The women nodded.“Yes, we heard about them!”the one who knew Gaz called down.“I’ll open the first gate.”
“Who are they?”Nize asked.
“The one with the round face is Dilla,” Gaz said.“I think the other is Zil.”
I wondered what sort of relationship Gaz had had with Dilla, but my thoughts were cut short when I heard the sound of the crank and the enormous outer wooden gate swung open.Dilla and Zil looked down at us as another woman and a man stood before the inner gate, which was also made of wood but not as tall.We began to file in, but the guards put up their hands.
“Stop right there,” the man said.He was short and stocky, his shoulders so rounded he looked hunched forward.“You four step forward for inspection.”He indicated Gaz, Nize, Finnrey, and me.They moved forward, but Taio put a hand on my shoulder.I’d known he was near me.I always knew where he was.It was as though my body could sense him even when I didn’t want to.
The guards inspected Gaz and Nize for bite marks.Then Finnrey stepped forward and Gaz looked back for me.“Mara, go ahead.”
“She stays with me,” Taio said.
Gaz’s expression hardened.“Mara,” he said.“Go forward for inspection.”
But I didn’t move forward, even though Taio kept his grip on my shoulder light.I did not like being put in the middle, but right now there seemed no other choice.
The inner door opened and Finnrey and Nize passed through, obviously clearing inspection.Gaz waited.He said something to the stocky male guard, who gestured at me.“Lady Mara, you are next.”
I looked at Taio, and we both moved forward.
“Just you,” the guard said.“Not him.”
“Both of us,” Taio said.“Or neither.”
The guards looked at each other.“Neither then,” the woman said.“You aren’t welcome here.”She stared at Taio.
“What are you talking about?”I demanded.“If they aren’t bitten, they should be allowed inside.We’re traveling together.”
“You are welcome, Lady Mara,” the male said.“Not them.”
“Let’s go.”Taio turned, but I pulled away.
“This is ridiculous.”I marched to the guards.“They are Zulenii, not Hollows.They were guests of my father.The King.”I emphasized the last in case they had forgotten who I was.“You owe them hospitality.”
The male guard shook his head.“The king isn’t here, and they aren’t our guests.They can sleep outside the walls.You are welcome, but they are not.Make your choice.”
I looked at Gaz.
“Mara, come inside.”He held his hand out.I looked at it, aching to take it.But I couldn’t leave the Zulenii outside, and I knew, without being told, that Taio wouldn’t allow me to separate from him.Blood would be spilled if I went inside the outpost without him.
I knew what honor dictated.“I want to speak to your patrol leader.”
“It won’t change things,” Dilla called from above.“The patrol leader is my sister, and she won’t let them in either.”
“Then tell her the king will hear of this.”I would make sure of that somehow.
“Mara!”That was Finnrey’s voice.“What’s happening?”
I looked at Gaz.“Make sure she stays inside.”
“Mara!”Finnrey called again.
“Don’t do this, Mara,” Gaz said.“Don’t choose him.”
I began to tremble as I turned and walked back through the gate.The Zulenii trailed me.The safest place to sleep was in the shadow of the outpost, but I was angry and stomped some distance from it.“I cannot believe this,” I said as I clomped away, shaking from rage and fear.Why hadn’t Gaz argued to allow the Zulenii inside?Why hadn’t he supported me?
“Can you not?”Taio said from behind me.
