Page 97 of Red Demon

“She never took risks like this before,” Bria said, a childish pout evident in the way Faruhar’s head lolled. “She let so many die for one boy to heal, and she ran straight into danger to please you yet again.”

My jaw clenched. “You’re asking her to kill all the ghosts in Noé, right? Alone? You’re the one demanding she risk her life. You should at least respect her choices when she chooses a different flavor of danger.”

Bria laughed, just as eerie as it was bright. “Her choices benefit you, Chaeten. You aren’t the first to try to take advantage of her. Your intentions are clear.”

“The fuck does that mean?”

“Stop fighting! Both of you!” Asher hissed.

“I’m here to help,” I bit out. “How do I help her?”

Bria closed her eyes tight, her hair pooling on the moss. “I can keep her alive here. Don’t move her.” She sighed. “There’s so much I forgot, and I need everything left for her. I can only slow the death down when we’re moving again, but she’s too weak. I won’t be enough.” There was panic in the child’s voice now. “And I can’t leave, can’t check to find the soldiers.”

I brushed the hair out of her eyes, her lips cool to the touch.

“Faruhar told me to use my dahn on the walls,” Asher said. “What did she mean?”

Bria sighed with Faruhar’s body. “If your mind has any discipline at all, use it. Direct the Song.”

Asher frowned. “I don’t know how to use any of the illegal magic.”

“Chout, not magic. Ask your ancestors,” she said.

“What can I do?” I asked.

“You’re useless,” Bria growled. “I’ll be here long after you’re dust.”

“No. I—” The anger that had flared in me moments before sputtered out, replaced by a throbbing heartsickness. Because I knew I wanted to contradict that; offer a promise with no end that came far too easy. Faruhar had only promised to see us to Uyr Elderven. I had no idea if she ever wanted to see either of us after that.

I clenched my fist around my helplessness.

Faruhar closed her eyes, and drew steady breaths, until all I could hear was the distant dripping in the cavern, the high pitch of Oria’s bionetwork.

Minutes passed. Asher snaked his hands over the walls, whispering. Then he paused, sitting by the stone across the chamber. He got up and walked farther away. The silence drew on in the dark, leaning beside Faruhar on her mossy bed. Her breathing remained shallow, rasping in the eerie light.

“Ash?” It had been about an hour. My voice echoed between glimmering cavern walls.

“Bria?” I said to the unconscious Faruhar, desperate for any reassurance.

Silence.

Dread pressed me down. The air shimmered. A distorted ripple spread across my vision, now swimming in red. Istaran pulsed at my hip, afraid. When the rebels let me see them, they surrounded me.

Fifteen or so, their dark robes concealing their forms. Each cloaked figure emitted a faint blue luminescence from their outstretched hand. Some carried staffs, or swords on their belt, but I knew better: the glow in their hands was the threat.

Asher struggled in the grip of two of those dark figures. “Jesse!” His movements were sluggish, face pale, in the grip of their magic.

I looked to Faruhar, then took my stance, Istaran in hand.

Chapter 40

New Faces

“Hey friends,” I said, tone casual despite my drawn sword.

Heads turned to one another at that, but I didn’t hear a single rustle of fabric from them. They must have shielded both the sound and sight of their approach.

One of the figures stepped forward. A woman, still in shadow. “Surrender, Chaeten,” she said in my native tongue.