Page 98 of Cloak of Night
But worst of all was Sora shivering in Daemon’s arms, sobbing. The devastation over her mother’s death and the worry over her father had smothered his bold, fearless gemina’s will to fight back.
He wiped away a stream of Sora’s tears with his sleeve.
“I failed everybody,” she said.
“You did not,” Daemon said. “If it weren’t for you, we’d all already be dead.”
At the sound of the word “dead,” Sora fell into another bout of sobs. “I’m useless! I couldn’t even protect Mama and Papa. They had nothing to do with this war. But it’s because of me that they got dragged into it, and now Hana has Papa,and Mama is...” She couldn’t finish.
“Shh.” Daemon rocked Sora against him. “Don’t for a second think this is your fault. It’s the Dragon Prince’s. We’ll get out of here somehow and save your father. And you’re not useless. I mean, look what you managed to do.” He slipped his fingers into the hidden pocket in her collar and retrieved the silk drawstring pouch where she kept Prince Gin’s soul.
“What is that?” Empress Aki asked.
“I’m not sure you’d believe us if we told you,” Daemon said.
“I think I’ve seen quite enough in recent days that I’d believe anything now.” She let out a mirthless laugh.
It was a fair point. “All right.” He opened the pouch but left the pearl inside. It was rolling a bit, as if trying to get out. The grotto must have been enchanted with the prince’s magic. “This is your brother’s soul.”
The empress startled. “What? He said he’d given it to Zomuri.”
“You knew he’d made a bargain?” Fairy asked.
“Yes,” Empress Aki said. “He gloated about it. But I thought that meant Zomuri had taken Gin’s soul.”
Daemon tugged the pouch’s drawstrings closed. “Spirit and Broomstick found Zomuri’s vault, broke in, and stole the soul pearl.”
“You did what?” Empress Aki blinked at them. “And this all happened while I was locked up here?”
“We’re sorry we didn’t get to you sooner. We should have done a better job and protected you from Prince Gin’s torture.”
The empress began laughing. Sora’s head snapped up.
“A better job?” Empress Aki shook her head as if in disbelief. “How many times do I have to tell you? No one could even dream of accomplishing what you’ve done. My brother came back with overwhelming magic, took possession of the minds of almost every taiga, and struck a deal with a bloodthirsty god to make himself unstoppable. In any other scenario, that should be the end of Kichona as we know it.
“But somehow, you’re still here, and not only that but you’re thwarting Gin against all odds. You broke into agod’slair and stole one of his most valuable possessions. So don’t apologize for not doing ‘a better job.’”
“See?” Daemon whispered to Sora. “You’re not useless at all.”
Sora mumbled a protest, but she sat up and wiped her eyes.
Suddenly, an explosion sounded. The entire grotto was rocked by the force of the blast, and everyone fell as dirt and rocks showered down on them from the ceiling. Water splashed from the falls.
“Get away from the waterfall and the pool!” Empress Aki shouted. “That’s acid in there.”
Daemon just managed to get himself and Sora away as another explosion shook the cave.
“What’s happening?” Sora asked.
“I don’t know!” Daemon crammed the pouch with the soul pearl into his tunic. “Just—whatever happens next—protect the empress!”
“I don’t think you have to worry,” Fairy said calmly. “At least not because of the blasts.”
“Are you insane?” Sora said. The explosion seemed to have jolted her out of her grief, at least for the moment.
Fairy only smiled. “Haven’t you guys wondered where Broomstick’s been all this time?”
Daemon realized that the soul pearl wasn’t reacting to the explosion; it wasn’t ryuu coming to get them. Hope rose like a phoenix in Daemon’s chest. “Are you saying—?”
