Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)(133)
Author: Richelle Mead

Geraki smiled and nodded along. “Ah, yes. Your thought and memory. Are you used to them yet? I had trouble with the wolves at first, but now I enjoy them. But then, I spend so much time alone in meditation that it’s actually nice having the company.”

Justin had once kind of wanted to find someone else who heard voices, but this wasn’t what he’d imagined. “You obviously think you have some insight into the big picture here. Are you going to keep dangling it in front of me or finally come clean?”

The smugness and cynicism vanished from Geraki’s face, and he leaned across the table. “You want the truth, Servant of Truth? The truth is, when you banish the gods from the world, they eventually come back—with a vengeance. Humans can’t stay away from gods, and gods can’t stay away from humans. It’s the natural order of things. Our country’s treatment of the divine was too harsh after the Decline. Our people have pushed the gods away for too long, and now the divine is pushing back. That’s why these forces are stirring around us. There’s a vacuum here, and entities we haven’t seen for a very long time are rushing in, seeking followers. Belief is what powers the gods, and they’re picking out their elect to conduct their earthly business.”

His words chilled Justin because in some part of him, he knew it was all true. “How are the elect chosen?”

“All sorts of reasons. Sometimes it’s shared blood and heritage. Sometimes it’s about strength and usefulness—or alleged cleverness. Whatever’s a match to that god’s attributes and agenda. We’re pieces on a gameboard, Dr. March, and some of us are more powerful than others. You. Me. Her. We’re the ones the gods want. We’re the ones they’re fighting over. Of course, my allegiance is already sealed.”

“And I suppose you consider yourself the king on this board?”

“You must not have played chess in a while. The king is the weakest piece in the game.” He gave Justin a level look. “The queen’s the strongest.”

“What is it you and your master expect from me in this game? To use my alleged cleverness to convert new followers?”

Geraki shrugged. “That’d be a start. More followers means more belief, which means more power. Others will be doing the same for their gods. We’re not the only ones who know what’s happening. Your human masters know. So do powerful people you don’t even suspect. This won’t stay contained, and everyone will fight for the gods they’ve sworn to serve. Don’t you want to be on the winning side? We need to fight for ours.”

“I haven’t ‘sworn’ to anyone or anything,” Justin said.

“No.” Geraki sighed. “Which is a shame. You won’t be able to learn the full extent of his wisdom or grasp your power until you accept him. He’s already accepted you. You even have his mark.”

Geraki pushed up his sleeve, and Justin’s heart nearly stopped. There, tattooed in blue, was a symbol identical to the scar Justin had received in the fire, that same odd F-shape.

“Where,” Justin breathed, “did you get that?”

“From a tattooist on Brooks Street. Oh. The idea? Our god sent it to me.”

The room swayed a little, but Justin’s bourbon was only half-gone. “This is impossible.”

“Is it?” Geraki’s eyes seemed to see right into Justin’s heart. “He’s marked us both. I hear his voice, and you will deliver it. Everything I’ve said about the powers returning to the world…you know it’s all true. I know you feel it. You can feel you have a role to play. So why won’t you choose a side? How did you even reach this point with the ravens and a divine mark if you haven’t sworn fealty?”

“Because your master slipped up and gave me the goods before I had to pay for them.”

Geraki leaned across the table, face speculative. “You must be clever if you outwitted him. But you’re not in the clear, are you? He wouldn’t still be interested in you if you were. The ravens would have left. Instead, he’s biding his time…waiting for the inevitable. What is it? What line are you dancing on that’ll eventually bring you to his service?”

A woman among women.

“One I’m not going to cross.”

Geraki slumped back. “Why are you fighting it?”

“Because gods do terrible things to people.”

“And incredible things. You must know that. Haven’t the ravens taught you wonders?”

Justin thought back on the past four years. “You mean their constant nagging about my choices and personal life?”

I think you mean advice, not nagging, said Horatio.

“I mean the runes and spells and other knowledge key to your path.” At Justin’s silence, Geraki looked uncharacteristically dumbfounded. “How…what kind of deal did you make? Didn’t you promise to learn his ways?”

“Only if I swore myself to him.”

Seeing Geraki stumped was almost making this trip worthwhile. “Someone as egotistical as you isn’t interested in learning the secrets of one of the wisest, cleverest gods? If you had even a taste of his power, you’d want to follow him.”

“A god whose name I don’t know.”

“You have to learn that for yourself. It’s part of a wise man’s path.”

“Convenient. And I don’t suppose he’ll come talk to me himself?”

“I thought he already did.” Geraki looked legitimately surprised. “In a dream?”

“A dream doesn’t mean anything. I dreamed the other night that I went riding on a dinosaur.”

“He doesn’t just appear in the physical world at a man’s whim,” said Geraki, echoing what the ravens had once said. “To simply hear his voice alone, I have to fast and meditate and endure all sorts of torments.”

“Right. No alcohol. No sex.” Justin brought up the bill. “This is no different than any of the other religions I’ve looked at over the years. Maybe there really are gods in the world, maybe there’s one who thinks I’m his elect. But for beings that want worship, they sure do make things hard for their followers. Not much in the way of concrete answers or guidance. It’s just left for mortals to figure it all out.”

“Wise men don’t need concrete answers. By definition, they need wisdom, which you’re lacking in.” It was exactly the same kind of nonsensical commentary Justin had heard before, and he was surprised to find he was disappointed.