“Neri,stop?—”
“Wait—”
“For gods’ sake, she’s just a child?—”
Seth had drifted far away from himself. The men and women on Saraida’s list had been called profiteers of the Harvest, corrupt and deserving of punishment, but now Seth had to wonder whether their greater crime was defiance.
Jacen put himself between his novitiate and his god—not quite getting in Neri’s way but extending a pacifying hand. “I trust her with my life,” he panted, a wild look in his eyes. “I beg of you. Don’t do this.”
Neri held up his hand. “Enough.” The light flared brighter.
We will devour.
Seth knew very well that Naxal was capable of annihilating this girl, innocent or not, and there wasn’t a thing anyone present could do to stop it.
He had to try anyway.
“You spared the other one,” he said. “The telepath. Why not—” “She’s too strong to be an optimal candidate.” Neri turned his gaze briefly on Seth. “Andthatone agreed to serve.”
Seth racked his memory to discern what in the world Neri might be talking about. He came up empty. He did not, however, miss the utter horror that dawned on Ysira’s face. She knew something. But what?
“Still,” Neri mused, “we are not exactly spoiled for choice. The possibilities could be . . .” He trailed off.
“There’s a list,” Ysira burst out. Neri turned to her. She spoke quickly, as though she feared she were running out of time. “The Disciples found it with one of the Church’s surviving seekers. A list of known telepaths, of all Tiers, across the Dominion.”
Neri’s brows went up. “You kept this from us?”
“I didn’t think it would be necessary,” Ysira said. That tone of near-pleading, from her lips, made the hairs on the back of Seth’s neck stand on end. “I’ll give it you.”
Neri did not change his stance. But the light in his hand dimmed.
He frowned, almost as though pained. A war behind his eyes.
Then Nines exclaimed, “I’ll leave!” Neri’s frown deepened.
“I’ll leave,” Nines said again. “I’ll leave Zivora. It’s what I was coming to say, anyway.”
“Where is she supposed to go?” Jacen demanded. “The world outside is chaos. It’s not safe anywhere but here.”
“He’s right,” Ysira said. “This isn’t?—”
“Mother,enough,” Neri said sharply. “We will decide what is necessary.”His eyes had not left Nines.
“You can sense she’s telling the truth,” Seth interjected. “Can’t you? Your whole life, I’ve never been able to lie to you.” He struggled to hold his ground as the demon’s gaze found him once more. “Neri. Please. I know you can tell.”
“If you don’t trust your senses, trust mine,” said Jacen. “Look inside my mind. See what I see.”
A silent exchange passed between Neri and Jacen. Neri watched Nines for another interminable moment, studying her intently. At last, he lowered his hand.
“Be gone by sunset. Should you ever return, we will not hesitate.” It seemed that he had nothing left to say. But before he turned to go, Seth caught another glimpse beneath that chilling alien exterior: exhaustion and, just maybe, a touch of relief. Whatever it was passed like a spiderweb glimmering in the sunlight—terribly fragile; there and then gone.
“Bring us that list,” Neri said to Ysira. “And do not make the mistake of thinking yourselves above our laws.”
He limped away. This time, Ysira did not follow.
Jacen’s shoulders sagged like he’d finally started breathing again.
He braced a hand against the table to steady himself.
