Chapter 30: Framework 8

The explosion of the gunshot was deafening. Elania turned her head away a second too late as Ember’s blood and gore splattered across her face. She shoved the other demi-divine off her and scrambled to her feet.

Yolani stared at her with wide, traumatized eyes, the barrel of her pistol still smoking with a trail of super-heated vapor. “I-I didn’t know what else...” she stammered, but her words were cut short as the door smashed inward.

Soren burst into the room with a bellow, swinging a massive hammer.

Elania stepped forward, charging her wing and slashing at him with it. The enraged oracle parried with his weapon, sending a massive, painful jolt down Elania’s back that made her grit her teeth.

She drew Eziel and two-handedly parried the next strike, the force of the blow reverberating through her arms. Two Silvers rushed into the room, and she slammed them with her wings, knocking them back.

One recovered quickly, but Yolani fumbled with her wand and zapped him with a blue projectile, sending him flying out the door.

“Elania, watch out!” she cried as Soren swung his hammer again.

Elania put more force behind the next blow, Eziel glowing yellow in her hands. The slash sent Soren hopping backwards, his eyes narrowed in fury.

“You’ll pay for this,” he snarled, readying his hammer for another attack.

The room descended into chaos as more Silvers poured in, their weapons drawn. Elania and Yolani found themselves back-to-back, facing off against the enraged oracle and soldiers.

The crushing weight of Ember’s aura slammed down on the room like a physical blow, driving everyone else to their knees. Elania gritted her teeth, fighting against the overwhelming pressure that threatened to flatten her against the blood-slicked floor.

“Cease!” Ember’s voice rang out, echoing through the room with the force of a thunderclap.

Elania turned slowly, her eyes widening as she saw Ember standing. The gory ruin of the woman’s face slowly knitted itself back together.

With a sickening crack, the demi-divine’s jaw snapped back into place, and she repeated her command. “Cease!”

Soren lowered his hammer, his face twisted into a scowl.

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Beside Elania, Yolani’s wand hand trembled as she let the weapon fall to her side. Elania placed herself protectively over her companion.

The Silvers glared at them, hands tightening on their weapons, but they made no move to attack. Soren’s frown deepened, etching harsh lines into his face as he struggled to rein in his anger.

As Ember’s face healed enough for her to speak clearly, she held up a hand. “There has been a misunderstanding. Soren, Silvers, leave us.”

For a moment, it appeared they might refuse, but then Soren gave a curt nod. With obvious reluctance, he turned and stalked out of the room; the Silvers fell in behind him.

Elania kept her guard up, Eziel ready in her hand as she watched them go. Only when the door closed behind the last of them did she allow herself to relax slightly, though she kept herself positioned between Ember and Yolani.

Ember turned her attention to them, her expression unreadable under the red freshly regenerated skin as her eyes flicked from Elania to Yolani and back again. “Now then. Let’s talk about what just happened here, shall we?”

Elania bristled, her hand tightening on Eziel’s hilt as she met the other demi-divine’s gaze.

“I won’t bother Yolani further,” Ember said.

The urge to argue rose in Elania’s throat, but Yolani squeezed her arm, shaking her head.

The adrenaline suddenly drained from her body, leaving her feeling shaky. She nodded, forcing herself to relax her grip on Eziel.

Ember sat down on her desk, crossing her legs as she picked up a fan and waved it at herself. The flesh smoldered with some type of regenerative fire healing.

“I didn’t expect Yolani to shoot me,” she said.

Elania scowled. “You were being very rude.”

Ember laughed, smiling at her. “I like you two. We can still be friends.” She leaned forward. “What do you think about the little mission I offered you several days ago?”

“You’re not paying enough.” Elania frowned.

“I’ll double the crit,” Ember said, “as long as neither Lyra nor Elysia finds out about the shipment.”

Elania’s frown deepened. “What about Arlois?”

Ember laughed again, the sound grating on the nerves. “Arlois wouldn’t do anything to me. She’s much more open to my affection than the two of you.”

Elania blinked, wondering just how twisted Ember’s idea of affection could be. She glanced at Yolani, who shrugged, her expression uncertain.

Elania sighed, turning back to Ember. “Fine. We’ll ship your cargo—for the crit and the future vote when I ask for it.”

Ember’s smile widened, and she clapped her hands together. “Excellent! I knew we could come to an agreement.”

Elania winced, she did not share the other demi-divine’s enthusiasm.

The room reeked of spent shock-crystal and blood, and the echoes of the near-death battle rang in Elania’s ears. Was this really happening?

“Are we just going to forget about the fact that we almost killed each other just now?” Elania asked.

Ember’s face twisted into an expression of annoyance. “Yes, yes, we are. And Soren and the Silvers won’t bother you about it, either.”

Elania’s mouth fell open in shock. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” Ember repeated.

Elania glanced at Yolani, who shrugged, her expression just as bewildered. She turned back to Ember, her jaw clenching as she struggled to keep her temper in check.

“As long as you remember to treat Yolani with respect,” she said.

Ember’s eyes flashed with irritation, but she nodded. “I promise,” she said, her response clipped. “The matter is closed. You can go.” She paused, her lips curling into a smirk. “Unless you’ve changed your minds?”

Elania’s hand tightened around Yolani’s, and she shook her head.

“No, we haven’t.”