Page 72 of Suncatcher

They were too late. It had still taken too long. But she hadn’t heard any explosion. She hoped that meant Driz had been successful, and that she was safe. And that it wasn’t only the drum of hooves that masked the sound.

They pounded up the curving slope, only slowing when they reached the flat grade at the top and saw the mineshaft hut flickering with orange flame around the glowing gap in the hillside.

Pearl’s heart stopped. Driz stood by three large crates. And she was hurt. Half of her hair was gone, dark smoke streaking her wings and face and the remains of her clothes. She looked like a monster born of fire, and Pearl longed to run to her and hold her tight until she was better.

Her mother cursed beside her. “Sandstone,” Sheriff Oak spat as she pulled her mount up short.

Pearl did the same, swinging down. Sandstone? Driz’s coloring? Did she recognize her?

Driz’s attention fixed on Pearl. Pearl started to step forward, but a firm hand yanked her back and the barrel of a rifle extended, aimed at Driz.

“What the fuck is going on.” Sheriff Oak’s words were a question, but the tone was an accusation. “If it’s me you want, well, here I am.”

Driz finally looked away from Pearl and toward Sheriff Oak. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She took a step back and knocked into the crates of explosives, hastily steadying them as she stumbled.

“Get away from those,” Sheriff Oak snapped. “Or I’ll shoot them instead.”

“Ma!” Pearl hissed, horrified. They might all be blown away by that. Behind them, Pearl heard the others dismounting. A few ran toward the flaming mine that was casting them all in heat and light, but Sheriff Oak didn’t take her eyes or rifle off Driz.

Driz looked back at Pearl, who nodded, and Driz edged away from the pile, limping as she sidled sideways, nearer the edge of the hill.

“Thank you,” Pearl called. “For getting them out.”

“Don’t speak to her,” Sheriff Oak growled, stepping between them, and Pearl wasn’t sure who she was talking to. Though it didn’t really matter. “What d’you want?”

The same question Pearl had demanded of her.

“You’re injured and outnumbered. And there’s plenty of night for you to bleed out in before dawn, rock vulture.”

Driz’s damaged wings twitched and she recoiled, her shoulders and body hunching into a defensive crouch. Her eyes sought out Pearl again, reaching for her without moving. Pearl remained motionless, unable to reach back.

“I wish to help,” Driz said in her clear, careful voice.

“Why?” the sheriff demanded.

Pearl shook her head, trying to tell Driz not to answer. But Driz did answer, and said the worst possible thing. “For Pearl.”

“Over my dead body.”

Pearl grabbed her mother’s rifle.

Sheriff Oak didn’t even look at her, just released the weapon and drew her revolver. “You’ve got about five seconds to tell me how you know her name.”

Driz glanced between Pearl and the new gun pointed at her, and then the others. At least three more were trained on Driz. Her eyes shone in the fire’s light.

The rift between them gaped miles wide. Pearl stood with her people on one side, looking across at the woman who wasn’t the enemy.

And Pearl was afraid.

“Don’t.” She dropped the rifle and stepped in front of her mother, putting herself between the revolver and Driz. She grabbed the cool barrel, trying to force her to look at her. “Ma.”

But Sheriff Oak didn’t. “Did you give her the necklace?” she demanded of Driz instead.

Driz hesitated, seeming to finally comprehend perhaps the truth wasn’t the best choice. But even in her silence, it was the wrong answer.

“With all respect, there’s more pressing matters,” Rave said, his weapon still in his holster. He looked at Driz, asking her directly, “How’d the fire start?”

Driz turned her gaze slowly to him. He swallowed but didn’t back away or draw the weapon.