Page 113 of Tempt

There is a very good chance the threadbare treaty with the Vorthex will hold, and they will side with the Vyastil army. And we do not have the power to overthrow them. But what is the point if we do not try?

There’s a shift in the air, and I realize the storm has passed. Climbing to my feet, I brush bits of dirt from my tunic, then turn toward Sabik. “Thank you for everything you have offered to do.”

He nods, but just as I step away, a tentacle reaches out, and he snags the end of my sleeve. “Do you really intend to change things?”

I frown in confusion.

“I want to know this isn’t some ploy to assuage your guilt that will result in nothing more than you dying and everything remaining as it is.”

There’s something in his tone I can’t read, but he’s not asking because he’s concerned for my life. “I want change, not just for myself, but for every Vyastil who has been denied their VySytheh. I want to return to our nature, not to the manipulated, carefully controlled society those in power think we should have.”

“We can fight,” he says.

I blink at him.

“We have the power to fight.”

“Sabik,” I say slowly, because surely he is saying this to save face. The Tarek have lost every battle for their lands. They retreated into the dark caves, and the only time we fight them now is when they show up on the surface in larger numbers.

He shakes his head. “We do not fight for what we lost now because land is not worth the lives of our people.”

It is a novel concept. One I believe in, but one I have not ever seen put into practice.

“We have everything we need,” he goes on. “But we are also very aware that things on Erethar cannot continue as they are now. You have created something with humans that will not last. They are not like the Tarek. They will not give up for any reason, once enough of them have found their voice to protest what the Vyastil are doing.”

I take in a shuddering breath as I think about Luca’s battered body and how close he came to death at the hands of his fellow humans. “I am too aware.”

Sabik comes to a stop close enough that I catch the scent of water on his skin. “Then you know you cannot win this battle alone. I don’t know that the Vorthex will risk their people if the humans are involved. They need them to survive.”

I incline my head. So do we, though not in the same way.

“We have power, Eissa. And we are prepared to use it if we know that there are Vyastil willing to step up and make things better.” He pauses. “We have an army.”

My hearts kick up in my chest, and for a moment, the world tilts sideways. An army. A willing army. “I…do not know what to say.”

“For now, say nothing. But let me bring this to my people, and the next time we meet, you will tell me of your plans. All of them. We want the same thing you do, Eissa.”

“Peace,” I say, and he snorts because we both know it’s so much more than that. My body calms and regulates, though there’s still a restlessness in my limbs that has nothing to do with this. I need to see my Luca. I need his arms.

I need to reassure myself he is still here, and that he is okay.

“We will speak soon,” I tell him.

Sabik holds up a hand, then moves to the end of the cave and digs around in a small bag. He returns with a palm-sized, oval device that reminds me of an egg. “You can communicate with me on this. Vyastilian technology cannot track it. Give me some time to speak to my people, and then I will let you know when we can come to the negotiating table.” He pauses. “In the meantime, I will do my best to find the records of when the Vyastil and the Tarek were friends.”

“I owe you everything, my friend,” I murmur.

“You owe me nothing. You have always shown me a kindness that helped restore my faith in your people. We have seen the Outlanders and how they are treated. We want freedom for you too, and we are willing to shed and lose blood if it means all of this can end.”

Leaning in, I touch my forehead to his and let myself have, for the first time since this idea began to stir in my chest, actual and tangible hope.

twenty-four

LUCA

I’m in a mood. Eissa disappeared after giving in, making me wait for more.

He pierced my dreams, made an appearance, made me yearn, and then left.