Page 88 of Children of Blood and Bone

Sweat drips down my back as my mind runs through the next steps. How close is the bridge to completion? How fast can we ride to Ibeji?

I spring to my feet and grab my torch.I must find Kaea.It’s only when I whip around that I realize she’s already here.

Sword outstretched. Pointed right at my heart.

“Kaea?”

Her hazel eyes are wide. The slightest tremble in her hand rocks her blade. She shifts, steadying its aim on my chest. “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“Don’t.” She speaks through her teeth. “You weremuttering. Y-your head… it was surrounded by light!”

The girl’s words echo through my ears.

You’re a maggot now, little prince. You should be scared, too.

“Kaea, put the sword down.”

She hesitates. Her eyes go to my hair.The streak…

It must be showing again.

“It’s not what you think.”

“I know what I saw!” Sweat drips from her forehead, pooling on herupper lip. She steps closer with her blade. I’m forced to back into the wall.

“Kaea, it’s me. Inan. I would never hurt you.”

“How long?” she breathes. “How long have you been amaji?” She hisses the word like it’s a curse. Like I’m the spitting image of Lekan. Not the boy she’s known since birth. The soldier she’s trained for years.

“The girl infected me. It’s not permanent.”

“You’re lying.” Her lips peel back in disgust. “Are you… are you working with her?”

“No! I was looking for clues!” I step forward. “I know where she is—”

“Stay back!” Kaea screams. I freeze, hands in the air. There’s no recognition in her eyes.

Only unbridled fear.

“I’m on your side,” I whisper. “I have been this entire time. In Ilorin, I felt her going south. In Sokoto, I sensed she’d been to that merchant.” I swallow hard, pulse rising when Kaea takes another step forward. “I’m not your enemy, Kaea. I’m the only way to track her down!”

Kaea stares at me. The tremble of her blade grows.

“It’s me,” I plead. “Inan.The crown prince of Orïsha. Heir to Saran’s throne.”

At the mention of Father, Kaea falters. Her sword finally drops to the ground.Thank the skies.My legs wobble as I collapse against the wall.

Kaea holds her head in her hands for a few minutes before looking at me. “This is why you’ve been acting so strange all week?”

I nod, heart still slamming against my chest. “I wanted to tell you, but I had a feeling you would react like this.”

“I’m sorry.” She leans against the wall. “But after what that maggot did to me, I had to make sure. If you were one of them…” Her eyes return to the streak in my hair. “I had to ensure you were on our side.”

“Always.” I grip Father’s pawn. “I’ve never wavered. I want magic to die. I need to keep Orïsha safe.”

Kaea studies me, keeping the slightest guard up. “Where is the maggot now?”

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