All the Stars and Teeth(87)
“Maybe so,” Bastian says as he eyes the dozens of thick leather bands woven around Kaven’s wrists with hunger. “But it’s time I take back what belongs to me.”
The right corner of Kaven’s lips twitches upward ever so slightly. I’ve seen Bastian make the same expression, and while it’s charming on him, it makes Kaven look dangerous. “And how do you intend to do that?”
“Zudoh will be returned to Visidia.” I hold my jaw high, fiercer than I feel. “Give Bastian his magic, break his curse, and step down from your position as Zudoh’s leader. This island is dying. If you don’t let us step in now, it’s going to be too late.”
Kaven scoffs. It’s a soft sound, but it sends dangerous chills up my spine. “I’m more of an animancer than you’ll ever be. You Montaras claim to be masters of souls, and yet you don’t even understand your own magic. Don’t you wonder why it challenges you, constantly? Why it tries to consume you?”
“I know why,” I snort. “I know all about the beast that King Cato bested.”
Kaven’s next words are spoken casually. So confident and self-assured that they freeze me. “Are you sure?” he asks, eyes narrowing as he searches my face. Slowly, as to not scare Bastian into using his blade, Kaven points behind him and toward a towering waterfall I can barely see in the distance. “Everything you need to know about your family—the truth behind your magic, the knowledge of what they’ve done to this island and to Visidia—is there.”
Bastian shakes his head in warning, but the magic within me pulses with hunger as Kaven gestures.
“That’s what you came for, isn’t it?” he presses. “Answers? Let me show you the truth; there’s no need to make me your villain. Bring your weapons if you’d like; only the five of us will go. The rest of you…” He peers at the others, most of them bleeding on the ground or already dead, and huffs a tired breath. Blood trails from his throat where Bastian’s blade still quivers. “You’re no use to me.”
His soul is a swirling mass of shadows and deep, peeling purples. Parts have begun chipping and fading, and I know not to trust him even remotely. But he’s right about one thing: I’m tired of scraping for answers. I set out on this journey to prove to my people that I’m the future ruler they need. But if I don’t know the truth of Visidia and its magic, then that will never be possible.
I approach Bastian and take hold of his forearm. “Drop your weapon,” I tell him. “I need to see this for myself.”
When he hesitates, I pull his arm back again until he lowers his weapon to his side. “Don’t do this, Amora,” he grits out as Kaven wipes his neck and draws back a safe distance. “You’re walking straight into the belly of the beast.”
“That’s fine,” I tell him, thinking of the shadowy one coiled within me, waiting to strike. “I know how to handle beasts.”
Kaven smiles at his brother. “Follow me, then.”
With so much of the land burned away, it doesn’t take long for us to cross the flat, wooded terrain. Cool air bites at my skin, and Bastian shivers. Though his sickness is getting worse, he stays at my side as we approach the waterfall, movements rigid and stiff. His hand never strays from the pommel of his sword.
There’s a small cavern tucked behind the roaring water, hidden to anyone not specifically looking for it.
Ferrick hesitates as he squints at it. The rocks barely gap open; there’s no telling how small the space may be, or what might await us inside.
“We may have opposing views, but I’m not an uncompromising man,” Kaven says. “If it’s answers you want, you need only to enter. And maybe when you emerge, you’ll understand what it is that I want for this kingdom. But there’s room only for one, Princess. You’ll have to trust that the others will be safe out here.”
I practically snort. Safe is not something I’d ever associate with this man.
“How do we know it’s not a trap?” Bastian asks. “That no one’s waiting for her, inside?”
Kaven waves a hand at me, arching a knowing brow.
“I don’t sense any other souls,” I answer his wordless question with a shake of my head. “It’s only us.”
But is it, truly? The magic within me is fully awake, writhing and anxious, goading me toward the cave with a force I’ve never before known it to possess. Within it is something my magic wants more than anything else.
“Be careful,” Vataea says. “There’s something dark inside that cave.” She strokes the hilt of her dagger and glares at Kaven all the while. He arches a thin brow, but she refuses to look away. Kaven’s alone; against the four of us, taking him out should be easy. Yet he doesn’t appear worried. He stands with his arms crossed and his stance leisurely.
“Will you be okay?” I ask Bastian, reading the anxiety creased into the wrinkles on his forehead.
“I’ll be fine,” he says fiercely. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’ll be okay.” I draw a breath and lift my chin. Though the others don’t look convinced, I pull my attention away from them and move forward. “If anything happens, yell for me.”
Kaven’s laugh is nothing more than a quiet huff of air. “Nothing will happen until you get back, you have my word.”