For a moment, nothing. And then, the leaves crackled with the retreat of men, and with their departure, my hold on their fragile lives.
“We need you, Mila,” she whispered again, taking a step, sending a beseeching gaze into the dark. “We need the might of a Trila-Glís or we can’t—”
“I am not a weapon!” I snarled, surging to my feet. Temper frayed.
Kas flew from her perch, bursting from the shadows into Belle’s startled face, landing on padded feet before the pregnant Triloth. Her gleaming yellow teeth bared. Hackles raised, but otherwise motionless. Coiled.
Belle gasped, hands splayed over her belly. But she held her ground.
“I am no one’s weapon, Priestess,” I continued, calming with the effort to rein Kas in, though the lion refused to take her eyes off Belle’s throat.
“I-I’m not asking you to be a weapon. I’m offering protection, Mila.”
I laughed, settling back against the tree. This tired routine? Protection beneath the mountain was a death sentence to one such as me—I’d told her so a thousand times. And yet, every single time Belle ventured into the forest, it was the same bloody argument. The offer of protection nothing more than a promise to cut me off from the forest and all that went with it. A leash about my throat, strangling me, turning me into a starved attack dog desperate to do her bidding for but a taste of ki…
I laughed, sending a pulse through the wood, getting infinity in return.
Never. I’d never leave this.
Not willingly.
“How long before they figure it out?” she asked. “Before they send a real army to collect you, Mila?”
I lifted my shoulder. “I’m careful. And if he comes,” I continued, rubbing at the brand sitting high on my knuckle, “I’ll be ready.”
“He?”
I stilled, turning my gaze upon her. Clever, as always. “I wouldn’t recommend turning your back on a mountain lion, Belle. There’s no telling how she might react.”
Belle swallowed, hard, returning her eyes to Kas’ beautiful, savage muzzle. “I know you won’t let her touch me.”
“Ha!” I barked, head tilted back. “Your trust is dangerously misplaced, Priestess. My lady does as she pleases.”
“And yet,” she replied, and for a moment, said nothing more. Perhaps waiting for me to argue, or simply pausing to gather her courage in the face of the lion. “I can help you,” she pressed, tilting her ear toward my voice. “I can teach you to control your gifts, before you kill someone and become an Empath—”
“I have no need of your help, Priestess. The forest is enough. It alone sustains me.”
“Look around you!Lookat this place!” she shouted, flinging her arms wide. “Your precious forest is twisted with hatred and sorrow, Mila. I can feel it clawing at my soul.” She took a breath, diadem glittering in the half-light. “You can do so much good for the rebellion. Without you, we can’t take our prototypes to the next level.”
“Good? Who do you think has kept the Empire at bay, all these years? Who has given you the freedom to play with your toys and build a family? You cannot fathom the Empire’s power as you are, Priestess. Hidden away beneath the mountain. Denying the true potential of your gifts. Cut off from your senses.” I stood, letting her see my shadow. “They’d have already taken the mountain, your prototypes,andthe remaining Priestesses if it weren’t for this twisted forest you hate so much.” Her beautiful, soft Priestess ki tempted the darkness flickering inside me, and I grinned. “This forest has saved you more times than you can ever know.”
“You’re wrong,” she spat, glaring at my shade. “You’re not the righteous savior you think you are, and this haunted wood isn’t the impenetrable fortress you believe it to be. They’ve taken Liyas, or had you not noticed, hidden away as you are?”
I bared my teeth. “One city in five years, and one that is outside of my territory. What haveyoudone? Built prototypes and whelped mundane brats?” I laughed, sinking into the shadows. “I’m done with this conversation. Leave. You have what you came for.”
Belle stepped after me and was stopped by Kas’ low grumble. “What I came for? Mila! We need you to power the prototypes—”
“And I sent your good little soldiers away with enough ki in their Glaith to keep you busy until spring comes.”
She glanced over her shoulder, at the men waiting for her at the edge of the wood. Assessing for herself with her crown of lies. “Make no mistake,” she said at length. “I am prepared to escalate things. We cannot allow you to risk yourself like this. Not when our technology can turn the tides.”
I clenched my fists, nails biting my palms as I resisted the wisp of Priestess ki heating with passionate conviction. “At the moment, the only thing keeping you from death is the brat in your belly,” I clicked my tongue at Kas, blending with the forest. “Some things remain sacred, even to me,” I said, letting the wind carry my voice. “At least for now.”
Chapter 5
Months passed without much to mark them.
Except the dreams.
