Page 15 of Crowned

A surge of frustration wells up inside me. “With all due respect, Elder Ayomide, we need those memories. They could be crucial in understanding the Shikari’s plans and stopping them.”

The Elders murmur among themselves, but their decision seems resolute. “Our decision is final,” Elder Ayomide says, his tone firm. “You must trust that we have your best interests at heart.”

I clench my fists, hating the injustice of it all. “Best interests? How are we supposed to trust that when you’re keeping vital information from us?” My voice trembles with barely contained anger. Bhodi looks at me, his eyes filled with the same frustration I feel. We need answers, and we need them now.

Elder Thorne’s eyes narrow slightly. “Sojukokoro, Cove, you must understand the complexity of the situation. Unlocking those memories could have unforeseen consequences.”

“Consequences?” Bhodi interjects, his voice hoarse but strong. “We’re already living with the consequences of not knowing. We deserve to have those pieces of ourselves back. They’reourmemories. We gave them freely to serve our queen and this council, and we deserve to have them returned to us.”

The Elders exchange more glances, their silence deafening.

“Italaye, Bhodi, this is not a matter we take lightly,” Elder Thorne finally says, but there’s no softness in his tone, only finality.

“Though not all of us are in agreement,” Eder Adeyinka adds quietly.

Reef steps forward, his voice steady but edged with steel. “We risked everything out there. We lost people. Good people. We need to be fully prepared for what’s coming next, and you’re handicapping us by holding back.”

“Arinkiri Líla, Reef, you must trust our judgement,” Elder Thorne insists.

Says who? Why should we? Would Vance if he were here?

“Trust?” I echo, disbelief lacing my words. “How can we trust you, when you won’t trust us?”

Their silence is our answer. The decision is made, and there’s no changing it here and now. Despite the rage rumbling in the pit of my stomach, I know that further attempts to persuade them would be futile. My brothers must sense the same. We all rise from our chairs in unison, our glares conveying our feelings, though no further words leave our lips.

As we leave the chamber, Reef pulls us aside. “We can’t just accept this. There’s something they’re not telling us.”

Bhodi nods, his face set in determination. “We need to find another way to getallof our memories back.”

I look between them, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. “Then we find that way. No matter what.”

Reef nods. “Agreed. But we need to be smart about this. If the Elders catch wind of what we’re planning, they could make things even harder for us.”

Bhodi frowns, deep in thought. “I might know someone who can help... I remember my old mentor, Kehinde. He’s got connections and knowledge that could be useful.”

“Kehinde?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, trying to place the name. Slowly, like wading through tar, it comes back to me. “I…I thought he went off-grid years ago.”

“He did,” Bhodi replies, a small smile playing on his lips. “But I have a way to contact him. He always said that if I ever needed him, I should send a message through the old network.”

“Then let’s do it,” Reef says, a determined glint in his eyes. “The sooner we get started, the better.”

We make our way back to the palace, to the queen’s chambers which were only ever open to her and us as her guards. It’s a temporary haven, full of fleeting ghostly memories.

Once inside, Bhodi sits down at the lavish golden table and begins to write a coded message on a piece of parchment. Reef and I watch in silence, the gravity of our decision sinking in.

When Bhodi finishes, he folds the parchment and seals it with wax. “I’ll need to take this to the drop point tonight,” he says, looking up at us. “It’s a bit of a trek, but it’ll be worth it if Kehinde gets the message.”

“I’ll go with you,” Reef says immediately. “It’s too dangerous for you to go alone.”

Bhodi nods gratefully. “Thank you.”

I feel a pang of worry, but I push it aside. “Be careful, both of you. We can’t afford to lose anyone else.”

Reef places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

As night falls, Bhodi and Reef prepare to leave. I watch from the doorway, my heart heavy with a mix of hope and fear. They slip into the shadows, and I close the door behind them, the silence of the house amplifying my unease.

Hours pass, and I find myself pacing the grand living room, unable to sit still. Every creak of doors within the palace, every rustle of the wind outside makes me jump.

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