Meta Gods War 3 by B. Miles (the ebook reader txt) 📕

pain Sirrin went through, the sort of pain he still carries.

But none of that mattered. The pain of one man, or two men, of a hundred men, none of them mattered, not in the end.

“I understand,” Cam said. “I truly do, but I’m not sure you do.”

Sirrin turned to him and looked stricken. “Cam—”

“You didn’t see them,” Cam said. “The goddesses were something we could never fight against. The greatest army in the world couldn’t hope to stand against a single goddess and all her fury. If Danua hadn’t come, Lycanica would have ripped us all to pieces, no matter how hard I fought or how much power I used.”

“That’s always been the way,” Sirrin said.

“But now the gods are stepping out of the shadows,” Cam said. “Lycanica led her wolves into our land, killed our people, and ravaged the north. She did it for her own personal reasons and for her own selfish desires. She did it once, and she might do it again. There’s no promise that next time Danua will stop her, or if any of the other gods will be interested in stepping in.”

“You don’t know she’ll attack again,” Sirrin said.

“We can’t take that risk. Don’t you understand? The gods are not on our side and the Urspirit can’t protect us. We need power if we’re going to stand up to the gods, and the only power I can think of that might stand a chance is the priori. We need shaman, Sirrin. We need hundreds of them.”

Sirrin turned to Cam. His skin was ashen and his eyes drooped wide. He shook his head and held up his hands like he was surrendering to a stronger opponent.

“That’s madness,” he said. “That’s… hundreds of shaman? Cam, you can’t be serious. We can’t stand against the gods. And to create that many shaman, it would be…”

“Difficult,” Cam said. “But I’ll do it. We’ll learn control. We’ll learn how to fight together. There’s no other way.”

Sirrin took a step back. “Please, Cam. You can’t do this.’

“I won’t ask you to help. But this is what we’re doing.”

He shook his head. His eyes went wild like a rabid horse. “I’ll stop you,” he said.

“Try,” Cam said. “And I’ll make sure you never return to this place.” Cam took a step toward Sirrin. “We need this, and nothing’s going to get in my way. Do you understand me? I won’t let the gods destroy what I’ve built.”

Sirrin shook his head and backed away. He dropped his hands to his sides and paused like he wanted to speak.

But instead, he turned and walked back to the Mansion.

Cam watched him go with a steady, slow heartbeat. He pictured all the shaman he’d create and all the power they’d wield together.

If he could only learn how to link their magic together, figure out how they could all work in tandem together…

Then they’d be unstoppable.

He turned away from Sirrin’s retreating figure, the conversation already forgotten as his mind worked through the problem of pushing his power to another shaman.

44

Firelight spilled over the pile of furs stacked on the floor. Miuri and Felin lounged next to Cam, their bodies half-dressed and intertwined. A slight sheen of sweat glistened on their skin, and he couldn’t help but run a hand down Felin’s long, lean leg. His body stirred in response, despite having tasted her for the better part of the last hour.

“It’s good to be home,” Felin said.

“Yes, it is,” Cam said. “Although strange how this room is starting to feel like home. It was just yesterday that I was living in Medlar village.”

“Do you think you’ll return there?” Miuri asked.

“I don’t know,” Cam said. He stretched his legs and let out a contented sigh. “I hadn’t thought about it.”

“I think people are starting to head back to their homes already,” Felin said. “I saw groups of them this morning gathered in the main hall. Galla had her Wardens handing out food and supplies for their journey and they were leaving with her blessings.”

“I guess that had to happen sooner or later.” Cam shrugged and leaned his head back. “I’m not sure I could go back though. Would you two want to live in a tiny little village?”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Miuri said. “I’m used to a quiet village life.”

“Me too,” Felin said. “But I doubt Galla will go anywhere.”

“No, she won’t. And I don’t think I can. Not when I’m going to take over responsibilities here.”

Felin narrowed her eyes. “You’re doing what?”

Cam rolled his head toward her. “Taking over responsibilities. Training the shaman, sharing the Lordship. I don’t think I can do any of that from my old village.”

“I didn’t know you were taking on the Lordship,” Miuri said and shared a look with Felin.

Cam waved a hand. “It’s nothing. Ceremonial. Galla’s going to still shoulder the burden of command. I’m just going to have a title so that I can better control and train the shaman.”

Felin let out a little grunt. “I doubt Galla likes that.”

“She doesn’t, but she also knows what’s best for this place. It’s happening tomorrow.”

“And you didn’t tell us?” Miuri leaned forward and put a hand on Cam’s chest. “Maybe that’s a sign of something. You didn’t tell us because you know it’s maybe not the best—”

“It’s for the best,” Cam said, interrupting her. He put his hand on hers and gently pulled it away. He stood and strode across the room, firelight glinting off his naked form. He turned and looked at his girls, at their wide eyes and uncertain looks, and felt a strange anger come over him.

“I don’t know why you all can’t see it,” he said. “Especially you two. You know better than us what the gods are capable of.”

“We know that,” Felin said. “We’re not disagreeing with you.”

“And yet you’re acting like I’m doing something terrible by stepping into power.”

“I don’t think it’s terrible,” Miuri said, her voice soft and calm. “But I do think it’s going to hurt Galla’s feelings.”

“She’s a big girl. She’ll learn