Page 80 of The Cruel Dawn
The giant sneers. “Then he will snip your string, puppet. You will die, they all will die, and this wretched realm will come to its wretched end.”
“And what if I bring him?” I ask.
Jadon and Elyn both exclaim in shock.
I quiet them with a hand as I hold the Devourer’s gaze. “What if I bring him?”
“Then he will leave Vallendor to you,” the giant says.
But if Danar Rrivae leaves Vallendor with his otherworldly as well as those flying creatures that resurrect… “Which realm will he terrorize next?” Elyn whispers, reading my mind, her eyes cutting to Jadon.
I swing my sword across the giant’s neck.
…
My stomach twists on itself with hunger, but I don’t want to eat. The smell of Ridget’s pork chops makes me gag.
What’swrongwith me?
I sit beside the fire and stare into the flames, while Philia, Jadon, and Separi eat, laugh, and recount their exploits to each other as if they’re all the best of friends. Their joy feels distant, the weight of my thoughts impenetrable.
We’d left Fihel and found shelter in the forest again. Philia and Separi wove leaves and vines into canopies stretching between the trees.
Now, from a pit ringed by smooth stones, a fire casts long shadows across the ground. The trees look alive with glowing orbs hanging from their twisting branches—more of Separi’s handiwork. Beyond the camp, the Raqiel guards keep danger at bay.
As I watch the others laugh, I can hardly breathe with nerves. The bag containing theLibrum Esotericasparkles between my feet. My concern isn’t whatever awaits us in the wilderness. No, what I can’t understand is why Jadon is here with us, rather than locked up in a cell deep in the abbey.
21
Elyn can’t Spryte us all to Brithellum.
“I thought you were all-powerful,” Jadon quips.
The Adjudicator cocks an eyebrow. “I am, but one in your party wouldn’t survive being folded through time and space right now.”
We all peer at Philia’s injured leg, which remains the color of cornsilk.
“We need a moment anyway, to figure out…” I press my fingers against my temples. “To figure outany semblance of a planand prepare for what comes next.”
Elyncanreturn the horses to their stalls in Caburh. I offer them apples and my thanks for their swiftness and loyalty.
I beckon Elyn to walk with me. Once we’re out of earshot of the others, I touch her elbow and whisper, “Thank you.”
She cocks her head and regards me with those gold eyes. “For?”
“Healing me back in Fihel.” I shake my head and stare out at the forest. “I’ve never…”
Tasted so much of my blood. Been in that much pain. Felt so weak during a fight.
I swallow. My mouth still tastes like old coins. “You helped me out, and I appreciate it.”
She nods. “I’ll be back.” Before I can take another breath, Elyn has Spryted to Caburh with the horses and returned holding a knapsack.
“The family sends their love,” Elyn tells Separi. “And they told me to let you know that Vinasa will receive proper rites. And Ridget also said that you must braid the Lady’s hair in her stead. She said to use this—”
Elyn pulls out a skein of rose-gold luclite thread, a comb, and a tin of peppermint oil. “She says to take great care, as Kai is tender-headed.” Elyn pauses. “You all do hair, too?”
Jadon huffs, his agitation palpable. “Can we get going—?”
