The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(50)

“We’re going to be posing as husband and wife,” Kyra said.

“Is that a problem?”

“I’m hoping I can talk to Kostas and Sirius before someone tells them. Or sends them pictures.” Leo tensed, and Kyra paused, putting a hand on his chest. “I just want to tell my brothers first. Tell them we’re together so they know I’m okay. That I’m not being coerced. It’s not Sirius I’m concerned about; it’s Kostas of course.”

“Does he think so little of me?” Leo asked. “After everything we have been through?”

“I’m his sister.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “He has watched over me always. He would be worried no matter who I am with.”

“Me,” Leo returned the kiss. “Let him know. It will always be me.”

She smiled. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” She started walking again.

Kyra saw Alyah waving at Leo, a duffel bag in her hand. It probably contained the spare clothes he’d requested from his hotel room.

“I should go talk to her,” Leo said. “There are a few details to sort before we go.”

“You still haven’t told me what reshon means.”

“Haven’t I?” Leo took her hand and kissed her palm. “Later.”

“I’m going to say goodbye to my students.”

Kyra walked back to her cottage to double-check the bag she’d packed. She wasn’t taking everything, but on the off chance she had to fly directly back to Europe from Myanmar, she didn’t want to leave anything essential. Halfway down the forest path, Intira, Bun Ma, and Kanchana stopped her. The little girl ran to Kyra’s open arms.

“You’ll find her,” she said.

“I will. I promise. Prija is so strong. They won’t be able to hurt her. She can defend herself.”

Bun Ma said, “Sura said your hearing is very powerful. That you can hear over hundreds of kilometers.”

“When I focus, I can. It wasn’t always a good thing, but after years of practice, I can use it better. And I’m going with Niran, Sura, Alyah, and Leo. Between all of us, we will find Prija and bring her back.”

Bun Ma and Intira smiled, but Kanchana still looked skeptical.

“I promise, Kanchana.”

“I’m not worried you’ll find her,” Kanchana said. “Sura said this Fallen wanted to use her. Use Prija like a weapon.”

Kyra nodded.

“She might not want to come back. That’s what I am worried about. There’s so much darkness in her. If they let it out, she may not want to put it back.”

“I know.”

It was the single true fear Kyra shared about Prija, and she hadn’t spoken it aloud to the others, though she suspected Sura guessed her thoughts.

Prija was dangerous and angry. Prija was powerful. Not all kareshta were good, even if parts of them wanted to be. Sometimes the voices didn’t whisper; they shouted. Kyra had lost more than one sister to the seduction of evil. Kostas had killed his own blood when they became a danger to others. Would Sura and Niran be capable of that? Would they be able to kill Prija if she fell too far into darkness?

“Find her,” Intira said. “Save her. Prija wants to live more than any of us. I told her all about the night market and she wants to go there. She told me.”

“Did she?” Kyra brushed a hand over Intira’s hair. “I will do everything in my power to bring her back. I promise you.”

“Wait here!” Intira rushed off to her cottage and Kyra waited with Bun Ma and Kanchana.

“There are two Irina singers here from Bangkok,” she told them. “They will be able to teach you things that I can’t. Ask questions.” She looked pointedly at Kanchana. “Make them answer you. They may be reluctant, but I know how persistent you are. Tell Intira to ask questions too. It’s hard to withhold answers from the young.”

“I will, and I’ll tell her,” Kanchana said.

Bun Ma had a shyer disposition, but there was nothing retiring about Kanchana. If anyone could bully the Irina into giving up some of their magic, it would be Kanchana’s persistence and Intira’s charm. Kyra felt for Bun Ma. She saw so much of her younger self in the woman who wanted to live a quiet, domestic life. Kyra had been forced into one crisis after another, but she hoped Bun Ma would get her wish. She would make a wonderful mate and mother if she ever found the right partner.

“The scribes from Bangkok are also here,” Kyra said. “They may seem reserved, but Leo says they are good men. Alyah would not have chosen them otherwise. It would be good for them to meet you so they understand us more.”

“And what about the foreign scribe, eh?” Kanchana lifted her eyebrows. “I think you are understanding each other better every night.”

Bun Ma failed to hide her smile behind her hand, and Kyra’s face turned bright red.

“He is very kind.”

“He is very eager.” Kanchana pursed her lips. “If you like him, I like him. Make sure he treats you well. If he doesn’t, tell Sura.”

“Not Niran?”

“Sura,” Bun Ma said. “Always tell Sura.”

Intira ran up, a length of fabric folded in her hands. “Give this to Prija to bring her home.”