The baby is full-on wailing.Hungry.Shay knows from experience that if she puts off the inevitable, she'll be rewarded with the appearance of two dripping wet circles on the front of her tunic. Her tears may be impounded, but leaking milk does not seem to be an issue.
She releases all the air in her lungs in one gush and turns to Aidi, handing him the knife with shaking hands. “I have to breastfeed her. But no one kills him until I return, understand?”
“As you wish, Lalla,” the elder brother concedes.
Shay takes the afternoon to think over Tarik's words. The truth is, she could use help with her mission. As little as she trusts the bloodsucker, she hasn't seen Shadi since before Najla was born, and she's desperate to make some sort of progress.
The bone-eaters have brought the bloodsucker inside and tied him to a chair. His head hangs down, so all Shay sees is the domed top of his black turban. Darkness is gathering. The walls glow orange from the lanterns set into each corner of the dining room. The brothers, who would normally be preparing to go out around now, sit or stand against the walls as though waiting for a show to begin—Kabeer even made snacks.
Shay walks over and stands in front of Tarik with her arms crossed. “Still alive there, Sidi?” She delivers a kick to his shin.
The creature yelps, his eyes flying open. “Oh good, you're back. Is your miniature bloodsucker satiated?”
Shay holds out her hand for the blade, and Aidi obligingly places its handle in her palm.
“I've been thinking,” Tarik continues unabated. “If you must kill me, you should at least allow me to request a last meal, shouldn't you?”
“Be quiet and listen,” Shay spits out, flicking the tip of the dagger beneath Tarik's pointy chin. “I might not kill you. Provided you give me the information you mentioned.”
The bloodsucker smiles uncertainly, treating Shay to a glimpse of fang. “How do I know you won't kill me anyway?”
Shay shrugs. “How do I know you won't give me false information?”
Tarik bristles. “I've been around a long time, little dove. Long before Al-Mukhtar, and if we can come to an agreement, I plan to be here a long time after. Such an interminable lifespan does incline one to developing some sort of standard.”
“That's it. That's supposed to convince me you'll tell the truth?”
“I may not always be straightforward, but I'm not a liar,” the bloodsucker puts forth indignantly. “I know what this information is worth. It will change everything, little dove. And I'm not uttering a word of it until you untie me.”
Shay pulls back the dagger and taps the blade against her palm. “You said you wanted a last meal, right?”
Stillness takes over Tarik's face. “I may have mentioned that.”
Shay draws the blade across her forearm in one swift motion, hissing against the violent sting.
“Shay!” Deebi cries out. “Are you sure about this?”
Aidi steps forward, but Shay waves him back with her unwounded arm.
“I know what I'm doing,” she says calmly. Blood ribbons to her fingertips, where it hangs, suspended in a beaded drop. Tarik strains his neck forward, fangs fully extended, drool dripping from his lips. “Here, I'll let you have a taste.”
She lifts her arm over his gaping mouth. Her blood splashes his lips and chin. His eyes roll back, and his tongue darts out, lapping every drop. “Ah, as delicious as I remember.”
“You're only going to make him more obsessed with you than he already is,” Deebi warns. “Lallati, please think before you take this any further. You are clearly in grief.”
“Shhh.” Shay steps back from Tarik, splattering the blue-tiled floor in red.
He rocks the chair, edging it toward her. “It isn't good to waste.”
She plants her foot on the seat to still it, right between his parted legs, and leans over, keeping her bleeding arm behind her. “If you want more, tell me how to destroy Al-Mukhtar.”
“Wakha, anything.” Tarik nods eagerly. “The most important things to know: Al-Mukhtar used bloodsuckers’ blood to vanquish the Lallat. When ingested by men, our blood makes new bloodsuckers, but if ingested by people who have Shawafa, our magic doesn't mix well with theirs. It has some unfortunate effects.”
“What happens?” Shay dangles her arm a little closer.
Tarik snaps his teeth.
“Uh-uh-uh,” Shay chides, snatching her arm away again. “Continue.”
