Page 103 of The Scribe (Irin Chronicles 1)

Malachi held his hand over Leo’s forehead, tracing letters Ava couldn’t read, then the young man fell silent, soothed into a restless sleep.

“Rhys, how much longer?”

“There’s a protest near the square again.” More muttered curses as Rhys turned right, then left, trying to maneuver around the crowds gathered near Taksim Square.

“We could get out. Carry him?”

“Too many police. Too many questions.”

The smell of smoke drifted through the windows, causing Rhys to look over to her. “Close it! There could be tear gas if there are protests.”

Night was descending on the city, and the shops were lit up, taking advantage of the increased foot traffic, even as the police tried to herd pedestrians from the square. Ava could hear the chaotic shouts mixed with laughter and music blaring from the passing cars. The smell of smoke only grew stronger as they turned a corner that Ava finally recognized.

Rhys breathed out. “No…”

“What?” Ava turned her head from watching Leo and Malachi in the back of the car and her stomach dropped.

The scribe house was burning.

“What are we going to do?”Ava asked as they watched the old wooden house being licked by flames. Firefighters were already there, the spray of hoses and shouts filling the already chaotic night. “Malachi?”

Rhys barked something in the Old Language and got out of the car, keys still in the ignition. Malachi followed, the two arguing as Leo began to moan from the back seat again. After a few tense moments, Malachi slammed the back door shut and got in the front seat, putting the car in reverse and backing away from the scene.

“What are you doing?” she said. “You can’t just—”

“I’m taking you and Leo to a safe house, but if Rhys can’t get a piece of the fire, Leo won’t survive the night. Rhys has to save a part of it, Ava. Even if the house survives, the firefighters will douse the fire. He has to keep part of it going for Leo.”

“How on earth is he even going to—?”

“He’ll find a way,” Malachi said. “He has to.”

Ava looked over her shoulder, but Rhys had already entered the house, slipping past the crowds that watched in fascination and horror as the old house burned.

“This is my fault,” she said. “I brought this.”

“This is a war, and it’s been going on far longer than either of us have been alive,canim. Everything happens for a reason. Rhys will be fine.”

Despite his comforting words, Ava couldn’t escape the grim tone of his voice.

“You guys are practically indestructible, right?”

“Exactly.”

Ava still hadsmoke in her nose when they pulled up to the modest carpet shop on the other side of the bridge. It was dark from the outside, but Ava could see a light glowing dimly on the second floor.

“Stay here,” he said, pulling the car into a deserted alley.

Malachi got out and walked around the corner, returning after only a few minutes with a set of keys and a determined expression. He opened the back door and started to ease Leo out of the seat. The young man winced and Ava saw the blood start seeping from the wound again, black and thick.

“Help me,” Malachi grunted. “You’ll need to get the door.” He tossed her a set of keys and Ava rushed to pick them up.

A few minutes later, the three were climbing a narrow staircase next to the rug shop. Ava opened the door to a deserted apartment with a small sitting room and a kitchenette.

“There’s a bedroom in back.” Malachi was carrying Leo, the tall man cradled like a child in his arms. Considering Leo was the tallest in the house, Ava wasn’t quite sure how Malachi was even standing, but she didn’t question it. She opened the door to the back to see a bed, narrow but clean. She knocked off the pillows and stripped off the covers, clearing the bed for the wounded man. Malachi laid him down gently, and Leo immediately curled to the side. Ava saw him bite his lip so hard that it bled.

“Rhys?” she asked.

“I lost my mobile. Do you have yours?”

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