PHOENIX
We go to see this Oka Oya the next day after sundown. Jax doesn’t go with us, Vera doesn’t want him to. So, he stays behind in her studio with the rest of the crew.
Apparently, Oka Oya is closer than we expect. Ri gives us the address of a place in Bussek, not too far from Vera’s studio. As we walk the streets, they look familiar.
I seeKazh’s Innin the distance. The place I stayed at when I first arrived to Ekios. The place that’s run by Vasquez’s rude friend, the old fae crone.
When we approach it, Vera stops and looks around.
“Is this the place?” I frown.
No way. Can’t be.
Vera nods. “Yes. That’s the address Ri gave me. Let’s go inside and see.”
I’m nervous, but I say nothing to Vera. Is Kazh hiding a legendary Decarios trainer in her run-down inn? That’s absolutely wild.
We enter. The lobby is empty, of course. With each passing moment, my heart races faster. My palms start to sweat. I flex my hands.
Finally, Kazh emerges from that tight corridor at the back.
When her eyes land on me, they’re not kind. “You again.”
Vera blinks, looking between us. “You’ve been here before?”
“Ah, yes. I stayed here when I first arrived in Ekios.”
Vera frowns but doesn’t say anything else. She turns to Kazh. “We would like to speak to the legendary Oka Oya, please. We come bearing gifts to prove to her we’re worthy of her presence.”
Kazh glares at us for a long while. She’s even more cranky and hostile than I remember.For the love of the spirts of the gods, who hurt her?
Finally, she jerks her chin at us. “Show me those gifts.”
Vera doesn’t hesitate. From the inner pocket of her tailored suit jacket she pulls out a small ruby-encrusted box and offers it on the palm of her hand for Kazh to inspect.
The old woman’s eyebrows rise to her silver hairline.
“Inside is the ruby ring that the legends say Koren, the God of War, had forged for his eternal companion Cher, the God of Wisdom, eons ago, when the spirits of the gods used to walk the earth,” Vera says.
“I know what’s inside,” Kazh snaps. “I had a man propose to me with that damn ring once.”
I blink.Excuse me?
Vera looks just as confused as I feel. Kazh snatches the box from Vera’s hand and opens it. She sighs and shakes her head.
I’m too curious. “This ring belongs to you?”
“It never did. I refused the proposal,” Kazh says and snaps the box shut. “It’s funny that’s the gift you choose to bring. But I’ll take it.”
“This is for Oka Oya,” I say, anger rising inside me. “You can’t just keep it!”
Kazh arches an eyebrow. “I’m Oka Oya, you brainless fetus.”
My jaw is on the floor.
Vera places a fist over her heart and bows at her waist. “Master. It’s an honor to be in your presence.”
Kazh eyes her and then jerks her chin at me. “You could learn a thing or two from the pretty Caetra, you shitheaded donkey.”
