Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)(46)
“Z, do you agree?” Nao speaks up, directing all eyes to Zélie. A prick of annoyance hits me at the way they all quiet down, leaning in to get her perspective.
“I don’t want to admit it, but there’s truth in what Amari’s saying.” Zélie nods. “The t?táns operate on blood magic. They’re reckless, but when they strike, they’re fierce. If that was the only thing we were up against, we still might have a chance. But Nehanda is something else.” Zélie’s silver eyes grow distant for a moment and she releases a shaky breath. “At the rally in Zaria, Nehanda sucked magic from the t?táns around her. She used it to split the earth.”
“She did the same in Lagos,” Kamarū adds. “When she struck, her eyes glowed green. The magic was so strong, it shone through her chest. I don’t know how we face that.”
I stare at the scars covering my hands as a blanket of fear settles over the room. This is my chance. If the elders are ever going to listen to me, it’s now.
“You had one key advantage when Lagos was under your control,” I say. “But you overplayed your hand. Now Lagos’s roads have been re-opened. Their defenses are being rebuilt. The military is whittling down your forces, while new t?táns flood to Lagos to join their ranks.” I shake my head. “Who knows how many you’re up against now? How many have powers like my mother?”
“What’re you suggesting?” Na’imah arches her plucked brows. “Cause we’re not about to concede.”
“All I want is for the maji to live in a kingdom where they’re safe,” I say. “I thought that had to be with me on the throne, but there’s a chance Inan will agree to that now. My brother is not like my father. War is not what he wants for Or?sha. Just give me a chance to contact him and figure this out. He owes me his life. I promise, he’ll listen.”
I hold my breath as they mull over my words. I can practically see the wheels turning in their heads. But one by one, eyes drift to Zélie. I try to smile at her, but she keeps her gaze on the table.
“Even if we want to seek peace, it would be foolish to expect Inan to do the right thing,” she says. “The t?táns are strong, but their magic is reckless. Just look at Amari.”
Zélie gestures to me as if I’m an object instead of a human being. Blood rises to my cheeks as I sit back down.
“Amari overpowered Ramaya, but that’s because Ramaya played games,” Zélie argues. “If we’re disciplined and trained, we can defeat any t?táns we meet. We can even take on the queen.”
“You don’t know that!” I try to regain control of the room, but all my efforts are in vain. The maji are quick to overlook me now, energized by Zélie’s false promise of victory.
“How are we supposed to train without incantations?” Nao asks. “Before the Raid, the clans had hundreds. Now some of our clans barely have three.”
Zélie rests her palms on the table, gaze growing distant. With a gasp, she reaches over to her leather bag, pulling out one of the black scrolls Lekan gave her at Chandomblé.
“Where’d you get that?” Kamarū takes the scroll, thick brows scrunching at the sacred text. “All of these were burned in the Raid.”
“Not the ones at Chandomblé.”
“You want us to chase a legend?” Na’imah cocks her head.
“It’s not a legend,” Zélie says. “Amari and I have seen it for ourselves. There’s a room filled with hundreds of scrolls from every clan.”
Excitement buzzes as the elders consider what the library of scrolls could mean for us.
“If we could get those, we’d have an arsenal.” Kenyon’s eyes light up.
“Imagine what remedies they might have!” Khani exclaims.
“We can leave tonight,” Zélie raises her hand, regaining control of the room. “The monarchy’s still focused on rebuilding Lagos. This could be the perfect time to slip under their noses.”
I watch as they begin to strategize, knowing nothing I say will change their minds. I thought being an elder would be enough to influence them, but I’m still on the outside.
“Don’t worry,” Zélie whispers to me. “I’m not saying a bid for peace is off the table. But let’s get these scrolls first. We need new leverage against your mother in case peace doesn’t work.”
I nod, but when she walks off, my jaw clenches tight.
I wonder if she’s just trying to placate me, or if she truly believes her own lies.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
INAN
AS I MAKE my way to the war room, I feel the change in the air. With the Iyika’s Lagos operations dismantled a half moon ago, the smoke that’s lingered on my city’s horizon has finally begun to clear.
Once again, the sun shines down on us. Bright rays illuminate our efforts to rebuild. Food rolls in by the wagon. Not one villager hungers.
“Your Majesty!” The soldiers standing guard outside the war room salute when I approach. They move to open the black oak doors, but I stop them when I spot Mother across the hall. She calls off her guards, descending into the palace cellars alone. I frown as I follow after her.
She moves like she doesn’t want to be seen.