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

by Tomi Adeyemi

“There were explosions—” Before he can hear the rest, Tzain takes off, sprinting toward the cave’s exit.

I want to hear the rest though.

“Tzain, no!” I scream after him. He can’t go into the village.

Wouldn’t he have a very long way to go to reach the village considering that they tunneled for days and the caves entrance is far from the water hole?

Other elders follow his lead. There’s only one way I can stop him.

What about the other elders?

Strike, Amari. Father’s face comes to me. I don’t need him alive to know what he would say. It wouldn’t have mattered if it was his first choice or his last resort. It wouldn’t matter if it cost him everyone he loved. I will be a better queen.

No, not if you’re doing this you won’t.

Mountains blur against the pale orange wall and I struggle not to inhale.

But Roën will inhale…

I turn to find a woman with tears in her eyes. She pushes out her arms, frantic to save the baby in her hands.

Damn.

The woman cries out as it hits the back of her head. Blood shoots from her mouth on impact. Her skin shrivels as it turns black. I see the moment she realizes that she won’t make it.

Didn’t she realize it right before it hit her and not after?

It’s the fastest I’ve ever seen a spirit transform. The mother’s corpse doesn’t even hit the ground before the incantation allows her soul to course through me, granting me new shadows, new arms. They reach out, catching the baby before it can hit the ground.

Damn right. That mother will save her child in life or after death!

Whenever I dared to ask where Binta had gone, the handmaiden pinched my arm.

Oh hell nah. New babysitter ASAP.

In that stillness I knew something had changed. We would never return to a kinder time again. All these years, I’ve wondered how he must have felt. Today I feel it myself.

Yes, all of your family should die a horrible death.

The toxic Cancer clouds begin to dissipate. Not even a single breeze moves between Ibadan’s mountains. I try to ignore the hollow pit in my chest. I won the war. But at what cost?

You don’t know that yet. You don’t know if it worked.

There’s no going back from this. This is a strike Tzain and the elders won’t forgive. But I cannot allow that weight to break me now. We have our victory.

Has it occurred to you that now they may just as easily kill you for this?

“Let’s go.” I march to my cheetanaire, mounting its leather saddle.

And she still has the audacity to order them around…

I will the words to be true as I ride through Ibadan’s gate.

So the gates are just magically wide open now?

“Zélie, please.” The woman holds me down, forcing a cup of fresh water down my throat. She clicks her tongue. “Just as stubborn as your mother.” “You knew Jumoke?”

Girl it’s only been 11 damn years! Your parents likely grew up there. You may even have extended family there.

My heart collapses as I read it, suddenly understanding the monarchy’s true target. These people were sacrificed in vain. We didn’t get them. The monarchy outmaneuvered us. We’ve lost this war.

Because y’all are all idiots.

I try to feel the victory, the warmth spreading through my body. It’s over. Done.

He’s bipolar as fuck! This is exactly why Ojore should have killed him instead of playing with him! He keeps flip flopping on his stance!

But tears rise to my eyes as I squeeze my gut. Ojore … Skies, he was my oldest friend. “Do not grieve him.” Mother squeezes my hand. “Do not let that traitor twist your mind!

How does she know what he was thinking about?

She smiles at me, and in her expression, I finally see my truth. I wanted to be the king my father couldn’t be. All I did was finish his work.

Yeah you always say you see your truth and then still do the wrong things.

DENIAL IS ALL THAT I HAVE. All that I am.

You don’t even have that hun. Hopefully you die today.

While they drew our strongest warriors here, those we most needed to protect were left defenseless.

No, YOU drew your strongest warriors there. YOU ordered the weaker to take Lagos.

“When Nâo came back alone, I was sure you were both gone—”

Oh no, you weren’t sure. You just wanted it to be so so that you could unleash your perfect plan.

“Get her to the ahéré!” A village tîtán steps forward. I back away as Kâmarū lifts her seizing body and carries her to a pyramid hut. “Lock her up!” Na’imah shouts as they run.

Lock who up?

In him, I see what I’ve lost. The warmth I shall never feel again. Watching him walk away is the final knife in my heart.

Only in him? That’s when you see it?

When the last body breathes again, I stare at the glowing tattoos on my hands.

Did they get the mama?

But in mere moons, the monarchs have brought nothing but death and destruction to our streets again!”

Even the one supposedly on your side.

“They are Orïsha’s past. We are Orïsha’s future!”

Even its name suggests it originally belonged to them with Ori in it.

I need to sacrifice someone I love.

Inan. Perfect! Or even Amari.

He sticks it between his teeth, but before he can strike the match, Harun smacks the cigarette to the ground.

Was waiting for that…

shouldn’t have to feed you lies for you to get the job done.” Roën blinks, a wave of understanding washing over his face. “You knew Nehanda was lying?” He lowers his voice. “You fed me wrong information on purpose?”

Oh wow.

He lights a cigar and sticks it in Roën’s mouth. “Consider this a parting gift. You’re out.” Harun tenses when Roën raises his hand, but Roën doesn’t strike.

He’s bold to just keep standing there. Roën is the leader for a reason.

In an instant, I understand the leader Roën’s always been. The reason it took this long for his crew to attempt a rebellion.

Lol

He removes the cigar and takes another long puff, tipping his head back to savor the smoke. Harun’s body falls limp with relief.

I want to know who the guy was that Zelie said looked a bit like Roën. Also… now he smoking his flesh…

“You don’t have to hide,” he calls out. “How did you know?” I ask as I step out. He puts two fingers to his heart and taps. “It always beat faster when you came near. Now it beats harder, too.”

Aw!

“I couldn’t run it even if I wanted to.” His eyes close when he exhales. “Compromised myself and my men the moment I fell in love with you.”

He finally says it out loud. Nice.

“As long as you’re taking feedback, you should know I have my limits. If it’s ever a choice between life and a certain appendage, I am requesting now that you let me die.”

OMG! I love his humor!

“What’s that saying you have in your lands?” Roën tilts his head. “‘Don’t chop it till you try it’?”

Lord.

“I’m going.” His metal fingers twitch, still out of line with his intent. “Zïtsōl, you are my home. You don’t get to leave me behind.”

Nice.

I WILL BE a better queen.

Ha! You need to be crowned queen first before you can become a better one. Kick rocks!

For so long he was the scar on my back. The tyrant I had to vanquish. How in the skies did I allow his ghost to become my guiding force?

That’s what I’m saying! Y’all are all fucked up!

“At least you finally look sorry.” I snap my head up;

Exactly. Cu she was out there thinking about damage control and how to redeem herself. Not remorse.

I stumble as the world falls out from under me again.

She was standing all this time?

I rise, though my legs feel like water.

So she wasn’t standing…

We’re going to end this war and destroy the monarchy once and for all. Even Nehanda won’t be able to stop us.” Strike, Amari.

Seriously? Strike?

Perhaps it’s where this all ends. But the thought of the crown becoming nothing … “You’ll throw Orïsha into chaos.” I shake my head. “The agony you’ll cause—”

Agony? For who? These murderers that lose their noble status?

future of Orïsha will no longer be corrupted by a crown.” She frowns and I see the pity in her gaze. She thinks that’s what happened to me. I will be a better queen …

It is exactly what happened to you and you never even wore a crown. Just the thought of it made you do this.

Zélie’s mouth falls open, but no words escape. The purpose of her visit becomes clear. “You need a sacrifice.”

Oh, you’re finally quick.

But in my punishment lies a certain release. A chance I thought I wouldn’t have. If I do this, I can make things right. I can give them the power they need to save the kingdom.

Wow. I can’t believe it.

“What other choice do you have?” I ask. “It has to be someone. Someone you love.”

Inan.

“Mama Agba?” The Seer looks between the two of us, sadness radiating from her heart. “It is not your time, my child. Take me instead.”

OMG! No€! Even though she was useless and didn’t see this coming nor watch their journey to see ahead…