Page 104 of Devour
“You of course don’t have to tell us.” Her smile now seems forced.
“We just enjoy sharing with each other,” Cordy says. “It’s amazing how accurate they are. Like, last month, Bri had a reading that was fertility. She is now with child!”
My eyebrows rise.
The girl in question keeps her eyes glued to the table. She does not have a Drak beside her.
“What else was foretold?” I ask, mostly to keep the focus off of me.
“So many things. A scarcity in food is occasionally foretold. We then know to conserve more. Oh! They foretold the fall of Ruthend. That was exciting. Sickness has been caught before it spread too far. Many things.”
“I hated being stuck in our den for weeks, though.” Jullian shivers.
“The death of a Drak, unfortunately, is common,” Harabe says. “May Nihil protect their souls.”
“May Nihil protect their souls,” the table repeats.
I press my lips tightly together.
“Death of a Drahkita?” I ask quietly. The table stills.
“Yes. Whether through abandonment or illness or a crime committed. The Ancient always knows.”
My brow pinches, and I resist the urge to look at my Dread. Will the priestess know of my past crime? Or of my future attempts?
“Lina,” Cordy says softly, concern in her gaze. “What was your first reading?”
Everyone is watching me in the silence.
“Reconciliation,” I say brightly, committing to the half-truth. “That was my first reading. But I didn’t understand it. And the vision was unclear.”
Despite the clear ease of tension, eyes still scan the room. The whole group looking one to another. My Drak to me then to each other.
“That’s…strange.”
“Yes, the seer thought so too,” I admit.
“You know someone here, then,” Jullian says quickly. “That happened to Cordelia once. She knew one of the serving girls from childhood. That does happen on occasion.”
“Poor girl didn’t make it long, though. We are so blessed here.” Her voice remains quiet. So much quieter than her usual tone. Perhaps even she doesn’t believe her own words.
My stomach squeezes at the thought that I could know someone here. Everyone I’ve ever known is dead; they wouldn’t be here. Everyone except Astella.
I clench my fists. I cannot imagine the pain I would feel to find she was brought here. My next breath trembles, but I force myself to remember that the reading was not clear. That may not have been my word at all.
“Tonight will tell,” my Dread says, voice full of grit.
He stands and holds out his hand. I stare at his offering for too long but then finally slip my hand into his.
The group bids me many blessings and luck before we are alone in the hall. My heart aches and trembles with fear.
We remain silent, my Dread and me. Only the patter of our feet on stone as we journey toward my fate. Will they recognize my rebellion? Will everything be for nothing? Will my Drak allow me to be thrown into the dungeon? Will they put me in chains to stop my attempts at escape? Will they murder the girl in the dungeons before I’ve even had the chance to give her the roll in my bag?
“Did you think you would be hungry later?” my Dread eventually mumbles.
“What?” I squeak out.
“You have access to food anytime you desire it. You simply must ask.”
