“Xuri Prorociste.” She knelt before me, her box braids draping across her face. A single tear trailed down her cheek. I took a deep breath. “You have been trained your whole life to assume this role. Though it has arrived sooner than any of us expected, you are fully qualified and completely entrusted with carrying the torch of the Prime Oracle. May your mouth only speak truth. May your heart only know hope. May your courage never lack no matter the visions you receive. Now, rise.”
All eyes focused on Xuri. Xuri’s gaze trained on mine. “My sister and comrade-in-arms.” I lifted the ceremonial blade and released my magic. Thin tendrils of metal braided and curled into a semi-enclosure around Xuri, a metallic alcove of living vines, growing upward toward the oak tree’s canopy. The enclosure was a symbol of protection and a visual of a gilded anointing. A child clapped.
“Do you willingly take hold of the position and task before you?”
“I accept the responsibility of the Prime Oracle. From now until my death.” She held her hands out in acceptance and supplication to the people she now served, and the gods that granted her this ascended power.
I opened my palm revealing a nugget of gold. It melted down into thousands of fine strands that laced around her forearms in glittering, decorative vambraces.
Xuri watched, her arms outstretched. She spoke low out of the side of her mouth, “A bit gaudy, don’t you think?”
“It’s ceremonial. And you’re welcome.” A ribbon of gold pinched her skin. She glared up at me, a ghost of a smile flashing.
Addressing the crowd again, I bellowed, “I present to you Prime Oracle Xuri, the Liberation’s source of wise counsel and our wellspring of prophetic predictions. Lead us well.” I stepped back, giving Xuri prominence.
The crowd applauded with optimism and certitude. My time to mourn Ilayah would have to wait. The day was closing and a Haluman festival awaited.
Chapter Ten
THE SPY
The sun had reached its zenith and was well on its descent by the time I staggered to the bathroom to wash my face. A few sprays of blood from last night’s foray dotted my cheek. The coolness of the water awakened my sluggish mind and perked up the magic in my veins.
Purple-blue eyes reflected back at me. Were they always this hollow? The sight of my pale-pink strands had me pulling out the container of coracite rock. I crushed it into a fine powder, then added a few drops of water. In moments, the thick paste coated the strands of my waist-length hair. Its effects muted out any other pigment and will render my hair a lustrous white, similar to many in the realm.
My mother instilled in me the importance of hiding my hair’s true color. I didn’t know the why, but I remembered her unwavering fear. I promised her I would never reveal it to anyone—even the king. I had made that promise shortly before her death. After washing the paste out, I secured my three braids behind my right ear and two behind my left. Since we were going out, I made them much thinner than normal in case Delah decided to do something crazy with my hair. Hardly noticeable,I tugged on them the way my mother used to, a habit I had no intention of breaking.
I startled when my bedroom door flew open. Delah had an extra shimmy to her steps as she burst into my room, getting herself ready and fussing over me. “Wear one of my dresses. The blue one! It’ll make your eyes pop.” Then she scurried away.
I chuckled to myself. We used to go out and flirt and dance until we could barely stand. The more I advanced in my training, the more I realized these events would have to be forgotten. Connections led to cracks in my armor. They opened me up to vulnerabilities.
I grabbed dark kohl and a thin brush, drawing a vicious cat-eye. Delah was right; blue would complement the gold flecks in them. Delah rounded the corner, bustling back into my room. Wearing a lime-green slip of a dress, she presented my blue outfit with a barely restrained giggle. I eyed it dubiously. The last time I wore it, I wasn’t quite as filled out. My eyebrow arched as Delah thrust it into my arms.
“If it’s a few inches shorter because your chest decided to outgrow mine, then that’s your ‘problem.’ ” She made air quotes and rolled her eyes playfully. I pulled it on with a groan. It was definitely a few inches shorter. I’d be yanking on it all night. It was tighter on my hips, and the halter style highlighted my toned arms. The material rippled and shimmered, like the water I so easily controlled.
Delah curled my hair into soft waves. After fluffing her own curls, she gave me a once-over, smiling in approval. I finished putting some color on my lips and took her arm in mine. Her lime-green dress glittered as we headed toward the front of the house.
“Let’s do this.”
Walking through the city at night left me equally elated and unsettled. I loved the meandering cobblestone streets, thesounds of laughter, and bustle of life. It reminded me of what I fought for. Why I sleuthed and killed and tortured. To protect this—families and communities.
I fought for the mother I’d lost.
King Nolan did his best to provide for the city’s orphans, for me, and I was deeply grateful. In the immediate aftermath of my home burning down, because of the king, I always had a roof over my head and plenty of food. He built the orphanages that housed and protected all the children who lost parents to Glint. He provided free electricity and access to clean water.
Unease followed when I inevitably witnessed the golden shimmer of Glint on moaning bodies slumped in alleyways. There was a veil of darkness in Maripol that felt like a disease, a wet tarp weighing down the city’s energy. The residual result of the rebellion’s work.
Rage boiled every time another child was orphaned from an overzealous addict. Frustration gnawed at me when it seemed that all my efforts to dismantle Glint’s power were a waste. I couldn’t give up on the innocents, though. I was once like them.
I pushed my thoughts aside, intent on enjoying this time with Delah.
The bass emanating from the festival could be felt in every one of my organs as a circle of trees and stone came into view. The sound wielder behind the music must have had a powerful skillset for amplification. Delah’s eyes lit in excitement as we entered. Ice sculptures in the shape of various animals presided over the crowd atop silver pedestals. My lip curled at the sight of the carved-ice drake. It reminded me of the dreki when they shape-shifted—all scales and claws. I looked away.
Aerial dancers hung from vines dropping down from the trees’ canopy. Light orbs floated around them, their dim light pulsing. The walls of the festival consisted of ancient, twisted trees tangled together in an orgy of limbs. Swaying leavescreated a strobing effect as the light from the two moons scattered downward, invoking a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Servers floated between crowds of people, various drinks in tow. Smoke wafted from the top of several glasses. I grabbed a purple mixture with a floating candied iris and a honey-colored libation with a twist of lemon for Delah.
She accepted her drink with a dazzling smile, and weclinkedour glasses together. She took a big gulp, while I slowly sipped mine. I rolled my shoulders, shoving my discomfort aside. This wasn’t my scene, but I was determined to have fun for Delah.
