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“Maybe we should consider running,” Petrik says. “If they find the books in my room, the ancient magical texts, who knows what they’ll do? Never mind if they actually learn that Ziva is a magic user.”

“You’re overreacting,” Temra says. “We have nothing to fear. Some of those texts aren’t even in a language most people can read. They’ll never know what they contain. And Ziva isn’t about to use magic, so why worry?”

“Because I promised Kellyn I would make him a weapon,” I say. “Or have you forgotten he’s staying in town until I complete it?”

“So we’ll buy him off. Pay him the cost of one of your weapons. He’s not about to turn away money.”

“But that wasn’t the arrangement.”

“He seems an understanding fellow. I’m sure he’ll be open to discussion.”

“So what if he is? I can’t go the rest of my life without making another weapon. It’s what I do. It’s what brings me joy and comfort. I can’t not be who I am.”

Temra shakes out invisible wrinkles from her horrible dress. “Not forever, of course. Just until Grandmother really gets to know us. Then she’ll accept us no matter what. I’m sure of it.”

“Temra, I know you’ve already grown fond of her, but she’s part of a sect that believes killing magic users is not only acceptable but a divine calling. That they’ll be blessed for doing so. Can’t you see how that scares me?”

Temra stops walking and rounds on me. “Can’t you see that we’re finally not running for our lives? We’ve been alone for so long, and now we finally have a family that wants to love us and protect us. Why are you trying to take that away?” Her voice has risen considerably.

I feel my face turn red. “Why are you already choosing them over me? Temra, they’llkillme. How can you be all right with that?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. Can you learn to relax a little and stop being scared of everything? You’re so pathetic all the time. You can’t even see a good thing when it’s right in front of you! I followed you clear across the continent. But enough is enough, Ziva!”

I look down at the ground, feeling tears drip down the sides of my face.

“Temra,” Petrik says. “How could you say that?”

“Oh, shut up,” she says to him. “Figures you’d take Ziva’s side. She’s the special one after all, isn’t she? The one worthy of being written about in your book?”

Temra runs ahead, pushing through the hordes of relatives until she reaches Volanna’s side and takes her hand like a child.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean—”

“No, Petrik,” I say. “Don’t defend her. She meant every word.”

Am I so pathetic that I’m blind to safety and happiness? Is she right?

We’re approaching the house, but the last thing I want to do is go inside.

“I’m going on a walk,” I tell Petrik. “Can you hide my absence and keep an eye on Temra?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

CHAPTER

TWELVE

I never walk the streets alone, not if I can help it. Even back in Lirasu, I wouldn’t go anywhere unless Temra was free to join me. I can’t help but be wary of everyone and everything. Because no matter what, it all feels like a threat.

I startle at every sound and have to eye every stranger I pass, ensuring none of them is Kymora. And damn this town, but everyone istoofriendly, saying hello whenever I pass them by.

I don’t want to talk. Why can’t everyone just keep to themselves?

Careful not to get lost, I finally get the courage to ask for directions to the Dancing Kiwi Tavern. Turns out a kiwi isn’t just a fruit but yet another kind of flightless bird. I stare up at the image of the squat bird with a long, thin beak painted on the sign above the door.

He’s probably not even inside. It’s not like he’s going to spend his days just sitting in the public area all day. No, he’ll be off enjoying the city. Although it is lunchtime. So maybe he’s eating?