Page 92 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

I laugh as they bicker, wishing I could share their joy. At first I think of telling Tzain, but Roën sneaks his way into my mind. I can only imagine the trouble he’d get Mâzeli into once he saw how he could move. He’d probably try to induct the poor boy into his mercenary crew.

I smile at the thought as I turn to greet Bimpe, hugging her as she climbs the hill. But when I near the slope, I spot a white streak moving below.

Amari’s lithe form passes between two large hills in the distance, seemingly unaware of our presence. She doesn’t move like she’s taking a stroll. She moves like she doesn’t want to be seen.

“Lead the others back,” I squeeze Mâzeli’s shoulder. “I want to check something out.”

“Is everything alright?” he asks, and I nod.

“I’ll meet you back at the temple.”

He bows before turning to the others, and I jump from the ledge. By now the shadows of death are second nature. I don’t need to speak the incantation as they wrap around my arms, allowing me to glide to the ground.

What are you doing?I tail Amari, lifting up a thick web of vines to follow her path. We haven’t spoken since I destroyed her scroll in the natural baths. According to Tzain, she actually expects me to apologize.

She must be making a run for Lagos.I pinch my lips together, holding back my fist. I could knock out her teeth for this. What’s it going to take for her to realize the monarchy will never accept her bid for peace?

“Amari, stop!” I break forward, following her into a jungle clearing. She freezes at the sound of my voice. I grab her shoulder and whip her around.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The color drains from her cheeks, but she doesn’t speak.

It’s only then that I see the second streak of white waiting in the trees.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

ZÉLIE

FOR A LONG MOMENT, shock steals my words. I don’t know how to process what’s before me. What it means for my clan. For theIyika.

But when the shock fades, my body shakes with a hatred that reaches new depths. Magic bites at my skin as I throw up my hand.

“Give me one reason I shouldn’t kill you both!”

“Zélie, no!” Amari throws herself in front of Inan, nostrils flared. But the sight of her only makes my magic surge. I aim my other hand at her chest.

“How could you betray us like this?” I yell, scanning the trees for more soldiers in golden armor.

“No need to search.” Inan steps out of his sister’s protection. “I came alone.”

“Like hell you did.” Being this close to him makes me feel like glass. My fingers tremble as I try to keep my hands steady. I don’t know which incantation I should unleash.

Hearing his voice, seeing his face—it makes my chest ache. It takes me back to the dreamscape; to the feel of his hands around my back. I remember every promise he made. Every lie he told.

I feel every time he held my heart, only to crush it in his hands.

“Zélie, please,” Amari begs. “Inan came here to offer a treaty tothe council. He’s prepared to give you and theIyikaeverything you want!”

“His offers meannothing.” I bare my teeth. “The maji won’t be free until every member of the royal family lies in the ground!”

“Including me?” Amari yells. “I am the daughter of King Saran. The daughter of Queen Nehanda. I am part of the same family, yet you’ve trusted me to fight for your people! Why can’t you trust that I’m doing that now?”

“After this, I don’t trust you at all!” I charge forward, making them stumble back. Shadows of death begin to build around me, wisps of smoke waiting for my command. I want to tear into them. I want to see their bodies crumble to ash. I can’t believe that after everything, Amari would do this.

That she would put all my people at risk.

“Do you honestly think a battle at Lagos’s gates is going to be enough to tear down the monarchy?” Amari asks. “Even if you win, think of your Reapers. Think of how many will die!”

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