Treinta
Manuel shoves me behind his back, reaches into his boots, and pulls out two thin blades. He lunges forward, swiping at the pale man. He’s only a few years younger than me. There’s something odd about the way he moves, and his hands—they look charred. As if he’s dipped his palms in coal.
A woman to my right screams and faints. I drop to my knees as recognition sets in. Iknowthis woman—she was the one who’d lost track of her son. The one I helped search for. In horror, I look to the pale boy, who’s being restrained by Manuel and Kusi and now several guards. Sonco rushes forward and gives the order to kill him.
It’s done in seconds. Manuel digs his blade deep into the boy’s neck and twists sharply.
I avert my gaze, gagging, my eyes prickling with tears.
When it’s over, the poor woman is carried off. I don’t envy the nightmare she’ll wake up to. Sounds come at me from a great distance, dim and hard to decipher. I feel as if I’m trying to push through a heavy stream, the water roaring in my ears. And it’s slow going. In the chaos afterward, in the mess of people leaving, faces pale and withdrawn, Chaska finds me, eyes red-rimmed. “His name was Urpi—fifteen years old.”
“This is my fault,” I whisper. “I should have consulted the stars more, searched harder this afternoon.”
But Chaska shakes her head. “It’s no one’s fault. Come—Sonco wishes to speak to us in private.”
We follow the crowd down several levels until we reach the room where Sonco conducts the affairs of the city. Several elders are already sitting on mats, while Sonco is in quiet conversation with his brother. Manuel sits with a few guards. At my entrance, his eyes lift to meet mine.
Then he quickly looks away.
My heart batters against my ribs, a relentless assault. Chaska motions for me to sit next to her along the wall. I lean my back against the cool stone. I cross my legs, and press close to the seer. She doesn’t seem to mind. Everyone converses in hushed tones until Sonco clears his throat and we all look to him. For guidance, for answers, for comfort.
He speaks in a halting, disbelieving voice. “Earlier I learned that a flower had appeared in Paititi—a flower that’s responsible for killing parts of the jungle. It infected Urpi and turned him into … into a monster. The man we’ve known since birth was lost to us. I grieve for his family.”
His attention remains solely on the elders, who are wearing tunics the color of night, golden stitching at the collars and cuffs. On their feet are leather sandals with straps that crisscross up their calves. Feathers dangle from the ears and long braids of the women.
“A tragic day,” one of them says. “What’s your plan, son of Saywa?”
“With your blessing, I suggest that a small group go into the jungle and investigate the flower. We have a seer”—Sonco gestures toward me—“a visitor who’s been communicating with Luna. The goddess has given her information about a mysterious individual planting this flower throughout the jungle. When we have more information, I’ll send out the army to vanquish this evil and rid it from our home.”
The elders confer among themselves. The rest of us wait, breaths filling our bellies.
“You have spoken, and we agree.”
Sonco inclines his head. “Gracias.”
I stand, but before I can leave, the Illari king motions to Chaska, Kusi, and me. “A word, por favor.”
We wait as the elders file outside. Manuel follows them without a look in my direction. But his shoulders are tight, his jaw set, hands stuffed into his pockets. He’s closed off, tucked away behind that indomitable fortress of his. It takes me only a second to realize what his posture means. Normally he’d insist on staying with me, keeping a close eye on me. But he’s handed me off, believing I’m in capable hands.
It wouldn’t surprise me if tonight’s his last night in Paititi.
The thought makes me want to crumple in a heap on the floor. But Sonco clears his throat, jerking me back to the present moment.
“I think we need to keep this party investigating the flower small. Kusi, pick two guards to join us—no, don’t give me that look, brother. I’m going. Chaska is too, and”—Sonco glances at me—“and I’m hoping you will.”
I raise my brows. “Me?”
He nods. “I’d like all the help I can get.”
Kusi frowns but keeps silent. I can feel his disapproval. It’s Chaska who gives me a reassuring nod and I want to say yes. But what if I make things worse, what if I lead them astray? As quickly as the thought formulates in my mind, I shove it aside.
I can do this.
“I’ll do it,” I say, my voice shaky. “But you’ll owe me a favor.” I smile to let Sonco know I’m teasing.
But his response is somber. “It would only be fair.”
“Oh, I was only—” I begin, but the Illari king waves me off.
