Page 46 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Their presence warms the weathered walls of the Reaper Temple, a sacred site. Painted tiles create a mosaic over our heads, purple and red swirls depicting the Reaper elders of the past. Tear-shaped lanterns hang from the domed ceilings, lavender light bleeding through their tinted glass. I stare up at them as Bimpe scrubs me from head to toe, replacing the dirt along my skin with lemon-scented oils.

“Have you thought about your Second?” Mári whispers, ignoringBimpe’s glare. She pulls down her hood, revealing her two large buns. “Because if you haven’t—”

Mári cringes when Bimpe slaps the back of her head.

“Jagunjagun, please ignore her,” Bimpe says. “She knows not to bother you before your ascension.”

I hide my laughter as Mári sticks out her tongue. When Bimpe walks away to grab a comb, Mári leans in close.

“I can makefouranimations.”

“Four?” I raise my brows. “That’s impressive.”

“With your training, I’ll learn to make more,” she whispers. “Maybe ones even bigger than Mâzeli’s!”

She snaps her mouth shut when Bimpe returns, but we exchange knowing smiles. I stay quiet as Bimpe works the iron comb through my hair. Mári slides thick gold rings onto my fingers. When I’m clean, they help me into a billowing red skirt, its train so long it glides across the stone floor. Bimpe grabs a matching swatch of deep red silk.

“Almost done,” she says.

I try to ignore the way my scars lie on full display as they drape the fabric over my chest. They tie a thick bow in back to hide the horrible marks.

“These symbols,” Mári breathes, hands hovering over the golden tattoos that start at the base of my neck. “Should we cover them?”

“Not completely,” Bimpe says. “They’re a part of her.”

I bow my head as Bimpe takes the traditional collar away and fastens a gold band around my neck. Lines of glittering beads spill from the collar, falling over my chest and down my back. They brush the leather sandals strapped to my feet. With the beaded headdress they place along my coils, I look like Mama.

Like Oya come to life.

“Our work is finished.” Bimpe bows, an action Mári mimics.

“You look incredible!” Her brown eyes shine. “Much prettier than Mâzeli!”

“Thank you.” I smile as they bow again. But when they walk out the door, all the tightness returns to my chest.

The Reaper Temple sits at the top of the third mountain, yet I can hear the chatter of all the maji waiting at its base. I don’t know how I’m supposed to protect an entire clan when I couldn’t protect Baba. I can barely protect myself.

The ships I watched from Roën’s mercenary den sail through my mind as I sit back down. I know being an elder will help me take out Inan, but with each passing day, the freedom I crave seems to slip further and further away.

“Wow.”

I turn to find Tzain standing in the doorframe. He lets out a low whistle, a dazed smile on his face.

“It’s like you’re getting married.”

“I basically am.” I sink into his hug. “But instead of tying my life to one person, I’m shackling myself to an entire clan.”

“Ay, come on now. Before the Raid you wouldn’t shut up about joining the other Reapers.”

“I was just a child. But now…” My voice trails off and I close my eyes, not knowing what to say.

“Too much has passed?” he asks.

“Too much has been taken away.”

Silence descends as I sit back down, thinking of everything and everyone we’ve lost. Magic used to be the thing that made me feel most alive, but now it’s impossible to wield it without thinking of everyone who’s died.

I know I have no choice; I can’t defeat Inan without theIyika’s help. But to become an elder and take on this sacred role?

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