“Here we go,” Reid murmurs, his tone tinged with amusement. I suppose he’s used to Agrippina’s strong opinions by now and is glad they’re not directed at him for once.
“Sorry,” Behati mutters, not sounding apologetic. “The new shifter breed.”
“May I enquire after the reason for your rushed return, Behati?” I ask pleasantly, even though I don’t feel pleasant.
The seer’s mouth pops wide. “This is our home, Daya. How dare you ask for the reason of our return!”
“Many are displeased with the Mahananda’s choice,” I say. “Many left.”
“I trust the Mahananda had Shabbe’s best interest at heart when it crowned you,” Behati says. It sounds like a blatant lie. Like she thinks the source of all magic made a mistake.
“What about you?” I tip my head to Kanti as I scrutinize her cruel but lovely face. “Do you trust the Mahananda?”
“I trust it picked you for a reason.”
I snort.
“What?” she snaps.
Still sweeping my thumb over Cathal’s hand, I ask, “Could the reason be that I was there and you weren’t?”
She snags a long black strand and tucks it forcefully behind her ear that shimmers with emeralds. “I’d be lying if I said no. For years, I’ve been trained for this position. You’ve only just flopped into this world. So yes, I find it unfair.” Smoothing onehand down the side of her dress, she adds, “But like Taytah, I trust the Mahananda.”
“I appreciate your honesty, Kanti.”
You’re not actually considering letting them in?Enzo asks.
I’m not considering it, Enzo. I am letting them in.
Why?
For several reasons. One, we’re immortal, so we’ve nothing to fear. Two, I’ve asked the Mahananda and Behati remains our seer.I proceed to tell him the rest of it.Of course my wish is that she’ll bequeath the task to another soon. Ideally, you or Agrippina, but we cannot force her hand. Wecanhope for her to err though.
Can you imagine if she gives the power to Kanti?
I trust the Mahananda wouldn’t allow such an egocentric person to carry its messages.
What if Behati doesn’t share her visions with us?
By touching her forehead, I’ve access to all she sees.
What if she doesn’t let you touch her forehead?
Then I’ll force her to touch mine. Ultimately, she has no choice, Enzo, for keeping her visions from the queen is a breach which will cost her the sight.
He purses his lips, seemingly unconvinced.
“Commander Fordal is itching to return to Nebba. He needs to know whether he sets sail with us or not,” Behati says.
I like that she doesn’t assume I’ll let her and Kanti stay. As for Commander Fordal, I believe he itches to leave because of all the tusks carving through the moonlit waters of Samurashabbe. He keeps staring at them. At the sky, too, for that matter. I only now notice an influx of large black birds. Cathal must’ve requested some extra sky guards on our way over. “Tell Commander Fordal that he and his crew can set out.”
“With us or without us?” Behati repeats.
I gesture to our Shabbin vessel. “With Kanti, but without you.”
“We either enter together, or we leave—together.”
“You are the Mahananda’s seer,” I say.
