Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha, #2)

by Tomi Adeyemi

“You and your mother are cênters now, but didn’t you have to sacrifice someone you love?”

Amari killed her father, but who did the old queen kill? Who did she sacrifice?

“If you wish to create another cênter, you must be willing to make such a sacrifice,” Mama Agba says.

So we not gone talk about who that lady killed?

“You are the elders now. It is not my place to tell you what to do. But you should know that there are weapons so great, they shouldn’t be used.”

Exactly! Sit down and used what you just gained before trying something so dangerous! Learn your incantations.

But in her explanation, I see our answer; our leverage; our peace. We have the power to win this war without losing one more soul. We can create the Orïsha we want to see.

Was she not even listening?

“We went to Chândomblé to gain power over Nehanda, and now we have it,” I address the room. “We could build an entire army with cênters as strong as my mother.

No, you have it because you just realized your power! What are you talking about! Greedy ass coward!

I rise from my seat, picturing my brother’s face when I tell him the power at our disposal. “Allow me to go to Lagos and meet with Inan. I know I can negotiate peace on our terms.” “Your terms,” Kenyon scoffs. “Not ours.

Exactly. All you’ll be doing is putting another target on Zelie.

Kenyon stands up, slapping his palms against the table.

Not necessary dude. It’s quiet in there, they can hear you just fine. You have the floor.

I lock eyes with her as we wait, but she avoids my gaze.

Well… then… you didn’t lock eyes with her.

“You need me on your side. I’m the only cênter you have.”

Wow.

“We don’t even need to become cênters. We went to Chândomblé to recover our scrolls and now we have them.” Zélie gestures to the incantations piled against the far wall.

Exactly!

“Apparently Kenyon’s set his sights on Na’imah, but Na’imah set her sights on Dakarai?” “But Dakarai likes Imani!”

Lord. How did the conversation move to that? What happened to Mazeli?

I step forward and cast in my head,

So it can be done…

Mári’s words make every Reaper light up,

Every Reaper? Didn’t she just say there were only three of them other than her?

Who knows what would’ve happened if she hadn’t conjured the shadows of death that carried me down into one of Ibadan’s ice cold lakes.

Everyone knows! You would have died. Duh.

Every day that goes by is another day the monarchy could attack.

The monarchy doesn’t even know where you are… she’s so full of it. Lame ass excuses.

“Tell me you’re not this stupid!”

That’s harsh. What harm is there in that? Talking to her brother in the safety of the dreamspace. Unless she’s like you and blabs clues about her whereabouts.

I know you hate him, but Inan saved your life—” “It’s what he does,” Zélie snarls. “He’ll do the right thing when it’s easy, but when it matters most, he’ll stab you in the back!

Facts.

“Is this because you don’t trust him, or because you don’t want to be honest with yourself?” Zélie’s eyes flash and she stiffens. “You’d better choose your words with care.”

No hun, that’s all on you to do.

“Get back to training,” she says through her teeth. “I don’t want to hear about this again.”

Wow. That sounds like an order.

My throat closes up as I reach down, attempting to salvage the soaked pieces of the scroll.

You should have been doing that.

I wait for her to release whatever scolding she must be holding back,

Did she approach you oolong like she wanted to scold you or that you were in trouble in any way? No? Then STFU with the stupid.

It’s Zélie and the Iyika who refuse to listen.” Mama Agba purses her lips and I bite my tongue.

Didn’t Mama Agba form the Iyika?

If the monarchy and the maji have been at war for centuries, this could be our only chance to end this fight for good.

Only chance? So no one would come after you fighting for it later? Girl stop. She’s too self important.

“My name doesn’t mean anything.”

Stupid. Why would she ask if it didn’t?

Now you’re an elder leading the maji through war. A queen poised to take her throne.”

That’s a stretch…

I can feel it swelling from a different source.

Hope you’re not draining the others in the garden…

She speaks the words I need to hear,

Why would you need to hear that?

That strange voice tickles my ear.

Strange voice? Your sister’s voice is strange?

“That’s good to hear.” I turn back to the table, sifting through the endless parchments. “There’s another effort that needs your attention up north—”

Wow. Can you be more obvious, Inan?

“Are you going to send me all over Orïsha before you’re man enough to talk?”

That part.

He presses a fist to his lips as we stare at the war-room map.

Huh? Why? That’s weird.

my brother looks far older than his nineteen years.

There we go. Actual confirmation of his age.

I break into a run when Inan opens up his arms.

In none of the time they were reunited before the solstice did he ever hug her…

knew it!” I clap my hands together. Excitement floats like a balloon in my chest. But as soon as it rises, reality dawns. This still isn’t enough.

Or even possible with your mother alive.

If the king himself offered a treaty like this, even Zélie would have to listen.

The king himself offered up his castle rations… Zelie didn’t listen then so…

Orïsha needs a queen who’s willing to do whatever it takes to make amends.” My fingers fall limp as Inan opens his arms, extending the invitation. “You mean it?” I ask. “We’ll rule the kingdom together,” he says. “The way we should’ve from the start.” The weight of the world falls off my shoulders as I lunge forward, wrapping my arms around my brother.

You’re an idiot. That’s just more words. It doesn’t change what Zelie said or make it untrue.

The hill lies almost three kilometers outside the sanctuary’s mountain walls.

Outside? You know they are looking for y’all!

Amari’s lithe form passes between two large hills in the distance, seemingly unaware of our presence. She doesn’t move like she’s taking a stroll. She moves like she doesn’t want to be seen.

Don’t tell me she’s bringing Inan into the damn camp! All those people! Like he can’t be followed or betray on purpose!

pinch my lips together, holding back my fist. I could knock out her teeth for this.

Wow.

“Amari, stop!” I break forward, following her into a jungle clearing.

Why stop her now? Why not just keep following?

I can’t believe that after everything, Amari would do this. That she would put all my people at risk.

That part…

“You’re still that little girl. Terrified that the king is going to take away everything you love.”

He did!

“Amari, I swear.” Inan reaches out. “This wasn’t a part of my plan—” His voice blacks in and out. I can’t hear him over the sounds of war. Hundreds of creaking wagons speed toward us. A sea of velvet seals flap in the wind. I brought Inan here to make peace with the maji.

Idiot.

“You have to believe me!” Inan’s voice shakes. “Only Ojore knew! He promised he wouldn’t tell!”

And another idiot…

Orïsha won’t be free of their tyranny until they both lie in the dirt.

True. But you too, for being stupid.

from the line of Reapers

Why does this keep being written like there’s a lot of them?

but we can’t just protect ourselves. All the elders are still behind that mountain.

Elders? What about the weaker ones! The elders can fend for themselves!

“How could you do this?” I shout. “I gave you a command!” “I didn’t have a choice!” Ojore pulls me forward. “I couldn’t lie to your mother!”

Which you should have thought of… which means he told her before you even left in order for them to have arrived so quickly. They followed you.

“Mother ordered this?” My hands fall limp as realization takes hold.

Who else could have ordered it!?

“Don’t worry.” Mother points to another transport in the distance. “Jokôye’s forces are coming in. The Iyika end today.”

All idiots.