Ged actually let her go. Ysira fell hard, coughing, massaging her neck.
Neri flexed his fingers. Tentacles of red light writhed around them. “Step away.”
Ged’s eyebrows rose. He took a step back. It took him a moment to find words. “Good. Very good. I knew all you needed was a little push. Next time, do that first.”
Ysira started, “Neri, you don’t have to do what he?—”
But Neri rounded on her, eyes blazing. “I don’t have to do what you say, either.” He was breathing hard, but his voice steadied. “You heard that thing. None of you could stop me.” His gaze circled the platform, taking them in one by one.
Ysira felt a stab of hurt to which she had no right, warring with an unwelcome surge of fear. Meek as he seemed, Neri was one decision away from becoming the most powerful being on all Celes Lor—perhaps on any world. And he was angry. At her. With very good reason.
Under ultimate pressure, different people responded in different ways. As a warrior and as a healer, Ysira had seen a myriad of them. When faced with a breaking point, some hardened. Some shattered. Some ran. Neri had done what few others could: he evolved.
He had reached a point at which fear was no longer sustainable.
Fear would break him—and so he tapped in to something else.
Ysira met Jacen’s eyes. A strange look passed over his face. Be-fore she could parse it, it was gone.
“We’re going back to the library. Jacen, Uncle Seth, and”—Neri’s voice hitched over her name—“Ysira are coming with us.” He set his jaw and demanded, much louder, “Does anyone else have something to say?”
No one dared to speak.
36
ELEGY
YSIRA
They returned to find the Shrouded City preparing for a siege.
Hesaya met them first, at the edge of the fields, with Commander Teheda and four other militia members.
“I am now Gatekeeper of Otavok,” Hesaya said without preamble. “The Disciples’ choice was unanimous.” Her face was drawn, but her voice was steel. “No one made it through the Gate. You neutralized the immediate threat and bought us time to prepare. But that’s all.”
“Indeed,” Ged affirmed. “You need to fortify?—”
Hesaya held up a hand. “It’s already done. In the last hour alone, the enemy triggered multiple alarm systems. We have protocols for this, which have been in place for longer than any of us have been alive. You will follow them as directed.” She paused, as though daring Ged to challenge her. “We do not recognize Zivoran hierarchy. You are my ally, not my liege, and we do not have time to bicker amongst ourselves.” She looked at Ysira, too, then the knights. “Am I understood?” Ysira mutteredher assent. Ged frowned at Hesaya, but Neri said, “Father. Do what she says.”
Hesaya almost smiled. “Var Naxal has spoken.”
She bowed—to Neri. Ged’s jaw tightened. But he inclined his head a fraction of an inch. “Gatekeeper.”
“Commander Teheda.” Hesaya beckoned at the stocky, mustached militiaman. “Take Seth Semira to the holding cell and restrain him. Ogden is waiting with sedatives.” She caught Teheda’s arm as he moved to obey. “Be discreet. Don’t leave anyone alone with him.”
Teheda nodded sharply. His men carried Seth away, and Jacen’s face grew alarmingly pale as he watched them go. He held Rakalem’s skull in a white-knuckled grip.
“I’ve called for a meeting between our leaders,” Hesaya informed the rest of them. “In the meantime, I suggest you familiarize yourselves with our defenses. Get what rest you can. We’ll be surrounded by morning.” She bade them go on ahead, toward the library, but Ysira lingered.
Jacen hovered at her side as she asserted, very quiet, “You let the knights in.”
“I did,” said Hesaya. “And I won’t hear another word about it from you. We can’t afford it.”
Before Ysira could respond, Jacen said, “I’m so sorry about Eneva and Mondral. I don’t know what to?—”
“Don’t, then. What’s done is done.” Hesaya closed her eyes, centering herself. “At the Gate—you held back Turil. How?”
Jacen shook his head. “Not Turil.Seth.His mind is still there, beneath hers, so I kept her from acting by freezing his motor functions.” He frowned. “I . . . I have to think on this.”
