Page 64 of Ashes of Gold
“We made sure he had a proper burial.”
She presses a palm to her chest.
“Everything in the world is so messed up. I’m sorry you’re losing family, friends. We’re losing people too.”
She gives my hand a squeeze, her gaze far off.
“But I’m trying to end it, once and for all. Get rid of the Chancellor and the stolen magic he wields.”
Her eyes flick in my direction.
“That’s why I was in Totsi’s, actually.”
She leans in, unblinking, as if what I’m ’bout to say is what she’s been thirsting to hear for years. “Go on.”
Something inside me wiggles with nerves. How much do I tell this lady? I don’t know her, know her. Not like foreal. “I’m looking for a spell book.”
“We don’t do any sort of, uhm… traditional magic stuff here, so I’m afraid I’m no help with that. Totsi was the bookish one. I’d worked hard and entered my name for Binding, but I was designated Macazi.” She sighs and it’s heavy “And, well, the rest is a story for another day.” She brushes a deep scar on her leg.
Her faraway look dissolves and her thin lips and tight stare are back. “Listen, I won’t lie to you: Everything we do here is with our survival in mind. No one’s concerned about our welfare. Dwegini spit when they see us, and Zruki are only moderately better. Trade is how we… acquire what we need here.” She taps the wall andtingsecho through the air. “We can’t risk the wrong person discovering we are down here. These walls ensure that if we’re invaded, magic can’t be used as a weapon against us. But lately I worry it’s not enough.” She meets my eyes and I go cold all over. “With the world upside down, we’ve been forced to leave our lair more often. The more we leave, the more we risk exposure. I have heard of aveil of protection that lies over this island, making it undiscoverable. I’d like our home to be protected the same way.” Her gaze falls to my wrists.
“What are you asking?”
She is quiet for several moments. She clasps her hands and turns. “Trade is a funny thing. When interests align with people you despise, you may find yourself at the same table.”
“That sounds like a threat.” I call to my magic out of stubborn habit and heat inside me rises, pulling through my arms and into my hands, but it comes out like a puff of air, fizzling out.
“Don’t be hasty, Rue. I am not your enemy. But there is a hefty price on your head.”
“Theykilledyour sister. Theykilledyour guy just the other day.”
“And yet I still have thousands more to protect. Thousands no one else even cares about.” A tangled web of emotion glistens in her eyes. “What would you have me do?”
“I can’t give you my magic. I can’t use it to protect you. No offense, I don’t even know you. Depositing bits of my magic here ties me to you forever. Not only that, this magic I have is all our people have left. I can’t just give it to some…”
“Macazi.”
“No, it’s not like that. I don’t think less of you, trust me. This is ours. That’s all. It’s ours and it was given to me to protect.”
“And use as you deem fit.”
“Lady, I can’t—”
The door clicks open. “Taavi?” The woman with the wrinkly face is back.
“Take some time, think on it.” Taavi claps me on the back. “I’msure you know what it’s like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. I know you’ll choose wisely.”
The woman comes in, refusing to meet my eyes. “Sup is ready.”
“Willa here will take you to eat. I’ll see you after.” Taavi waves and ducks out the door.
“Whenever you are ready, miss,” the older woman says. “And no hard feelings for that welt on your head, I hope. I was just… Totsi only opens that door, you see. Then there’s all the blood leaking through the ceiling overhead. I-I panicked.”
I don’t know what to say to her, so I gesture for her to lead the way. Following her out, I reach for the nostalgic piece of home I carry on my wrist.
Me: You ever feel like no matter what choice you make in life, somebody gets hurt?
I tap send but get an error message. The corridor we’ve slipped into is dark, firelight bobbing along the perimeter. No cuts in the rock, no light from the outside. I tap again, but nothing. I sigh and follow the hobbling woman down the craggy hall, deeper into this underground world of people who want me to betray my own or effectively slit my throat.
