Page 41 of Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1)

It was hedging. Given our conversation last night, I was sure it was true, but technically, it was his job.

She furrowed her brow, deciding if I knew better. “Do you think that man has ever done anything he doesn’t want to do?” She pointed to where Hart stood, then smiled. “Except maybe standing outside for this discussion?”

I laughed. I’d thought the same the first time I’d heard him and Alaric talk. Their conversation had shown their familiarity, their friendship, but Hart also hadn’t hesitated to issue commands.

She tapped her lip. “So, you do know. You’re just not sure what to trust me with. That’s fair. ”

“You’ll have to ask him for the answer.” I shrugged. “He works with you, though you claim no allegiance to the Feared. What are you getting at with your question?”

“I’m not sure,” she said slowly. “Hart has never brought someone to our settlement who didn’t desperately need to be here. I guess I’m only trying to assess your role. You’re right. Hart has worked with me. He’s worked with the Feared. And he’s Blessed—though no one has ever seen that damn adamas.”

My ears perked up, vindicated that I wasn’t the only one bothered by that.

“He’s driven by something, a purpose none of us can pin down.

So long as my people continue to benefit from it, I have no quarrel with him.

” She pushed off her perch and began to pace.

“But I’ve seen others like him. Whatever drives him, he’ll stop at nothing to get it.

He’s been teetering on the edge for months, close to whatever he seeks. ”

She stopped pacing and turned to me. “This is nothing more than a warning to be cautious. If you’re in his way, between him and his prize, he’ll turn on you quicker than the Blessed taking on the street.”

I didn’t know what to say. She had shared much but asked for nothing. “What if I did need to be here? Would you offer me a different path?”

She smiled in a way that showed all her teeth. It was as ferocious as it was disconcerting. “I would. But before I do that, let me tell you my story. My parents were Blessed.”

My eyes widened, and immediately, I thought of Alaric’s history books. There was a story of a young woman who rejected her life as a daughter of the Blessed. I’d always hoped this was true, but had never imagined I’d meet the woman herself.

“I was soon to be Selected when I learned the truth. ”

I was hanging on the edge of my seat now. “What truth?”

“That Rodric’s blessing means nothing. Only his power over the adamas distribution allows him to call it such.” She tilted her head. “But I would wager you already know that.”

I didn’t respond.

She looked into the distance. “That, and learning the king used that influence to calm everyone into a stupor of complacency, was too much for me.”

Her hands balled into fists at her side as she spoke. I wondered what sent her over the edge. She would have had a good life growing up in a Blessed household. Not many would search for trouble.

“I was to be Selected. There was no question, given my lineage. I had to decide who I wanted to be and what I could live with. I don’t judge Hart’s choices.

” She shook her head. “Actually, I don’t know his choices.

I considered what I believe to be his choice: accept the stone and not use it.

Even that didn’t sit right with me, though. So, I did this instead.”

“What is this ?”

“Like I said, we’d rather weather the storm outside Kavios than live within its walls. We collect those who feel they have no choice, like I did, and we give them one. The Storm is a community of shelter and survival.”

“How is it no one knows you’re here?”

She shrugged. “Rodric’s magic helps. As does the magic of the Oldwood, I think. We move from time to time as well. It’s a nomadic existence, but it keeps everyone safe.”

“Why stay by Kavios at all?”

She laughed, but it rang hollow. “I ask myself that all the time. The truth is, I want to be here for others who seek our sanctuary. I also want to provide the youngleaf, found only in the foothills, to help people improve their lives in Kavios, should they choose to stay. ”

I sucked in a breath. Hart had given me more than I could imagine today, and I thought he knew it. This knowledge about the youngleaf would let me make decisions for my family I’d only dreamed of.

“We could use you here,” she said. “If you’re looking to leave.”

Was Hart so sure Alysa would offer me a place? Would she take my family with me? It seemed too perfect to be coincidental.

I wouldn’t exchange one cage for another. Alysa had been open with me, but so far, it all suited her story. Her questions about Hart sounded genuine, but they could just as easily be an attempt to indicate Hart had his own agenda and that maybe I should trust her instead.

“What would you have me do?”

She smiled again. “Nothing you aren’t already doing. I’d still ask you to collect adamas, but we distribute it amongst ourselves. All use is consensual … truly consensual, not what passes for such in Lower Hill.”

It sounded too good to be true. “You have access to the mines?”

She nodded. “We do. There’s a defunct entrance in the foothills. The paths are treacherous, but it does the trick. We’ve been unable to get into the locked door where the adamas is mined, though.”

“I haven’t been allowed in there myself yet,” I confessed.

“I’m sure you will be soon. They have little choice but to send you.”

Entering the locked door would be part of my duty on this trip, which reminded me: We needed to get going. “Could my parents come with me?”

She nodded. “We take all who seek freedom from Rodric’s magic. ”

I stood, still not sure what to make of the offer. “I’ll consider it. But for now, we have to go. Do you have the youngleaf?”

Her stare was hard. A final appraisal. A final nod. “Hart will already have it. I hope to see you again, Emberline.”

I followed her out of the tent. Hart bounced a small pouch in his hand, and his bag was gone. The new packet was small enough to fit in his pocket. It wasn’t even midday, and I didn’t know what to make of our trip.

Hart had shared a refuge for me and my family, should I choose to run.

As soon as I had an escape that kept my parents safe, part of me assumed I’d take it.

Now, I hesitated. I wanted to talk to Hart.

This conversation made me consider what role I could play for the city.

Could I be like Hart and disrupt Rodric’s rule from my position in the kingdom?

I wasn’t sure how that would work, but either way, Alysa’s Storm was the safety net I needed.

I shook my head, unable to believe things were finally going my way. As we turned to leave, I waved goodbye to another of Alaric’s histories, leaping off the page and coming to life.