Who Fears Death (Who Fears Death, #1)

by Nnedi Okorafor

“That’s Eyess,” Ting said smiling, as the toddler came running to me and tried to take my hand. I tried to yank it away before she could touch me but she was too fast. She snatched my hand, almost making me drop my cloth of food. Large sparks popped. But she only laughed. The little girl who’d been riding with Chieftess Sessa seemed to be immune to whatever afflicted me. She said something to me in the Vah language. “She does not know Ssufi, Eyess,” Ting told her. “Speak in Sipo or Okeke.” “You look strange,” the little girl said in Okeke. I laughed. “I know.” “I like it,” she said. “Is your mother a camel?” “No, my mother is human.” “Then why does your camel tell me she takes care of you?” “Eyess can hear them,” Ting explained. “She was born with the ability. That’s why she talks so well for a three-year-old. She’s been talking all her life to everything.”