Page 38 of Children of Blood and Bone

“Baba!” I shriek in horror, searching for any life in the blaze. “Tzain! Nailah!”

I scream till my throat rips raw, but no one answers my call. I can’t tell if they’re trapped inside.

I can’t see if they’re even alive.

I crawl to my feet and extend my rod, thrusting open our ahérédoor. I’m about to run in when a hand clamps my shoulder, pulling me back with so much force I topple over.

Tears blur my vision. It’s difficult to make out the face of my assailant. But soon flickering flames illuminate copper skin.Amari.

“You can’t go in there!” she screams between her coughs. “It’s coming down!”

I shove Amari to the ground with half a mind to drown her in the sea. When she releases her grip, I crawl toward my ahéré.

“No!”

The reed walls we spent a full moon building collapse with a sharp crack. They burn through the walkway and into the sea, sinking to the bottom.

I wait for Tzain’s head to bob up from the waves, for Nailah to let out a roar of pain. But I only see blackness.

In one sweep, my family’s been wiped away.

“Zélie…”

Amari grips my shoulder again; my blood boils under her touch. I grab her arm and yank her forward, grief and rage fueling my strength.

I’ll kill you, I decide.If we die, you die, too.

Let your father feel this pain.

Let the king know unbearable loss.

“Don’t!” Amari screams as I drag her to the flames, but I can barely hear her over the blood pounding in my ears. When I look at her, I see her father’s face. Everything inside me twists with hate. “Please—”

“Zélie, stop!”

I release Amari and whip toward the open sea. Nailah paddles in the ocean water with Tzain on her back. Trailing behind him, Baba and Mama Agba sit safely inside a coconut boat attached to Nailah’s saddle. I’m so overwhelmed by the sight that it takes a moment to grasp that they’re actually alive.

“Tzain—”

The entire foundation of the fishermen’s sector slants. Before we can jump, it goes down, taking us with it. Ice-cold water engulfs our bodies in a rush, soothing the burns I’ve forgotten.

I allow myself to sink among the lumber and shattered homes. The darkness cleanses my pain, cooling the rage.

You can stay down here, a small thought whispers.You don’t have to continue this fight.…

I hold on to the words for a moment, grasping my only chance for escape. But when my lungs wheeze, I force my legs to kick, bringing me back to the broken world I know.

No matter how much I crave peace, the gods have other plans.

CHAPTER TEN

ZÉLIE

WE FLOAT TOa small inlet across from the northern coast in silence, unable to speak after such horror. Though the crashing waves grow loud, the memory of Bisi’s screams crashes even louder in my head.

Four deaths. Four people who couldn’t escape the flames.

I brought the fire to Ilorin.

---