Page 118 of Requiem of Silence

Ella understood. She hadn’t thought of returning to her native country of Yaly as a real possibility, but Benn had brought it up the night before. If the vote passed and life for their blended family became difficult in Elsira, they had to keep all options on the table.

“Well, the polls just closed a few minutes ago,” she said. “We’ll get the results by morning and will be able to figure things out then.”

“Mama, can I have a candy?” Ulani asked, tugging at the hand she held.

“I’d better get on,” Berta said. “Best of luck to you and your family.”

“You as well,” Ella said and the woman rushed away. “Now, what kind of candy has caught your eye, little one?”

Ulani grinned and pointed to where a group of children had gathered next to a stall selling an assortment of treats. The girls’ friend Iddo was there with two handfuls of candy that he was trying not to let fall, and that she was almost entirely certain he hadn’t paid for. Ella rushed forward, either to scold or assist him, she hadn’t decided yet, when a high-pitched wail penetrated the noise of the crowd.

Almost as if they’d rehearsed it, everyone in the market froze. And then the already busy streets turned to chaos.

A loudspeaker bolted atop a streetlight crackled to life. “This is not a drill. Head quickly and calmly to the nearest emergency shelter. I repeat, this is not a drill. Head quickly and calmly to the nearest emergency shelter.”

The message repeated itself and people around her took off at a run. One of the children asked around a mouthful of candy, “What’s happening?”

“It’s the attack alarm!” Ella shouted over the din. “Follow me!”

Iddo grabbed a younger boy’s hand and the group of kids followed Ella and Ulani down the street, struggling not to be trampled upon. Raven managed to keep up, moving at a quick trot; at first they lost Benn and Tana in the press—but then they were there, Benn holding his older daughter in his arms as he fought his way through panicking people.

The neighborhood shelter was in the basement of a local theater. Ella picked up Ulani and quickened her pace, mindful of the others behind her. They reached the theater’s side door, which stood ajar. Ella wrenched it all the way open and started down the steps. Children filed in beside her and she set Ulani down. She didn’t see Benn or Tana and realized they were still outside on the sidewalk.

“Stay here,” she told Ulani, whose wide eyes were fearful. Ella raced up the steps.

“I can’t go down there,” Tana was saying. “I need to help.” Benn pursed his lips.

“There are only three of us,” Tana continued. “I can’t hide down there, I need to fight the wraiths.”

The war on Benn’s face was heart-wrenching. He was a soldier,he’d signed up to put himself in danger and was in a unique position to understand Tana’s plight. But just the thought of their eleven-year-old daughter in a battle of any kind still made Ella weak.

“They can’t harm her,” she whispered.

“And even if they could, I—” Tana’s voice wavered. She held her father’s hand. “I control death.”

All around them people ran for cover, terrified of the imminent attack. A few came to the shelter, mostly non-Elsirans though. Ella noted them as they hurried down the steps to the promised safety.

Benn still hadn’t spoken, he and Tana were locked in a silent argument. Ella placed her hand on his broad back. She was worried, too, but she’d seen what Nethersong could do. Benn hadn’t.

“I’ll come with you,” he said, finally.

Tana shook her head. “Please stay here so I don’t have to worry about you,” she pleaded. “Ulani will protect everyone down there.”

Benn’s face was set, and Ella was afraid that he wasn’t going to be reasonable about this. Then again, was it reasonable to let a child face down an army of angry spirits led by a five-hundred-year-old king?

“I’ve got her,” a voice called out, running up to them. Kyara was there, breathless. “I promise, nothing will happen to her.”

She spoke in Lagrimari and Ella translated. Benn’s brow was still furrowed, but at the sight of Kyara he finally nodded. “All right. All right.”

Tana wrapped him in a fierce hug, which he returned. The girl pulled away and hugged Ella, whispering in Lagrimari, “Make sure he’s okay.”

Ella stepped back and nodded, not even feeling the pang thatusually hit her when Tana’s preference for Benn over her became clear. The two had shared a bond from the beginning that went both ways.

“We have to go,” Kyara said, taking Tana’s hand. The Nethersingers raced off into the rapidly emptying street together. Ella tried to guide her husband down the stairs. But he refused to move until Tana had disappeared around a corner.

Tears streamed down his face as she was finally able to lead him into the shelter—one that should have been much more full of people. “She will be all right,” Ella whispered.

They shut the doors behind them and linked hands, with Ulani at the head of the chain, using her power to protect the rest. Screams and crashes sounded outside and Ella shook, praying to all the saints for strength and protection. And that her daughter was right and death couldn’t touch her.

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