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I blink with surprise. “You were?”
“They saw you fight Hokzuh,” says Oshli. “You’ve become a hero, especially with the children.” He pauses. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t believe me.”
This is so, I wouldn’t have.
Except it’s true. There’s no fear of me in the children’s eyes. Instead, there is wonder and awe. And something more valuable: a shining film of hope.
The last girl to come out from behind the curtain is the child who shouted for the mobs not to hurt me. Without warning, she throws her little arms around my neck, and the others follow. I hug them all tight, even kiss a few of them on the cheek. Just knowing that they’re unharmed by the evils that have befallen Sundau makes my heart lighter.
“You’re going to fight the Demon Witch, like you did the dragon!”
“Can we come, Channi? Please?”
“No,” I reply. “It’ll be too dangerous.” Their faces fall, so I offer the next best thing. “But you can hold Ukar.”
Ukar sticks out his tongue at me to show he resents being made into a pet, but I know deep down he enjoys the attention. While the children stroke his head and coo over his multicolored tail, he coils with happiness.
Liyen doesn’t play with Ukar. Instead, she takes a nibble of her cake before giving the rest to her little sister. Seeing this brings back memories of Vanna and me.
For years, Dakuok and Adah forbade me from going into the village. They convinced me that no one could ever overcome their fear of my face, that I was a demon, a blight upon the island. But now my heart throbs with what could have been, had I been a little braver, a little less obedient. Not everyone would have thrown stones and sticks at me. I might have found friends.
I always thought my fight against Angma was for Vanna. The truth is, I’ll be fighting for myself, too. My life. My future.
While the children eat, I slip into the nook where I used to sleep, rifling under my bed for fresh trousers and a clean pair of sandals. The rain is tapering off, and I quickly sharpen my spear before dipping into the secret collection of weapons I’ve hoarded. It isn’t much. Two fighting sticks, an odd assortment of blades and arrows, a rusting sword that I stole from a visiting soldier. I’m hardly equipped to slay Angma.
But I will. In my bones, I know I must.
As the rain ends, heavy smoke envelops Sundau like a cage. The whole island smells like tinder, a spark away from combusting. Behind the billowing gray, the sun begins its descent.
“Wait!” cry the children, sensing I’m about to leave. “We have something for you.”
They press paper charms into my hands for luck and protection, and they bring offerings: bananas, a packet of sticky rice, a doll, a wooden snake. The gifts are meager, but I’m touched. Ukar especially likes the wooden snake. He insists it’s him.
I draw all the children into a hug. “Thank you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “Try to sleep tonight, and no matter what you see or hear, don’t leave this house.”
I make each of them promise, and then I head outside. Oshli and Hokzuh are waiting, torches in hand.
In the short time I’ve been with the children, Vanna has grown even more gaunt, her light muted. But her eyes are as bright as ever.
“Your dragon’s quite the character,” she says when I join her. “He found where Adah hides his wine.”
I eye her. “Are you drunk?”
“You think this body can become inebriated on one measly cup?” Vanna exclaims, rightfully so. She lowers her voice. “No. Besides, I wanted to hear every word the dragon said about you. Clearly.”
“What did he say?”
“That your father keeps horrible wine,” interrupts Hokzuh. “It’s barely fit to fertilize the trees. It’s a miracle that with such terrible spirits we were able to come up with a plan.”
I glance at Vanna, who’s smiling. Curse them, becoming allies behind my back. But I will take whatever bonds we four can form tonight. They may be the only thing keeping us alive.
They lay out their plan: once we approach the crooked tree, I will seek Angma out first and weaken her with my blood, then Vanna will come. Should everything go in our favor, together we’ll slay the Demon Witch and take her heart. Should everything not go in our favor…I don’t want to think about what this means.
Vanna has always been lucky, so maybe my worries are for naught, and everything will turn out all right.
Only one thing is certain: it is going to be a long night.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
