Page 66 of Veinblood
Masha exchanges another look with her companions. “More than you might think. Fewer than we wish.”
“That’s not really an answer.”
“Because the true number isn’t something we want people to discover. The fewer who know, the less likely it will be discovered.”
Jorana reaches out, takes the proclamation out of my hand and places it on the table. “What we’re telling you could get everyone killed if it reaches the wrong ears.”
“Then why trust me with it?” I whisper.
“Because this proves the Vareth’el is alive. Andyouhave silver under your skin. Prophecy speaks of shadow and storm together.”
“We have waited almost thirty years for this moment.” Corwin’s voice draws my gaze toward him.
“Where have they been all this time?”
“Hidden in plain sight. They live as farmers, artisans, merchants.” It’s Masha who answers me. “The safest place to hide Veinbloods turned out to be among the very people who searched for them.”
“You mean they live with people without power? Where the Authority can see them?”
“Not quite under the Authority’s gaze, but they come to Ashenvale to trade, and no one knows they are different to anyone else.”
The cleverness of it is impressive. While the Authority claimed to have wiped them out, the survivors were selling them bread, shoeing their horses, and making their clothes.
“How long have you known?”
“Some of us have always known,” Jorana says. “We helped them disappear during the worst of the purges. Over time, others have found their way to us.”
“Others? People on their own, or families?”
“Both.”
The sheer scale of what they’re telling me is almost impossible to comprehend. Entire family lines … People carrying Veinblood power … Sacha isn’t as alone as he thinks he is.
“But why didn’t you tell anyone? Why keep it a secret?”
The three of them exchange another loaded glance. I’m beginning to understand this is how they communicate when the wrong word could mean death.
“Because we’ve learned the hard way that the Authority has ears everywhere. Including among people we thought we could trust.”
My mind immediately goes to Lisandra, who I last saw locked in the cells beneath Stonehaven. “You know there are traitors among the Veinwardens.”
“We’ve known for years.” Corwin’s voice is grim. “The Authority knew too much about Veinwarden knots, and their locations. We couldn’t risk them discovering the Veinblood families.”
“Could I meet them?” The words come out before I can stop them.
“It’s possible. But getting you out of Ashenvale safely might be a challenge. The description on the proclamation is going to make moving you dangerous.”
“But we can still do it?” I need to meet these people. I need to see for myself that they exist.
“We will have to arrange documentation, and we should dye your hair to hide the silver.”
My hand lifts, touching my braid. “You can do that?”
Masha stands. “I can gather what I need to make atemporary dye from the market. It won’t last long. A day or two at most. Long enough to get outside of the city. The biggest problem is your eyes. We need a way to hide the silver in those.”
“A bandage. We can say she is blind, burned maybe,” Jorana says. “It’s unlikely anyone will ask to look, unless there is something else they feel is suspicious about you.”
“When can we go?”
