Page 156 of Children of Blood and Bone

The divîners break out in whispered conversations, fear and confusion spreading throughout the masses like a virus. Some people try to escape the crowd. A child begins to cry.

“Zél, we have to go,” Inan repeats, gripping my arm once more. But I can’t feel my legs. I can’t even speak.

“I will not warn you again!” the commander shouts. “Give them up or we will take them by force!”

For a moment nothing happens.

Then a ripple breaks through the crowd.

Though the movement starts out small, in seconds waves of peoplesplit. They clear a path, allowing one person to walk through. Her small body steps forward. Her white mane dances.

“Zu…,” I breathe, fighting the urge to run and pull her back into the crowd.

She stands tall and strong, defiant beyond her young years. Her emerald-green kaftan blows in the wind, shimmering against her brown skin.

Though she is only thirteen, the entire legion readies their arms. Archers pull back against their bows. Swordsmen position the reins of their panthenaires.

“I don’t know which girl you speak of,” Zu shouts, her voice carried by the wind. “But I can assure you we don’t have the scroll. This is a peaceful celebration. We only gathered here to honor our heritage.”

The silence that follows is almost deafening. It brings a tremble to my hands I can’t fight back.

“Please—” Zu steps forward.

“Don’t move!” the commander shouts back, pulling out his sword.

“Search us if you must,” Zu responds. “We will agree to an examination. But please, lower your weapons.” She raises her hands in surrender. “I don’t want anyone to get hur—”

It happens so fast. Too fast.

One moment Zu stands.

The next, an arrow pierces through her gut.

“Zu!” I scream.

But it doesn’t sound like me.

I can’t hear my voice. I can’t feel anything.

Air dies inside my chest as Zu looks down, small hands gripping the arrow’s shaft.

The young girl with a smile too wide for her face pulls against the weapon, speared with Orïsha’s hate.

She strains, limbs shaking, somehow taking a step forward. Not back where we can protect her.

Forward, so she can protect us.

No…

Tears sear my vision, falling fast down my face. A Healer. A child.

Yet her last moments are stained with hate.

Blood spreads across the silk of her kaftan. The emerald darkens with red.

Her legs buckle and she hits the ground.

“Zu!” I race forward even though I know she can’t be saved.

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