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Surnos.
What about your daughter? Alanka asked.
I want to be with her. Lycas fingered the red lining of his uniform. But I want even more to protect her
future, make sure she has a free land to grow up in.
I ll watch over her as best as I can, Rhia said, as well as Mali will let me.
Someone touched Alanka s hand. She turned to see Marek, then reached to hug him hard. Her throat
tightened almost too much to speak.
I just got you back, she whispered. When she let go of him, she stroked his cheek. You ll be a Wolf
again someday.
He nodded, though the sadness in his eyes said he didn t believe her. Bring them all home, Alanka.
Bring Kalindos back to life.
39
M arek stared down at the Marison River, sparkling in the light of the waning crescent moon. The clear,
shallow waters marked the north-south border between Ilios and the lands of the Reawakened, as he
had come to think of his people.
He was free, at least on the outside.
His arms ached from lugging restless children. Their group had abandoned the wagons two weeks ago so
they could leave the road and avoid detection. Their escape route had led through mosquito-filled
woods, far to the west of Ilion coastal settlements.
Behind him came the light tread of Adrek s footsteps. Marek unslung the bow and arrows from his back.
The Cougar came to stand beside him at the top of the hill.
Sorry we have to share. Adrek looped the quiver s strap over his shoulder and adjusted it for his
thinner frame. Wood around here s too brittle for bow making.
It s good to have it again, even part of the time. I m glad Alanka brought it.
Guess she always knew they d find you.
Marek shrugged. Or she wanted a spare.
They stood listening to the chirps of the summer s first cicadas, never taking their eyes off Ilios. They
hadn t shared stories of their enslavement, but when they d washed in the river, Marek had glimpsed the
scars on Adrek s arms and back.
My watch now, Adrek said. Go sleep. If you can.
Marek gave Ilios one last, long stare. Tomorrow when they continued north, he wouldn t look back.
As he approached his family s tent, Nelma came out with Nilik in her arms.
Feeding time. She glanced back at the tent. Rhia asked me to keep him for an hour or so afterward.
His stomach fluttered at the implication. No, you re too exhausted.
It s no trouble. He usually falls asleep in the middle of eating, anyway. This way, I won t have to wake
him. She reached to pat Marek s arm, then seemed to think better of it. I ll see you at daybreak. She
headed for the tent she shared with Adrek.
Marek wiped his clammy palms on his trousers.
Are you coming to bed? a soft voice asked from within.
He swallowed hard and entered the tent. Rhia lay on her back, her hair spread loose and soft on the
folded blanket they used as a pillow.
Marek sat next to her. Everything s quiet out there.
And in here, for once. She smiled, briefly, as if testing the expression. I ve missed you, Marek.
He lay on his side but didn t touch her. I was only gone a few hours.
You know what I mean.
He did, and wanted to run.
Her hand crept forward, cautious as a stray dog, and touched his cheek. He steeled himself to keep from
flinching.
I won t hurt you, she whispered. The pain in her voice twisted his gut.
Of course you won t. With every muscle in his face clenched, he leaned forward and kissed her. Her
hand slid behind his head so that he couldn t pull back without an effort.
Fighting the urge to draw away, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her body tight against him.
She uttered a soft moan and slid her tongue between his lips.
His insides froze. He let go of Rhia and turned his face away. I can t. I still can t.
I m sorry. She took his hand. It s too soon. I shouldn t have
No, it s not too soon. He sank down on his back and pressed his other hand to his temple. I don t
think I ever will.
Rhia s silence rang louder than any cry of protest. When she finally took a breath, she said, Because of
her. Because of what she did to you.
Feels like she still owns me. Like she s clutching a piece of my soul.
Maybe she is.
He looked at her, not daring to hope. Ilions can be soul thieves, too?
It s not about magic. It s just power, something anyone can take. She laid a soft hand on his shoulder.
Come with me, and let s get it back.
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