‘Meaning someone with dual ancestry might only inherit one gift,’ Fox says. ‘They may appear to be either Etheri or Magi. But their gift could be … distorted. Too strong. Too dangerous. Hence the need for concealment.’ He pauses, as if weighing his next words. ‘These people … they were never supposed to exist. They inherit too much power.’
‘Gods,’ I whisper, eyes wide as I try to take it all in. Then a thought strikes, followed by a wave of panic. ‘Your grandfather. Hehasto know about Syla’s loophole.’
‘You’re right,’ Fox tells me. ‘There are dozens of Demari down in the dungeons. I suspect he’s been hunting them for years.’
Bile burns my throat as I recall the hollow-eyed prisoners hidden in the darkest depths of the palace.
‘What about King Balen?’ I ask. ‘How much does he know?’
Fox grimaces.
My voice is stricken. ‘Tell me.’
‘After the Binding Ceremony, it was like a door had been opened in my mind. The Eye gave me vision after vision.’
‘And?’
‘And it seems my uncle’s been …collectingDemari for some time.’
‘What?’ I splutter, horrified. ‘Why?’
‘Think about it. If he’s planning to take the throne, he’ll need a bigger army. And what better way to ensure his victory than to infuse his ranks with Demari soldiers.’
‘Butwhywould they agree to fight for him?’
‘Some may not, it’s true. But others might. Because Balen’s offering them something they’ve never had – legitimacy,security, protection. To be valued and rewarded for who they are, rather than ostracized or imprisoned for it. And with an army of Demari at his disposal, if he were then to get his hands on the missing Eye …’
For a moment I think I might vomit.
‘I keep thinking about it,’ I whisper. ‘The way he looked at the Eye. All he’s got planned for it. For me.This is only the beginning– that’s what he said.’
‘He’s just trying to scare you.’
‘Then it’s working. Take what happened at Fire Mountain – he attacked the entire Ignitia Court just to get to me.’
‘I won’t let him hurt you, Storm Weaver,’ Fox says quietly.
I glance up, and the intensity of his gaze roots me to the spot. I’m not sure I could move if I tried.
‘It’s not just me I’m worried about,’ I say at last.
‘Your brothers?’ Fox guesses.
I nod, winding a stray curl tightly round my finger. ‘I was the one who insisted we go through the Ridge tunnels, I’m the reason Flint and I were separated, and now he’s out there, all alone. Ihatenot knowing where he is.’
‘You know he’s alive,’ Fox points out.
It’s true – he’s been using the Eye of the Past to check on my family every day at my behest. Grandmother and Renly are holed up at the safe house with the decoys, while Flint appears to be making his way across some endless stretch of moorland.
‘But what if he runs into trouble? What if –’ I cut myself off, afraid I might speak some unfavourable future into existence. ‘And then there’s Ren …’
‘He’s safe,’ Fox reassures me as I pull the little wooden figurine out of my pocket.
‘Maybe. But for how long? We both know your uncle isn’t above killing children to further his own agenda.’
The words are out before I can snatch them back. Ugly and insensitive, they linger in the space between us.
Fox has turned very still. I can almost feel it – the quiet agony, the coiled, all-consuming rage.
