Bone Crier's Moon (Bone Grace #1)(106)

“What are you doing?” I dart toward them.

“That is far enough,” she says calmly. I halt at once, ten feet away, fearing what she’ll do otherwise.

Perspiration slicks Bastien’s hair. His eyes are fever bright. He’s been fighting the Chained just as hard as we have, but it’s taken a greater toll on him. How can my mother reward him like this? “Let him go! He was helping us. Why are you—?”

“The Gates will not stay open much longer. The two years are at an end, and Tyrus has still not given him back to . . .” Her mouth creases shut, and she inhales a steadying breath. “This is my final chance, Ailesse.”

My heartbeat quickens. She’s not making any sense. What does all this have to do with Bastien? “Final chance for what?”

“To redeem myself.” Her black eyes gleam. “I understand now. This is Tyrus’s last requirement—my last act of reconciliation. I need to help you see it through.”

I stop breathing. I glance at Bastien’s pale face. “See what through?”

Her commanding gaze bores into me. “Your rite of passage.”





49


Sabine


CAS AND I RACE DEEPER into the western part of the forest. The soldiers try their best to keep up with us. An hour ago, we heard an explosion in the same direction we’re still headed. Cas said it was stolen black powder. We’ve been moving as fast as possible ever since.

Faint sounds of arguing drift to me on the night air. Even with my jackal grace, they’re too distant to understand clearly. I can’t tell who they are or what they’re saying. What if one of them is Ailesse? I grab Cas’s arm. “This is as far as the soldiers come.”

He scans the ground around us. He doesn’t hear what I do. “We’ve arrived at the entrance?”

I glance at the map. The entrance above the soul bridge is in a clearing, and we’re still in the thick of the trees. But we have to be close. “It’s only a little farther. We can’t be more than a quarter mile away, if this map is drawn to scale. The cavern should be right below the entrance.” I don’t mention the long flights of stairs in between.

“Then the soldiers will come along until we reach it,” Cas says.

“No.” My chin lifts. “The soldiers will be close enough here.”

He shifts on restless legs.

The breeze billows through my hunting dress as we stare at each other. I don’t blink.

“Very well.” He sighs and motions for Briand to join us. Cas surveys what sky we can see past the forest canopy above and places a hand on his companion’s shoulder. “Do you see that pine—the tallest one?” He points at it. “If Sabine and I haven’t returned by the time the moon touches the top of that tree, follow our trail and bring the soldiers.”

The moon and tall pine are close to touching already. I frown at Cas. “That doesn’t give Ailesse enough time to . . .”—kill you—“. . . be rescued.”

“It’s plenty of time if she is as close as you say. That’s all I can risk without reinforcements.”

I briefly close my eyes, hating this plan more and more. But I can’t lose this chance. Ailesse is finally within reach. “Fine. Follow me.”

Cas and I leave the others and press forward through the forest. He stays in step behind me, even though he’s the one carrying the lantern. It doesn’t matter. My nighthawk bone gives me vision in the dark to compensate.

Our surroundings brighten, and the trees around us thin to reveal a moonlit meadow. Burned sulfur reaches my nose before I notice curls of smoke rising off the ground.

Cas’s brow furrows. “This is where the black powder exploded.”

“Exploded what?” I can’t see what’s in the middle of the meadow—the surrounding wild grass masks it—but orange embers glow there.

He shakes his head. “That’s what we need to find out.”

I take his hand, and we race partway into the meadow before he pulls me to a stop. “Look.” Cas points at a hatch that’s flung open on rusted hinges. A staircase leads below. “This must be the entrance.”

My pulse jumps. “We have to hurry.”

“Wait, Sabine.” He squeezes my hand. “This could be a trap.”

It is. The back of my throat tightens. For you, Cas. I hastily glance away. He doesn’t deserve to die.

My eyes land on hazy orange light cutting across the meadow. What I thought were burning embers is actually flickering firelight—from torches? It’s coming from a jagged opening in the earth.

I drop Cas’s hand and move closer. The opening runs deep underground. I’d need to stand right next to the edge to see how far down it goes. The bridge must be below.

“No, I won’t do this!”

Ailesse.

I freeze at the sound of her desperate voice.

“Let him go, Mother!” she cries.

Odiva is with her?

“I’m not going to kill Bastien!”

My breath rushes out of me.

“What’s wrong?” Cas comes to my side. He can’t hear Ailesse like I can.

I shake my head. I’m sick with horror. “He’s not the right boy.”

“Pardon?”