The World Weavers by Kelley Grant Page A

Parasu,” she said tightly. “The Tribune and I will go over it.” She turned to the Templar. “We also want every interview you’ve had with the Southerners.”
    â€œI will personally come to your altar and collect them,” the Magistrate said to the Templar, clearly still angry.
    The Herald nodded. “We will call a Curia when we have reviewed those documents and are satisfied we know as much as you do. Do not make any more arrests and do not enact any plan that has not been approved by all four altars, or Aryn will decide you are plotting against her and take action.” She turned to Jonas. “Voice, will you stay after?”
    His body nodded, already in the control of Parasu. The Magistrate hesitated, and Jonas’s hand lifted, waved him on. It was odd, when Parasu took over his body, like Jonas was having a vivid waking dream that was out of his control.
    Hush, child, Parasu scolded as the Crone and the Templar filed out. Jonas was chagrined that his thoughts had escaped to bother Parasu and quieted them more firmly. That was one problem with Parasu sharing Jonas’s body rather than taking it over. Parasu could overhear and be distracted by Jonas’s thoughts.
    When the door closed behind the other deities, the Herald’s demeanor changed and Jonas saw Aryn staring out of her eyes.
    â€œThey are up to something,” Aryn hissed. “They know something they are keeping from us!”
    â€œI felt that as well,” Parasu said.
    It was a strange sensation, feeling his body move and form words without Jonas’s volition.
    â€œIt has to do with the South, I know it! My spies say the Southern merchants are speaking about that ancient prophecy again. The one that says they have Chosen ones hiding something from us in the desert,” Aryn said. She stood and paced.
    â€œYes. We must reconsider our original judgment that the prophecy was a fake . . . perhaps these Chosen really are protecting something,” Parasu said. “And now we have a threat from the North as well. How is it your messengers had no knowledge of these Descendants? Have you been hiding something?”
    Aryn hissed in frustration. “No. I’d think the hag was making it up, except . . .”
    â€œThe unrest in the North is evident.” Parasu completed her sentence. “The One has taken our best acolytes and made them Counselors, both at the northern Temples and at the southern outpost.”
    â€œI lost one up north,” Aryn snarled. “And one in the south.”
    â€œAnd I lost two in the North,” Parasu said. “But Ivanha lost one up north and Voras lost one in the south.”
    â€œYour Magistrate was clearly shocked by everything he heard here today, so I’m guessing you know no more than I do.”
    Parasu grimaced. “It is concerning. It is possible that the new Counselors are due to the machinations of these Descendants, but I believe the One is in fact responding to whatever the Crone and the Templar are up to.”
    â€œAnd what is that?” Aryn cried in frustration. “What have they found that they would risk the wrath of the One? It will change the balance between the deities, if we don’t find out. I feel this, Parasu. We must figure out what they are up to.”
    â€œAnd do what? Stop them?” Parasu asked.
    â€œForce them to include us. If they’ve found a way to wrest control away from the One, to gain more power—­I want that power. I will not be left out, forced to serve Ivanha and Voras. I want my due.”
    Parasu nodded. “I agree. We will review the documents they give us. We will also send our spies in the household staff to find the information they are hiding from us.”
    â€œYes,” Aryn hissed, sitting down at the table again. “Good. I will have my Herald meet with your group for the review. Your Tribune and my Herald will meet and we will speak again