Page 144 of Eternal Ruin

On her lap, Kidan had a piece of paper with all the information she’d gathered about her mother.

MAHLET ADANE

What language does the house master dream in?

Amharic.

Does the house master believe creation comes from the Last Sage or from Demasus the Fanged Lion?

The Last Sage.

Does the house master believe power should rest in community, tradition, or individuals?

Community.

Does the house master believe in bravery, revenge, loyalty, or responsibility?

Responsibility.

“Look.” Kidan showed Yusef the answers. “I think we match on the last two now, or at least, I think we do but language is my biggest problem. I’ll never be able to understand Amharic the way she did.”

Kidan had already cleared the statue of the lion from her mantel and settled an impala figurine on it—the representation of the Mot Zebeya religion.

Yusef’s eyes sparked. “Do you think I’m able to speak Somali the way my great-aunt does? The woman laughs at my pronunciation daily.”

Kidan straightened. “Then how were you able to dream in the same language?”

They were sitting cross-legged on the carpet and he shifted closer. “She told me a trick. It’s ‘Dream in the same language.’ Nothing about fluency. To dream in a language is to be haunted by it. When you hear someone speak it and a yearningtakes over. When you see the letters and hate yourself a little for not understanding their meaning. It’s slowly surrounding yourself by the language—songs, movies, books—until it begins to be a part of you.” Yusef smiled.

Kidan smiled slowly. The sense of being entirely adrift from herself eased a little. Of course Kidan dreamed in Amharic. She had ever since she lost it at Mama Anoet’s urging.

“Thank you. That helps.”

Yusef nodded. “Okay, I’m ready. Obscu—whatever it is.”

According to her mother’s notes, Mahlet had used historical artifacts—touching specific objects in order to ignite a different emotion and magnify it in others. But nothing helped Kidan feel an emotion more vividly than her shapes.

So she started there.

Inhaling deeply, Kidan drew a slow circle on the floor with her hand, filling her lungs with the childlike rush of joy. With the House Locking removed, her skin warmed instantly, and she had the urge to bounce or dance. Just like in the broom closet.

She directed the emotions toward Yusef, focusing on his alert gaze. Kidan felt a speck of his joy and she urged the house to pull it further, beat under her heart like a drum.

There was no reaction at first, then he fell into it, bursting with laughter. “Whoa. I feel a little high.”

Kidan grinned triumphantly. She arched her fingers and drew the symbol for trust. Two golden wisps pierced Yusef’s chest, visible only to her.

A glaze came over his expression.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“Warm, safe.” His voice was almost too relaxed, sleepy.

She tried not to be too excited and switched emotions. “Tell me something no one else knows.”

The paneled walls around them came in and out, the furniture’s hard edges becoming softer, their environment a mirror of the safety they’d found.

“You asked me why I did that to… GK, remember?” he said slowly, tone shifting. “He was my friend. The kindest person I’ve ever met.” He inhaled deeply, gathering strength. “Yet I took that knife from her hand and…” Kidan straightened, watching the devastation on his face.