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Bryn regards his wife thoughtfully, then proceeds as if not in the presence of a stranger. “It’s bad, my love.” He runs a hand down his face and over his beard. “This newcomer is intent on causing trouble for anyone who will not fully subject themselves to the dark beasts.”

“What does that mean?” Tress sits up taller, her eyes tracing her husband’s motions. A tremor runs through her fingers.

The man sighs wearily. “He has convinced the Foremost to go after all those devoted to Elyon, to begin with.”

Tress gasps and pulls her hand away from mine. “What?”

Bryn nods slowly. “Yes, I’m afraid Dravek has been sending his men to search out caeruméni meeting houses. He’s offered a considerable reward to anyone who will turn over the fidrélas.”

“Fidrélas?” I say before I can stop myself.

Bryn cocks his head at the interruption. The frown still dominates his brow, but kindness fills his deep-set eyes. He hesitates as he searches my face, but his wife’s endorsement appears to have been enough to convince him. “Those faithful to the ancient teachings of Elyon. In the long absence of Sola Vinari and Kuvror Erovantus, our numbers have been increasing. But in secret. As confidence in the provision of the kaligorven has dwindled, the interest in the beliefs of old has grown.”

Tress’s soft features form a contemplative expression. “Yes, it has been a relief to see the Shrouded’s hold on the souls of the valefolk weaken over time. Although, it has been difficult to encourage the people when they’ve seen the bones that light our city grow dim.”

My fingers travel to the little pendant at my throat. No matter how the Foremost insists hunting down the light will bring us peace with the kaligorven, he can never banish the truth that light will always symbolize hope.

Tress raises her eyes to the tree. “Elyon will always shine light in our hearts, but people tend to lose their faith when darkness is all they see.”

“Hmm, yes.” Bryn sits heavily on the bench beside his wife. “And their devotion is easily bought by the bones of the innocent.”

“The bones of ...” I shift forward on the bench so I can see Bryn’s face better. “Have the kaligorven lifted the command of darkness?”

He nods. “Yes, and with a fresh beast to harvest.” He grimaces. “I’m sure Utsanek will be in a state of celebration for days to come.”

I inhale sharply. Another sola? The air seems to press down upon me. I stare at the buttons of my dress and dig the toes of my shoes into the soft earth beneath the bench.

“Bryn.” Tress’s gentle voice breaks through my fog. “You said they were looking for the faithful.” I can hear the concern in her voice, but I can’t bear to look at her face. Her next words come out in a whisper. “Did they find any?”

My fingers tighten around handfuls of my dress as my heart cries in a groan too deep for words. An eternity passes before Bryn responds.

“No, thank the Highest. They did not.”

Tress closes her eyes and exhales, and I find I can breathe again.

Getting to his feet, Bryn squeezes Tress’s shoulder. “But we need to be prepared for what is coming.”

She nods. Something unspoken passes between husband and wife, and while I’m still trying to figure out what it was, he leaves.

“So. Amyrah.” Tress turns her soft green eyes upon me once more. I meet her gaze. “Tell me about that necklace.”

20. Wehna

WEHNA

“WHERE DOES ALL THE LIGHT COME FROM?” Arvo’s voice bounces between the stone walls of the alleyway.

“Don’t go too far,” I call after him, but it’s useless. My little brother has already disappeared around a building. I shiver as I run to catch up, shadows close at my heels.

A distinct hum of excitement emanates from ahead, but it only adds to my anxieties. I pick up my pace, barely able to keep Arvo’s tiny frame in sight. When I turn a corner and see what all the commotion is about, I stop short.

Blinding orbs light up the market square—only a few bones from a freshly hunted sola. I lower my lantern.

Arvo plants himself under one of them, gazing at it with a slack jaw.

“What is it, Wehna?” he asks as I approach.

I glance up. The brightness makes my eyes smart. “It’s a bone, Arvo. A bone of a Light Creature.”