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Athios nods "Your team has found the second, as well," he answers "And soon to find the third"

"How do you know that?" I ask I know he’scloser to me, and I allow it I knoon’t hurt me

"Because it’s here" He swipes his arm "And the inscription on the second relic is quite explicit"

Confusion webs my brain "How in the hell do you know that?" I ask

Athios is standing in front of e "Smeared mascara," he says "Because I aer of the Fallen," I say "You’re the oldest"

Athios nods "Justyounger in appearances I was younger when I becael But after soanyain "Athios, please If you’re using your angel/Fallen ie on me, don’t" I look at him "Please Let me have my own faculties For now"

He simply stares atto touch you Always It’sdifficult not to"

I don’t kno to respond to that, so I don’t Instead I question "So, if you’re not like them, what are you like?"

Athios smiles "I’m a Death Walker, now," he states

"What’s that el by hiding the relics and, ultih I wanted them not only for myself, but to keep them away froic It can be a dark, evil book, and I’ve seen too many souls turn black because of it" He looks out at the sea "But because I hid it for , I was banished as a Fallen" He turns to me "And the only way to rectify hs softly "Which, ultiaze and hold it for sometime, mesmerized once more by the silver beauty I shake hs and slides a little closer to me "The North Sea is a tumultuous beauty Is it not?" he asks

I watch the water for a moment, at the constant white caps that tip the dark water Seabirds dip and dive into it for fish, and the crashing of it against the rocks foretells its fury "Yes, it certainly is"

"Much like you," he says "Riley Poe"

I turn to hiainst the derelict wall of the ruin "Where are we?" I ask

"Tantallon Castle," he offers "A grand fortress in its prime None other like it, save Dunnottar to the northeast"

"How is it no one is around? Tourists, Ilot Totally erass and ruins

"I’ve charmed it," he ad"

"How long?" I ask

He lifts h"

"Athios," I look at him "I don’t know you I don’t knohat’s real and what’s not And I’ve just lost ht I would’ve never done it on my own"

"Well," he says, and takes my hand and places it in his "Get to know me"

My head spins, the world darkens, and I slip into another life, another time

Part Ten

ABSOLUTE RESTITUTION

And then there stole into ht of what sweet rest there ar Allan Poe, "The Pit and the Pendulu it’s been to take advantage of Riley, even knowing she’d just lost her love I can’t helpI’ve alanted Aye, I’ve used et at times that I’ve done such because her reaction to me, to my touch, is so powerfulit’s ill help me survive what I’m about to endure

--Athios

Just that fast, I’m back

I’ve just witnessed Athios’s entire life And death And rebirth

He smiles down at me "Now you know me"

It somehow comforts me to know Athios is truly not a Black Fallen He’s a victi fall His heart is pure And unlike the other Fallen, he has never stolen a soul He instead visits the e are headed out the door anyway He uses a little of their life force to maintain his substance here on earth No one hurt No foul done

And he’s only doing it until the Seiagh is found and destroyed