Page 72 of Across the Sapphire Sea
“Tell me one then,” Elias probed.
Her gaze grew distant. “I’d like my life to have meaning again.”
“Of course your life has meaning.”
“It used to,” she said wistfully.
Elias didn’t know what to make of that. Her words brought sorrow. He sensed she’d said all she would on the topic.
The water rippled softly against the boat. The gentle bobbing didn’t upset his stomach like the big cog ship had done. He’d liked learning how to row, the feel of the wooden oars in his hands, his muscles working to push the water aside and propel the boat forward. He liked lying there now, enjoying the fruits of their labor. The peaceful lake, the chirps of night birds overhead, the occasional flop of a fish leaping for bugs and falling back into the water.
Another question jostled in his mind for attention. “Would your people really execute us?”
“No. I won’t allow it. Isla wasn’t going to kill your sire, just restrain him. We’ve killed in the past to protect our secrets, but I’m done with such archaic punishment. It takes a unanimous vote to kill, and I won’t give mine. But they will not let you go. And I’m not powerful enough to free you myself.”
Elias desperately wanted to tell her about Aella, about her ability to portal, especially when the destination was home and witches waited on the other side to help. They could leave whenever they wanted, but would they leave without the cure? It didn’t seem they’d have a choice. Though he felt with all his soul he could trust Sachi with this knowledge, he knew Valeri would order him to stay silent.
He knew it, and he rejected it.
“Sachi, there is much that I should tell you.”
“I am here to listen,” she said as she lay back down.
Elias was a bit relieved. It would be easier to spill these secrets as he gazed upon the stars rather than her sweet, open face.
Elias told her everything. Of Laurence, Valeri’s other fledging, and of his fledgling Remy and how Mahu had helped them survive Remy’s transition. Of the witch Remy had been before, and of the vampire-witch he’d become. How Laurence had also developed the power under Aella’s tutelage. Of portals and magic and their inevitable departure despite whatever punishment The Vartija sentenced them to.
Sachi listened in perfect stillness. Only when Elias finished with an apology that they would leave, with or without a cure, did she stir.
“With, Elias,” said Sachi, her tone determined, “you shall leavewiththe cure.”
Hope fluttered in his chest. “But what do you mean?”
Jaw set, she met his gaze, green eyes shining with intensity. “I mean, I am coming with you.”
18
Valeri, Present, 1432 Common Era
“What do you mean, you’re offering yourself?” asked Ash.
The halfling’s catlike stare made Valeri uneasy. This had to be a trick. He wouldn’t trust this creature for a second.
“My blood,” they answered. “It’s what you came here for, isn’t it? I won’t leave my home for you, but I’ll allow you each to drink.”
“You offer your blood, but not your name?” asked Valeri. He could think of no good reason for such an offer. Drinking their blood must benefit The Vartija somehow.Mind control?He’d heard of such, though he’d never known it to be true.
Their gaze flitted back to Valeri, pinning him in place. “I offer both. My name is Finley.”
“We aren’t the ones who need your blood, Finley,” said Ash, rather calmly for the circumstance, Valeri thought. “It is our friend Mahu who suffers. He is far too sick to make the journey.”
“You’ve misunderstood,” said Finley, their voice as musical as Isla’s had been. “There will be no help for Mahu. I’m sorry for your loss, but you must see our dilemma.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.” Ash gestured to the chairs. “Not completely. Perhaps you could sit with us and explain your position more clearly.”
“If you wish, but I’m afraid there are no words that will change the outcome in your favor.”
“Nonetheless, what else have we to do while we await our fate?”
