Page 50 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

“I’m fine.” He starts moving ahead, but I grab his arm, forcing him to stay still. Moments pass in silence as I wait for him to recover. It’s strange to see him this way.

The Ojore I know always rushes into battle.

He never seems afraid.

“I don’t know why it had to be Burners.” He closes his eyes. “I’m sure theIyikahave Reapers. Cancers. They could’ve attacked with anything but fire.”

He touches the burns on his neck, and his face twists with pain. I can almost see the flames burning in his mind. Staring at Ojore, I wonder if this was part of Zélie’s plan. Moons ago I brought the fire to her shores. I burnt her people. I destroyed her home.

This could be her way of paying me back.

“If you don’t want to do this—”

Ojore holds up his hand, cutting me off. “They’ve tortured us long enough. It’s time for those maggots to crawl back into the dirt.”

The hatred that settles on his face looks out of place, so different from the grin I know. I open my mouth to say more, but Ojore forges ahead. I have no choice but to follow.

Another hour passes as the distance stretches between us and Lagos.It feels like we’re halfway to Ilorin before we finally hear chatter. As soon as it echoes, we stop in our tracks. My muscles tense as we crouch behind a tree, scouting theIyika’s camp.

“There it is,” I whisper, leaning forward to get a better look. A few dozen meters ahead, the rebels cook a hyenaire over an open fire. They all sport red-tinted armor as they pass around wooden plates.

From the strength of their attacks on Lagos, I expected to find dozens of maji, but only nine sit around the flickering flames. The same rage Raifa ignited in my core returns as I take in the faces of the rebels who’ve made my city burn.

“Where are the rest?” Ojore whispers. “I was told dozens stormed Lagos when magic returned.”

“Maybe this is all they could spare. After all, they only needed enough soldiers to keep us trapped in the capital.”

“Let’s turn back.” Ojore nudges me. “Your mother and her tîtáns should be more than enough to wipe them out.”

We rise to our feet, but when we turn toward Lagos, two rebels stand in our path.

“Drop your weapons!” the older of the two barks, the flames in her hand illuminating her snarl. My lips tremble as Ojore and I exchange a glance. With no other choice, we drop our swords and raise our hands into the air.

“Send word to the elders,” the girl orders. “Tell them we have the king.”

“Why wait?” The other Burner steps forward. “Let’s send them his head—”

Ojore lunges without warning, grabbing his sword from the ground. I flinch as he drives the blade through the rebel’s neck. Blood flies as the Burner falls into the dirt.

“Daran!” The girl’s shriek brings me back to life. I tackle her to the ground, driving my elbow into her temple.

“Attack position!” a maji yells from their camp, spurring the rest of theIyikato action. My legs turn to lead as they form one circle, chanting in unison.

“Òòrùn pupa lókè, tú àw?n iná r? sórí ilè ayé—”

The magi lift their hands into the sky, igniting the red sun. It burns with a vengeance, so bright it covers the forest in its crimson light. The air scorches around us, almost too hot to inhale.

“We have to stop them!” Ojore tears across the forest, racing toward the flames. He runs like a man possessed as he reaches for the throwing knives clipped to his belt. No regard for his life. No fear of his death.

“Ojore, wait!” I sprint after him. Back in Lagos, someone sounds theIyikaalarm.

Ha-wooooooooo!

The siren blares, deafening despite how far we are from the city. Trees catch fire around us as the red sun grows. The flames sear my skin as I run.

Ojore grunts as he races, throwing two knives into a Burner’s chest. A guttural roar escapes theIyikaleader’s throat as her soldier falls. When she spots Ojore, her lips curl.

“Odi iná, jó gbogbo rè ni àlà r?!”

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