“Or he’ll take the other blessed to find them forcibly.”
I can’t blame him.
“Can you really not survive more than a week?”I ask.“Will you start dying?”
It’s unclear.Three blessed died today, without any signs that they were even low energy or struggling.I think it may be more than a simple consumption of energy.I think something that changed in that volcano made my peopleneedthe bond between earth child and sky child.
“That’s what they said in the dream,” I say.“Humans were earth children—the blessed were sky children.Their bond made it possible for the sky children to survive on earth.”
Perhaps the dream was a memory,he says.We’ve always called you earth children.
I can’t help staring at him, especially when he looks preoccupied.He’s so beautiful.Massive.Powerful.But somehow also delicate and perfectly crafted, in both forms.
I could stare at him all day.
Is something wrong?He peers at me.You’re staring.
I look down at my hands.
Are you upset that I haven’t bonded you?
I shake my head.I mean, I am, but that’s not the real reason I’m staring.It’s better for him if he doesn’t comprehend all the things I’m struggling with.“I understand why you haven’t,” I say.“In fact, if you asked to rebond me, I’d be excited, but I’d probably say no.You should find someone to bond who isn’t headed for another visit with Freya in the volcano.”
He frowns.I’ve been thinking about this.If you have to go back into the volcano, I’m flame blessed.I could go back inside with you.Perhaps I could even help keep you safe.
My heart lurches a little—it’s very similar to what he told me before the humans attacked.He said he’d go in with me and protect me.Not that it worked.
“The last time we went in, you writhed in agony while I spoke with Freya.”I shake my head.“It has to be me, and it’s not something you can protect me from, unfortunately.”I pull the leather of my tunic aside and show him the heart-shaped birthmark on my chest.“You don’t remember any of this, but I’ve apparently been marked as the proper human sacrifice since I was quite young.”
He doesn’t look atallpleased by that.
“When you had your memories, it was hard for you that I had to do this.It’s probably better for you not to worry about it so much.The only reason I haven’t dived back into the volcano yet is that I’m trying to help you find willing humans first.My wings seem to have become a real asset in our search.”
The humans are impressed with them.
“Indeed they are,” I say.“And tomorrow, we’ll see if we can impress enough to stave off Hyperion a little longer.”
Or we can just go to war and take what we can find.You and I were not bonded by choice, but then we entwined.His eyes look curious, but I’m not sure I can talk about that.
“We only entwined thanks to your ability to shift into a human form,” I say.“We became closer that way—and it’s not even possible now.”Saying the words aloud hurts.
Do you miss it?
I can’t talk about it, not without crying again.“I’ve noticed something, you know.You think attacking humans will be easy, because we’re small.Physically, tigers, bears, even dogs, can all easily slay us.But from sticks to guns, we never fight fair.Forcibly taking human bonds may be more dangerous than you’re anticipating.”
You’re worried aboutus?
I sigh.“I’m worried aboutbothpeoples.That’s my problem.”I laugh bitterly at myself for being so stupid.“Isn’t it ridiculous?I want to keep the blessed and the humans safe, all of them.”
It’s brave.
“And ultimately, it’s probably a futile effort that makes me hated by both sides.”Neither of us talks as I fly back.When I get there, the kids are all gone.I panic, more than a little.Thankfully, with Azar’s help, we discover they’ve all been taken back to the Hotel Selfoss, Coral riding with Rufus, and Asteria and Gordon taking their newly bonded humans.
“He ate!”Sammy’s jumping up and down with joy when we arrive.“Gordon’s going to be fine.”
I wish I knew the same would be true for Sammy.
I’m sorry, Gordon says.I really am.
