Burn Bright

She didn’t try to follow him. It seemed as much as she could do to lie across the seat and gather her fragmented mind. What had she just seen? Had his face really distorted? Had the creature Leyste been as dangerous as Lenoir insisted? Why wouldn’t Joel listen to her? Her thoughts chased each other in circles.

‘Retra?’ Charlonge peered anxiously through the door. ‘What are you doing in Lenoir’s carriage? What’s happened? He came storming into the church and told me to come and tend to you. I’ve never seen him … upset.’

Naif struggled to concentrate on the rush of questions – she had so many of her own, and her ankle throbbed in time to the beat of blood at her temples.

‘It’s Naif,’ she whispered. ‘And I think my leg is hurt.’

‘Naif? Isn’t that the name I picked out for you?’

‘Yes.’

Charlonge nodded approvingly then stared down at her torn clothes. Her eyes widened. ‘You mean legs, arms, stomach … Let’s get you inside. You can tell me what happened later. Has Lenoir given you anything for the pain?’

‘Pod,’ croaked Naif.

‘A whole one?’

She nodded.

‘Well, that explains why you’re so dreamy.’

No, thought Naif. Not just that.

Charlonge helped her into Vank. The carriage had stopped adjacent to the lower platform, making it only a few steps to the door and away from the clutching dark.

Naif thought she saw the carriage jerk upward on long spidery legs and disappear. But she couldn’t be sure, because everything had become strangely blurred.

Even Charlonge …


When petite nuit dropped away and her mind cleared again, she found herself in Charlonge’s bed again, covered in red silk sheets. Charlonge sat at her black escritoire reading a large book. Naif knew it to be old from the crackle of the stiff pages and the musty smell that rose from it every time a page turned.

‘Where do the books come from?’ She asked it softly so as not to startle the older girl.

Charlonge put the book down. She seemed relieved to hear Naif speaking normally. ‘Each church has a library.’

‘What are you reading?’ Naif felt a sudden yearning to touch it. The library in Seal South had been her place of solace, and frustration. But she’d only been allowed to read about religiosity and etiquette and comportment.

‘Ixion history,’ said Charlonge in an offhand way. ‘Newbies always want to know things and sometimes I can’t answer them.’

‘What sort of things?’

‘Mainly about Ixion itself and how the Ripers came here. But sometimes they ask about the Tri-suns and cosmology.’

‘Cosmology?’ Naif had never heard the word before.

Charlonge sighed. ‘I suppose you’ve never even heard of the Tri-suns?’

Naif shook her head.

‘It’s not your fault, Naif. These things have been kept from you on Grave. But you should know, at least, that we live on a world that spins around a cooling star.’

‘Abraxas. Yes. Joel told me.’

‘Did you know it also has two companions?’

‘There are three stars?’

‘Imagine three friends arguing and sending one into exile. That’s our suns.’ Charlonge closed the book. ‘And before you ask me any more questions let me see your wounds.’

Naif sat up against the pillows and pulled the silk shift up to her thighs to inspect her legs. Other than the circle of heavy bruising around her ankle, all of the scratches had almost healed. Her arms were the same. She slid the shift down quickly, not knowing what to say.

‘I’ve heard that Lenoir is a healer,’ said Charlonge. ‘But how is that possible? On your face as well.’

Shame and a little excitement burned inside her. As before, Lenoir’s tongue had healed her. ‘I’m not sure … but one of the Night Creatures attacked me when I wandered from the path near Agios. Lenoir found me and fought it. Killed it.’ She forced herself to say the words – to make it real. ‘Then he brought me here. That’s all I really remember.’

‘That’s all!’ Charlonge picked up a cup and walked the length of the narrow room. ‘Take this.’

Gratefully, Naif sipped the proffered grape juice.

Charlonge waited until she had finished. ‘What were you doing out there?’

‘I-I went with Markes, so we could speak privately.’

‘The musician?’

Naif nodded and drew her legs up to her chin. ‘We talked for a while and then he went inside. I would have followed but Joel called out to me.’

‘Joel?’ Charlonge’s fingers fluttered. ‘What did he say?’

‘I tried to get him to understand that Lenoir wants to protect us. Joel doesn’t believe me – we argued and he left, and I lost my way a little. Leyste was waiting for me. Lenoir said he had been stalking me since I came through the Register.’

‘Leyste?’

‘A Night Creature.’ Naif hugged her legs to her chest to hide a shudder. ‘He was hideous, Char, but sad in a way.’ She sighed. ‘Lenoir said he would have killed me.’

Charlonge took several careful steps away from the bed as if to avoid breaking something underfoot. ‘Lenoir is showing you great concern, Naif. It’s not usual for a Guardian to do that. Are you sure he’s not trying to reach Joel – through you?’

Naif shrugged. ‘I don’t think he knows.’

Charlonge stared at her. ‘Don’t be sure of anything with Lenoir. The Guardians aren’t like us. You can’t predict what they’ll do. You can’t know them, Naif.’

Charlonge’s words triggered a thought. Naif slid off the bed and had to steady herself against a wave of dizziness. ‘The vote!’

‘What’re you talking about? You need to rest. I don’t want Lenoir punishing me for –’

Naif seized Charlonge’s hands. ‘The Guardians are voting on what to do about Ruzalia. If Lenoir loses the vote then Brand will be their new leader. She’ll use Markes as bait for Ruzalia. And you as well. She’ll hunt down the League and the gangs. Do you know Brand, Char?’

Charlonge swallowed nervously and nodded. ‘Of course. The scarred one?’

‘I have to go to the meeting and hear the result.’ Naif let go of Charlonge’s hands and straightened. A powerful wave of determination flooded through her. ‘If Brand wins then I must warn everyone.’

Charlonge stood still. Naif saw warring desires in her changing expression. And fear.

‘Have you decided what you will do, Char?’ she said softly.

‘Yes,’ she said, finally. ‘I’m coming with you.’