Page 98 of The Spark that Ignites
“Did you—” Emmery’s eyes widened, dumbfounded, “Did you make a joke?”
“I suppose I did.” He raised an eyebrow. “So?”
Emmery readied her sword. It wasn’t much, but it was progress.
THE SCARLET MOON ENGULFEDthe night sky as Vesper, Callias, and Emmery made their way through the forest. She stretched her legs. They still ached from training, but at least she could lift her arms again. Well, marginally.
Distant crashing waves and excited voices disturbed the silence as they neared the Tree of Eternal Blood. Vesper had saidon the Blood Moon Fallen gathered and made a sacred offer in good faith to strengthen and maintain their magic.
Emmery eyed the crowd, nerves swarming her gut.
But this was her chance to fit in. To feel normal among people like her—or at least some semblance of normal—though her dual scars andShadowheartwould always prevent that.
Various shades of red littered the crowd, Vesper and Callias’s red tunics and trousers included. Vesper yanked at his collar and fidgeted with his sleeves as they settled into the line.
The deep vee dipping down the front and back of her red dress barely hid herShadowheart. Emmery kept her breathing shallow, hoping the pin she precariously secured the tight fabric with wouldn’t pop open. She’d found the dress tucked in the back of her closet and it somehow fit perfectly, like the rest of her clothes. Her and Izora must have worn the same size.
Straying from her usual braids, Emmery’s hair tumbled down her back, tickling her skin as the sea breeze swept in. The rhythmic draw of magic resonated in her chest as the line shortened. But as they grew closer, Emmery’s heart leapt into her throat.
Vesper nudged her with a small smile. “You look nice.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled. She eyed the wolf insignia on his tunic and his neatly slicked back hair; his hands shoved casually in his pockets. “You clean up pretty good too.”
He grinned and her anxiety eased. “Do you have your daggers on you?” Emmery raised a brow and, with a cheeky smirk, pulled her skirt aside to reveal one. He huffed a laugh. “Why did I even ask? You’ll need it for the blood offering.”
“YouKennaand your obsession with bleeding. Kahlia must truly be bloodthirsty. When will it end?” She winked at Vesper.
“Ourobsession,” he corrected, waggling a finger.
Callias shot her a stern look. “Be careful how you speak of the Goddess. She’salwayslistening.”
Out of his sight, Vesper mimicked Callias, thrusting his hands on his hips and perfectly mastering his rigid brow. Emmery bit back a laugh. Vesper shook his head and mouthed, “Don’t worry about it.”
When they reached the front of the line, Callias stepped forward first and drew his dagger. Lowering to his knees, the fabric of his trousers stretched over his massive thighs. He brushed the tree roots protruding from the ground and bowed his head, a few stray blond locks falling in his eyes. “Great Kahlia, please accept my sacred offer. I pledge to thee.”
He dragged the dagger across the meaty part of his palm and clenched his fist over the tree roots. The blood absorbed into the porous wood on impact and turned to ash. Emmery gaped, her eye-catching Vesper’s, his gleaming with anticipation.
As Callias made his way to the side of the tree, Vesper stepped forward and did the same, the red moonlight tinting his ashy hair. When he got to his feet, he signalled for Emmery.
Hesitantly Emmery strode toward the tree, feeling acute stares on her as she sank to her knees, her billowy red skirts like the halo circling the moon. Her heart ricocheted against her ribs as she reached for the dagger.
“Great Kahlia, please accept my sacred offer,” she said, low under her breath. Surely the gods would hear her even if she didn’t enunciate. Bracing herself, Emmery dragged the dagger across her hand, a sting joining the blade’s bite. “I pledge to thee.”
Emmery thrust out her arm and as the roots absorbed her dripping blood a wave of relief passed over her. What had she been expecting? A swift death? An explosion? She shouldn’t have been so worried. This was an ancient ritual—a common practice.
But as she narrowed her eyes on the root, her blood didn’t turn to ash.
No. Where it struck the ground, it began to glow.
Gold.
The glow spread like wildfire, webbing up the roots in a shimmering trail until it reached the trunk and divided between the branches, illuminating them in a brilliant golden glimmer.
Her stomach sank. Good gods, what had she done? This ... didn’t seem normal.
Frantically, Emmery stumbled to her feet and turned to Vesper. He looked as dumbstruck as her, his attention darting between her and the tree. Emmery’s gaze surveyed several others behind them in line, their mouths slack in surprise.
No, this was definitelynotnormal.
