Page 40 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)

Forty

Selene

T he map’s edges curled around the bases of stone vases and small ancestral busts that Selene used to flatten them down. Those stony, stoic eyes stared judgmentally as she leaned over the Rajav’s desk, studying the fading inked lines of roads and rivers that trailed across the border between the Western and Moon tribes.

The Silence monastery was marked in the plains beyond the expanse of mountains and poisoned river. Lua had many routes to choose from. She’d eliminated the Heitung Pass for being too obvious, and the southern roads would add time he didn’t have. Her eyes lingered on a blacked-out marking just across the border. Her father had obviously eliminated it for a reason, but Li-Hun hadn’t left many detailed notes. Based on the state of his affairs, he’d had no plans of dying so soon.

Her only regret was she’d not been able to complete the task herself. She’d planned to siphon him—that would have increased her power far beyond her brother’s—but when the Rajav had glared at her with his steel-gray eyes, when he’d ordered her to help him, she’d frozen. Years of obedience and ingrained fear had fought against her rage and desires. The hesitation had only lasted a moment, but it was enough for him to reach for her. If not for Bolin’s sure blade, her father would have siphoned her instead.

She shook her head to clear her mind. Lua could cross the border and river from that blackened mark. Then it would be a short distance to the monastery. They’d need to intercept him before the Silence monks came to his aid.

Selene’s fingers drummed on the table while Nova Verina waited patiently. Though the mage’s complexion had improved since the healer had attended her, her bloodshot eyes were proof of recent tears. The Oja had planned on punishing her immediately, but given Xiang’s circumstances, the mage still had uses.

There were better, more obvious tortures to inflict.

Selene laid her hand on the map. “Here. Take a triad and a squadron. Wait for him on the north shore of the river.”

Verina gave a curt nod. “Yes, Oja.”

“Keep the element of surprise. Though he’s newly anchored, my sources say he’s unusually strong. Attack together or you’ll have no chance.”

Verina nodded again. “Yes, Oja.” She raised her eyes cautiously. “What of the Silence monks?”

“Make sure they feel the error of their loyalties if they interfere.” Selene met her eyes. “You’ll test for your tenth star when you return. I’ll oversee it myself.”

Verina paled, and there was a satisfying tremor in her response. “Yes, Oja.” She bowed stiffly before leaving.

It would take several days to reach their destination unless they ran the horses into the ground, which Selene encouraged them to do. If they failed, only then would she and Bolin intervene. But perhaps she should expect everyone to fail. Lua had always been lucky.

There’d been no word from Xiang in two days, and Bolin’s emotions kept them both from sleeping. Something was wrong. There were wheels and parts moving she couldn’t see. In the past, Song often warned her about potential trouble and the goddess’s quiet since the Rajav’s death was poorly timed. The moons waited to see who was victorious, only then would they cast their support. It was understandable, if frustrating.

There was a small rap at the door a moment before Maya was escorted inside with Grethin. Per Selene’s specifications, the girl’s robes were rich purples and soft blues. She looked like she belonged here. Grethin bowed, the girl followed only a moment behind.

“Maya wanted to give you something,” Grethin said. The girl approached slowly with her head bowed. She placed a roll of rice paper on the desk before backing away, biting her lower lip the entire time.

Selene glanced suspiciously at the parchment before turning back to the map. “You may leave.”

Maya looked up once before Grethin guided her through the door. Selene waited until the door closed before laying the sheet flat on the table. It was an old, childish poem, one Selene loved when she was young, replicated in Maya’s imperfect script. She hadn’t read it in years.

When the sea meets the sky

And wings fill the air.

When Raia turns her eye

And Starling knows despair.

Silence will roar,

And ready for war

While Song grows quiet,

Preparing for riot.

When mages are bound

To dragons long drowned,

A terrible kindness will call.

Then moons and stars

And mountains will crawl.

Bound together by magic’s old scars.

A small semblance of a sea dragon was drawn along the parchment’s lower edge, Maya must have seen the one in the bay recently. Selene read it again. It was odd the girl should give her something after the ferret’s death .

There was a soft smudge behind one stanza. She held the paper up to the all’ight and snorted.

Behind the heavier ink-brushed characters was a small figure, delicately drawn in soft gray and nearly invisible. A triangular-faced ferret peeked at her. Selene smoothed the paper back on the table and licked her teeth. Selene could appreciate pettiness, but Maya needed to learn her place and Grethin would have to serve as an example.