Crowned (Beholder #4)(33)

Nan narrowed her eyes. “We all refuse to get trained in that dark magick. That’s our problem. Petra must have told you.”

“Petra has told me nothing. And whatever she told you about me? Lies. In fact, the woman tried to lock me up and force me to rule.”

“She tried to lock you up?” With that question, some of the tension seeped out of the air. A wisp of a smile curled Nan’s mouth.

“She tried,” I answered. “It didn’t work for long.” I answered her grin with one of my own. The weight of worry on my shoulders seemed to melt away a little bit. This was good. Nan and I were sharing smiles. That had to mean something.

Mrefu let out more growls. Nan listened and nodded. This time, I felt certain that things were going in a better direction. “Mrefu says there is one in his tribe who is strong with hybrid magick. Kila Kitu. He’ll determine if you’re worthy to live.”

The connections formed quickly. First, there was the bubbling tar-like skin of the Rushwa. After that, I pictured Mrefu’s hybrid magick. Finally, I remembered the words of the Sire and lady once more. “Hybrid power always corrupts.”

Words tumbled from my mouth without my meaning to speak. “Do all the Zaidi wield hybrid magick?”

Nan shrugged. “To some extent. They don’t use it often, though.”

“Why? Is it because it turns them into corrupted monsters, like the Rushwa?”

“They don’t cast spells like you do. They merely use the power to enhance what they do anyway, like using the bows and arrows.”

“So they can’t get corrupted because they don’t cast spells.”

“It’s not that. Becoming corrupted has to do with intention, not the magick itself. If you use it for evil, it corrupts.” Nan’s features gentled. “I’m guessing you’re nervous about meeting Kila Kitu, don’t. He’s been in control over his power ever since it was gifted to him two thousand years ago.”

Despite the jungle heat, my blood chilled over. “And who was that?”

“You don’t know?”

When I spoke, my voice was a hoarse croak. “Was it another Tsarina named Elea?”

Nan nodded slowly. “She came to these lands two thousand years ago, at the time of the last Martyr’s Comet. Before she made her sacrifice, the Tsarina created the Zaidi.”

“She taught them Necromancer runes.”

“The runes are from the Zaidi.” Nan chuckled. “It was the Zaidi who taught their language to your people.” Nan stepped closer and gripped my upper arm. “You really don’t know any of this?”

“I’m learning and for the record, I’ve no plans to be a sacrifice.”

“Don’t you won’t be Tsarina?”

“So I can die to heal some gateways? No thank you. There has to be another way. I think I can use hybrid magick to accomplish the same goals. Would the Rushwa know anything about it? Any kind of hybrid spell could help.”

“No, as I said, they don’t cast like you do. But if you really want to avoid the prophecy of the Martyr’s Comet, then you should hide. If you don’t sacrifice yourself before the end of the Blood Comet, then they’ll take someone else. And there’s another super-power Necromancer out there. Until you take the reins of power, the job of dying is technically his.”

“You mean Viktor.”

“The man is evil and deserves murder anyway.”

“I’ve looked into it, believe me. But that would mean setting Viktor loose from the realm where we imprisoned him, getting the Sword, and killing him at the right moment…Assuming he attacks first, since I won’t kill in cold blood.”

Nan smacked her lips. “I can see that plan has limits.”

“Also, Viktor is in league with the Sire and Lady. They all want me to be the sacrifice.”

Nan scrubbed her hands over her face. “That settles it. You cannot stay here, and you must never get your hands on the Sword of Theodora. It’s for your own protection, Elea. That Sword is hidden for a reason. You simply must go. Maybe catch a gateway to another world.”

Mrefu replied with another low grunt.

“Really?” Nan lifted her brows. “You still think we should take her to Kila Kitu?”

Mrefu nodded.

I rested my hand atop Nan’s grip. “Please. Take me to Kila Kitu. Can he show me where to find part of the Sword?”

“If he decides that you’re worthy, then he’ll give you the Sword’s hilt.”

I scanned the night sky. The Martyr’s Comet was starting its slow arc toward the horizon once more. I had perhaps a day and a half left. “If I find the Sword, I’ll know how to heal the gateways. Let’s go.”

“You don’t understand. Kila Kitu is a mage like no other. It won’t be pleasant.” Nan lowered her voice to a plaintive tone. “Just leave and hide.”

“No. Take me to Kila Kitu, only...” I gestured toward the MAJE. “I want Jicho to go with me.” It wasn’t a great idea to take a young boy to see a strange mage, but leaving him alone in the jungle wasn’t ideal, either.

Mrefu grunted again and Nan translated. “Mrefu says that the boy must not join us. Kila Kitu won’t like it.” She tilted her head, sending her long braids swinging. “Mrefu’s role in the community is to act as liaison to Kila Kitu. If Mrefu says to leave the boy behind, then it’s for the best.”