Ry catches my eye as she hugs Wade. She looks at me in a way that makes my face heat.
“Where’s Camike?” Jarosh demands, his eyes moving restlessly over the trees.
“Behind us,” I motion in the direction. “They weren’t as fast, but they’ll be here.”
Without a word, Jarosh is stomping off, back in the direction we came from.
“Jarosh has a girlfriend,” Ry says in answer to Wade’s raised eyebrows.
“A mate,” Dayne corrects, sliding to the ground and shaking the hand Wade extends to him.
My father is the last one to join our circle. His eyes flick to the ground, where Wade’s sword still lies in pieces. His gaze passes between the shards of steel to me, recognition spreading across his face.
“Interesting,” is all he says. He holds my gaze for another second before turning his attention to Wade.
“Wade, is it?”
Wade’s jaw tightens. “How do you know my name?”
My father stares at him without emotion. “What kind of parent would I be if I did not know about the man pursuing my daughter?”
Wade lets out a harsh laugh. “What kind of parent tries to kill his own daughter?”
My father meets Wade’s accusatory gaze without batting an eye. “Hemera needed to understand her own strength. There is no room in this world for the weak.” He gives Wade a sidelong look, as if to ask, Are you weak?
Wade bristles, but before either of them can say anything more, Jarosh, with the Halves in tow, comes into view. We all look at Jarosh, who has his arm wrapped around Camike’s waist.
Wade, for his part, manages to keep a straight face as Jarosh makes introductions.
“Nice to, uh, meet you.” Wade holds out his hand to Camike, who takes it in her larger hand and offers him a shy smile.
“The Zeroes need to be fed,” my father says, either oblivious—or more likely, indifferent—to our party’s reunion.
“What do they eat?” I ask, feeling guilty for not having thought of their needs before.
“You must be eager to speak with the Banished leaders,” my father tells me. “If you will find a place in the fortress for them to stay, I can take care of the rest.”
“That’s awfully generous of you.” Dayne gives him a suspicious glare.
Zeidan sighs. “You are the ones who insisted I come with you. I can’t imagine you would rather have me idle?”
“Feeding the Zeroes would be great,” I tell my father.
I give Dayne a pleading look. Now isn’t the time.
We make our way back to the fortress. The easy chatter that usually flows between us has turned into a weighted silence.
When we come into view of the Solguard archers ringing the caves’ entrance, Wade exchanges words with them to make sure neither the Zeroes nor the Halves are attacked as we enter. Jarosh holds Camike close, daring the soldiers with his eyes to even think about coming near her.
“Hemera! Dayne!”
My heart lightens at the sight of Wokee emerging from the fortress. Hardly aware of what I’m doing, I shift my body so I’m standing between Wokee and the Zeroes.
Wokee’s curls are plastered to his forehead from the waterfall. He throws himself at me, and then, before I can wrap my arms around him, he’s tackling Dayne.
When it’s Jarosh’s turn, he slaps Wokee’s hand in some complicated pattern that is lost on the rest of us. When Wokee catches sight of Camike, her hand wrapped around Jarosh’s waist, his jaw drops.
“Wokee,” Jarosh announces. “Meet my mate and the love of my life.”
Ry rolls her eyes. “Laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?”
“She’s not ugly, I guess.” Wokee wrinkles his nose. “But she’s still a girl.”
“Indeed she is.” Jarosh winks. “And so much more.”
Wokee giggles. “You’re gross.” His gaze moves to the Zeroes, and his eyes go wide. “Those are the monsters that tried to kill you at Tanguro, aren’t they?”
Wokee pulls out his small dagger, which looks like a toy compared to the Zeroes’ scythes.
Seeing Wokee standing next to the Zeroes makes my blood run cold. For a moment, it’s not him, but the little Dusker girl. My heart stalls in my chest.
I hear Wokee’s questions, but I can’t make my mouth answer them.
Dayne steps in when I stay silent. “Yes, they’re going to help us defeat the Duskers, no they aren’t as strong as Hemera, no you can’t fight with them.”
And then Wokee asks the question that snaps me back to reality.
“Is Jadem really dead?”
When I don’t say anything—can’t say anything—Dayne crouches to the ground in front of Wokee.
“She is.”
Wokee’s chin wobbles. “The Duskers killed her, didn’t they?”
Dayne nods.
“Are the Duskers going to kill us, too?”
“No.” I clench and unclench my fists. “I’ll never let them hurt you. I swear by the sun.” There is a fierceness in my voice I don’t recognize. “I couldn’t save Jadem, but I’ll never let them touch you.”
Wokee’s lower lip is still trembling. Dayne leans in and whispers something to him. When he stands back up, Wokee sniffles and wipes his sleeve across his eyes.
“Hemera,” Dayne looks at me. “It’s time.”
I nod, taking a shuddering breath. “Wade, get the Banished leaders. I’m convening the council.”
CHAPTER 36
Ry breaks off from our party first, saying she needs to talk with the archers. I know she’s really going to find Dellin. It irks me, even though I have plenty of more important issues to be worrying about.
Jarosh, Camike, and Brogut go to check on the rest of the Halves.
I tell Dayne, Ekil, and Wade that I’ll meet them at the council. My connection with the Zeroes tugs at me, and I know I won’t be able to focus on anything else until I know they’re taken care of.
I open the door to the chamber set far in the recesses of the fortress where we agreed to keep the Zeroes. Their heads are bent over the remains of whatever animal my father fed them. My father stands in the center of them, observing their every move with undisguised fascination.
“Do I want to know what they’re eating?” I ask, stepping into the room.
Scenting me, the Zeroes lift their heads. I push down the shudder at the sight of their blood-stained teeth.
“We all need to eat,” my father replies.
“What happened to your arm?”
We both look at the bandage wrapped around his forearm.
“Just a scratch,” he replies.
“I need you to keep an eye on them during the council meeting,” I say. “I want you to wait outside the meeting chamber and bring them in when I call for them.”
From the last council meeting, I know these Banished leaders have a taste for the dramatic. If I’m going to keep them from running off to Malarusk at low day, I’ll need all the drama I can conjure.
My father nods. “You’ll have to command them to follow me, of course.”
I look at the Zeroes nearest to me. “When he comes into the chamber,” I make an exaggerated gesture at my father. “Follow him.”
The Zeroes’ only reply is their sniffing.
My father and I watch the Zeroes in silence for a minute.
“What if the Banished leaders don’t think they’re enough?” I blurt out.
My father gives me an amused look.
“It’s just, Aunt Jadem was always able to convince them, but….”
“With her gone, you don’t think they’ll be as receptive?” my father offers.
I nod.
“You don’t need to convince them,” he says. “You show them.”
“How?”
“If I were you,” my father gives me a sly look, “I’d do it like the festival.”
“But how do I—”
“Think, daughter.”
The Dark God festival. It was a y
early celebration in the Subterrane territory required by the Duskers. There was extra food, costumes, and special dances. But the best part was the competition. The strongest Dwellers competed in events, and the winner was always recognized in a special ceremony attended by a Dusker Captain.
The most popular event was the wrestling.
I look at my father, and he nods, seeing my understanding.
My mind turns over what I’m going to say…what I’m going to do…as I lead my father and a dozen of the Zeroes down the thousand steps—it seemed easier than trying to explain to them how to use the glide.
I line them up just outside the meeting chamber, where they won’t be seen until I’m ready.
“Wait until I call for you,” I tell my father.
He nods.
“And keep any Solguards from coming this way. I don’t want anyone panicking and trying to attack them.”
My father nods again.
I step past the two men guarding the entrance to the meeting chamber, and then turn back. I surprise myself when I say, “Thanks for…you know….”
My father looks at me without expression. “It’s my pleasure.”
As soon as I step into my aunt’s meeting chamber, my eyes go to the chair at the head of the long wooden table—Aunt Jadem’s seat. It’s empty.
I thought I knew what to expect when I returned to the fortress, but nothing could prepare me for the grief that crashes over me like a wave. My knees wobble.
You didn’t die for nothing, I think. I won’t let you have died for nothing.
With a force of will, I look away from the empty chair and take my seat at the table.
“Well, now that the Bisecter is here, can we get this over with?” Tut, the gold threads in his goatee gleaming in the candlelight, asks. “Where’s Hendrix?”
Valior, perched on his cushions with his flask cradled between his hands, cranes his head to see through the doorway like he expects Hendrix to magically appear.
“He’s not coming,” Dayne says.
“You do have him, though?” Liglette asks, fingering the beads in her long braids.
When no one says anything, Tut lets out a roar. “Lying Solguards!” He turns to Valior and Liglette. “I told you it was a waste of time staying here. I told you, didn’t I?”
“Just a minute,” I try to say, but they don’t even hear me.
Tut scrapes back his chair and rises. “If you’re done wasting our time, I have to finish packing.”
“Sit down.”
Wade’s voice is even, barely raised, and yet a stillness falls over the room. I feel a fierce pride at the way all eyes turn to him.
“Young man.” Valior points a gnarled finger at the empty chair. “The Solguards are leaderless now. We aren’t bound to the council anymore. There is no council.”
“Jadem appointed me as the Solguard leader in her absence,” Wade says. “And I’m telling you,” he meets the eyes of Tut, Valior, and Liglette, “to give us an hour of your time.”
When no one argues, Wade nods. “Sit down.”
Tut sits.
My insides flood with feeling…gratitude, pride, and something else I can’t name. Something that makes my heart beat a little faster.
“Hemera,” Wade says. “Tell them.”
I swallow. “We went to get Hendrix because you needed proof the Solguards could stand up to the Dusker army.” I look at my brother, who gives me an encouraging nod. “We don’t have Hendrix, but we have something else. Something better.”
Liglette raises her index finger. “I’m afraid we’ve already made our choice. We will send messengers announcing our surrender to Crowe as soon as it’s low day. Meanwhile, we will return to our settlements. We, and our people, will seek refuge in Malarusk.”
“Whatever proof you’ve dredged up,” Tut says, “we’re not going to wait around for the Duskers to annihilate us with their weapon.”
I remember the black smoke billowing up from the citadel, and I can’t think of a response.
“Unless you dug up a thousand or two new soldiers we haven’t heard about before,” Valior says with a chuckle, which turns into choking as he takes a sip from his flask.
“That’s exactly what we have,” I say.
That gets their attention.
“We have something that has the strength of a thousand soldiers,” I modify.
“You aren’t yanking our chains again, are you, girl?” Valior asks.
“I can prove it to you,” I reply.
“Well, this I gotta see.” Tut gives me a gold-toothed grin.
“Guards,” I call.
When the two men poke their head in the room, I say, “Tell Zeidan we’re ready.”
For a moment, nothing happens. And then my father enters the chamber, followed by a dozen of the Zeroes. The links of their metal clothes clink together as the Zeroes file in, their right hands holding their scythes.
Liglette gasps. Tut’s eyes flit around the room like he’s looking for an escape. Valior grips the edge of the table as he wobbles on his cushions.
The Zeroes look even bigger standing in this confined space. A little thrill passes through me at the thought that I, and I alone, control them. I feel the tug of our connection, like an invisible rope tethering me to each of them.
“The Duskers might have a weapon,” I say, breaking the silence, “but so do we.”
“How many?” Valior asks.
At my answer, Tut scoffs. “That’s a drop in the bucket.”
“The Duskers have ten-thousand strong,” Valior agrees.
“Each Zero has the strength of ten, even twenty soldiers,” I argue. “They are part Halve and part Bisecter. My blood, my strength, runs through their veins.”
“With your thousands, and the Halves,” Wade tells the Banished leaders, “we’ll have enough strength to rival the Duskers.”
I confer with Ekil, and he bobs his head. “The Halves will help destroy gray cloaks,” he says.
“Hell of a lot better than Hendrix,” Wade says. “Wouldn’t you all agree?”
“If what you’re saying about these—” Valior taps a finger against the side of his flask, searching for the right word “—creatures is true, if they’re really as strong as you say, it might be enough.”
My heart surges.
“But,” he wags a finger.
My hope plummets.
“You lied to us about Hendrix.” He peers at me through watery eyes. “And I’m not going to make the mistake of taking you at your word again.”
Tut and Liglette nod in agreement.
“For all we know,” Tut lets out a deep-throated laugh. “You’re just blowing steam up our asses.”
“Don’t take my word for it,” I say, ignoring Tut’s smirk. “You can see how strong they are for yourselves.”
“What do you propose?” Liglette asks.
Wade and I exchange a glance.
“What I propose,” I say, “is a demonstration.”
Liglette shakes her head. “I fear there is nothing you can say or do to sway me at this point. For my part, my decision is made.”
Wade leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. His golden eyes pierce each of the leaders in turn. “You’re not going anywhere. Not until you’ve seen what the Zeroes can do.”
The three Banished leaders exchange a look.
“Very well,” Valior says. “We will give you an hour of our time in the low day, not a minute more.”
Wade and I exchange a relieved look. I want to jump up and punch the air, but I force myself to stay seated.
“If we don’t like what we see,” Tut warns, shaking his head. “If we don’t love what we see….”
“We’re out of here,” Valior finishes.
“And our surrender to the Duskers will be final,” Liglette adds.
“Low day it is,” Wade says. “We’ll be ready.”
CHAPTER 37
I close the Zeroes inside their chamber. When I step into the
tunnel, Wokee barrels into me. Vlaz, who is trotting behind him, comes to a skidding stop. The hyenair looks even bigger than usual. I take a step back before thinking, and then I feel stupid for being afraid of Vlaz.
“I brought you this,” Wokee says, putting something sticky into my hands.
I look down to see a mostly-crushed berry tart, the purple juices staining Wokee’s hands and now mine.
“Um, thanks?”
“Come on,” he takes my hand. “You too, Dayne. There’s something I want to show you.”
Dayne raises his eyebrows, but follows as Wokee tugs me deeper into the fortress. Vlaz trots after us, making the ground tremble with his every footfall. His giant tongue snakes out and, before I can react, the remains of the decrepit tart have disappeared. I remember the way Vlaz growled at me in the Lair, but he seems like he’s back to himself now. It must have been the combination of his injury and the unfamiliar place. I decide not to tell Wokee about it.
Everyone we pass flattens themselves against the sides of the path to avoid Vlaz.
Wokee takes us to a part of the fortress I’ve never been to before. I can tell from the smell of earth and growing things we’re approaching the orchards. But instead of taking us to fruit-bearing trees or a root garden, Wokee stops in front of a small cave. Unlike the tunnels, which are cavernous enough to let in sunlight without it filtering all the way down, this cave is lit only by candles. Vlaz, too big for the space, waits on the path as Dayne and I follow Wokee inside.
Stretched across the entire wall is what looks like a quilt. On closer inspection, I realize it’s not made from wool or cloth, but living flowers. The blooms are Solguard blue, and they’re woven in the shape of the rebel sun.
“I did it for Jadem,” Wokee says. “You know, to honor her.”
“Wokee,” I breathe, tears springing to my eyes.
“They’ll keep growing,” Wokee says. He points to where the flowers’ delicate vines are burrowing into the crevices of the stone wall.
“It’s perfect,” I tell him.
“Jadem’s the only one who could ever figure out how to make things grow underground,” Wokee says, studying the flowers.
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