Page 101 of Circle of Shadows
The porridge bubbled over. Instead of waiting for the bickering kids to handle it, Daemon grabbed a pair of potholders and took it off the fire.
Despite the bubbling and being stirred the “wrong” way, the porridge had cooked just fine. Daemon ladled steaming portions into bowls and topped them with dried, salted fish and scallions. They ate in silence except for the clacking of utensils and the slurping of porridge.
When they were done, Stingray yawned, and Wirecutter yawned a second after him. They sometimes snapped at each other like brothers, but they were also geminas, and it was as if the fatigue were contagious through their connection.
“It’s been a long watch,” Daemon said, finding some comfort in being the older-brother figure, “and the Dragon Prince is going to arrive any day now. We should all turn in and get some rest while we can.”
“Agreed,” Broomstick said.
Stingray and Wirecutter yawned again and trudged into the boathouse without protest.
“Should we clean up?” Daemon asked.
“Nah,” Broomstick said. “The warriors will be back soon. Just put a lid on the porridge.”
Daemon left the bowls of dried fish and scallions out for the warriors and covered the pot. Then he and Broomstick headed into the boathouse.
He thought it would be hard to get any rest, knowing that Prince Gin and Sora were coming. But the weight of fatigue pressed in on him, and after being on his feet for twelve hours, the sleeping mat felt like a plush down mattress. Daemon crawled under his blanket, and sleep hit him over the head.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Sora and Fairy emerged from the Field of Illusions and faced the grand fortress walls of the Citadel. Sora made herself visible. The particles lowered Fairy onto the ground before her, and her body also reappeared.
They were home. They were safe. Sora finally let herself breathe.
“Who goes there?” the guards shouted as soon as the moon cast its light upon them.
She bowed to the ground and splayed her fingers flat before her. “It is Spirit. I’ve returned with urgent news for the Council on the Dragon Prince’s imminent return. And I’ve brought Fairy, who’s in a rira-induced coma.”
There was no response for a few moments. All Sora could hear was her pulse pounding in her ears.
A long minute later, the iron gates began to open on their silent hinges. Bullfrog, one of the councilmembers, strode out.
“Your Honor,” Sora said, hurrying forward, “I’m so glad to see you. I came to tell you—”
“Save your breath,” Bullfrog said, drawing his sword.
Sora’s heart leaped into her throat. “I don’t understand.”
Except she could. Everything she’d done with the ryuu could be explained, but the truth was less believable than what it looked like from the outside—that she’d been brainwashed by Prince Gin and sent to deceive the taigas.
Bullfrog advanced.
Sora took several steps backward. But she couldn’t pull a weapon on a councilmember. What was she supposed to do?
“Spirit,” Bullfrog said, “you are under arrest.”
She continued to back away. “No, please. Let me explain. I know how to defeat Prince Gin and his army. I came to report to you.”
“Your allegiance cannot be trusted,” Bullfrog said. “You made an attempt on Empress Aki’s life. You murdered Imperial Guards. You are possibly still under the Dragon Prince’s charm, sent here on his orders to mislead us.”
“It’s not true!” Sora turned, looking for another way out.
But several other taigas had descended from the fortress walls. They came at her from all sides, even behind her. She was surrounded.
“I’m sorry to do this,” Bullfrog said as he stepped so close to her, she could smell the remnants of rice and pickled plum on his breath. “But until we defeat Prince Gin and find a way to undo his spell on our taigas, you must be considered a threat. And neutralized.”
Before Sora could protest more, Bullfrog sheathed hissword, choked off her windpipe, and jabbed a needle into her throat.
