Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1)(42)

The priestess turns her attention right on me in the first row and smiles. “We are so happy to have you join us in our divine duty to this world.”

I swallow in the silence that follows. Petrik gives me the side eye, while Temra reaches out to clasp my hand in hers.



* * *



“What a lovely reminder of our history,” Volanna says as we walk back to the estate. “Did you enjoy yourselves, dears?”

“Yes,” Temra lies. “Though I was surprised by the bit about magic in the sermon. We’ve never heard such an account. Do you really put all magic users to death?” Her question is phrased innocently enough, but I still worry that Volanna will see right through it.

“Magic played such a horrible role in our city’s history. We can’t risk it happening again. Those with magic aren’t really human. They’re something else entirely. Such executions are just and necessary.” She nods to emphasize her point.

That answers that question: If I’m discovered, they’ll kill me, family or not.

“Did my Darren not teach you such things?” Volanna asks.

“We were too young when he passed to remember, Grandmother,” Temra lies. Obviously Father didn’t have a bias against magic if he married Mother. I think I can guess why he left Thersa without any trace. “We have a lovely chapel back home, but it is nothing compared to Thersa’s,” she adds, changing the subject. “Your priestess seems most wise and capable.”

Volanna grins. “Thank you, and do not worry over the newness of Thersa. You will understand such truths soon enough. Now, let’s head home and we’ll have a nice luncheon with the family. We’ll discuss the sermon further over food.”

Volanna gets caught up in conversation with her other grandchildren, who are all much younger than Temra and me. The three of us fall behind in the procession so we can’t be overheard.

“What are we going to do?” Petrik asks.

“Nothing,” Temra says. “There’s no reason to worry. Volanna hardly seems violent, regardless of what she believes. Besides, legally the church can’t do anything to Ziva. Magic isn’t outlawed, despite what this sect believes.”

“That does very little to comfort me,” I say. “Kellyn said some might take the law into their own hands. I could be dead before any lawmakers are involved.”

“Maybe we should consider running,” Petrik says. “If they find the books in my room, the ancient magical texts, who knows what they’ll do? Never mind if they actually learn that Ziva is a magic user.”

“You’re overreacting,” Temra says. “We have nothing to fear. Some of those texts aren’t even in a language most people can read. They’ll never know what they contain. And Ziva isn’t about to use magic, so why worry?”

“Because I promised Kellyn I would make him a weapon,” I say. “Or have you forgotten he’s staying in town until I complete it?”

“So we’ll buy him off. Pay him the cost of one of your weapons. He’s not about to turn away money.”

“But that wasn’t the arrangement.”

“He seems an understanding fellow. I’m sure he’ll be open to discussion.”

“So what if he is? I can’t go the rest of my life without making another weapon. It’s what I do. It’s what brings me joy and comfort. I can’t not be who I am.”

Temra shakes out invisible wrinkles from her horrible dress. “Not forever, of course. Just until Grandmother really gets to know us. Then she’ll accept us no matter what. I’m sure of it.”

“Temra, I know you’ve already grown fond of her, but she’s part of a sect that believes killing magic users is not only acceptable but a divine calling. That they’ll be blessed for doing so. Can’t you see how that scares me?”

Temra stops walking and rounds on me. “Can’t you see that we’re finally not running for our lives? We’ve been alone for so long, and now we finally have a family that wants to love us and protect us. Why are you trying to take that away?” Her voice has risen considerably.

I feel my face turn red. “Why are you already choosing them over me? Temra, they’ll kill me. How can you be all right with that?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. Can you learn to relax a little and stop being scared of everything? You’re so pathetic all the time. You can’t even see a good thing when it’s right in front of you! I followed you clear across the continent. But enough is enough, Ziva!”

I look down at the ground, feeling tears drip down the sides of my face.

“Temra,” Petrik says. “How could you say that?”

“Oh, shut up,” she says to him. “Figures you’d take Ziva’s side. She’s the special one after all, isn’t she? The one worthy of being written about in your book?”

Temra runs ahead, pushing through the hordes of relatives until she reaches Volanna’s side and takes her hand like a child.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean—”

“No, Petrik,” I say. “Don’t defend her. She meant every word.”

Am I so pathetic that I’m blind to safety and happiness? Is she right?

We’re approaching the house, but the last thing I want to do is go inside.