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From the outside it appeared to be an ordinary shack, and the inside confirmed that impression. A square room served as sitting room, dining room, and kitchen, with a stove under a chimney along one wall. A door on the opposite side of the room gave a glimpse of a single bedroom beyond, and from the look of the bed, Grey had slept in it the night before.
It was a step above the canvas tent that Miranda had shared with three other girls, but it wasn’t significantly more luxurious. And it had a worn, lived-in feel that made it seem as if it had been inhabited for decades, passed down from previous generations.
I looked around openly, trying to work out what this house told me about Grey. But the more I saw of Grey and his camp, the more confusing it became. The ruthless, violent man I had previously encountered had disappeared entirely, and if I had just met him, I would have believed him to be a kindly village head, beloved by his harmonious community.
It was impossible to reconcile the two pictures.
Nik’s words echoed in my head, reminding me of Grey’s slippery charm, and I put a hand to my middle, the gesture unconscious this time. If I wanted to avoid falling for Grey’s story, I needed to remember the feel of his dagger plunging into me.
“Please, sit down.” Grey pointed at a simple wooden chair at the worn table in the middle of the room.
I sat obediently, watching as he lowered himself into the chair opposite, stretching out his long legs in a comfortable gesture and smiling across at me. I tried to keep my gaze open and unsuspicious, but the hint of amusement in his eyes made me suspect I had failed.
“To most of my followers, I focus on the new life awaiting us,” he said. “But I can see you know more than most.” He leaned forward, his voice turning earnest. “Given our protected location here, most of my people don’t realize the extent of that storm. But I can imagine what it did in Eldrida, coming on without warning like that.”
I nodded, allowing some of the horror of those hours to show on my face.
“I don’t know the final count of the dead,” I said, “but there must have been many given how many boats were out at sea.”
“A true tragedy,” he said.
I frowned, trying to make sense of him. I didn’t get the impression he particularly cared about the people of Eldrida, but I also didn’t read any outright lie in his words.
“Are you saying it wasn’t a natural phenomenon?” I asked. “You’re saying someone created this tragedy?”
He nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I can see that you’re someone with a high sense of responsibility, and I applaud that. You came here to save your friend, but what if I told you that you can help save all of Tartora?”
I blinked. Whatever I’d been expecting, it hadn’t been that.
He sat back with a satisfied expression.
“The people on that island live a comfortable life,” he said. “And it’s a life we can also experience. That much is true. But I have another reason for going.”
“Wait.” I sat up straight, my sudden movement making Ember growl, lifting up her head from where she lay curled on the floor.
I ignored her, too distracted by Grey’s words. “You’re saying there’s already a community of people on the island—people no one here knows exist—and they’re the ones who sent the storm?”
“That,” said Grey, “is exactly what I’m saying.”
“And the blight, too?” I asked, forgetting to be cautious. “They somehow caused that as well?”
Grey whistled quietly. “You know about that, too? You really have connected the dots.”
I shrugged. “Never mind that. Tell me.” I trained my eyes on him, determined not to misread the truth of his words.
“Yes,” he said simply. “I have reason to believe they have been causing the destruction of Tartora’s crops, as well as sending the storm.”
There wasn’t the slightest shade of deception around his words.
“What are your reasons?” I asked. “Do you have certain proof?”
Grey’s expression closed off. “You’re a healer. You can read the truth of my statements for yourself.”
His manner made it clear I had pushed too hard. I sat back, forcing myself to relax.
“Of course,” I murmured. “Sorry. I’m just shocked.”
He relaxed slightly. “I can hardly blame you for that. I was shocked myself.”
