River’s mother Reka advanced, tall and imposing even when wrapped in a dressing gown.“Archpriest Saros,” she began, her tone even, authoritative.“River did not desert his shrine, as you well know.My son was assuring the safety of the woman you raised him to protect.”
Penina, her hair plaited for sleep, threaded an arm through hers.“You can’t tell us you planned on leaving our children there.”
“I didn’t say that, precisely – ”
“It certainly seemed that way,” Dian, River’s father, interjected.
Penina stalked forward, her breath hitching when Ronan held her back.“What if they kill her?While you argue this, they could be – ”
Ronan patted her hand.“They won’t kill her, Penny – ”
“They’ll first offer an exchange,” Kai cut in, gaining strength when Ronan’s mouth fell open.“Fingers, limbs.”
“We’ve seen it all,” Hilo rejoined.
Reka clasped both hands over her mouth; Dian, angry and helpless, pulled her to him.“We entrusted him to you,” he said thickly to Saros.“You cannot tell us you’re leaving him there to rot.”
Saros visibly swallowed.“If Menon is taken from us – ”
“And what’s the point of having Menon if we can’t even use Her?”Ronan demanded.
The priests and officers murmured at that, a hum of displeasure.Many of them, Kai knew, had paid a great deal towards Saros’s cause, had abandoned their homes to come here.
Saros had never seemed so small before, his eyes darting to each of them, all of whom watched him right back.Kai’s blood simmered when their eyes met at the end, mutual hatred rising, and silently dared him to speak.
A sob shattered the heavy silence.Penina fell to her knees before the Archpriest.“You’ve always hated her wilfulness.There’ve been times that I also – ” Her shoulders shook, but she swiped at her eyes and forged on, “I have obeyed you.I’ve believed in you, and listened to you, and surrendered to you, even when sometimes I thought you were wrong.”Penina sent the Archpriest a withering glare.“I will see my daughter again.For your sake, let it be with your support, not in spite of your opposition.”
Saros stared down at her, his jaw clenched and knuckles white.But he did not argue.
Seeing the old man like that did Kai’s heart good.A mounting, delirious furore filled his lungs, the satisfaction of angering Saros, the anxiety over River’s and Ione’s safety.“If Menon is supposed to help our people, thenletme help our people.”He held Penina’s gaze, Ronan’s; Reka’s and Dian’s.“I’ll bring them back,” he said.“I promise.”
He turned to leave, but his mother caught his arm.“One condition – because itisdangerous for Menon to go alone – ”
Kai wrenched his arm back, not wanting her to feel that he was shaking, every ounce of him jittery nerves and energy no longer tempered with alcohol.“I don’t need a team.”
“You don’t even remember what you did when you lost control to Menon last time.”She waited in vain for Kai to dispute that.“Go alone, then, and wish you’d brought enough people to drag you and the others out of there.”
Kai suppressed a groan.
Malia clasped her hands behind her and paced, looking to each of her sons in turn.“Go in, quietly,” she said.“Engage no one.Locate our targets, get them out – ” She cocked an eyebrow at Nalu.“ – and don’t start any unnecessary fights.”
She finished by pivoting towards Saros, the charm switched back on.“We might even learn something of our enemies, mightn’t we?”
Hilo and Nalu nodded like parrots; Etan shrugged, deferring as always to the only person he took orders from.Cynthia bounced anxiously on her toes, her expression grave.And Malia looked to her youngest son and nodded; for the first time in Kai’s life, there was almost approval there.It hit Kai somewhat unpleasantly in the stomach, but he nodded back.Thankful.
“Everyone, get ready,” Kai commanded them, his voice coming out stronger, surer than it had too long.“Meet outside Caelos in ten.”
Malia ushered her audience away, instructed them all to go to sleep, to look forward to interesting news in the morning.And when there was no one left but Kai and Saros, the Archpriest released an ancient, weary noise, a ragged cough interspersed with laughter.
“You’ve won this round,” he said, wiping his mouth.“So go.But you come back to Caelos unharmed.”
Kai lifted his chin.“I plan to.”
“And once you do, you’re officially my creature.”Saros closed in, his whisper like a death rattle, reeking of blood.“Do you understand me?I have let you rest and grieve and drink yourself to oblivion, and now, I let you leave the safety of our home for an ungrateful brat and an idiot.”He stepped back.“I have been too patient.Come your return, Kai, you will obey me whether you like it or not.”
Soliz gleamed like ice in the cool dawn light.Kai felt impossibly small and vulnerable as he crouched beside a building across the street, hidden within Soliz’s far-reaching shadow.Grudgingly, he was glad for the company, even if it was his brothers.
Much as he hated to admit it, Mam was right.Castor had known how to kill Menon, and if Kai lost control of himself in a shrine filled with enemies, it would only take one good shot to destroy everything.
