleep. His peaceful appearance angered Erador. He wanted to slam the door, but eased it into the lock afraid it would draw the other Paradins’ attention. Erador moved to his father and violently shook his shoulder.

  Judgment jumped awake.

  “What are you doing to them?” Erador said.

  Judgment rubbed his eyes, and his words came out in a mumble. “What are you talking about?”

  “You forced the Paradins to sign death treaties. If any Paradin chooses to leave without permission, you have them executed.”

  Judgment’s lips flattened. “Where did you hear that?”

  “It doesn’t matter where.”

  “They oath to give their lives.”

  Erador smacked the beside table, causing his father to jump. “Then their only chance is with you and if they change their mind about your fucking religion, they’re dead. How sick are you?” He looked his father over. “You’re no better than the Senith gods you claim are corrupt. You’re no different than a selfish king.”

  Judgment waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve provided a place of safety and acceptance. How’s that selfish?”

  “You expect everyone to throw their lives away?” Erador yelled. “And you would let every soul burn as long as you find Paradise. Is that what you did to the Raven?”

  “Erador,” Judgment growled.

  “You forced him in that cage, didn’t you? He was ruining your image, exposing your sick practices to the world.”

  Judgment tried to push up but his hands slid across the silk covers. “He sabotaged us.”

  “All those Paradins that left were killed.”

  Judgment shifted. “Who did you hear this from?”

  “You didn’t give them a chance to choose their own fate. It’s why you tried to control me,” Erador said, walking across the room. “You tried to beat me into submission.”

  “You were hurting yourself.”

  “No, I was hurting you!” Erador said, pointing at him. “I wasn't living up to your expectations or following in your footsteps. Breck, Pia, and Sescina wanted out and you had them killed.”

  Judgment lifted his chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Erador scoffed. “Just because you don’t get blood on your hands doesn’t mean you’re innocent. Let the Paradins who want to leave go.”

  “They’ve made an oath to stay. If they want to leave, they can see me themselves.”

  “You’re just going to let them go, right? Because you’re such a good person.” Erador clapped. “Bravo, father. Why do you think those people left without telling you?” He paused, but didn’t expect any response from his father who just forced his lips together. “What if I was going to leave? Are you going to lock me away like the Raven and keep me because you can’t let me go?”

  “Stop mocking me.” Judgment's wrinkles deepened with his bared teeth. “You don’t know the truth about our world.”

  “If it’s anything like this, I’ll be prepared.”

  Judgment coughed, blood dribbled from his mouth as he spit out words. “You’re not ready, not with how you handle yourself or your element.”

  “I’m ready. Slen isn’t evil nor are the other lurkers like you taught me. They want comfort and love like a child wants from their parents. Something I never got from you!”

  It’s what Erador wanted to believe. Maybe that man at the bookstore was right and maybe Dethil was too. This was why Erador acted out, because he never got the attention he deserved.

  Judgment shut his eyes and relaxed into the pillow. “I didn’t have much time for that.”

  “You had plenty to beat me,” Erador said.

  “You were defiant, got in trouble too many times.”

  “Did the abuse work? You can’t mold people into who you want them to be. You can’t keep them here when they want to be free. It was the same for the Raven. When he left your religion, you panicked, because you no longer had control of him.”

  “You don’t know what he was like,” Judgment snapped.

  “I don’t need to.” Erador frowned. “I know a victim when I see one and that was the Raven. He was a distraction for us, an example of what a Paradin shouldn't be. You used him to instill fear in us, and his capture made us trust that you could save us from anything. And you used Absolution as a pawn.”

  Judgment’s hand trembled and he hit the bed. “You can make all the assumptions you want, but it doesn’t change the Raven’s actions.”

  “He took Absolution away from you and you still held onto him.”

  Judgment said nothing. He didn’t react to give any satisfaction to Erador, and confirm his suspicions. That wouldn’t discourage him from stopping.

  “Who was she?” Erador whispered.

  “You do not speak of her.”

  “I can speak of whom I wish.”

  Judgment sighed. “I won’t discuss this no matter how much you whine.”

  Erador snorted. “What about that thing attached to you? Is that what has kept you living so long?”

  “What thing?”

  “That demon you never want to talk about. That thing that somehow knows everyone’s lies.”

  Judgment crossed his arms. “My Geisa is not something to be spoken of, not to anyone.”

  “Is that its name?”

  “I have not named it.”

  “You treat it worse than Shade? Why don’t you ask if it wants a name? Maybe it has feelings, unlike you.”

  “Enough, Erador,” Judgment said, raising a hand. “You have no idea what it’s like to have a Geisa.”

  “Then tell me.”

  Judgment let out an aggressive sigh. “It’s a life long commitment. It’s not a friend or an enemy, it’s a being that seeks to benefit itself.”

  Erador went silent. He wanted to tell his father that his Geisa was a good match for him. But the way he said it with such hatred, Erador couldn't comprehend feeling that angry at his own Shadow. He had more questions but it wasn’t about the Geisa, it wasn’t about Erador, or his father’s past actions. The Paradins needed him.

  “Breck, Pia, and Sescina were murdered. If your Geisa can read minds, you have to know who is killing them. Or... you ordered them dead.”

  Judgment let out a breath. “I haven’t.”

  “Is it Mikra, your most loyal?” Erador said. “Why don’t we ask him?”

  “I haven’t told him to kill anyone.”

  “Why is he your favorite?”

  “He’s been a loyal Paradin and has taken good care of me. That doesn’t mean he’s my favorite.”

  This wasn’t about who was the best, not that Erador cared to be seen in a good light in his father’s eyes. If the Paradins were being killed because they were going to break their treaty, what if he left? He turned toward the door and opened it, leaving his father calling him to return.

  Erador stormed down the rug toward the front doors, past Aminria, Eonidas, and Jerus who waited in anticipation.

  Aminria ran up to him. “What are you doing?”

  “Leaving,” Erador said.

  “I thought you were going to help us.”

  “Whoever is killing you is going to come after me.”

  “But what about the order?”

  Erador stopped in front of the doors. “If I go, I should be next.”

  He opened the door and moved onto the landing and froze. Dozens of followers gathered in the courtyard around the fountain, surrounding the knights’ from Odinaty. Oziah, the arch knight, turned and looked at him with a smirk as shackles were placed around Haven’s wrists.