Page 97 of Earthbound

‘So Furi might die?’ Sahar said incredulously.

Rayan clenched his fists, his rage once more igniting. ‘Your concern for Furi is touching, but I know your care to be surface-level only.’

‘No, do not say that. We are blood, you and I. We are family.’

‘And Lettle was what? Collateral?’ With each word Rayan’s voice rose in volume.

Sahar flinched. ‘I love her too, you know—’

‘You cannot know what love is to say that!’

Rayan, Ajax’s voice was urgent.

Is Lettle hurt?

No, she is well. But there is much knowledge to share.

Tell me.

‘I have to go,’ Rayan said, all his anger spent. He had nothing else left to say to Sahar.

‘Will you keep me updated on how Furi is?’

Rayan looked at him and shook his head sadly. ‘Goodbye, Grandfather.’ Then he walked away.

It was the last time he would see him.

‘Rayan?’ Sahar called after him. ‘Don’t go!’

Sahar screamed until he sobbed, but Rayan didn’t look back.

—

‘Mosima is a haven? Not a prison?’ Yeeran said. She was as shocked as Rayan had been when he’d heard the tale from Ajax’s memories.

‘Yes, to protect the fae from Afa.’

Yeeran was pacing at the quarantine’s edge. ‘And the human souls went into the obeah because Afa killed them all?’

‘Evidently.’ Rayan would not believe it if he hadn’t heard it himself.

Yeeran rubbed at the bags under her eyes.

‘How is Furi?’ Rayan asked.

‘Sicker. Weaker. Her arms no longer work.’ Yeeran spat the words as if she were cursing, then she went back to pacing.

‘Did Sahar know where we could find hister flowers?’

‘No. But he did say owen tree sap will speed up the process.’

Yeeran stopped her pacing and sank inward with disappointment. Then she perked up as a thought occurred to her. ‘This human magic seems limitless–perhaps Lettle and Afa will be able to create a cure?’

‘No,’ Rayan answered quickly. He had seen how the magic had broken Afa’s spirit and mind. His life’s tale was a haunting one. ‘Besides, they are far away from us.’

‘Then we have to go outside and look for the flower,’ she said resolutely.

‘We can’t, the elven army will be at the tunnel entrance. There’s no way we can leave,’ Rayan replied.