Chapter Forty-Five
Emory
For the first time since returning to Kiero, Emory dreamt of her mother.
Clad in a gold gown and her golden hair falling loosely, her mother was unearthly. Sitting down, Nei looked at Emory, warmth spreading through her features. They were in a long empty hallway, sunlight pouring in the bay windows surrounding them.
“Darling, how you have grown into a beautiful woman.”
She felt tears prick her eyes as she reached for her mother’s hand. “Where are we?”
“A safe place. They can’t find us here,” Nei said.
Who? A shiver ran through Emory.
“I don’t have much time.” Nei glanced over her shoulder as if hearing voices. “Emory, you have to stop...”
In a split second, everything dissolved, and she awoke with a gasp, sweat soaking through her shirt. She hadn’t realized she had fallen asleep. The guard posted outside her cell looked smugly at her, and she made rude gestures with her hands that he chuckled at. Emory leaned against the cold stone wall, trying to make sense of her dream.
What had that been all about?
For now, she tucked it away along with every other thought and sighed. “Can I speak with him now?” she asked.
The guard clucked his tongue at her. “No.”
“Even if I say please?” she purred.
He spat on the ground, saying nothing.
“Oh, come on.”
“You can shut that pretty little mouth of yours, or I will shut it for you.”
Now it was her turn to look smug.
Someone else laughed a couple of cells down. Who else was in here? She had hoped all the rebels had gotten out. She licked her cracked lips; she would find out soon enough.
Her mind felt foggy, and she ran over what she would say to Adair Stratton for the millionth time...
And Emory waited.
Chapter Forty-Six
Memphis
Nyx hung in his arms, resembling a skeleton, while they walked, the Ruined City long behind them. Alby hadn’t said a word to him since his confrontation with Azarius.
Silently, they trudged on, the landscape evening out to a flowing plain before them. Tall grass swayed in the wind, mesmerizing him.
How had he gotten here? He had tried to protect Black Dawn, but set on revenge, he had, in fact, stifled their flame. Now... He looked down at Nyx. They had bound the wound the best they could, but she had lost so much blood.
He couldn’t lose her and Emory both.
Emory... He had tried to push out any further thought of her, but tired and broken, she flooded into his thoughts. She had played him. He believed she was his future. He had hurt and placed doubt in his best friend; he had lied to Nyx; he had broken their rebellion. All for nothing.
Ice ran through his veins, each heartbeat painfully aware.
What had happened to Brokk? He could take care of himself, he knew, but what had he sought after? Was he dead? Alive? Blinking hard, Memphis swore he would find him. Brokk was his family, and family didn’t end with blood, not when it came to Memphis.
The group moved silently and as swiftly as a shadow. The terrain had changed and then changed again, but Memphis didn’t care.
Azarius stopped, stating, “We’re home.”
An excited ripple spread through the rebels. Blinking, they stood before a small thicket of trees, not yet fully grown. One had a small curved crescent moon etched into its bark, and Azarius gently grazed his hand on it.
The mark shifted, as Memphis read the words that appeared underneath it, “Pentharrow”. Recognition flickered through Memphis—Pentharrow was a city east to the Academy said to have fallen years ago.
The tree was bathed in a golden light, and he stepped forward and disappeared. One by one, and without question, the group followed. Alby lingered by his side and hoarsely said, “Memph. For her.”
Glancing at his friend, Alby looked as afraid as Memphis felt. Nodding, they stepped forward, and after a tingling sensation washed over him, Memphis had to stop and blink hard, trying to make sense of what he saw.
A bustling town was alive before them. Children ran through the streets, barking dogs at their heels, families laughing and talking as they wove through buildings. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, and businesses went about their day. Yells of joy spread as rebels were reunited with their loved ones.
Memphis froze.
All this time, an entire town had survived freely under Adair’s eye as well as them. Azarius, arms crossed, stalked toward them. “You three are coming with me to see the healer. Now.”
Alby asked, “Is this what...”
“It’s exactly what it looks like, Alby.” Alby cursed under his breath in awe.
Memphis looked curiously over at his friend and asked, “What’s Penharrow to you?”
A small rueful emotion crossed his face, and he answered, “Home.”
Home: the word was filled with warmth and longing. One Memphis couldn’t recognize. His only home had been the Academy, which was just another memory now.
Sighing, he straightened his back and followed Azarius to a small cottage. Sage and different herbs hung from small baskets in the windows, its red brick glowing against the white shutters. Knocking once, they entered and were greeted with a squeal, “Azarius!”
A stunningly beautiful woman leaped up to throw her arms around Azarius, burrowing her face in his neck. She glanced up at them, her caramel eyes full of question. A dark green tunic and black pants fit tightly over her hazelnut skin, and she let go of Azarius, sizing them up.
“Lana, we have guests,” Azarius said.
She found Nyx in Memphis’s arms, and faltered. A steady stream of curses came before she ordered, “Get her on the table. Now.”
She wiped some jars and scrolls aside, and Memphis gingerly laid her down.
“All three of you, out, out, OUT!!!” she spoke with her hands, shuffling them out of the door in a wave and slamming it shut behind them.
When they were outside, Azarius glanced at Memphis. “She is in the best hands possible.” Then,
