Page 143 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

“You need a sacrifice.”

She rubs her arms and looks away, staring over the mountain’s edge. The wind whistles in her silence, giving me the answer I seek.

It feels like the entire mountain comes down on me at once. Terror grips my chest. I struggle to draw breath.

But in my punishment lies a certain release. A chance I thought I wouldn’t have. If I do this, I can make things right.

I can give them the power they need to save the kingdom.

“Alright.”

Zélie whips around, shock in her silver gaze. “I haven’t made a decision.”

“You don’t need to. I’ll do it.”

Speaking the words makes my heart lurch. My hands start to shake. But how else can I make up for all the pain I’ve caused?

“No.” Zélie shakes her head.

“What other choice do you have?” I ask. “It has to be someone. Someone you love.”

Though she keeps her face hard, her lips twitch with the emotion she fights back. It almost hurts more to know there’s a part of her that still cares about me after everything I’ve done.

“Zélie, please.” I grab the bars. “Let me make one thing right.”

“I can’t do that.”

“You should not have to.” A second voice speaks.

We look up as a distant thud comes near, the steady rhythm of wood hitting stone. My jaw drops when a cloaked figure emerges from the shadows, resting both hands on her cane.

“Mama Agba?”

The Seer looks between the two of us, sadness radiating from her heart.

“It is not your time, my child. Take me instead.”

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

ZÉLIE

ANY RELIEF THE SIGHTof Mama Agba could bring quickly turns to despair.

“No.”

“This is not up for debate.” Mama Agba shakes her head. “Far too many children have perished in this fight.”

“I said no!” I turn around. “I’ll find a way. I just need time.”

“You do not have time.” Mama Agba grabs my shoulder, forcing me to face her. “Nehanda’s already declared the end of the war. The maji she captured have mere days before execution.”

“Mama Agba—”

“Tí o ò bá pa enu ù r? m?!”She raises her cane above my head. “Shut up and listen!”

I flinch out of instinct, waiting for the smack of her staff. Mama Agba’s nostrils flare as she sets it back down, using it to walk toward me. But when she nears, I can’t meet her eyes. My throat burns with everything I wish I hadn’t said.

“Look at me.” She lays her wrinkled hand on my cheek. “Zélie,lookat me. You are my heart. There is nothing you could do in this world that I would not forgive.”

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