Page 68 of The Silent
“Hmm.” She started walkingagain.
Kyra saw Alyah waving at Leo, a duffel bag in her hand. It probably contained the spare clothes he’d requested from hishotelroom.
“I should go talk to her,” Leo said. “There are a few details to sort beforewego.”
“You still haven’t told me whatreshonmeans.”
“Haven’t I?” Leo took her hand and kissed her palm. “Later.”
“I’m going to say goodbye to mystudents.”
Kyra walked back to her cottage to double-check the bag she’d packed. She wasn’t taking everything, but on the off chance she had to fly directly back to Europe from Myanmar, she didn’t want to leave anything essential. Halfway down the forest path, Intira, Bun Ma, and Kanchana stopped her. The little girl ran to Kyra’sopenarms.
“You’ll find her,”shesaid.
“I will. I promise. Prija is so strong. They won’t be able to hurt her. She can defendherself.”
Bun Ma said, “Sura said your hearing is very powerful. That you can hear over hundreds ofkilometers.”
“When I focus, I can. It wasn’t always a good thing, but after years of practice, I can use it better. And I’m going with Niran, Sura, Alyah, and Leo. Between all of us, we will find Prija and bringherback.”
Bun Ma and Intira smiled, but Kanchana still lookedskeptical.
“I promise,Kanchana.”
“I’m not worried you’ll find her,” Kanchana said. “Sura said this Fallen wanted to use her. Use Prija like aweapon.”
Kyranodded.
“She might not want to come back. That’s what I am worried about. There’s so much darkness in her. If they let it out, she may not want to putitback.”
“Iknow.”
It was the single true fear Kyra shared about Prija, and she hadn’t spoken it aloud to the others, though she suspected Sura guessed herthoughts.
Prija was dangerous and angry. Prija was powerful. Not allkareshtawere good, even if parts of them wanted to be. Sometimes the voices didn’t whisper; they shouted. Kyra had lost more than one sister to the seduction of evil. Kostas had killed his own blood when they became a danger to others. Would Sura and Niran be capable of that? Would they be able to kill Prija if she fell too far intodarkness?
“Find her,” Intira said. “Save her. Prija wants to live more than any of us. I told her all about the night market and she wants to go there. Shetoldme.”
“Did she?” Kyra brushed a hand over Intira’s hair. “I will do everything in my power to bring her back. Ipromiseyou.”
“Wait here!” Intira rushed off to her cottage and Kyra waited with Bun Ma andKanchana.
“There are two Irina singers here from Bangkok,” she told them. “They will be able to teach you things that I can’t. Ask questions.” She looked pointedly at Kanchana. “Make them answer you. They may be reluctant, but I know how persistent you are. Tell Intira to ask questions too. It’s hard to withhold answers from theyoung.”
“I will, and I’ll tell her,”Kanchanasaid.
Bun Ma had a shyer disposition, but there was nothing retiring about Kanchana. If anyone could bully the Irina into giving up some of their magic, it would be Kanchana’s persistence and Intira’s charm. Kyra felt for Bun Ma. She saw so much of her younger self in the woman who wanted to live a quiet, domestic life. Kyra had been forced into one crisis after another, but she hoped Bun Ma would get her wish. She would make a wonderful mate and mother if she ever found the rightpartner.
“The scribes from Bangkok are also here,” Kyra said. “They may seem reserved, but Leo says they are good men. Alyah would not have chosen them otherwise. It would be good for them to meet you so they understandusmore.”
“And what about the foreign scribe, eh?” Kanchana lifted her eyebrows. “I think you are understanding each other better everynight.”
Bun Ma failed to hide her smile behind her hand, and Kyra’s face turnedbrightred.
“He isverykind.”
“He is veryeager.” Kanchana pursed her lips. “If you like him, I like him. Make sure he treats you well. If he doesn’t,tellSura.”
