Burn Bright - By Marianne de Pierres Page 0,57

cut across them with a low warning. ‘Scatter!’

The group obeyed, spreading to different sides of the dance floor as Ripers entered the nave and headed towards them. Naif could see Test among them. She glanced to the balcony. Was Lenoir watching as well?

Seeing the group dispersing, the Ripers altered their course and sauntered over to the food tables as though that was their original intention.

Markes started another song and Suki grabbed Naif and leaned in close.

‘What happened to you? Rollo’s been fou, swallowing everything in sight since you were taken by Brand. He thought they’d killed you and he blamed himself. He got the Wings and the rest of them all worked up. They’re all ready to fight the Ripers. Been stealing torches from the churches so they can see better in the dark. I got a knife – just in case.’ She pulled a blade made from sharpened cutlery from the pocket of her waistcoat. ‘I told him I could look after myself, and so could you. He said you couldn’t – that you were a Seal.’ Suki rolled her heavily shadowed eyes. ‘I said you could be a stink-worm but you could still look after yourself. Guys! Just ’cos a girl’s a bit quiet they think she’s feeble.’

Naif couldn’t help smiling. ‘There’s no need for knives.’

‘So where did the Ripers take you?’

‘I’m not sure, exactly. Somewhere inside the mountain. Brand tried to do something horrible to me, but Lenoir … stopped her. I lost blood and I …’ Naif clasped her hands together, not wanting to tell Suki the rest right then with Lenoir so close. ‘Lenoir healed me. After petite nuit, I was able to leave. I went to Goa and Vank looking for you before Charlonge told me about the party.’

Suki hugged her. ‘You don’t have to tell me. I know it’s hard for you to share things.’

But Naif took Suki by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I do want to tell you. Something did happen. I’m not a Seal anymore, Suki. My new name is Naif.’

It took a moment for the meaning of her words to sink in. Suki frowned at first then she grinned. ‘You’ve taken an Ixion name? Hooray!’ She did a little dance.

‘And I will tell you everything that happened, in time,’ said Naif, determinedly. ‘The important thing now is that I talk to Markes. Lenoir told me some things.’

‘Lenoir?’ Suki gave a near-hysterical laugh. ‘You’re as fou as Rollo! Nobody talks to Ripers.’ Her gaze flicked over Naif’s shoulder and her expression became sombre. ‘Speaking of … Modai’s watching us from behind that column. Let’s dance,’ she said.

Modai. The sound of his name made every muscle in Naif’s body tense but she forced herself to entwine arms with Suki’s and they moved out onto the dance floor, closer to Rollo. She tried to loosen into the music like before, but Modai was there, at the edge of her vision, every time she moved and turned.

Rollo sidled closer and his arms found her again. She didn’t try to shrug him off. Even his sweatiness seemed preferable to the Riper’s scrutiny.

‘I freaked out,’ he said in her ear. ‘Why did you do that? Why did you try to stop Markes from joining the Circle?’ He squeezed her tighter.

‘You heard them. They’re going to use him as bait for Ruzalia.’

‘But what you did … right there in the meeting … and you think I’m reckless. I got scared when Brand took you. I tried to stop them.’

She shifted in his embrace so that her head rested against his shoulder. ‘I know, Rollo. Thanks.’

‘What happened when they took you, Retra?’

‘Naif.’ She looked at him the same way she’d looked at Suki. ‘Call me Naif. I don’t want to be a Seal anymore.’ Not after Lenoir. Not after Lottie.

He nodded. ‘Okay. Naif. But what happened?’

She lifted her head a little just so her mouth reached his ear, but not so she could see Modai. ‘Brand took me somewhere. She hurt me but Lenoir stopped her. Afterwards he talked to me. The Ripers are divided over more than Ruzalia, Rollo. If Lenoir loses his following among them, I think we’re all in danger.’

He leaned his cheek against hers and she felt his body quiver. ‘You talked to him?’

‘Yes.’

‘You believe the things he said?’

‘I’m not sure. I think I do. In a way.’

They moved together to the music for a while before Rollo spoke again. ‘I went a bit crazy after they took you.