The sandstone altar, on which every king of Verdenet has been tattooed, dominates the center of the space. The thief ducks under it and streaks into the colonnades beyond, which are made of intricately patterned orange and white tiles. When standing close, they depict small scenes of life in Verdenet. But when viewed as a whole, they turn into an impressive mural of the Lady and Father. Down the length of each wall, there are at least twenty doors that undoubtedly lead to twice as many halls. It could take weeks to find the thief once they disappear inside—ifI ever do.
“Wait! I just want to talk to you!” I gasp.
Labored, breathy laughter trails from the thief. “You nearly took off my leg! I’m not interested intalkingto you.”
Their voice is higher than I anticipated. Softer too. It makes me pause for half a second before spitting, “If you don’t stop, I’ll obliterate the temple!” I thrust my hand skyward, praying they can’t see how much my arm is trembling. I don’t want to destroy this sacred place—not to mention throw away the only lead we’ve had in weeks—but they’ve seen too much. They’re plainly up to something.
They halt, eyes popped wide in the darkness. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
Their heavy breath fills the quiet.
“Answer my questions, and I’ll be merciful.”
Still no response.
“This isn’t an invitation; it’s a demand!” I yell, tugging a bolt of starfire closer.
The thief remains silent, but behind us, a second voice calls, “Ziva, is that you?”
This voice is deeper and accompanied by the shuffle of much heavier feet. I whip around, looking for a second assailant, but to my surprise, the thief—Ziva—shouts, “Stay hidden!”
That only makes the pounding footsteps quicken. “Why? What’s wrong?” The questions are cut off by a grating cough.
“Run!” Ziva screams. “As deep into the temple as you can! I’ll find you when it’s safe.”
“You won’t be finding anyone if you’re dead,” I cut in—loud enough for her accomplice to hear.
“Ziva!” the unseen voice cries again, closer. I widen my stance, spread my fingers, and stare down each bejeweled doorway as if a lion might leap out.
It turns out to be a fairly accurate prediction.
A dark shape emerges from a door to my right—large and broad with filthy sand-crusted furs draped over bare shoulders and bloodshot eyes peering through a tangle of hair. They even roar as they charge at me.
Tingles ignite my throat and my palm sizzles as I grip the starfire tighter.
Ziva tries to erect a protective wall of night around the man, but it doesn’t affect my vision in the slightest. He, however, trips in the sudden dark and crashes into a pillar. As he crumples to the ground, moaning and clutching his side, Ziva throws herself in front of him. Though, it’s a needless sacrifice.
The starfire is already slipping through my slackened fingers, drifting back up to the heavens as I squint at the mewling figure.
The man might be wearing the rags of a beggar, but he has long gray hair the color of storm clouds and thick-muscled legs that are covered in tattoos from knee to ankle, and the golden rings climbing the ridge of his left ear are almost too numerous to count, especially as he thrashes in pain.
But I do count. All the way to seventeen. A number only one man in my country is permitted to wear.
“King Minoak?” I gasp.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” the girl spits at me. She hovers in front of the king of Verdenet, scrawny arms outstretched. “We’re homeless outcasts. I’m sorry I stole your food; we’re just desperately hungry.” From beneath her hood, I catch a glimpse of a round face, unmarked by a single wrinkle or line. Dark curls escape around her full cheeks. She can’t be older than twelve. Maybe thirteen.
What is achilddoing with King Minoak? I assumed if he survived, he would be with guards. Or warriors. Not a young girl.
Yet, it’s clear she isn’t justanygirl.
Ignoring Ziva’s request, I edge closer. “I—I never doubted you were alive,” I stutter, suddenly tongue-tied and bumbling as I gaze down at my king. “And I knew you’d come here.”
Irritation at the scouts’ pathetic efforts rankle me. I found the missing king on my very first attempt. Proof that they’ve been trying to undermine and sabotage me.
Except they wouldn’t have been able to see Minoak or the girl,I realize as the pane of blackness Ziva erected between us crumbles. They probably couldn’t see the mesa at all….
