Dreadgod (Cradle, #11)

by Will Wight

At first, Dross enjoyed the thrill of approaching doom. The risk made him feel alive. Then Lindon had started to fight against the Silent King, and Dross felt much as he had when the sky blackened: that at least they would die together, as one. Then Lindon took the blow meant for him. Dross could see every one of Lindon’s thoughts. He had to push to access memories, but surface thoughts were harder to ignore than to witness. So he heard it, clear as a song, when Lindon resolved to die before Dross. And Dross heard what Lindon meant by “Dross.” In the weeks since Dross had come back to awareness, he had tried several new personalities. Lindon had looked at the problem like a Soulsmith, trying to find a solution. To fix him. The reality was, Dross knew how to return to his old self. He had known…perhaps not the entire time. There was a while after waking when he had been very confused. He knew, though. He knew how to return. But the old personality had failed. He had failed Lindon by breaking. Dross was looking for a new Dross, a better Dross. One that wouldn’t flinch in the face of death and could endure the threats they faced. He liked his current personality, which helped him to enjoy those moments of danger. Even though, every time Lindon said Dross’ name, he was asking for the old Dross. The original. The one he’d been before. Which made Dross wonder: if my personality changes, will he throw me away? That was an unworthy thought, and one he was embarrassed to have. Lind...