Page 129 of Children of Blood and Bone

He thrusts the dagger into Tzain’s leg. I don’t know who yells louder, me or him.

“If you’re angry, hurt me!” I thrash against the tree, pulling uselessly at my restraints. If only he would cut me instead. Hit me. Punchme.

Like a battering ram to the heart, Binta forces herself into my mind. She, too, suffered. She suffered in my place.

Kwame stabs Tzain’s thigh again and I cry out once more, my vision blurring with new tears. He withdraws the dagger with a shaking hand. His tremor intensifies as he moves the blade up to Tzain’s chest.

“This is your last chance.”

“We arenotyour enemy!” I rush out. “The guards in Warri killed the people we loved, too!”

“Lies.” Kwame’s voice chokes up. He steadies his hand and pulls back the blade. “Those guardsareyour people. They’re the ones you love—”

The tent flaps open. Folake rushes in, almost flinging herself into Kwame.

“We’re under attack.”

Kwame’s face falls. “Her guards?”

“I don’t know. I think they have a maji!”

Kwame pushes the bone dagger into Folake’s hand and runs out.

“Kwame—”

“Stay here!” he calls back.

Folake pivots and takes us in. My tears, the blood gushing from Tzain’s leg. She covers her mouth, then drops the dagger in the dirt and flees from the tent.

“Tzain?” I ask. He clenches his teeth and presses against the tree root. The bloodstains spread on his pants leg. He blinks slowly, though his eyes are nearly swollen shut.

“You okay?”

The most painful tears yet prick at my eyes. Beaten. Stabbed. Yet still, he asks about me.

“We have to get out of here.”

I pull against the ropes binding my wrists with a new fervor. There’sa snapping sound as the bonds begin to fray. The rope rips at my skin, but my chest fills with a different kind of pain.

It’s like all those days back at the palace, back when my bonds were golden chains. I should’ve fought them the way I fight now.

If I had only done more, Binta would still be safe.

I clench my teeth, digging my heels into the dirt. With a grunt, I brace my heel against the bark and leverage my whole body to pull free.

“Amari.” Tzain’s voice is weaker now. He’s lost so much blood. Bark cuts into the soles of my feet, but I press even harder to pull at the ropes.

Strike, Amari.

Father’s voice rings in my head, but it’s not his strength I need.

Be brave, Amari. Binta soothes instead.

Be the Lionaire.

“Ugh!” I scream against the pain. It almost sounds like a roar. Folake’s voice rings from outside. The tent flap opens—

The rope binding me snaps. I pitch forward, falling face-first in the dirt. Folake dives for the bone dagger. I scramble to my feet and lunge at her.

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