Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)(93)

“Ojore, this isn’t the way.”

“I won’t ask you again.”

As soon as the blue light sparks in my hand, Ojore strikes.

I dive to avoid his blade, my magic extinguishing like a flame. Ojore doesn’t hesitate before attacking again. I lunge as his sword collides with the metal wall.

“I don’t want to hurt you!” I shout, but a blind fury fills his eyes. I can’t hold back.

I pull a dagger from my belt, throwing it at his thigh. But with a wave of his hand, the dagger halts in midair.

Dark green ashê surrounds Ojore’s fingers as the dagger hangs between us.





CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE


ZéLIE


“èYà OMI, OMI sí fún mi—”

Nao continues to chant as the hours tick by. Her melodic voice weaves over the constant pulse of flowing water, making her magic form a protective barrier around us. I inhale the algae-scented air as we move meter by meter, lanterns at our hips lighting the way.

“It doesn’t feel real.” Nao’s hands fall to her sides as the wall of water solidifies. The tunnel darkens the deeper we go, bringing us closer to Ibadan’s lakeshores. “It’s actually happening. We’re bringing this war to an end.”

I try to meet her smile with one of my own, but it hurts to pretend. The victory we’ve been fighting for is mere moments away, yet I haven’t felt this empty since Baba died.

One more fight. I close my eyes. One more fight and I can leave this all behind. At least when this war is won, Tzain will be safe. Baba and Mazeli will have died for something. And I …

I don’t know how to finish the thought. Being this close to Ro?n makes my chest tight. But when this is over, I’ll be free of him. I’ll be free of every ounce of pain and guilt.

“Z, we’re okay, right?” Nao glances back at my silence. “No one blames you for wanting to run. We all lost something when Mazeli died.”

Don’t be sad.

The boy’s large ears fill my mind, another puncture to my heart. If he were here, he’d be running through the underground caves. He’d be itching to reach Ibadan’s shores and end this war.

“I know we let you down,” Nao sighs. “But we need you. No matter what happens, you’re still our soldier.”

“You should know that your soldier is a coward,” Ro?n retorts at our backs. “All Z?tsōl wants is to run away. Don’t expect her to fight for you when this is over.”

My jaw clenches at Ro?n’s snark as I turn. He meets my glare with a hollow smirk as he speaks.

“What?” he challenges. “Am I wrong?”

I narrow my eyes and get in his face. “What? I hurt your feelings and now you want to play games?”

“I just want her to know the truth.” Ro?n shrugs. “I seem to be the only one who can see right through you.”

Nao slows to a stop, eyes flitting between the two of us. “Do you need to talk—”

“Keep walking,” I bark. “Ro?n just wants attention.”

I turn on my heel, putting my hands to my ears as he continues to shout.

“These idiots bleed for you. They die for you. And all you want is to run away and lick your scars—”

“What right do you have?” I whip around. “You left your home!”

“Because I had nothing!” he yells at me. “I had no one. You’re going to win and you still have so many of the people you love! I don’t feel sorry for you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself!”

My throat burns as I come to a stop, inhaling a shaking breath. The air tastes strange on my tongue. The cave walls start to close in.

“You don’t get to judge me,” I whisper. “I didn’t ask for any of this!”

“No one ever asks, but you’re here. You’re here when so many people aren’t!” Ro?n grabs his head as if he could pull out his hair. “You survived the Raid. The guards. You survived the wrath of a king. You’re not a victim, Zélie. You’re a survivor! Stop running away!”

I can’t move in the wake of his words. They hit me deep in my core. Ro?n stares at me before exhaling a slow breath and pressing a fist to his forehead.

“Forget it.” He drops his hands and walks past the two of us. “I’m just a mercenary. What do I know?”

“Ro?n.” I grab my chest as my throat closes up. The stale cave air starts to thin. My head begins to spin.

“Slow down!” Nao shoots out her hand, extending the tunnel of air as Ro?n charges ahead. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but we need to stay together!”

When Ro?n doesn’t listen, Nao curses, extending another tunnel of air. That’s when I see it.

The tiny spark of red above his black hair.

“Ro?n,” I call after him, but he doesn’t turn back. My legs pick up speed as the scent of oil leaks in. My feet pound against the hard rock. “Wait!”

I’d know that burning scent anywhere.

“Ro?n, stop!”

I throw Nao back.

The first fuse blows as he turns around.





CHAPTER SEVENTY


ZéLIE


BOOM!