Page 159 of The BoneKeeper's Daughter

Jasend half-nods, half-shrugs. “An unusual thing for a Fifth, Bind— I mean, Keeper. So any who pass will leave offerings where she lays, to help ease her soul. The BloodLetter said your culture is different, thatyou would take it as an affront otherwise. And Teo here did not want to see your sad face for the rest of our ride to the Crimson Walls. You should thank him, really.”

“I just find excessive sadness boring when there is so much joy to be found in the world, Jas,” Teo replies jokingly, though his voice is close to shattering it’s so brittle, and I realize I have to say something or his masque will break.

Raising my blank eyes to his face, I try to smile tenderly, to mirror the look of a lovesick girl from my village. “It was kind of you, Rider. To do such a thing for me.” My voice is tight but comes out breathy, and I can see the Riders in the near distance are exchanging knowing glances.

Jasend laughs, and knocks Teo lightly on the shoulder. “That’s Teo for you, Keeper. Kind through and through. Go take a last walk around the camp. We leave shortly and you won’t be on your feet again for a long time.”

Teo grabs my hand, pulling me alongside him. “Will you tell the BloodLetter I’m taking a quick stroll, and will be there shortly?” he asks, raising a knowing eyebrow.

Jasend shakes his head, laughing again. “You’re impossible. There’s not time for anything but awalk, Rider. Go on now.”

It’s a full five minutes before we’re alone in the woods, far enough that we can’t see anyone, but close enough that we can still hear the shouts and sounds of the gathering Tiers.

The moment we’re safe, all emotion drops from his face; he becomes almost scarily blank. “I have a gift for you, BoneKeeper,” he says, voice so empty of emotion I don’t recognize it. Pulling out a small leather pouch, he opens it carefully and empties a beautifully white, smooth heel bone into my hand. He reaches out to trace its lines reverently with a single finger. “Is it right?” he asks, suddenly cautious, finger trembling for a moment before clenching his fist. “I don’t think I can do it ag—” Choking, he inhales deeply, then forces himself to continue. “Just tell me. Is it right.”

“It’s perfect,” I almost croon, holding the bone gently. “Should I Guide her now? Do we have enough time? She’ll be so happy.”

Teo freezes, breath coming in sharp, quick pants. “What if it doesn’t work?” All the emotion he has buried, has kept at bay for the past twenty-four hours, comes rushing in at once, suffocating him, and he wavers on his feet. “What if?—”

I pull my gaze away from the bone to look at him, almost astonished. “Of course it will work,” I say simply, taking my Guiding Knife from my belt. Ellie’s soul is curled up inside, and I pull her gently from it, as softly as I would hold a newborn. She shivers slightly, leaving the warmth of her sleep, then wakes fully when sliding into her bone, bursting into bright light, her voice loud and strong.

Teo!

Smiling now, I press the bone into Teo’s hand. He’s reluctant at first, almost pulling back, when a kind of wonder spreads over his face. “It’s…the bone is warm?”

I nod. “She’s shouting, over and over, just your name. It’s surprising, actually. Usually a soul takes a few days to wake to their bone life. Perhaps it’s because I moved her so quickly from one to the other. She only slept a short time. But she’s singing for you. As she settles, I can speak for her, if you’d like.”

“Can…can she hear me?” he asks hesitantly, and I smile.

“Oh yes. She can hear you. I won’t always be nearby to interpret for you, but if you’re unsure, you can ask her to warm the bone for you. Just a little, mind. And not too often. It takes quite a lot of energy for the soul to do that. But she’s new to bone, and I think won’t even have to be asked for a while.”

“What should I— how do I keep her?” He looks so lost, but so hopeful at the same time.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you do anything special for your necklace? Is there some way you—” I don’t like the question. I don’t likeanyquestions about Lorcan; my chest tightens. Teo immediately lifts his hand in apology. “Keeper. No. I just mean, is there something I need to do? What if the bone breaks? What if it’s crushed? How do I?—”

I interrupt his panic, voice flat. “If the bone is crushed and I am not there, there is nothing to be done. It is like death, but more permanent.Only her bone will take her soul, and this is the only bone we have for her.”

He nods. “I’m sorry for any offense, Keeper.”

We are cut off from further conversation by a shout in the distance. Teo quickly puts the bone back in the pouch, then hangs it from his neck under his shirt.

“Coming!” he yells back, then turns to me. “Thank you, Wren. Thank you.”

Taking my hand, he leads me from the woods. I follow, but the uneasy feeling comes as well.

Lorcan?I whisper to him, searching for comfort, but he is quiet.

Lorcan?I ask again, this time pulling him from rest, something I rarely do, and he surges awake.

Little Keeper? Is all well?

I don’t know how to tell him that…I don’t know. Instead, I just sayI missed you. I’m sorry.

Never be sorry for missing me,he replies, voice warm on my back, and it’s enough to calm my nerves.

I’m sorry,I say again.Go back to sleep.

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