Page 6 of The Garnet Daughter
He nods without turning his head toward me.
The static continues again, 99’s voice a mix of commands to the others around him in the Estate and updates to August before it cuts out again. All the while, my heart beats so forcefully, the pulse in my ears drowns out the news on our friends I am desperate to hear.
August turns to me, wiping his hands down his face. “First Son’s army breached the grand hall. They are clearing it now.”
“We have to meet them in the main temple,” I say, trying to keep hope they will reach it.
He nods. “99 will comm again when they arrive.”
“First Son’s army is inside the Estate,” I repeat aloud, trying to picture the turmoil my loved ones are facing.
“Calliape, look at me.” August crosses the cockpit, calling back my dazed attention. “The Viathan commanders can handle it. There are no other ships visible in the area. I know it is difficult to wait.” He reaches for my arm, a soothing gesture, but it sends an angry sting to my elbow.
I wince and recoil my limb against myself and notice a red patch of burnt skin already oozing clear liquid as it tries to heal itself.
His jaw clenches as he looks at the wound, fingertips hovering over it before he searches my face, expecting an answer.
“The Temple of Divine Mothers—” I begin, unsure of how much 99 updated him on as we waited for Ferren and Selene toexit the burning temple. I hold it closer, the numbing adrenaline giving way to fiery pain as I acknowledge the injury.
“What happened? Tell me.” His brows furrow as if he knows he will not like the answer before it is even said.
“There were elder priestesses inside. They fought Selene and Ferren. One of them burned me as I held her for Ferren’s light.”
“Did Ferren kill her?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” His serious tone surprises me, as if he would find the elder and kill her himself if Ferren didn’t. “We should take care of the wound.”
I force myself to hold the limb naturally. “We don’t have time. The highest priestess is dead as well. That is why the ward is down.”
He nods in blank understanding. The details, I doubt 99 would say over a comm when Ferren is so closely involved.
“They sent you back to fix the city’s ward?”
“To collect the spell book and for you,” I cut in. “To help in the temple. I don’t imagine we will be welcome inside.”
He watches me for a moment and then points to the book. “That will fix it?”
“Maybe. Selene thinks there could be others like it in the main temple, but if not . . .” My eyes drift to the ancient binding.
He presses a sequence on a compartment beneath the pilot’s chair, rummaging inside the moment it opens. Compact Viathan guns and blades are withdrawn from the low cabinet, and he straps one to his boot and several on his waist.
“I know you won’t take a gun. So here.” He presents a retractable knife. “Keep this on you.”
“No.” I don’t want it. We’re going to be folding back into the belly of whatever battle is within the Estate, and I cannot protect myself or anyone with a knife when First Son has weapons that made stone walls crumble like pebbles. “I have to read from thespell book. It will be pointless.” I heft the open book in both my hands to show him its size.
“Just take it,” he demands.
“Will you not be near me? I just thought—” I stop the stream of thoughts that has now been made known aloud.
He smiles slightly. “Yes, Calliape. I will be close. You have my protection while you place the ward. The knife is for my own peace of mind.”
As soon as I nod, he squats and secures it to my boot, the tug and pull of the strap being fastened bumping me off balance.
“I need to find the right spell.” I rest my hand on his shoulder while he finishes to compensate for the slight tilt of my body. But when I see him stop and inspect the wound on my arm in his eyeline, I step back, assuming he’s finished.
“I will tend to it once the ward is placed.” I give him a flat look because I know if I do not assure him, he will pester me with his worry. A trait of his I am all too familiar with after the last time I was injured.
