Endure - Sara B. Larson Page 0,15

the sound of someone moving and then the door cracked open, revealing a sliver of Eljin, holding up a sword. When he saw it was me, he relaxed and opened the door wider.

“To what do I owe this honor? A visit from the future queen of Antion.” Eljin gestured for me to sit in the chair next to his bed, and he sat down across from me on his mattress.

“So, you’ve heard.”

“Tanoori filled me in,” Eljin confirmed. “Congratulations. We could all use some happiness to focus on right now.”

“How is Tanoori?”

Eljin grimaced. I was still unused to seeing him without his mask. I wondered if he couldn’t find another, or if something had changed and he’d decided to stop wearing it completely. I secretly hoped the latter — it was comforting in a strange, horrible way to have someone else as disfigured as I not act ashamed of his scars any longer.

“She’s … upset. Lenora was a close friend. And whatever was in that vial caused some fairly horrific results — as you know. She hasn’t been able to calm down, so my aunt gave her something to help her sleep. She’s resting now.”

It took me a moment to remember that Lisbet was General Tinso’s sister, and therefore Eljin’s aunt. But that reminded me that we didn’t know what had happened to the general — what had caused him to write that missive declaring war on Antion, after he’d fought so hard side by side with Damian to create peace between the two kingdoms. Had anyone told Eljin about the letter, or our suspicions about his father?

“Whatever it is they’re doing in Dansii, it’s not right. It goes against the rightful laws of using sorcery, and it will not go unpunished. Whether by us, or by the Unseen Power, abominations are not tolerated forever.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “What laws? What power?”

Eljin rubbed one hand over his face, drawing my attention to the dark bruises beneath his eyes. Though it was a complete miracle that he was alive right now, he obviously still wasn’t completely well yet. “I told you that all Blevonese sorcerers go to our temple when they reach a certain age.”

“Yes, Sì Miào….”

“Sì Miào Chán Wù.” Eljin nodded. “Part of the vows we take state the ways in which we’ll use the sorcery we have been gifted with.”

I was silent, hoping he’d continue. He looked at me appraisingly, his lips pursed together.

“I assume you’ve never heard of the first sorcerers?”

When I shook my head, he sighed.

“Sorcery has not always been a part of our world,” Eljin began. “The temple I told you about — the one that the Rén Zhsas guard — it is no ordinary building. And I fear that what Armando is after lies within its walls.”

My pulse kicked up a beat, and I had to keep myself from leaning forward, to urge him to speak faster.

“This information is sacred to our people. But … things are escalating. I’m concerned … that is …” Eljin’s voice was gruff, and he had to stop to clear his throat. “It’s the only reason I can think of that would entice Armando to try to get to Blevon.”

I was silent for a moment, and then I spoke. “Eljin, Dansii knows. Rafe told me. They know your secrets.”

Eljin sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening. “That’s not possible.”

“I think it is. You have to tell us — you have to put us on even footing if we want to have any hope of winning this war,” I insisted.

He shook his head, but before he could speak, I rushed on.

“We can’t win a war we don’t understand. Please, Eljin. The time for secrecy has passed.”

When Eljin looked at me again, his eyebrows were drawn together, his expression somewhere between desperation and hopelessness. “I don’t know what to think anymore. I don’t know what is right.”

I was silent, letting him mull it over for a moment — to let Rafe’s claims sink in.

He closed his eyes and let his head drop. “If Dansii truly does know … if they have captured my father and are forcing him to declare war on us again … the future is dire indeed.” There was a long moment of silence. When Eljin met my gaze, the look in his eyes chilled me. “I believe they’re trying to get us to continue to fight each other so that Armando and his sorcerers can sweep right on past us and break into the temple.”

So he