Page 45 of Blood of the Fallen
“To talk to the Chieftess,” Bethel said. “I need to leave. I need to make sure my coven is safe. I haven’t heard from them.”
“I was coming to ask if you had,” Novuk said, looking concerned.
“I haven’t received any messages.”
Novuk looked to the skies as if he expected any messages from Bethel’s coven to fall from the clouds. “That’s not good,” he said, his expression growing even more sober.
“We’ll go with you,” Kall said.
We started walking again. Kall sidled up to me. “Are you all right?”
I nodded, uncertain. Every time the Academy did something like this, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.
As if reading my thoughts, Kall said, “None of this is your fault, you know that, right?”
“Sometimes people look at me as if it was, but I don’t blame them. Every time I remember how I used to feel aboutwildlings, I feel embarrassed.”
Kall shook his head. “You shouldn’t. They brainwashed you. You were just a child when they got started. To me, it’s amazing that, in such a short time, you’ve come to see and understand reality.”
“It would be hard to ignore when it’s staring me right in the face,” I joked, trying to lighten up the mood.
Ahead of us, Ila went inside the wigwam, while we waited. A moment later, she poked her head out and told us it was all right to go in. We filed inside one after the other. The Chieftess was sitting cross-legged on the floor. A flap at each sidewall was opened to let in the light. As we all stood around her, she scanned our faces with a grim expression.
“What sort of trouble brings you all here?” she asked, then immediately put a hand up. “No, let me guess.” She turned to Bethel.
“I haven’t heard from my mother.”
Chieftess Yura’s eyes narrowed.
“I would try to contact her, but you know she forbade it.”
Deeper worry etched the Chieftess’s expression.
“I want to leave,” Bethel blurted out. “The trials are underway, and…” Her gaze flicked in my direction.
Why was she looking at me? I frowned.
“You may speak freely,” the Chieftess said.
Bethel nodded. “My purpose here has been served. As I told you, I do believe Sheela is the person my vision warned me about. In fact, I have no doubt about it, so my presence here isn’t necessary anymore. I need to go back to my coven.” This last sentence was spoken firmly, though not without an edge of desperation.
The Chieftess was thoughtful for a long moment, then said, “Even if I send someone with you, I don’t think it would be safe.”
“I can go by myself.”
A shake of the Chieftess’s head. “Nanai trusted your safety to me.”
“I’m not a child anymore, and I know how to take care of myself.”
“I’m sure you think that.”
Bethel’s upper lip twitched, betraying her anger.
“I’ll go with her,” Novuk said.
The witch shook her head. “You can’t disrupt the trials. They’re too important.”
“But your coven could be in danger,” Novuk argued. “We have to help. You’re our friend.”
