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Damen and Rhia each took a torch and touched it to the bottom of the pyre. The oil-soaked wood lit
with a sudden wisp of dark smoke. The flames licked at the dry slats, and as they climbed to the top of
the pyre, they seemed to form a living creature made of pure heat. Sparks snapped and popped, and
Rhia blinked hard with each loud report.
As the flames crept closer to the body, the crowd edged backward. Now the juniper branches were
ablaze, releasing a pungent scent that would mask much of the odor of burning flesh.
Rhia wanted to run forward and douse the flames before it was too late.
But it was already too late. Through the flames she could see the strips of cloth curling, blackening.
Tears swelled behind her eyelids. As she reached to wipe them, a voice inside her whispered, No.
She closed her eyes. Is that you? She reached out for her Spirit, fearing the voice was Skaris again,
returning to haunt her now that her guard was down.
It s me, Crow said, His presence like a warm dark cloak around her. You don t have to be like those
who came before. Tears don t make a person weak.
Her chest ached. But Crows are supposed to turn off the pain.
In the past, perhaps. But the Spirits ways are changing.
Does this have to do with Raven? she asked. Will Nilik have Her Aspect?
He was silent for a moment. I don t know. Of all the Spirits, only She can see the future clearly.
She s told each of us,  make your people ready.
A thrill coursed through Rhia s blood, part fear, part hope. Ready for what?
Crow chuckled. Didn t I just say I couldn t see the future clearly?
Sorry.
Stay who you are, Rhia. Only more so.
As she felt Crow s presence fade, her tears began to flow. She didn t stanch them or even wipe them
away.
When she opened her eyes, Damen was staring at her across the pyre. His eyes shone, though perhaps
they only watered from the sting of heat and stench.
Finally the fire smoldered and sputtered, and the flames receded to reveal what was left of Coranna s
body many small bone fragments amid a pile of light gray ashes. Damen turned and thanked the crowd
in a muted voice. Most of the people headed back toward the village, some steadying their queasy
companions.
Alanka hurried up to hug Rhia.  I m proud of you both. That couldn t have been easy.
 It had to be done. Damen picked up an urn and a small brush.  That s all.
Alanka grimaced at Damen s stoicism. He knelt and swept a tiny amount of ashes into the urn. The ashes
would return to Kalindos to hang from the tree where Coranna had lived.
Rhia turned back to Alanka.  I wish I could say I thought of nothing but Coranna.
 I worry about them, too. She rubbed her elbows and gazed southwest, toward the river.  It s hard
waiting.
Rhia watched the last curls of smoke rise from the pyre and wondered what she was waiting for the
news of Marek and Nilik s rescue or the signal to rescue them herself.
By nightfall she would know.
21
A lanka scanned the pale gray evening sky above Tereus s house for any sign of the white birds. Rhia
quickened her pace as they trudged up the hill to her father s farm.
Behind them, Bolan cleared his throat.  The pigeons won t arrive until almost nightfall, especially after the
rain we had. He paused.  They might not come until tomorrow.
Rhia turned on him.  Don t say that!
The other members of the rescue party fell silent. Even Lycas held back his usual teasing.
Alanka almost whispered a prayer to Wolf to keep Marek safe before remembering that her Spirit had
abandoned her. She had to concentrate to maintain a Wolf person s graceful gait and not trip over her
own feet. The air smelled as stale as a stone.
Tereus was pacing outside his front door when they arrived. Angry voices shot through the open
window.
 Don t go in there, he told them.
 What s happening? Rhia s voice snapped taut.
 Galen suspects Filip in the kidnappings.
 I knew it. Lycas slammed his fist into his palm.  Let me see him.
 No! Alanka said.  It can t be him.
Tereus gave her a curious look before turning back to Rhia.  Galen thinks he might have been spying for
the Descendants, telling them where the newborns lived.
 How would he know that? Bolan said.
 He spent weeks in that hospital, Lycas pointed out.  He probably overheard Zelia talking about other
patients.
 Father, is it possible? Rhia asked.  Could he do this to us, after we helped him? Her voice pitched [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]