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“You trust him?”

“I… trust that he wants to protect his people. The same as I do.”

He studies me, reading between the lines. “But you’re also unsure.”

“Of course I’m unsure. I’m also running out of options and we can’t afford to do nothing,” I say, lifting my chin.

His eyes harden and he frowns deeply.

“There’s a rumor in the city that the Shaman plans to execute another group of dissidents. He’s doing that more and more. Feeding them to the machine. It will be within the next handspan.”

My stomach twists. I know well the sounds those put on the infernal machine make. The pain and torture that it puts them through to sacrifice their blood to the Paluga is beyond belief.

“He’s escalating,” I say. “Why?”

“He’s scared,” Janara says. “He knows the people are restless. The Resistance has recently had to act. He’s tightening his grip in response.”

“I need something to bring back to the Al’fa,” I whisper. “Something real. Proof that there are still those in the city willing to fight for me. That an alliance is possible.”

Janara hesitates. His eyes search mine, then reaches inside his cloak and pulls out a small, battered emblem. I recognize it instantly. My sigil. The seal I once wore around my neck when addressing the Council of Elders. The silver is dull, the chain broken, but it’s real.He presses it into my hand.

“This survived. Passed from hand to hand through the underground. When people see this, they remember what you stood for. Who and what we were. It is one of the few things that can pull most of them from the despair that rots their souls.”

Emotion swells, sharp and sudden. I close my fingers around the emblem, its familiar weight grounding me, tethering me to the girl I used to be.

“I don’t deserve this,” I whisper.

“Maybe not,” he says. “But the people need a symbol. And you’re it.”

I nod once, sharp and quick, before the tears can come. Janara turns to leave.

“I’ll spread word that you live. That you’re working with the Zmaj.”

“That will make you a target.”

He grins, wild and fierce.

“Good. My Queen, I have lived all my life to serve.” He shrugs and then shakes his head. “And I’ve been getting bored.”

Khiara chuckles. I step forward, touching his arm.

“Thank you.”

He pauses, then cups my shoulder briefly.

“Come back soon. With strength,” he says, pausing to look over me again and shaking his head. “Gada. Even with the Zmaj. I will make sure we are ready.”

And then he vanishes into the shadows with his companions, just as swiftly as they came. The cavern is silent again. But it feels different now. Not just a place of hiding. A place of hope. I turn back to the fire and meet the Zmaj’s gaze.

“You heard?”

They nod.

“You have allies,” one says. “That matters.”

I hold the sigil tighter and lift my chin.

“Yes,” I say. “And now… we fight together.”