Page 52 of The Last One
“What did you two talk about?” Jadon sounds hesitant.
“Many things,” I say, “including his belief that I’m a lost child of the Dashmala and that Supreme was the one who defeated Wake’s men, not us. Oh, and that I’m a child of the Vile.”
“The Vile?” Olivia snaps, glaring. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I’m sorry,” Jadon says, expression darkening.
“And he gave me this.” I toss up the prayer scroll and catch it. “For when I’m ready to accept the truth.”
Olivia sucks her teeth. “I have, like, fifteen of those prayer scrolls.”
“If you collect twenty,” Jadon says, “you win a ticket to heaven.”
I groan and pull off my boots. “I’m exhausted.”
Jadon stands and says, “Same. But my day’s not over. As much as I want to stay and complain about Father Knete, I can’t.”
I waggle my eyebrows and twirl the prayer scroll with my fingers. “A pre-Assent date?”
“Meeting at the mayor’s house down the road,” he says. “Town leaders will be making big decisions about what to do if Wake’s men return…WhenWake’s men return.”
“Wait!” I reach into my pouch and grab the geld I earned yesterday. “It’s not twelve, but again: I fought for this town last night. That has to count for something.” I hand Jadon my fine. “Please consult with the leaders about if I’m now free to reclaim my belongings and leave.”
Jadon pockets the coins and nods, a little stiffly. “I will. Just know that you don’t have to leave, like, immediately.” Then he and Olivia exchange looks. “I won’t be long.” He leaves the cottage without a goodbye.
“Did something happen?” I ask, anxious. “Did Zinnia pass?”
“What?” Olivia snaps, irritated. “No. She’s still alive.”
Her thoughts, though, speed through her mind.“Why can’t this be simple? Why can’t I just exist? When will this be over?”
When willwhatbe over? My living here? I sit up in the chair. “If Jadon comes back with good news, that I can leave, I’ll take my things and head out first thing in the morning. Then you can go back to your lives before you found me passed out in the forest.”
She stares at me with exhausted eyes, then gazes into her sewing basket. “You’re the least of our worries.”
Before I can ask her what that could possibly mean, someone raps on the pantry door.
Olivia shouts, “Come in, Phily!”
The girl I recognize as Copperhair rushes into the sitting room. Her eyes roll wild in her head with fear like a stallion’s. Her sage-colored dress gleams in the gloom.
“Sweetie!” Copperhair runs into her friend’s arms for a hug.
“Philia! You’re back!” Olivia plants kisses all around her face and lips, turns her this way and that to search for injuries. “I’m so glad you and your uncle went to Pethorp yesterday.”
“We heard about what happened,” the young woman says. “I wanted to come back home last night, but Uncle Darrick said it was too dangerous. I didn’t sleep at all because I was so worried about—” She finally sees me seated in the armchair. She gasps, startled. “What areyoudoing here?” Her frightened eyes find Olivia’s.
“Minding my business while looking bloody fabulous,” I say, smiling. “Did you hear that I also looked bloody fabulous during yesterday’s invasion?”
Philia scowls, then turns back to Olivia.
But Olivia’s arms are crossed. “She’s right, Philia. She and Jadon saved us. Your house is still standing because of her. You should be grateful.”
Philia stares at her friend as though she’s waiting for the punchline to this joke. But Olivia’s mouth is set firm. She’s not joking. Philia turns to me and clears her throat. “Thank you for fighting.” Her cheeks turn bright red.
“You’re welcome, Philia.” I give her a wide smile. “I’m Kai—”
“You’reKai?” Phily’s eyes widen in surprise.
