Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)(77)

“Zélie…” Mazeli’s voice scratches through his clenched teeth. His screams turn sharp as strips of skin peel away from his arms.

The powerful ashê rips through our veins. It burns through us both. But despite how I want to let go, the Winder cênter still stands.

“Just once more!” I shout. “?mí àw?n tí ó ti sùn—”

I grit my teeth against the pain. More hills explode into animations as we chant. The power of Oya races through our veins.

New spirits rise like mountains, closing the distance in mere seconds. The general wails as our animations descend upon her. An explosion of silver light flickers from beneath their earthly bodies as the general falls. When the animations move away, her corpse lies over the wreckage like a rag doll.

“We got them!”

I turn to Mazeli, but he doesn’t move. Blood drips from the corners of his mouth. His fingers fall limp.

“Mazeli?”

The deep purple glow fades from his gaze. His eyes roll as he stumbles back. I see the strain of our combined magic, the great power that’s eaten through his being.

His hands go to his chest and I feel his heart seize beneath my own ribs.

“Mazeli!” I reach out for him when he falls.

But the moment his body collapses, my own legs crumble.





CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE


ZéLIE


“KHANI!”

My voice is little more than a shriek as Kamarū carries us into the infirmary. The Healers clear the area at once, making space to set our bodies down on the netted hammocks. Though I can barely lift my arms, I squeeze Mazeli’s hand with the strength I have.

The golden light of my tattoos flickers as his heartbeat slows, and my own slows with it. The moonstone still connects our spirits. Without a blood sacrifice, we can’t sustain the connection.

“Oh my gods…” Khani’s face falls when she runs over to us. Bloodstains coat her tangerine robes and white braids. She adjusts her spectacles before taking charge of the room. “Yameenah, water. Chibudo, fresh wraps. Obu, quick—I need all free hands!”

“Idán ti ?j?, jí láti wo ?na r? láradá—”

“Ogbé inú, dáhùn ìpè wa—”

The swarm of Healers descends, their rhythmic chants bouncing against the ivy-covered columns. Khani and her Healers channel their ashê into us, placing their hands over our heads, our hearts, our stomachs.

But despite how hard they chant, our skin chills with every passing second. Our breaths turn slow.

“The connection,” Mazeli croaks. “You have to break it.”

His waning lifeforce pulls on my own, an anchor dragging me under the surface. But despite the growing pressure in my chest, I won’t give in. I don’t care about the blood I cough up. I don’t care how much it hurts.

The connection that’s killing me is the only thing keeping him alive.

“We’ll be okay!” I fight to speak. “Just hold o—”

Mazeli starts to seize, making my own body spasm. The Healers struggle to hold me down as I thrash in the hammock. Despite how hard I pull, I can’t draw breath.

“Mama Agba, I need you!” Khani shouts. The Seer’s silver-clad body runs into the infirmary as my vision blurs in and out. Her wrinkled hands press against my chest. An ancient command only she can summon rings out.

“E túu síl1!”

It’s like the same bolt of lightning that connected Mazeli and me strikes my heart. My back arches as my tattoos shine bright. Then the light disappears for good.

My ears ring from the jolt. My stomach burns. But when I inhale again, my blood runs cold.

I can breathe, but I don’t feel him.

“Mazeli!” I grip my heart, falling to the floor as I tumble out of the hammock. His body still spasms beyond his control. His skin feels so cold.

“? t?nná agbára yin!” I grab his hand. “Ignite! Connect!” But despite how hard I try to bind our lifeforces, my marks only flicker. My magic stays dead.

“You’re too weak!” Mama Agba grabs my shoulder, but I push her away. My vision goes black with rage. It’s so strong, I can’t see straight.

“What have you done?” My voice echoes through the infirmary. But then Mazeli’s seizing stops. My heart falls as he moans.

“Jagunjagun…”

His voice is so weak. A scratch of his usual shout. I have to clasp a shaking hand to my mouth to hold back the sobs.

“I’m here.” I take his hands, kissing his cold fingertips. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

As the moonstone’s marks flicker against my skin, I see the violet lifeforce around his limp body. Before it shone so brightly. Now it fades before my eyes. A star that can no longer burn.

Behind him, Khani lifts her hands and her face says it all. There’s no saving him.

The damage is already done.

“The others.” Mazeli’s lids flutter. “Did I … are they…”

“They’re safe.” I fight the knife in my throat. “Because of you, everyone is.”

Shimmering tears pool in Mazeli’s brown eyes. I can’t hold back my sob as he tries not to cry.