Vaela’s feet followed after the woman without a thought. Her mind whirled with questions. Who was this woman? Why had she saved them? How did she know Vaela was a Champion?

Beside Vaela, Adyr ducked her head, falling in line behind the woman. Wide-eyed reverence covered Adyr’s face–was she thinking the same thing as her? This woman had moved just like Hermit and Jace–outfighting her enemies with almost unreal ease. Was… this one of the Created?

Shouting from behind broke Vaela out of her reverie. Priests filed in from down the street. Upon seeing the fallen bodies of their comrades, the shouting intensified.

The woman looked over at Vaela and nodded. “Let’s go. I will take us back to Jace’s.” She walked away at a brisk pace.

Vaela caught Adyr’s arm. With the priests down, they could make a break for it. “Hey, we don’t know who this woman is. For all we know, she could be one of the Twisted.”

Adyr shook her head, eyes wide. “I–I trust her.” She thrust Vaela’s stick back into her hands. “She saved us from the Church. Why, if she were one of the Twisted?”

Vaela released Adyr’s arm and accepted her stick. Why indeed? And a deeper question–why had they needed saving? How had the Church found them so quickly? This was a huge city. They couldn’t have sent priests to every single market, there was no way they had enough people to cover all of them.

But then again, Timura, and now this woman, had also found them. Maybe it wasn’t that hard.

Footsteps pounded closer as the priests and priestesses rushed down the street. No time to think about all that. She took off and caught up with Adyr.

The woman dropped the sword and nodded to Vaela and Adyr. “Keep up, young ones.” She broke into a run, gracefully loping through the streets. Vaela and Adyr struggled to keep up. The woman, though she appeared to be in her forties, kept up an impressive pace. Her athletic figure pulled ahead, little by little, as Vaela and Adyr raced behind her. She disappeared around a corner. By the time Vaela turned it, the woman was halfway down the street.

The pace was brutal, but the shouts of the clergy died out further and further behind them. After several blocks, they turned another corner and Vaela swiped the sweat from her eyes. The brothel!

They neared it, the searching cries of the clergy now several streets behind them. The woman disappeared inside the brothel and Vaela and Adyr finished running down the street. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the woman swung the door closed. Vaela braced her hands against her knees and wheezed. Next to her, Adyr laced her fingers behind her head, breathing heavily.

The older woman’s breathing was elevated, but in a controlled way. Like she had just gone for a leisurely jog–not sprinted through the city away from a small army. She seemed to be calmly studying Vaela. What was she looking for?

Vaela straightened up partially and rested her hands on her hips, still struggling to breathe normally. Yeah, ok, so she wasn’t the ideal picture of an epic Champion. The lady might as well find out now, instead of during some stupid sparring match where she kicked her ass. Vaela glared back at the woman. What was with these Created, always testing the Champions in combat?

The woman met her gaze and her entire face lightened, the skin around her eyes crinkling. Kindness radiated from her like the sun and Vaela’s chest warmed and loosened. The woman set a hand on her shoulder. “Well met, Champion. You did well back there.”

Vaela chewed her cheek. Maybe she’d been a bit harsh about this lady on first impression. She did rescue them from the Church after all. She shrugged and glanced at Adyr. “Well, I don’t think I did that much. If you hadn’t arrived, I don’t know what would have happened.”

The woman squeezed her shoulder and squared off to her, staring directly into her eyes. The level of attention was disorienting, uncomfortable almost. “You are new to fighting, I can See.” She leaned forward, Vaela’s own face reflecting in her pupils. “But when your friend was in danger, you did not run.” She nodded and leaned back, a small smile on her face. “Truly. You are a Champion.”

Warmth flushed through Vaela down to her core. She hugged her arms around herself and grinned. A Champion. It felt different hearing this woman say it. Not a responsibility, like how Hermit said it. Not a title, like how Jace said it. More than that. An accolade. An identity. Vaela rubbed the back of her neck. A Champion–her?

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Adyr stepped beside Vaela and collapsed to one knee. “Forgive me, Holy Created. I fear I endangered the Champion.” Her shoulders bunched, her hands balled into fists.

Vaela grabbed her arm and pulled up. “Don’t blame yourself. It’s the Church’s fault. Blame Kaverlna and her assholes.”

Adyr shook her head and peered up at Vaela. Angry tears welled at the corner of her eyes and Vaela released her arm. Was she that upset?

Adyr swallowed and looked down, her voice tight. “It is my fault. They weren’t looking for you. They wanted me–and you almost got hurt because of that.” She bowed her head to the woman. “I’m unworthy of your efforts, Most Holy.”

The woman stepped in front of Adyr. “My name is Alnea.” She cupped Adyr’s chin, but instead of lifting her head up, Alnea dropped to her knees. “Look at me, child.”

Adyr gasped and bowed lower. Her hands slapped the floor and her forehead touched the ground.

Alnea surveyed her for a moment. She rested her hand on the back of Adyr’s head. It glided down Adyr’s back in silent comfort. Adyr’s shoulders began to shake, her chest heaving with sobs. Alnea guided Adyr upright and enveloped her in a hug.

After a few moments, Alnea pulled her back and peered into her eyes. “You do not belong to them.”

Adyr’s face filled with fear, eyes widening. Alnea cradled her cheek with a palm. “You’ve paid a Blood debt, yes? I See your scars.” Adyr’s hand drifted to her shoulder, though Alnea kept her eyes trained on Adyr’s. “Your blood is your own. Let it be spilled for what you want.”

Adyr’s eyes flicked to Vaela then to the ground. Alnea rose to her feet and guided Adyr up by her hands. She nodded to the curtain. “We must talk to Jace and Hermit. The priests will find this place soon enough.”

Vaela swallowed and squeezed Adyr’s hand. She took the lead and walked to the curtain. The guard stood at his station beside the curtain and she exchanged a nod with him. Despite the dramatic interaction, he didn’t so much as bat an eyelid. Just what kind of things he must see on a daily basis. Vaela led them down the hallway to the dining hall.

Jace, Hermit, Timura, and Surah sat around the table. Vaela eyed the wine cups in front of each of them and the two empty bottles in the center. Of course. While she and Adyr were getting hunted down, they were having a party. Why did she always miss the wine?

Hermit sloshed a glass overhead. “Alnea! You old so-and-so, get your ass over here!”

Jace retrieved three more cups and another bottle of wine. He grinned widely and slapped them down to the table. “It’s been so long since you’ve been here, Al. Come, come, have a drink.”

Alnea stepped into the room and stood at the head of the table. “I assure you, I’ve never been here.”

Vaela almost moved to sit, but Alnea didn’t look like she was going to. Adyr immediately stood beside and slightly behind Alnea.

If they were all affiliated with one of the Created, this seemed like a decision point–who to cast her lot with. Hermit, oblivious to Alnea’s imposing presence, snatched the wine. Shadow twined down his arm and coalesced into a few Mice on the table. They ‘poured’ the wine into all the glasses. Surah and Timura laughed giddily and clapped.

Vaela groaned and crossed her arms. Definitely didn’t want to follow in his footsteps. Surah giggled and he and Hermit clinked glasses. Surah knocked into one of the other cups and Jace caught it before it toppled over.

Vaela turned her attention to Jace as he righted the cup. Now, he was at least a respectable option. Better than Hermit. Reflexes quick as a snake and the best fighter she’d ever seen.

Jace picked up a cup and toasted with Hermit. Hermit brightened and held his cup out to Jace. Jace perked up and held his cup to Surah. Surah giggled and completed the triangle by holding his glass to Hermit’s mouth. They collectively tipped the glasses and succeeded in sloshing a swallow of wine into their mouths, while most of it landed on their tunics.

Vaela sighed. So maybe Jace wasn’t the best option. She took her place on the other side of Alnea. The lady was a complete stranger, but sometimes ignorance was bliss.

Alnea rapped the table. “We must prepare to leave. Incus has directed his devoted to capture one of ours.”

Hermit swirled his glass at Jace. “Hey, hey. What do you call the part above a bird’s talons?” He jerked a thumb at Alnea. “Owl-knee-uhs.”

Jace choked and almost spit out his wine, slapping the table. Vaela groaned and glanced at Alnea. The woman’s eye twitched.

Hermit spun and raised his glass at her. “What’re you doing here, anyway?”

“The same as you, little brother.” She steepled her fingers. “The Approximation has started unprecedentedly early. If we are to take advantage, we must choose our Champions with care. Seratia’s Champion will already be determined. I knew I had to reach Jace before he impulsively Chose.” She glared down at Hermit. “You, I never expected to find, but I hoped you’d show some restraint.”

Vaela rubbed her arm. Was she some sort of impulse pick?

Alnea turned and smiled at Vaela. “But I needn’t have worried. You Chose a worthy Champion.”

Vaela grinned, despite herself. Yeah, this lady wasn’t bad. Much better than those two idiots.

Hermit waved Vaela over and patted the seat next to him. “Yes, yes, I was wise to pick her.” Vaela shook her head at him. Hermit sighed and scooped up two of the wine cups. He carried them over and held them out to Vaela and Alnea. Vaela snatched it and took a blissful gulp. After a large swallow, she lowered the cup. Should she have waited for Alnea?

The older woman accepted the cup from Hermit and handed it to Adyr. “Drink, child.” Adyr clutched the cup to her chest and nodded vigorously.

Vaela chewed her cheek and took another sip. Hmm, yeah, maybe she should have waited. This Alnea, she was a classy lady.

Hermit chuckled and retrieved the third cup. He held it out to Alnea, but pulled it back a fraction and jerked his head at Vaela. “She’s a Forger, you know. Got big plans for this one.” He grinned at Vaela, a Shadow Snake wrapping down his forearm similar to her Mark. “She may very well change the balance of the entire world.”