Page 108 of Fires of the Forsaken
“So it’s you,” he said, still grasping my arms. “The girl with the flair for dramatics.”
I gaped at him, unable to speak.
“I waited for you,” he murmured. “But I never saw you again. I did not believe you the type to dishonor a fairly won wager, so I thought something had happened and perhaps you’d left the city.”
My breathing turned ragged.
“Yet you’ve been here all this time?” There was no malice in his eyes. Only confusion.
I was locked away,I wanted to say.Locked away so I couldn’t hurt anyone.But the words wouldn’t form.
The boy’s brow furrowed. “What happened to you? Where are the sarcastic quips that once rested on your tongue?”
“Where is the careless smile that once brightened your face?”
I didn’t realize I’d spoken out loud until the boy sighed, his hold on my arms softening. “Long gone,” he said. “The army extinguishes a person’s spirit. And I am, first and foremost, a soldier in Darfield’s army.” His voice sounded flat. Dull. “We’ve—I’vebeen ordered to detain you. Dúnlang will question you. He’s a Shield, you understand. Your power may not work on him. In fact, he’s counting on itsineffacy—inefficacy against his ability.” His frown deepened. “You’ve killed innocent people tonight.”
It hurt to meet his gaze; especially since he understood the full gravity of what I’d done.
“They say you’re evil,” the boy said.
I am.Tears burned my eyes.
“I don’t believe that.”
My head snapped up.
He laid his hand on my shoulder, his touch gentle. “An evil creature,” he whispered, “would not show such remorse.” He used his thumb to wipe a tear from my cheek. It was a tender gesture, and it only made me cry harder.
His touch terrified me. I wanted him to leave. To run. Before my fire consumed him too.
I also yearned to lean into his hand; to feel the scrape of his work-roughened fingers against my skin.
“You are Terrick’s daughter?” the boy asked. “Hissupposedlyill child?”
I nodded.
“How long have you had your ability?”
I stared at my bare feet, saying nothing.
“Those were melted coins in your hand that day in the market, were they not? No,” he smiled at my bemused look, “I have not forgotten. At the time, I thought you were an Illuminator; they’ve been known to generate enough heat to melt a coin. I didn’t know…” he inhaled. “You can’t control your power, can you?”
I stayed silent.
“Were youeverable to control it?”
Again, I did not speak.
The boy sighed again. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Drat it all. Did—the things I said—did I frighten you away when I spoke of the army? Is that why you and Terrick never sought help? Dúnlang is a pompous blaggard, and I would not wish you to meet him. But Ellard, the Celestial—no,he’s not like The Conqueror,” the boy added when I made a strangled sound. “Ellard helps protect Sakar. He’s fair. And kind. He would’ve helped you.Iwould have helped you.”
A tremor coursed through me. I didn’t know what hurt more. That the boy still remembered me, even after four years. Or that help had been so close. I’d only had to go down to him, as I’d yearned to do countless times while I was confined above the tannery.
Shouts reverberated off the buildings.
I flinched. The boy drew in a long breath. “It’s too late now,” he said. “Ellard has been away for several months, and Dúnlang will not allow you to live.” Sadness crept into his eyes as he dropped his hand and wrapped his fingers around my knuckles. “Come with me.”
I wrenched my hand away.
