Page 127 of The Silent
“You ask us to give magic to those whose blood killed our mothers and our sisters and our children,” Dara said. “You weren’tthere—”
“And neither were they!” Kyra shouted. “Neither were they. You are the children of the Forgiven.” She gestured across the table. “Congratulations on winning the blood lottery. Because that is theonlydifference between us.” Kyra glared. “Anything else you believe is self-delusion. I’m not asking you to train grown men or women in magic. I’m asking you to treat children as if they’re not marked by evil. That’s all I’m asking. If you’re going to take those girls, don’t foster them.Adoptthem. Your people want for children, and we are offering you our own. Is that not what your precious councilmandated?”
“It is,” Alyah said. “I agree with Kyra. The girls should be given the full education of an Irina. If you do not agree, Dara, I ask for an audience with mywatcher.”
“As would I,” Leo said. “I was assigned by the council to facilitate relations between the free Grigori here and the scribe house. I believe part of my assignment is to see to the well-being of innocent children caught in the conflict. If you do not agree that thekareshtarescued from Arindam’s control deserve the full care, compassion, and education of Irina children, then I will need to speak to the watcher of thehouse.”
Dara eyes didn’t change, but a grimace around her mouth told Kyra she didn’t like being reminded that she wasn’t the true watcher. Perhaps it was an injustice, but it was thereality.
“Fine,” Dara said. “We will leave the education of the children to the families who have volunteered to take them.Justas we do with Irin children. They will be treated no differently, Leo of Istanbul. Your assignment to my house is complete. Farewell.” With that, the screen of the computer went blank. Rith rose, closed the laptop, and left the room without abackwardlook.
Alyah was the only one whostayed.
“They are rigid,” she said. “But they are not badpeople.”
Sura said, “No one is saying they are. It is a difficult situation.Weknow.”
“But those girls deserve to live a full life,” Niran said. “A life where they are accepted andloved.”
“I’ve already spoken to the Irin families who volunteered to take the girls,” Alyah said with a smile. “All four are very, very eager for children. Any children. They are more than excited aboutwelcomingthem.”
Kyra asked, “Areyousure?”
“Very sure. As long as Dara leaves their education up to their adoptive mothers and fathers, there will be no problems. I’ll make sure of it. I promise you. I’ll be sure to check in with allofthem.”
Sura said, “Alyah, you have become a true friend to us. If there is any help we can offer, please do not hesitatetoask.”
“I may take you up on that.” She looked at Niran. “The pregnant women here. Take them back to Chiang Mai. Do you needmoney?”
Niran and Sura exchanged glances. “Our father was… quite wealthy,” Niran said. “Money is not anissue.”
“Then take the women back. Care for them with your brothers. I trust your compassion, and I know Ginny will be happy to work with you to keep the mothers as healthy aspossible.”
Kyra said, “That’s an excellent idea. I can share with her what I know and put her in touch with others who have moreexperience.”
“We don’t need to involve any scribe houses,” Alyah said. “It’s probably better that wedon’t.”
Leo asked, “AndKyra?”
She frowned. “Whataboutme?”
“You have fulfilled your own mission,” Leo said. “Weren’t you promised something inreturn?”
Sura smiled. “TheSak Yant. Your brothers are welcome to our hospitality and teaching, should they desire it, Kyra. I will make sure to inform yourbrother.”
Kyra let out a long breath and turned to Leo. “It looks like both our jobs are finished. You know what that means,don’tyou?”
“A long-overdueholiday?”
“Not yet.” She took her phone from her pocket. “First we have a long-overdue conversation with mybrothers.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
“Where willyoulive?”
Kyra looked helplessly at Leo. She’d put the phone on speaker so they could speak to Kostastogether.
“We’ll live in Istanbul,” Leo said. “My home and assignment is there, and that is where Kyra can receive further training to utilize her gifts. Also, there is no place safer than a scribehouse.”
