Page 38 of Hair, She Bears
“Did he not repay it when he sent Malik to you?” Zenna asked.
“The two are not connected.” Moira’s eyes flicked back to Malik. “Carlyle will help you overthrow him.”
“Must you kill your father?” Zenna asked, her voice faint. She placed her hand on Malik’s arm.
Malik nodded once, his jaw set.
“As long as there is breath in that man’s body, he will hunt you until you die from exhaustion. He will hunt us all.” Moira’s face softened. “Zenna, you have been braver than I ever thought possible, especially for a child as young as you were. I ask you to be brave a bit longer. Can you do that?”
“Yes.” Zenna’s voice cracked.
“Tell me what you learned.” The harsh edge in Moira’s voice returned as she shifted her attention to Malik.
“Her parents are being held in the underground prison. They’re in birdcages like I was.”
“Once you transform back into a raven, fly into their cell, and peck the locks open. Then, lead them to me. After Zenna’s parents are safe, you can return for her, then...” A dark smile graced her lips.
“How will I know which ones to open?” Malik asked.
Moira opened her mouth and paused, a faint line etched across her forehead.
“How many are there?”
“Fifteen cages.”
“Bring them all. If he has reason for keeping them, we need to find out who they are. The more supporters we have, the better.” Moira tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a long, puckered scar down the side of her face.
Zenna gasped.
Moira’s eyes flicked to Zenna. “He’s not a gentle man.”
“I know,” Zenna replied. Moira’s mouth pressed so thin, it nearly disappeared.
“Did he touch you?” she growled.
“Only to beat me,” Zenna said. She glanced down at her lap. Malik wrapped his arm over her shoulders and drew her close, resting his chin on top of her head.
“He will never hurt you again.”
“Please don’t promise me something you can’t fulfill.” She lifted her eyes to his.
“There are only two possible outcomes.” Malik cupped her face, his thumb grazed her lower lip. “Either he dies, or I do.”
9
“There has to be another solution.” Zenna pushed away from him, her gaze seeking Moira, but she had disappeared, and dark fog swirled in the mirror. “Where did she go?”
“She knows the consequences of my actions; the only person I have to convince is you.” Malik folded her fingers over, closing the mirror, and extracted it from her hand.
“I don’t want you to die.” She turned toward him.
“I don’t intend to.”
“But—”
He placed a finger over her mouth.
“I know who my father is, and I know what he is capable of doing.” Malik leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, stealing her breath. When he pulled away, his eyes glowed with a fierce light. “I refuse to become him.”
