The Core

But as ever, the dice raised more questions than they answered.

—She will know him by his scent.—

‘You will slip out in the hubbub as the Majah prepare to leave,’ Inevera said. ‘Asome won’t expect me to send you away. Make for Everam’s Reservoir. Jayan’s defeat has left many widowed mothers there. Another will not draw scrutiny, and no one will recognize you or Kaji outside the capital.’

‘And once there?’ Ashia asked. ‘How will I find the khaffit?’

‘Seek out Qeran,’ Inevera instructed. ‘The drillmaster commands the town now, and his privateers dominate the waters, at least until spring. If any can aid you in finding his lost master, it is he. I will cast daily and update you if I have any more information. It should be days before the hora stone in your earring is out of range. After that, you will be on your own.’

‘And this lost cousin?’ Ashia asked.

Inevera shrugged. ‘You will know him by his scent.’

‘That is little to go on,’ Ashia said.

‘We must trust in Everam,’ Inevera said. ‘The dice were clear. You must find them, if you are to do your part in Sharak Ka.’

Ashia touched her forehead to the floor. ‘As you command, Damajah.’ She rose and left to say her goodbyes to her spear sisters waiting silently outside. They knew she would be leaving, but none save the two of them would know where, or for what purpose.

‘Niece,’ Inevera said, pulling Ashia up short. She turned to meet Inevera’s eyes.

‘Know that I could not be prouder of you if you were my own daughter. ‘If any shoulders can bear this burden Everam has set, they are yours.’ Inevera held her arms open, and Ashia, stunned, fell into them for the first time in her adult life.

12 (#ulink_0ecc51d6-f5a3-591b-8c93-690dda80e71f)

Drained (#ulink_0ecc51d6-f5a3-591b-8c93-690dda80e71f)

334 AR

‘Bekka’s got ’em in her sights.’ Wonda’s head was tilted, listening to the broken piece of demon bone resonating in her helmet. ‘Stela and Keet, skulkin’ down the road toward Smitt’s storehouse.’

Leesha nodded. They always came when the storehouse was restocked, even if Smitt changed the schedule. Someone was feeding them information.

She pulled on her cloak and gloves. ‘Let’s go. Tell Bekka and the others to stay on the rooftops and keep fingers off their triggers. I see a stray bolt and someone’s out of a job.’

‘Ay, mistress,’ Wonda said. ‘But they make a move at ya an’ I’ll feather ’em myself. Not takin’ any chances with yur safety.’

Leesha gave her hora pouch a reassuring squeeze. ‘Neither am I.’

Bruna had taught her it was undignified to run, but Leesha had long legs and put them to use, setting a brisk pace. The Painted Children could move swiftly at night.

Wonda touched her helmet again. ‘Ay, got it.’ She turned to Leesha. ‘Ent in a hurry. Strollin’ like they own the whole town.’

Leesha pursed her lips, seeing Smitt standing in front of the heavy storehouse doors with his arms crossed. They were warded now, reinforced with unbreakable glass.

‘Try not to provoke them,’ she said, coming to stand beside him.

‘Them?!’ Smitt asked. ‘My son and granddaughter rob me every fortnight, but you worry I’ll provoke them?’

‘Man’s got a point,’ Wonda said.

‘Ay,’ Leesha agreed. ‘But they’re drunk on magic, and we don’t want a fight. Just here to talk.’

‘Hope they feel the same way,’ Wonda said.

Just then, Stela and her uncle rounded the corner, pulling up short as they spotted the trio waiting for them. Both of them shone with power, but Stela was brighter. Not as bright as Renna Bales, but brighter than anyone else Leesha had seen, short of Arlen and Jardir. All this, in half a year.

And it’s my doing, she admonished herself. Arlen warned me. Begged me. But I was so sure I knew better.

Keet at least had the decency to look chagrinned. Stela only sniggered.

‘Think this is funny?’ Smitt demanded. ‘I put a roof over your head and food in your bellies your whole lives, and you pay me back by robbing me?’

‘Oh, come off it, Pappy,’ Stela said. ‘Creator knows you can afford it. We’re out bleeding in the night while you get fatter every day.’

‘Lot of folk out bleeding in the night,’ Wonda said. ‘Ent no excuse to turn bandit.’

‘Never hurt anyone,’ Keet said. ‘Just a few sacks and kegs. You rather we go hungry?’

‘Used to earn your keep,’ Smitt said.

‘Still do!’ Stela argued. ‘Now more than ever! Keepin’ folk safe.’

‘Demonshit,’ Smitt said. ‘You’re not out there for anyone but yourself.’

‘Your grandfather has a point,’ Leesha said. ‘I didn’t ward your skin so you could get magic-drunk and stick each other out in my wood.’

‘No, you just gave us a taste, then abandoned us!’ Stela snapped. ‘Arlen Bales said we were all Deliverers, but you just want to keep the power all to yourself!’

‘Ay, don’t you talk to Mistress Leesha like that,’ Wonda growled.

‘C’mon, Stel. Let’s just go,’ Keet said.

Stela ignored him, crossing her arms and setting her feet as she met Wonda’s eyes. ‘Or what?’

There was a creak of armour as Wonda clenched her fists. ‘Or I’ll give you a spankin’, ya little pissant.’

An image flashed over Stela, Wonda putting her on the ground in training. The girl was eager for a rematch. ‘Try it, you ugly skink. Think you’re so special because you’re Leesha’s attack dog. Time someone put you back in your kennel.’

Wonda’s aura was blazing as well. Leesha laid a hand on her arm, calming her. ‘I didn’t abandon you,’ she told Stela. ‘The duke commanded I go to Angiers. What was I to do? Rules are what keep us civilized. Something you seem to have forgotten.’

‘Ay, rules,’ Stela said. ‘Like you’ve ever let that stop you doing whatever you like.’

‘Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for Hollow County,’ Leesha said.

‘Ay?’ Stela countered. ‘That why you got the demon of the desert’s baby up in your keep?’

Wonda growled, and Leesha had to put a hand on her chest to hold her back. ‘Yes, even that. Would you have preferred his army came through the Hollow like they did Rizon and Lakton?’