Page 129 of Elven Shadow

Of course they wouldn’t.

The old Xaharí tradition of the huur-akíl packed a lot more of a magical punch than traditions generally offered. More of a ceremonial rite, really, to which native Xaharí turned when someone challenged a previous ruler—or, more commonly, when that challenge ended in the old leader’s death.

They were a matter of contention among some circles. Either the challenger was determined unworthy and cast out of the group into exile or death, or they were fully supported and voted in as the next chief.

Which was literally the last thing in the world Rebecca wanted.

“Hey, are you sure you’re okay?” Nyx asked, the excitement in her voice replaced by concern. “You look a little pale…”

“I’m probably gonna look a little pale for a while, Nyx,” Rebecca said flatly, setting her hands down flat on top of the thin sheets covering her from the waist down. “I almost died. And you guys used an old-world ritual to make this decision, but this isn’t Xahar’áhsh. This is Earth. Things are different here. There’s gotta be some wiggle room in the rules.”

Nyx sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth. “I’m pretty sure there aren’t any. The huur-akíl chose you. You step up and take the job, or you join Aldous as a former Shade commander. End of story, really.”

Fuck.

Join Aldous as a former Shade commander, huh?

That was one hell of a euphemism for "Rebecca’s life would then be forfeit, along with her allegiance to Shade." As per the oath she’d sworn after initiation to enter the organization’s ranks in the first place, forfeiting allegiance to an entity like Shade only meant one thing.

Nobody survived a death sentence like that.

No, she did not want this new position she’d been thrust into without ever being asked whether she wanted it. At the same time, Rebecca wasn’t particularly fond of refusing the position in favor of losing her head. Right now, that was the only other option.

Because any other options she might have had had been systematically stripped away by this fucking homunculus wound and the deadly side effects of having consumed the essence of a pseudo-lifeform without a soul.

No way in hell could Rebecca fight all of Shade at once in her current condition, which didn’t look like it would be improving anytime soon.

She might have considered running, but that would only bring an entire privatized army down on her. Shade was good at finding their targets. That was, after all, part of the job description. And if they caught her, which would inevitably happen in her current state, it would be impossible to escape again.

“Vrestí,” she muttered.

“What was that?” Nyx asked, cocking herhead.

Clearly, the katari knew as much about old-world Xaharí cursing as she did about the rules and regulations of a huur-akíl on Earth.

“This is probably the worst thing I could have woken up to,” Rebecca mumbled instead.

“Well, withthatattitude, yeah. No kidding. You know what? I think you’re looking at this all wrong. This could be a—” Nyx jumped when the office door at the back of the infirmary swung violently open with a bang against the interior wall.

Through it stormed a wild-eyed, furious-looking Zida. “What did I tell you? All of you! Everyone trying to get their hands on the magical of the hour, and I turn my back forfiveminutes!”

Nyx spun around and backed up several steps at the sight of the old healer barreling toward her and shaking one crooked claw of a finger in her face.

“I never approved visiting hours! I never said anyone could come in here to disturb my patient. I don’t care what’s going on outthere. Our new commander is stillmypatient, and that meansIdecide. Get gone! You hear me?”

Unable to meet the healer’s gaze, Nyx offered a curt nod, then leaned slightly back toward Rebecca to mutter, “You really should hurry.”

“Out!” Zida barked, shooing Nyx away with both hands and coming dangerously close to physical blows in the process.

“But she said—”

“None of that! I have to inspect my patient one more time before she goes anywhere, at the very least, and the rest of you will just have to wait.”

After fixing Rebecca with another desperately pleading glance, Nyx finally took the hint and did as she was told.

Instead of using the infirmary door like everyone else, though, she disappeared with a soft pop and a burst of brilliant violet light.

Without missing a beat, Zida pivoted in her warpath across the room and headed straight for Rebecca’s bed. “I’m surprised you’re already conscious. I expected at least another day or two, but let’s get a look at you now, I suppose. How do you feel?”

---