Bone Crier's Moon (Bone Grace #1)(71)

My heart struggles to beat. “What kind of raw deal is that?”

Ailesse looks down at her hands. “No worse than the fate of Tyrus and Elara, I suppose.”

“What, eternal glory?” I scoff.

“They have suffered, too. They married in secret when the world was formed. Belin and Ga?lle forbade their kingdoms to join, but Tyrus and Elara wanted to be together. When Belin found out, he cast Heaven into the night sky, and Ga?lle opened the earth to swallow Hell. Tyrus and Elara have never been able to be together since.”

“So let me get this straight. They want you to feel their pain?”

“Or they want us to learn how to overcome it. Maybe it would show them how.”

I rub a hand over my face and push up to my feet. I have to get out of here. I can’t listen to stories of gods that punish mortals because they can’t figure out their own problems. “Stay here and rest, all right? I’m going to find Jules and Marcel and get back your bones.”

“And the flute?”

I nod. “See you soon.”

She fists her hands. “I can’t stay down here for long, Bastien. I won’t. I’m a Leurress. It’s my job to protect people from the dead.”

“I know.”

But I have a job, too. And right now it’s to protect her. She’ll be able to defend herself best if she has her graces back. “Stay, Ailesse. I won’t be long.”





32


Ailesse


I PACE AT THE EDGE of the pit. I imagine I still have my tiger shark vision to see in the dark and the eyesight of my peregrine falcon to perceive what’s far ahead of me. Maybe then the weak light of my lantern would be enough to illuminate the limestone quarry at the open end of this room that I share with Bastien. But then again, if I had my graces, I wouldn’t be hiding down here, waiting for him with all my nerves strung taut. I don’t know how long he’s been gone—I can’t tell how long I slept—but I’ve been awake for at least ten hours.

What if one of the Chained attacked Bastien and that’s why he hasn’t come back? My stomach twists into a tight knot. I can’t stay here any longer.

I grab the lantern and hurry over to the scaffolding. My legs shake like brittle autumn leaves as I climb. I grit my teeth and push past my weakness. If the moon was full last night, it would have filled me with a greater well of Elara’s Light, but the strength I felt under the stars is gone, as well as the strength from my grace bones. No matter. If I killed the tiger shark after almost drowning in the lagoon, I’ll find the stamina to fight the dead.

There are only a few branching tunnels down here, nothing like the catacombs maze that led off the ravine. I hold my breath when I pass a section lined with bones. Soon enough, I find the door to the chapel cellar. I climb the ladder, open up the hatch, and shove the tattered rug aside.

Once I’m out, I lean against the altar for a moment. I’m already out of breath. Not a good sign. I glance around the chapel’s interior, and my gaze rivets to several boarded-up arched windows. The muted light from the heavens funnels inside through the slats. It’s nighttime. My heart pounds. I need that energy.

I push away from the altar and rush for the tall double doors at the front of the chapel. The bruise on the back of my head throbs, and my vision starts to spin like it did last night.

I reach the doors and fumble with the latches. They’re stiff and won’t budge. I ram my shoulder against the splintering wood. Once, twice. Perspiration wets my brow, but the effort is worth it. The door budges open.

I stagger out into the street just as the air shudders with a crack of thunder. A few drops of rain splash on my face. I release a heavy sigh and curse my bad luck. The thickening storm clouds dilute Elara’s starlight even more, and only a feeble measure of strength steals into me.

I turn in a circle, trying to decide which way to go. My eyes widen at the looming structures all around me. Nothing is green or leafy. Everything has hard edges and stinks of refuse. This area isn’t pristine like the buildings towering above the city wall near Beau Palais. It’s decrepit and filthy. My chest pangs for Bastien. He spent his life on these streets.

On a whim, I run left. More windows are lit from within in this direction. It makes it easier to see where I’m going. I wouldn’t need the help if I had my tiger shark vision. The sky flashes with lightning, and rain pelts the cobblestones. The few people still outside run indoors for cover.

“There she is!” a woman’s voice hisses from an alley to my right.

“Finally,” a man grumbles behind me.

I whirl around and shove my wet hair off my face, but I don’t see either of them.

“We’ve been looking for you.” Another voice. Male and bodiless and right in front of me.

I jolt and whip out the small knife I stole from Marcel. I don’t know if these souls are Chained or Unchained, but they definitely shouldn’t be here. “You need to go back to the inlet with the land bridge,” I tell them.

“Why?” I startle at yet another voice. Robust and female and crowding in on my left. “So you women in white can herd us like dumb sheep?” A cold finger slides up my cheek. I gasp and jump back. “The land bridge is gone.”

“We like it here.” Icy breath prickles in my right ear. “So much to feast on.”