Page 64 of Secrets of Graves and Gold

She didn’t know I wasn’t exactly human until the others told her, but I don’t see why it should matter. Especially when it means I can be useful.

Because the main thing we’ve been talking about is how I can use the energy I seem to be able to generate to create a disturbance.

“What would be the best target for Rheave’s daimon magic?” Ivy says, rubbing her chin as she studies a map of the city that Alek and Casimir were able to obtain. We’ve marked the known sites of major Order of the Wild activity on it.

Stavros folds his real hand over his prosthetic as he leans his elbows against the side of the table. “His energy appears to burn very quickly. We could destroy supplies they’re relying on.”

I consider the materials that I’ve observed humans require most often. “Food?”

Hanie jumps in with another of those quick frowns and a hasty protest. “If you mess with their stores of food, they’ll just take from the rest of us.”

“What about weapons?” Alek suggests, rubbing the edge of his mask. He put it back on when he heard Hanie would be coming to this meeting, although I don’t know why he feels he needs to hide his interesting face from someone who’s supposed to be our friend. “They aren’t going to win many battles if they haven’t got the tools to fight with. I’d bet Rheave could damage even swords and daggers.”

I imagine the crackly energy that can flow out of me searing through metal blades and leather-wrapped handles. A grin springs to my lips. “Yes, I could muddle them!”

Ivy turns to Hanie. “Have you seen any place where the Order seems to be stashing that kind of equipment?”

The local woman shakes her head. She gestures to one area of the map where several buildings are marked. “They’re mostly operating out of that neighborhood. I’d imagine any stores of supplies they’ve built up are somewhere in there. I don’t—I don’t want to risk wandering around too close without any real reason to be there, or they might assume I’m spying.”

Casimir touches her arm. “It’s all right. We can scope out the situation. You’ve helped a great deal already.”

Ivy smiles at him as if she’s the one he was speaking kindly to. Like he’s done a wonderful thing.

If I can burn up a bunch of swords and shields, will she smile at me that way?

It’s not that she never aims any smiles my way at all. But they always look a little… uncertain compared to how she is with the other men.

She helped me snap out of the spell the scourge sorcerers had me under. She led me to freedom.

I can’t shake the feeling that I haven’t done even half as much for her yet. But I want to.

I also want her to touch my face again like she did when I was out in the cold night. That was a special kind of warmth like nothing else I’ve felt.

But I don’t have any wish to frighten her again like I did that time.

It’s a complicated desire.

“We could ride through on the horses to take a look,” I suggest. “Then we’d be able to leave quickly if anyone acts suspicious.”

Ivy hums. “I think it’d be better if I sneak around and don’t let anyone see me at all. It shouldn’t take very long to figure out their operations.”

Stavros turns to me. “You haven’t seen any signs that they’re producing clay bodies in the city?”

“No,” I have to admit. “It was a big space where I first woke up. I’m not sure there would be room in a city.”

“Well, that was a long shot anyway. Even if the production is happening in Eppun, Nikodi is only a sixth of the province’s territory, and Pima a fraction of that.”

The big man sighs and shifts backward in his chair. “We can continue monitoring the few other brothels in the city and watching for shrouded figures in general. The more accomplices we displace, the less power they’ll have to maintain their authority.”

Casimir nods. “The cleric we brought the others to said he’d be happy to take in more. He was horrified by what’s been done to them. With Prospira’s influence, we can hope he’ll be able to help them grow beyond the near-slavery the scourge sorcerers consigned them to.”

Alek clears his throat. “I should mention—my conversation with him was somewhat fruitful. It sounds as though there may be detailed records on certain aspects of the Great Retribution at a temple of Jurnus a few hours east of here. I think fully understanding how the godlen dealt with the original scourge sorcerers could be essential to challenging them now. I’d like to take a day or two to visit and go through the accounts, since I haven’t been needed for much here so far.”

Worry clouds Ivy’s bright blue eyes. “You’d go alone? That doesn’t seem safe.”

“Who could you spare to come with me?” he asks, his normally flat tone softening the way it often does when he’s talking to her. “This is the best way I can contribute. The scourge sorcerers won’t be searching for solitary scholars on the road. They’re watching out for armies.”

His logic makes perfect sense, but Ivy’s brow stays furrowed. She reaches across the table to squeeze his hand.

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