Page 145 of Secrets of Graves and Gold

The daimon sets his hands against the door’s edge. His supernatural energy crackles over the surface like tiny streaks of lightning.

The steel border melts into the stone of the frame. He’ll be pushing his power straight through to fuse the crossbar in place as well.

A faint smoky smell laces the air. Rheave yanks his hands back before the wood is outright charred.

A yelp carries from the other side. “What the fuck are they doing?”

A strained chuckle catches in my throat.

Saving Silana is what—with this crazy, last-ditch plan that will hopefully look more like heroics than betrayal by the time we’re through.

Forty

Ivy

I’ve never thought of myself as sheltered, but I had no idea rivers so much wider than the Starsil that passes through Florian existed. Although I guess the Seafell Channel is called a channel rather than a river because it’s on an entirely different level.

Generally, I’d be glad there’s so much water between us and the eastern half of the continent, where the Darium empire still rules. Tonight, I wouldn’t mind our enemies lurking just a little closer at hand.

I dip the paddles carefully into the darkened water so they won’t make more sound than the warbling wind that tugs at my cloak’s hood. On the opposite bank ahead of me, the few scattered lights there look so tiny they could almost be stars.

At this distance, I can’t make out any structures in the thickening dusk. Only the thin crescent of the rising moon keeps me heading in the direction Stavros indicated.

To my left and right, there’s no light at all. The channel just stretches endlessly away.

Is this anything close to what it feels like being on the ocean? I’ve never experienced that supposedly vast body of water either, only seen it in paintings and tapestries.

I peer toward my destination again and restrain a grimace. Stavros said it could take more than an hour to cross while I’m trading some speed for stealth. I’ve only covered maybe a quarter of the distance so far.

At least we don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you for a while yet, Julita remarks as if picking up on my impatience. I don’t imagine the channel hosts many pleasure cruises with the current state of political affairs.

I let out a soft snort. “I just hope the Darium sentries find it plausible that a local fisherwoman might be out plying her trade.”

I suppose people always have to make a living, regardless of who’s trying to invade who. She sighs. As bizarre as this plan might be, Ivy, I truly believe you’re going to pull it off. It all fits together. Let our enemies destroy each other—brilliant, really.

“As long as it works.” I dig the paddles into the rippling water again, keeping my voice low just in case. “I don’t know if stopping the march will be the end of the uprising, though. They did leave some people back in Eppun. We still don’t know who’s at the top of the Order of the Wild, giving the orders.”

I get the impression of a shrug. It’ll eliminate a significant portion of their might, including the people most willing to fight. And we can hope that those who were duped into joining under false pretenses will flee and spread the word that the Order means death rather than freedom.

“That would be nice. And there have been people standing up to them already. Emor and Voleska might have made more progress.”

We’re heading in the right direction, both literally and metaphorically. That’s what matters most. Julita pauses. And if Borys finally meets his end by Darium hands, I won’t be the least bit sorry about it. Good riddance.

She’s putting on that nonchalant tone she does when she’s trying to pretend she isn’t affected. A pang of sympathy forms in my gut. “He’ll get what he deserves, one way or another. If the Darium soldiers don’t finish him, the king isn’t going to forgive one of the uprising’s main figures.”

I’d just like to know it’s taken care of. Who can say how much longer I’ll keep clinging to what’s left of my life to be able to see it?

My hands hesitate for a second before I stroke the oars through the water again. “Have you felt as if staying is getting harder?” I haven’t noticed any change in her presence in my head.

I’m not sure. It seems like something that would happen so gradually I wouldn’t perceive the difference. But I clearly can’t haunt you forever, Ivy. I’m starting to think it might be nice to let go and meet my godlen. Once I know the worst of this catastrophe is dealt with and that you’ll be all right, that is.

The pang rises to the base of my throat. “I meant what I said before, you know. About how we could travel around after there’s peace again, see and do things you missed out on.”

I sense a smile in Julita’s voice. Oh, I appreciate that. And perhaps I’ll change my mind when the conflict is over.

I hesitate, thinking of Rheave’s bright eyes. Of the life that animates the body he wasn’t born with.

“You know… There might be a way you could get more of a life back without needing to keep haunting me. If it’s possible to put a daimon in a clay body and bring it?—”

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