“Why are they saying I saved all those people?” she asked, even though she had a hunch.
“Because you did.” Ash steepled his fingers together, elbows on the arms of his chair. “You’re a hero now; you helped us wipe out a nest of vicious Revenants in our planned Hunt. Everyone knows this. More importantly, everyonebelievesthis.”
The Guild had already planted the “truth” about what had happened, and the media was spreading it to the public. Whether it was true or not, they’d molded the narrative to their advantage. Rui could speak up, give her version of things, tell everyone what had really happened in thetunnels. But would they believe her? And what would she gain from telling the truth?
“You and I will be chatting in the next few days—private conversations,” Ash continued. “And by the way, you have a guaranteed spot in the Guild—Captain track.”
A bribe to keep my mouth shut.The thin hospital gown bunched up in Rui’s fists.
“You’re clever, Rui,” Ash said, observing her intently. “Don’t mess up. You have an important role to play.”
Maybe it was the shock of it all. Maybe the doctor was right, and she needed more rest. Maybe she was simply too broken inside. Rui felt the fight go out of her. She was tired. Her hands unfurled, falling limply to her side.
“I’m glad you understand.” Ash looked at her pointedly, lowering his voice. “I have two questions for you today. We know you went after the Hybrids because your mother’s murderer was part of that group. I want to know how you knew that.”
Rui kept her expression dazed, pretending the sedation had not worn off fully and her mind wasn’t already lucid. “I wanted him dead.” She paused. “Zizi told me.” It hurt to say his name.
“Which brings me to my second question—where is Zizi?”
A dull ache began at her ribs, spreading up to her chest. “I don’t know.”
Ash sighed, shaking his head. “He must’ve known he’d be in bigger trouble with the Guild Council for this. I guess he found an opportunity to slip away during the chaos.”
Rui didn’t correct him.
“You know, I really thought better of him.” Ash didn’t hide that he was upset. Maybe he’d been genuinely fond of the mage. “You should rest. We’ll speak again soon.” He got up and walked to the door. “I’ll send word to your father and Ada. They can see you tomorrow.”
“Ash.”
His hand paused on the doorknob.
“Are they really dead?”
“Our team went down, and we found the Hybrids trapped in the rubble when we found you. I took care ofhimmyself,” Ash said quietly. “They’re dead. It’s as if they never existed.”
There are others out there, and they have a leader, Rui wanted to tell him. She was sure of it, and she was sure that he knew it too, and that their future conversations would focus on this. But instead, she said, “I wanted to kill him with my own hands.”
“True revenge is surviving. Remember that.” Ash gave her a nod. “I’m glad you’re alive, Rui.”
The door opened and closed and opened again.
The doctor and nurse came into the room, fussing over her. Needles and tubes went back into her arm. Hot and salty soup filled her mouth and stomach. When they were satisfied she wasn’t going to do anything foolish, they left her alone.
Pulling the IV pole with her, Rui made her way slowly to the window, wincing with each step. The painkillers had worn off, but she had refused more. She stared at the impossibly blue sky and bustling city streets below.
Ten Kings reside in the underworld again, she thought.
He was gone, never to return. And the world had simply moved on.
Rui crept back into bed, curling up on her side, pulling the covers over her head. She could feel her own breath fluttering against her cheeks, the wetness of her pillow. The low thrum inside her grew louder, begging for her attention. Her magic... it was back, just as Ten said it would be. But a different sort of emptiness had formed, a void that would never be filled.
She closed her eyes, remembering his soft, gentle voice, repeating those four words in her ear, over and over again.
Sometime later, she woke with a start. It was night. Someone was in the room with her.
“Who’s there?”
A click.
