Page 66 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

“I’m sorry,” he pants. “I’m better with metal.”

“You did great.” Kâmaruhelps him up. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“Get back to the other side when you can,” Amari instructs. “If something happens and the troops try to cross that bridge, it’s up to you to destroy it.”

Tahir’s mouth falls open and he looks up, studying the iron bridge like an architect. “What if you’re not back?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Amari says. “If they catch the others, they could find the sanctuary. We have to protect it no matter the cost.”

Though conflicted, Tahir nods, bowing to show his respect. Kâmarubumps his fist before facing the mountain with a new chant.

“O?ubú lul1. O?ubú lul1—”

An emerald glow lights from his fingertips and he presses them against the jagged rock. I inhale a sharp breath as the stone begins to crumble. Kâmaru’s magic erodes straight through the mountain.

The Grounder pushes forward until a tunnel begins to emerge, large enough for him to step inside. Amari nudges me and I follow after him, disappearing into the dark.

EVEN WITHKÂMARU’S MAGIC,tunneling through the mountain is slow and steady work. Eventually the others lag behind, preferring to walk with longer strides. Despite the temptation to hang back, I find myself drawn to Kâmaru’s side. There’s something calming in the way he works. Watching him, I can almost forget about the guards above.

“Do you even need to get inside this temple?” I ask.

Kâmaruglances back, thick brows knit in confusion.

“You’ve already mastered so many incantations.” I gesture to his glowing hands, watching as the mountain crumbles like sand.

“My father was our clan elder,” Kâmaruexplains. “He wanted me to follow in his path. By the time I turned twelve, he’d already been training me for years.”

I smile at the thought, picturing a pint-size Kâmaruwithout the thick white dreads or silver nose ring. It’s easy to imagine him training through long days and cold nights, guided by a father who shared his angular eyes.

“You still remember what he taught you?” I ask. “Even after all this time?”

“After the Raid, practicing these incantations was the only part of him I had left.”

My heart sinks in the echo of his words. In my mind, Kâmarustill whispers these incantations, but without the father he loves. Without the magic that was meant to run through his veins.

“He’d be so proud of you.” I shake my head. “Heisproud of you.”

Kâmaru’s dark brown eyes soften. “I like to think so, too.”

As we walk, I think of the other elders and maji, what their lives might’ve been like before the Raid. Mâzeli’s already told me how the monarchy took both his parents away. How his sister Arunima perished from grief.

The Grounder catches me staring and flashes me a smile, one so bright it knocks the wind from my chest. For the first time I realize that I could lose him, too.

“Does it scare you?” I whisper to Kâmaru. “Being responsible for so many?”

“Every day.” He nods. “But that terror pushes me to be stronger.”

I smile at his resolve, wishing I felt the same. But once we have these scrolls, I can teach my Reapers to defend themselves. I can teach them how to attack.

I tighten my grip on my staff, picturing Inan’s face. Maybe when he and his wretched mother are dead, the maji can all feel free.

“We’re here,” Kâmaruannounces.

Amari pushes her way to the front as the final bits of gravel fall away. They reveal a metallic stone that can only be the walls of the temple.

My fingers tingle with anticipation as we wait to break through. Amari’s plan may have gotten us this far, but there’s no telling what will happen once we’re actually inside the temple walls.

“Everybody ready?” Amari turns back to the others, and they meet her with terse nods.

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