Page 95 of Eternal Ruin

The Dirt Diggers, 1994.

“It was the first meeting I went to,” Adjoa explained, branches drawing long shadows on her face. “Your mother had a dangerous idea. She wanted to find the mythical Sage artifacts. Break the vampire binds, as well as the First Bind, the one that makes vampires feed from the acti houses only.”

Kidan’s head snapped up. Which would mean there would be no reason for Dranacti lessons anymore. No need to kill.

“That’s…”

But she couldn’t quite finish.

“Ambitious?” Adjoa offered. “Most left then, believing it was nothing but dreams. The artifacts were lost, and a bunch of students weren’t going to find them.”

Her mind couldn’t begin to process what she was hearing. Re-create Dranacti? Break the binds?

Regret flickered in Adjoa’s eyes, the crushed hope that lingered of a dream too big.

But it wasn’t a dream anymore. Kidan’s mother did discover the mask artifact. Hid it inside Adane House.

Why didn’t she tell the Dirt Diggers? Why not break the bind then and there? Was she waiting until she collected all three?

Kidan touched the photo again. Her mother was… a hero to these people. The discovery made her stomach twist, although she didn’t know why. Mahlet Adanedidn’t let her murder consume her. She made it her mission to stop others from slipping under its thrall.

Kidan wasn’t a hero. She would kill again if it was necessary.

The answer to the third question on the Four Points of Culture was illuminated.

Do they believe power should rest in community, tradition, or individuals?

Community.

The connection between them began to dim like a dying light, making her gut sink.

Kidan looked up from the photo. “But do you know how the binds break? They say the myth is written inYe Abyssi Tarik. Do you know it?”

Sacro shifted, his light eyes sliding to Adjoa. A hidden message traveled between them.

“No, that’s a level of knowledge we haven’t reached.”

It was clearly a lie. Kidan’s patience was running thin.

“Why did Daric kill her?” she asked, and hated how there was more mourning in her tone than anger. “Why?”

Adjoa’s face became hollow. “This is a mystery that haunts me still. Because I don’t know. I’m hoping you can learn the truth.”

She didn’t know what to believe.

Kidan gave them her shoulder, her vision blurry. The picture of the Dirt Diggers faded in and out. Fools with dreams. But her mother had left her one good thing at least. Allies. Houses with the power to vote.

She took a moment to swallow her grief. Now wasn’t the time to lose track.

“I want to talk with the Dirt Diggers,” Kidan said, her breath all fire. “I need your votes.”

35.

SUSENYOS

Kill your companion.

It was nearly impossible to deter Arin once her mind was set. Iniko had gone still in the corner.