“Don’t be naïve,” I look at the ground, uneasiness settling in my stomach. “Father will, but there’s nothing we can do about it. I just hope at least Drake left before they stop the ships from disembarking.”
I hold on to the idea that he’s long gone, but not knowing whether he’s safe has me feeling more anxious than ever.
She lowers herself onto my bed. “I’m going to talk to Father, make him see reason.”
“Don’t,” I say wearily, knowing he’ll only see it as an act of defiance. I can’t have her be treated in the same way I am. She must always appear the dutiful daughter. How else will she ever survive this family? “He’ll have no choice but to act,” I explain, each word laced with years of resentment. “Even though the statue is gone, The Choosing is going ahead anyway now that Death has returned. I accomplished nothing.” A frigid chill laces around the back of my neck, and my heart skips a beat. I steady myself, then briefly close my eyes.
“I can’t believe it either.” She pauses, then chews on her lips. “What do you think he’s like?” As she leans forward, the wooden frame of the bed creaks. “The God of Death?”
Leaving my spot, I stroll over the intricately designed rug towards the tucked-away seating area, where I place my feet on the low wooden table. “I really don’t care,” I say, anxiety lacing my words. “But if the elders are terrible, then I can only imagine that he’s even more dreadful.”
She leans against the headboard, admiring the meticulous carvings that depict the goddess of creation. “The God of Death loves his people. We’re safe from the humans because of him. I’m sure he will be magnificent, although, I admit, I am a little afraid of seeing him.”
My eyes widen in astonishment as I turn to her, my nose scrunching up in response. “Yes, we should be. He sends people to be sacrificed. He is a monster!”
She changes position, crossing her legs. “I suppose. But don’t you think it’s for a good reason? I mean, we need the elders.”
“No, we don’t.”
She sighs, then returns the subject to Drake. “Do you think Drake’s left Dahryst yet?”
“I hope so,” I reply, but the knot of fear in my chest only tightens.
“Me too. I’m sorry, Cali. I know you’ll miss him. We both will.”
“Yeah,” I reply weakly. I can’t think about the danger he’s in without going out of my mind. Drake is smart, quick, and resourceful. He has a better chance of evading capture than any of us. “You should rest,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
She nods and lets out a long sigh. “We’ll be okay. Drake will be okay.”
Gods, I wish I had her optimism.
Slowly, she climbs off the bed, and I avert my eyes. I listen to the sound of her footsteps fading away, then close my eyes once the door clicks shut.
I push aside all emotions and enter a state of dissociation as my eyes focus on the wardrobe.
Suddenly, Thorn jumps into my line of sight, startling me. I’d forgotten he was here. His small, beady eyes lock onto mine with an intense gaze. He leaps into my arms, his weight pressing against my chest, and I cradle him as I carry him to the bed.
“Sorry I didn’t ask her to heal you, but look,” I say, pointing at the area, “you’re already on the mend.” I examine the wound, which will most certainly be closed by morning.
Exhausted, I ease us onto the soft mattress, my muscles protesting with every movement. I play with the idea of running while I still have the chance before the God of Death unveils my powers. With dread slithering in my stomach, I close my eyes, ignoring the urge to flee.
As I drift off to sleep, the haunting essence of decay magic seeps into my dreams, transforming Tenenocti into a wasteland. The branches, twisted and gnarled, hang like skeletal remains. The trees wither away gradually, their branches crumbling into powder and falling onto the lifeless soil. As I reach the pebbled beach, I take in the sight of the dark waters stretching out before me. Even the wind seems to whisper as it catches dead leaves, skimming them across the ground.
Startled, I jolt awake, and the world slowly comes into focus as I sit upright. A silhouette of pink appears in my peripheral vision, and I whip my head around to see Arabella sitting by my bed, staring at me. “Good gods, Ari.”
“Sorry, I know you’re taking a nap, but I had to wake you.”
“With a heart attack?” I ask as voices float through the floorboards. I try to decipher who they belong to, but I can’t place any of them except for my father’s gravelly tone. As she passes me a clay mug, wisps of steam twist through the air. I inhale the subtle hints of peppermint, then take a sip. “Who’s here?”
Her fingers intertwine with a ribbon from her dress as she twirls it around repeatedly. “The elders.”
“Why?” I ask, trying to keep my tone calm.
“They’re having a meeting…about you,” she says, tilting her head. “Where’s Thorn?”
I turn my gaze to the open window. The gentle breeze carries with it the scent of blooming flowers as the sky above paints a beautiful shade of sapphire. “He probably left early.”
She clenches her lips tightly. “Father’s upset. But it’s more than that…” she pauses.
“Spit it out, Ari.”
She purses her lips, then droops her head. “They’ve captured Drake.”
The world moves in slow motion. I stand, almost like every part of my body is moving of its own accord. I listen carefully as footsteps pound underneath my floorboards, fading out toward the front of the house. I whisper, “I’m going to find him.”
She stands in front of the door, as if that would stop me, then whisper-shouts, “Are you insane?”
“I’m not leaving Drake imprisoned.”
She shakes her head. “He will have a fair trial.”
“Don’t be delusional. They will kill him. They must.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “I care about Drake. But I love you more. I won’t lose you.”
“You can’t protect me, Ari. This is because of my choices. I won’t leave him to this fate alone,” I say as I pull on a gray dress so as not to draw any attention.
“What will you do?”
