Sympathy for the Gods

Excerpt

Sympathy for the Gods
Tallie Rose © 2023
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

Early morning sun streamed into the nearly empty window display of Briar’s old shop. The only thing remaining was a book stand, the FOR SALE sign balanced precariously in its metal arms. Now, there would be a new inhabitant. Red lettering announced the building had sold.

Her once beloved shop was going to sell coffee, just like half the other buildings in Wesvik. She’d boxed the stock up, shoving first editions into her linen closet while she did her best not to cry in front of Lillia. She didn’t think she could handle the sympathy.

Briar watched the retreating figures of the buyer and agent. She’d signed the papers and the loss had carved a hole in the pit of her stomach. She tried to remember what she’d gained. She could have any book deal she wanted now. She was the conduit, though she still hadn’t figured out exactly what that would mean except filtering people’s sadness and grief.

Lillia and Fauna urged her to accept her new role. There was nothing to run from. Her new power and position were not an enemy to defeat, they were part of her. But she also saw the way Lillia looked at her sometimes, the way her eyes took in Briar’s flawless skin, the slight glow that emanated beneath it. She felt other, even further apart from everyone else than she had been before.

Soren told her to do whatever she wanted. He whispered it when the others weren’t listening, reminding her that she hadn’t chosen this, that she could still pick the path of her life. She didn’t owe anyone anything. But every nerve beneath her skin told her she did.

New magic spread out, a web through the world, reaching into the beyond, and she could always feel the Gods, just a pull away. She pressed her forehead to the cool glass then she stepped away. She couldn’t run the bookshop. She couldn’t let the women who worked there deal with the constant barrage of people wanting things: help for sick kids, help with their bills, but mostly they just wanted to see if she was real, to see if the Gods had truly returned.

She sighed and turned, leaving the shop behind, and wiped her tears. Speaking of coffee, she could use some caffeine. She’d barely slept the night before, dreading the morning, but now it was done. There were only a few blocks between her store and her favorite coffee shop. She pulled her collar up before she ordered and tried not to make eye contact.

Coffee in hand, Briar found a spot outside. She stretched into the rays of the sun like a cat, and pulled out her phone, barely noticing the footsteps that approached, assuming some stranger wanted something. She glanced up, a quip ready on her tongue, and her heart skipped a beat.

Bastianna sank into the seat across from her, smiling sweetly.

“What do you want?” She’d seen her on TV, on social media. Bastianna’s face seemed to be everywhere these days, constantly calling Briar a murderer. She was nothing but a sad fraud, but that didn’t keep the followers, Believers as they called themselves, from flocking to her.

“Things are bad between us, Briar.”

The world’s largest understatement. “Do you think it’s because I’m fucking Lillia or because you’re a psychopath trying to kill me? I’ve been debating it.”

A muscle in Bastianna’s jaw twitched at the mention of Lillia but her smile stayed plastered on. She opened her mouth to talk but Briar held up a hand, cutting her off.

“And it’s so odd, you’re constantly saying I killed the Gods, that you’re a true believer, blah, blah, blah, but I’m the conduit. The Gods come at my beck and call. Makes you a little hard to believe.”

“Are you done?”

A man stared at them from the next table. Good. Briar was glad to have witnesses. She caught his eye for just a moment before turning back to Bastianna. “She doesn’t mention you, you know. Though when would she have time? And I’m sure you know how delicious she is.” Bastianna’s smile finally died and Briar smirked in its wake. “Definitely not an easy person to lose, but I’d imagine you’re used to people leaving you. You’ve got abandonment issues written all over you.”

“I wanted to talk about Ivian.” Sparks flared at Bastianna’s fingertips and Briar wished she would try something, right now in the crowded street, full of witnesses.

“Why? As far as I can tell he’s waiting out his time.” At least, that’s what she hoped. Ivian was a fallen God, his punishment older than time itself. The finer points of what being a fallen God meant were hazy. But it seemed he had two choices: atonement or death. She couldn’t see how he could atone for trying to kill her, for nearly killing Evaria. Not unless he was about to pop out and take down Bastianna, which she’d really like to see.

“He’s contacted me. I won’t tell you where he is.”

“I bet I could make you.”

“Is that a threat? From the conduit?” She clucked her tongue. “Anyway, he’d like to talk, and I think you owe him that since you murdered his daughter.”

A small crowd was forming, phones in hand, snapping pictures. She knew it was a matter of minutes before some news organization showed up. “Ivian can contact me himself. I’m not elusive.” She leaned over the table, pressing her hands against the cold metal. Veins of gold ran across the surface, emanating from her fingers. “But Bastianna, if you ever sneak up on me like this again, I’m going to consider it a threat. And haven’t I taken enough from you already?”

Bastianna’s face paled but her voice remained steady. “Aren’t you the least bit interested in what I have to say? You’re the conduit, voice of the people. Shouldn’t you be listening?”

Her words struck true. Briar hadn’t been listening. She didn’t want to be the conduit. She didn’t want to hear the pleas from mothers of dying children, she didn’t want to visit struggling families. She cared, she’d always cared, but it was too close, too personal. And Bastianna noticing infuriated her. She grabbed her wallet off the table and stood.

She was Briar Constance. She wasn’t going to be denigrated by some dim-witted party planner. “Eliana’s dead, Bastianna. She was a fraud and you fell for it. Stop doubling down on your failures, honey.”

Before she could respond, Briar was gone, trying not to knock into anyone as she hurried away. But she didn’t shake, she kept her shoulders back and her head up. She knew how to hold it together in public but she needed to get out of the street. People would be outside her building, they always were, and she didn’t want to face Lillia right now. There was Soren, but he was doubtless canoodling with her cousin and she wanted to scream.

So she headed for Evaria’s house. There were campaign signs lining the streets. Apparently, the constant bad luck of Endlyia’s Prime Ministers was enough to change the election system. The vote had been pushed back and though there was a bit of chaos at the senate handling everything, the public approval for the choice was fairly high.

Everyone had expected Evaria to run and now they expected her to win. With the swirling abyss of green under her chest and her ethereal glow, not to mention all the press time after Ivian’s downfall, Evaria had won the public’s favor. Her ex-husband, Silas, however, had been taking meetings with Bastianna’s followers. Too many of the senators had, for Briar’s liking, weak leaders threatened by the return of the Gods.

Several muscular men stood outside the gates to the mayor’s house and Briar batted her eyelashes at them. “Is she in?”

The speaker from the guardhouse clicked on before any of them could answer, and Evaria’s voice came through. “Hey, Ry. She’s fine, fellas.”

One of the guards pressed a button, side-eyeing Briar, and the gates slid open. They always looked so suspicious, probably assuming none of her reasons for being there included clothed activities.

Evaria did look delightful in a pencil skirt and a cream shirt Briar could see through when she stood in the sun. She held the door open, and Briar was glad for the emptiness inside.

“I just got cornered by Bastianna.” She headed for the liquor cabinet. Deep in her mind the scent of spring swirled, new buds and blossoms, but Briar had no interest in talking to Lorcus right now, nor his sibling, who she suspected would be piggybacking on his summoning.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Evaria poured them both a drink. “You didn’t murder her, did you? I haven’t been elected yet so I can’t pardon you.” She perched on the arm of an overstuffed chair.

“So you’re officially running, then?” She’d have to move to Ourst, and the thought of it tugged Briar’s heartstrings. But it would be good for Evaria. Like Briar, she’d never get away from the spotlight. She was making a quick jump from senator’s wife to Prime Minister, people might hate her for it, but she seemed to thrive on their disdain. Another thing she and Briar had in common. And it wasn’t like she’d done nothing but sit at home while she was his wife.

“Yeah, I am, but I think you should too.”

“I should what?” Briar sipped the whiskey. As far as she knew, being Prime Minister wasn’t a two-woman job.

“I think you should be mayor. And don’t make that face. You’d win in a landslide. You’re the conduit, but more importantly, you’d be good at it.”

Briar snorted, driving alcohol up into her nasal passages. “Would I?” She wiped at her face. “I think I’d be doing the entire city a disservice.” There was absolutely no way she was running for mayor. She didn’t want any of what it entailed. Maybe she could tell Bastianna she’d run if she bothered her again though. That would be a fun threat.

Evaria smiled a little half smile, raising one of her eyebrows and reminding Briar of days long gone. “You’ve turned me down on a lot of offers I was hoping you’d take but I want you to think about this one. Actually think about it. You’re smart, you’re educated, you love this city. You’ve got name recognition.”

“I don’t have a platform, Evie. And I’ve got a God who might want to murder me. It isn’t the job for me.” Though she was going to need a job. A nagging voice in her head reminded her she had something very much like a job. She was the conduit. And she had Lillia.

Evaria pushed herself off the chair and took a few steps toward Briar, her fingers caressing the spot on her chest where Ivian’s magic had struck her. “For better or worse this is done in six months. Ivian will be redeemed or he will be gone. I know you aren’t going to spend all your days visiting children’s hospitals and praying at altars and I don’t want to see you adrift. If you don’t want to be the mayor, fine, but do something. Don’t just stay here and be someone’s girlfriend, Briar. You’re better than that.”

“You wanted me to be your girlfriend.” She finished the last of her drink. She needed to leave; this conversation was entering dangerous territory. And she didn’t like the way Evaria seemed to know her thoughts. She would be an excellent Prime Minister. She could read people. And maybe it would be best for them if they were further apart. They’d never been good for each other.

“I’m not some shopgirl.”

“Evie…”

“I’m not trying to be cruel. Lillia is sweet. But you’re destined for more. I never wanted to be your girlfriend, I wanted to give you the world. But now you have it. Get through this last debacle, and it’s all spread before you. If she’s at your side, so be it, but make sure you live.”

“You really fuck with my head, you know that.” Even more than Bastianna, who wished she had half the smarts or charm that Evaria did.

She laughed. “I just want you to believe in yourself.”

“Oh, that’s all, hmm?” Briar stood and smoothed her clothes. “Don’t answer that. I should go. And I’ll think about it, I really will. You know I love attention.” She wouldn’t but she’d definitely replay this conversation a few times before she fell asleep.

She let herself out, running a hand through her hair and messing it up. She tugged at her clothes, grinning at the guards as she turned the corner. There was something desperately wrong with her but her spirits were lifted. Maybe someone would photograph that and she could be back in the paper for being a gigantic slut again. The thought was reassuring. Give the people what they want.

She needed a break, some time away from the city. She was deep into thoughts of Lillia on vacation when she felt the tug again, but this time there was no pretense. Bonfires and sandy beaches wove through the images in her head—a direct call from Nilaja. Briar sighed. She was never alone anymore; the Gods were constantly with her, and if they weren’t making demands it was people, wanting help, money, better luck. The task was overwhelming. She’d tried to set office hours but people had ignored them. She’d been trying to hide from it for a week, but she knew she was doing herself no favors by ignoring everyone.

The words of the spell came to her easily. She whispered them, glad it no longer required her blood. The wind took her words away, and Nilaja was beside her, long and willowy, their hair short.

“Finally.”

Briar rolled her eyes but made sure to keep them on the sidewalk ahead, not the Deity beside her. “Well, you called, and you know I can’t resist you.”

“Wait.” Nilaja grabbed her wrist, sending power raging through her. “You should know Bastianna’s telling the truth. Ivian contacted her. He could still hurt you. He’s human but the earth recognizes him. He knows spells and potions and all the things you never learned. They’re both dangerous.”

“I’m not scared of Bastianna.”

“You should be. You need a plan. I could stand with you, give a statement, but she’ll still gain followers, and I worry I’d do more harm than good. Not everyone has come to terms with…us.”

“I hate this, you know. I’m tired of fighting.” But Nilaja was right, Bastianna and Ivian together could spell disaster. “He can’t want to die. He has to want to redeem himself.”

Nilaja shrugged, winking at a woman passing by, and her eyes went wide. “I don’t know what he wants, Briar. His daughter is dead. He’s angry and he blames you. I think Evaria is right, you need to be in public more. You need people to love you.”

“If you’re going to spy on me, you should pick something juicier.” Or be more discreet about it. She would rather pretend the Gods weren’t watching her.

“Perhaps I find the way she makes you squirm particularly juicy. Like a ripe peach.” They reached out again but stopped before they made contact. “Her motivations are terrible but she’s right. You can’t hide from this and you shouldn’t lose yourself. Make sure you’re still you.”

Soren had said similar things the day before; that something had gone out in Briar. But if it had she didn’t know how to reignite it. She wanted to go home, to curl into Lillia’s arms and feel safe. Loved. But she’d have to tell her about Bastianna—and Ivian. Some part of her did long for more, for another mystery, another mission. But she was sure it wasn’t being the mayor.

Briar slipped off the sidewalk, between two buildings, where clothes hung from lines, drying in the wind. She was tired of the stares. Her pictures weren’t in tabloids anymore, they were on the cover of serious magazines. On the news. Everyone was right about one thing—she was lost, a boat unmoored. “What should I do?”

“Oh, I can’t answer that.” They leaned against the bricks, which caught on their clothes, pulling them taut. “I didn’t really come to tell you any of this. There’s something else.”

Briar watched the curve of their mouth, the way the sun hit their cheekbones. She wanted to push them against the bricks, to run her hands up their thigh. She shook her head, making her curls bounce. Would it ever get easier, just being near them? “Is it bad?”

They smirked. “You are easy to make squirm. A conduit should have a purer mind, Ms. Constance.”

“Quit changing the subject.” But again it was everyone else who was right about her. All her friends knew her better than she knew herself. The problem wasn’t just that she didn’t want to be the conduit. She didn’t feel worthy of it.

“Fine. But you’re going to have a thousand questions and I don’t have any answers.” They bit their lip, pulling it between their teeth. “Bastianna has been summoning me. Obviously, I haven’t answered, but I can’t get into her mind. I don’t know why and it makes me nervous. Less for me and more for you. I don’t want her to have a plan.”

“It’s good to know you think about me at all.” But her blood ran cold at the thought. It was one thing for Bastianna to meet with her on city streets. She posed no threat, but to try to summon Nilaja… Briar couldn’t think of a single reason why.

“When I know more I’ll tell you. See you soon, sweetness.” And in a blink they were gone, the air colder. All Briar was left with was a headache in an alley, even more confused than she had been before, and entirely tired of Bastianna Norfleet.