to see him either.
The Sindaco stands tall, rigid, hands clasped behind his back.
His stare is piercingly uncomfortable.
I can’t help but look away. Avoid his eyes.
But no.
I have to face him. Show him I know his lies. His betrayal.
When I drum up the courage to finally meet his stare, he’s gone.
* * *
AS I LEAVE the cave several members of the Night approach me, tell me they’re on my side. At my service. One soldier, Xavier, introduces himself. He’s tall and broad, with black hair and a kind smile. I know him by reputation only, but I never had a chance to do much more than train in the same area once … I’ve seen him in passing a few times. Apparently, according to Dorian and the Sindaco and several stories that I imagine might have evolved into high tales over the years, Xavier has been in and won more battles than anyone. That he’ll do anything to keep his soldiers safe—and has. There’s one story about how he knowingly entered a cave that was set up with explosives to free a couple of Night soldiers who were trapped inside.
Luckily, the guy’s apparently very fast or he wouldn’t be standing before me and those other soldiers would also be dead.
“Please know,” he says, shaking my hand with both of his cupped around mine. It’s like a hug I didn’t know I needed. “The majority of the Night are behind you.” He lowers his voice slightly. “I’m confident the rest will come around.” And something about it, something about his tone, he’s saying so much more.
“Thank you,” I say. “It means so much.”
I’m about to ask him more when he smiles kindly, lets go of my hand, and I realize he’s passed me a piece of paper. Our eyes meet before he walks away. As inconspicuously as I can, I slide the note into my jacket pocket.
Imi’s been at my side this whole time. While she’s been slightly bombarded with Night members greeting and thanking her, she’s been mostly quiet. But now that the crowd’s dispersing, she leans in, finally says something, and I realize I’ve been on pins and needles to hear what she’s thinking of all of this.
“That was … Wow, Veda.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re a legend down here. How did you learn to speak like that?”
“Um, out of fear, I guess?” I give a small laugh—a mix of relief and nerves.
“What?”
“Did you not see my legs shaking?”
Imi smiles sheepishly. “A little.” She holds her hands up. “But only because I was standing right under you.”
“Don’t listen to her—she’s too humble.” The sweetest voice and one I’ve longed to hear speaks up behind me. I turn and launch myself into Bronwyn.
“Oh, I’ve missed you!” I say into her shoulder, which smells of fresh-baked lemon bread. “I wasn’t sure where you were,” I say.
When I pull away she’s smiling. “I’m always around.” Those crescent moon dimples resting at the corners of her eyes are such a welcome sight. She then looks to Imi. “I hear we have you to thank for bringing her home to us?”
Imi steps forward, shakes Bron’s hand, both lingering a bit longer than I expect. “She saved me by releasing my sister.”
“We saved each other. End of story.” I look between them. “Bronwyn, this is Imi, Imi, Bronwyn.” They share a smile. “Walk to the caves with us, Bron?”
“Sure.”
I plan to set Imi up in the cave nearest to mine: cave number five, which was previously empty.
“It’s not the same, I know, but when I was promoted to officer, I had to give a speech.” Imi laughs to herself. “Madelina knew how nervous I got in front of crowds and gave me a special calming lozenge she claimed she bought under the table from one of the doctor’s apprentices. I don’t know why I believed her—I suppose I really wanted to believe anything that might ease my nerves. Anyway, I ate it.”
“And did it calm you down?” Bronwyn asks.
“Oh yeah … The damn thing was pure, highly concentrated gin!”
“What?” My eyes widen, and I can’t help release a laugh.
“Come to find out, Mads had the candy maker’s apprentice cook it up.” Imi snorts to herself. “Point is, I was still a nervous wreck, and I was only thanking a few people. What you just did … whatever this whole Lunalette thing is … I believe it. Sign me up.”
We all laugh.
“No really.” She slows her pace. “I’m so tired of this war. It’s