Page 174 of Tears for a Broken Sky
“Good huh,” the woman said.
Maddie took a spoonful of broth and turned to her. “Who are you?” She asked
“You can call me Lia,” the woman said.
I squinted at her. “Lia. Right. So, Lia—why the hell are you helping us?”
She smiled like it was a game. “Not every day a Shade lion shifter and a half-dead earth mage show up before lunch.”
Maddie and I exchanged a look. My gut tightened.
“So you know us,” I said. “How?”
“Eat,” Lia said, gesturing to the bowls again. “You’re gonna need it. There’s a storm coming.”
I stared at her a moment. “What do you know about it?”
“I know enough. I’ve been waiting for this day. For a long time.” She said.
“I’m sorry, Lia, you still need to explain yourself. How did you know we were coming? Because you did, didn’t you. You were waiting for us.” Maddie said.
Lia sighed—deep and tired.
Then, slowly, she reached up and pushed back her hood.
The firelight caught her face.
Scarred.
Not just burned or bruised. Twisting, zigzagging marks ran from her jaw to her scalp, and down her throat. Ritual scars. Old ones. Deep.
They covered her like a map of something ancient and broken.
I didn’t breathe.
“You were struck by lightning,” I breathed. I was in disbelief.
“More than once,” she said, like it was nothing.
“Vael did that?” My voice felt like it came from somewhere far away.
She nodded, slow. “Vael and I… we go back a long time.”
Before I could ask more, a knock came at the door.
“Lia?” a deep voice rumbled.
I turned, hand drifting toward my blade out of instinct.
A man stood in the doorway—a bear shifter, by the look of him. Massive frame, thick beard streaked with silver, his weathered face lined but alert. His eyes—
Aqua. Bright.
And they softened when they landed on Lia.
Like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Lia didn’t speak, but something in her shoulders eased.
