Page 96 of Children of Anguish and Anarchy

“You…” I clear my throat. It’s a struggle to find the right words. “You should tell her.” I nod my chin at Mae’e. I force a small smile to my face.

Amari’s amber eyes shimmer up at me like stars. She looks at the hierophant before looking back at me.

“Tell her.” I kiss her forehead one last time. “You’re perfect, Amari. I know she feels the same.”

IHOLD THE VINE WALLSas I make my way under the city. Built by the Green Maidens, the new tunnel of vines reaches deep underground. They create a path from the city’s floating plots to the safety of New Gaia’s black sands.

A wall of incense greets me when I hit the bottom. My bare feet pass over the warm stone. With time, I reach the canals. Giant lily pads float down the stream, ready to carry people to safety.

My sister glitters at the end of one canal branch. The turquoise waters glow against her dark skin. I can hardly believe I know this girl. That we grew up together in the mountains of Ibadan.

“Aurelia!” I whisper.

Zélie turns back to me, a wry smile on her face. Her feet dangle in the waters. I join her at the edge, allowing my feet to slip in as well.

The moment brings me back to when we were young. I see the lake outside our stone hut. Back then, the only enemies I had to face were the boys on the agbön courts.

“You were magnificent.” I nudge her. “Baba would be so proud.”

At the mention of our father, tears fill Zélie’s silver eyes. She takes my hand in hers. We squeeze each other’s palms, feeling the void of all we’ve lost.

“Do you think he’d ever believe we were here?” she whispers.

“Do you think Mama would?” I ask instead. I haven’t spoken Mama’s name for years, but tonight, her face is all I see.

I couldn’t protect her back then. I wasn’t strong enough to take down the guards. But this time with Zélie is different. This time I’m not a boy.

I’m a warrior.

I fight with the endurance of the Skulls. I battle with the might of the Lâminas. I’m finally strong enough to protect my sister.

I’ll die before I let her get hurt.

“I need you to promise me something.…” Zélie’s fingers spread over the golden ink on her skin. “If the worst comes to pass—”

“No.”

“Tzain—”

“I won’t let you talk like that.”

Zélie takes away her hand and exhales. Tangerine candles flicker over her silver gaze.

“We’re taking them down,” I push. “We’re going back home.”

I know it. I feel it.Deepin my chest. This time, we have the nation of New Gaia behind us. We have all of Inan’s plans.

“Look at me.” Zélie grabs my clenched fist.

I hate the way my eyes sting.

“Tzain,lookat me,” she whispers. “Please.”

She puts her hands on both sides of my face. The tears that shine in her eyes cause mine to fall.

“If the worst comes to pass, you have to defeat them. The Skulls won’t stop at New Gaia. They’ll sail for Orïsha, too.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

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