Page 65 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

“Are you okay?” I whisper to Mâzeli. He nods, but holds clenched fists by his sides. His eyes dart back and forth, as if at any moment a soldier will strike.

For his sake, I try to pretend every crumbling leaf and snapping branch around us doesn’t put me on edge. Jahi’s quiet incantation rings out as he manipulates the wind at our feet, creating a vacuum that allows us to walk in silence.

“Here?” Kâmaruwhispers.

Amari starts to answer, but her mouth clamps shut. I hold Mâzeli’s hand tightly as footsteps groan along the iron bridge, only a few meters to our left.

“Go!” Amari hisses.

Kâmaruand Tahir join hands. A dull green light shines from the spaces beneath their palms.

“Se ìfé inú mi—”

The chant heats the ground beneath our feet. The footsteps near as the earth starts to vibrate. Mâzeli squeezes my hand and I hold him tight as we sink.

Our crooked ledge slides down the mountain in silence, a natural lift at Kâmaru’s command. The further we descend, the more the fog thins, allowing us to see the green light glowing through the earth.

“Skies.” Amari releases a sigh of relief when we come to a stop halfway down the mountainside. The soldier’s footsteps fade from above, but we’re still covered by the thick blanket of fog.

Tahir’s knees buckle and he struggles to stand. Kâmaruprops him up, allowing his Second to lean against his iron prosthetic.

“You’re good.” Kâmarupats his back. “I can handle this.”

The Grounder steps ahead, sweat gleaming off his dark skin. He chants under his breath, releasing a slow and steady rhythm.

As his magic builds, the mountain behind us erodes, glowing grains floating by our side. I almost scream when Kâmaruwalks over the ledge of our cliff, but the grains swarm together, creating a step beneath his feet.

“No way…” Amari’s jaw drops when Kâmarumoves again. He walks out onto the open air, the grains of earth condensing under his feet each time he moves. The glowing dirt hovers in the air like lily pads floating above water. Bit by bit, he makes his way across the divide, the floating steps taking him all the way to the other side.

“You’re next,” Tahir instructs, making the color drain from Amari’s face.

“But I’m not a Grounder,” she says.

“You don’t have to be. We’re using the incantation.”

Tahir starts to chant behind her and Amari’s hand shakes. She tests the magic by dangling her foot over the ledge, but it still summons the glowing grains.

“Skies, help me,” she curses under her breath. Step by glowing step, she walks across the divide. The grains of rock rise to catch her every time.

Dakarai follows after her with his arms pressed to his side. Kenyon refuses to look down. When Jahi makes it across, I nudge Mâzeli forward.

“Let’s go together,” I offer.

I move toward the ledge, but Mâzeli’s feet stay frozen in place.

“What’d I tell you?” I pull him along. “I promise, you’ll be okay.”

Mâzeli swallows and balls his fists, tiptoeing over the ledge. I follow close behind him, keeping my hands on his shoulders as we step across the floating earth.

“Almost there…” My voice trails off when I make the mistake oflooking down. I can still remember falling into this pit myself, saved only by Lekan’s magic. A giant skeleton lies between the sharp and pointed rocks. Gnats pick at the decomposing carcass.

My stomach reels when I recognize the horns. The memory of Lekan throwing Inan’s ryder off the mountain plays before my eyes.

I snap my head forward and push ahead, grip tightening on Mâzeli’s shoulders. I was powerless last time.

I won’t let that happen again.

“Thank Oya!” Mâzeli plasters himself against the new mountain ledge, kissing a tuft of moss. Behind him, Tahir falls to his knees, struggling to steady his shaking limbs.

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