The Other Side of the Sky - Amie Kaufman Page 0,135
stare at her, the bottom dropping out of my stomach. “Magic,” I whisper weakly, one part of my mind marveling at the way I’ve come to accept magic, so much so that I’m willing to use it as a defense against the idea of divine intervention. “This is just some kind of trick.”
Inshara sighs, leaning forward, her expression grave. “Believe what you must, North. I have a way to travel the sky. I only need you to tell me how it works.”
I blink at her. “Leaving aside that I wouldn’t help you even if I could, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Irritation flickers across her face. “The Lightbringer tells me otherwise.” She reaches up to take Nimh’s crown from her head, holding it up for me to see. “This is the key. Techeki already knew. The Lightbringer told me that, as well.”
My eyes snap across to the Master of Spectacle, who looks as calm as ever.
“Had I but known you desired to return to your world, I would have shared the information immediately,” he says, oozing sincerity. “I only regret that I do not know how the key is used, Divine One.”
Something brushes my leg, and I glance down. The cat’s there, his fur fluffed up so much he’s twice as big as usual. My heart swells at having someone on my side, then nearly stops—does this mean Nimh’s nearby? I have to do something.
When I lift my gaze, my heart does a backflip. Elkisa’s lifted her head, and she’s looking at the cat as well. A moment later she meets my eyes, and though the whole thing takes only a couple of seconds, it changes everything.
Inshara’s control over her has slipped. Perhaps I’ve distracted her—because Elkisa’s easing a step forward, the movement slow.
As long as Inshara doesn’t know Elkisa’s free, we have a chance to overpower her. So I scramble for a reply, anything to keep her attention on me.
“If the Lightbringer can tell you that your crown’s the key to going up to the sky—however that’s supposed to be a thing—then why can’t he just tell you how to use it? He must know, right?”
She lifts a brow. “If I am to be his vessel, I must prove myself worthy,” she replies. “He has told me that you know. That is enough. You will tell me how to use it, and we will go to the sky together.”
Now it’s my turn to raise a brow. “You’re kidding, right? Of all the people I’d invite home to meet my mothers, you’re the very last on the list.”
“That’s unkind,” she chides me. “I know you’ve already met mine.”
My lungs tighten. Elkisa takes another step closer. She’s nearly at Inshara’s back now, her face impassive.
Inshara’s watching me with an interested expression, like a scientist watching an experiment play out. Her mouth curves to a smile, and then, turning her head a little, she says, “Come on, now, don’t be shy.”
Skyfall, she knows.
But Elkisa doesn’t look afraid to be caught or furious so much as … uncomfortable. I watch in confusion as her gaze slides away from mine and refuses to return, and she steps forward. I’m still waiting for her to draw her knife or rush Inshara, to produce her weapon or something, when Inshara turns, stretching out one hand.
Elkisa hesitates, but then slides her fingers through the other woman’s, reluctantly letting Inshara draw her close. And when Inshara tips the guard’s face down toward hers, when she leans up and gives her a gentle, tender kiss, Elkisa doesn’t pull away. Her hand tightens around Inshara’s.
This can’t be happening.
This feels like it’s my own heart being carved out. Like I’m the one she’s betrayed. Oh, Nimh.
“How long?” I manage, my voice low. “How long have you been Nimh’s enemy?”
Elkisa finally meets my eyes. “I’m not her enemy, North.”
A quick, sharp barb of laughter escapes me. “No? Then I’m impressed at the lengths you’re going to so you can lull Inshara into a false sense of security before you attack.”
Inshara actually laughs, and my free hand curls into a fist. Beside me, the cat growls low in his throat.
“It’s not as simple as that,” Elkisa snaps.
“You’ve been working against her all this time.” I’m so angry I can barely get the words out. “She trusted you, and you took her secrets to this …” I don’t have an insult strong enough to hurl at Inshara, who’s still smiling, clearly enjoying the moment.