Page 101 of The Study of Fire
Good point. “So, we wait?”
“And hope my strength lasts. Even then…” She peered at the wall of fire above them. “If bigger beams crash down on us…” Her breath hitched with fear.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked.
“No.” She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Did the children…are they safe?”
“Yes, they all escaped along with the man. My colleagues will take care of them.”
“Good,” she sighed with relief.
Yelena must be frantic with worry. He hoped she hadn’t done anything stupid, like rushing into the burning building to save him. Did she even have time before the roof collapsed? Or did she cross into the fire world, thinking he was there? Now he was more than worried. He was terrified.Don’t leave me, love.
“Where are we?” he asked for a distraction.
“I think it’s a root cellar.”
They chatted off and on. Her name was Gale Stormdance, the wife of Councilor Stormdance.
“Valek?” she asked horrified. “As in?—”
“The Scourge of Sitia?” He kept his tone light.
“Ah…” She grew quiet.
He wondered if he scared her or if she’d fallen asleep. It’d been hours and the fire still burned hot. But a flaming plank fell toward them, and it was whisked away to the pile.
“More like the savior of children,” she finally said. “Why are you here in Sitia?”
“It’s a long story.”
“My appointment with my hair stylist isn’t until tomorrow,” she joked.
He laughed despite the pain in his head and ribs. “You’re not going to like it.”
“Try me.”
Valek smiled. He was impressed by Gale’s strength. “Stop me when you’ve heard enough.”
“Okay.”
“I came to Sitia to assassinate all the councilors, including your husband.”
She sucked in a breath, and he waited.
“Go on.”
He told her about the Daviian Warpers. It helped to keep her awake during the hours. He explained their theories about Jal and that Yelena discovered how the councilors were being threatened.
By the time he finished, it appeared that the active fire was dying down. Even though the embers still glowed red hot, Valek’s spirits rose.
After what felt like days, the last of the fire extinguished and they both fell into an exhausted sleep.
* * *
A crunching noise roused Valek from sleep. He grabbed for his knife, only to find it missing along with his shirt. What?
Daylight leaked through the ashy remains of the barn, reminding him of his precarious situation. A few half-burned beams crossed over the hole above their root cellar. The noise hadn’t woken Gale.
