“Negative. She resurfaced within forty-eight tides. But she’s…different.”
“How so, Si Okan?” I don’t miss that this is the second elder to refer to me in this way. The first called me reef knot and now twisted one? What is that about? My tongue burns to know, but I tip my head with reverence to answer his question instead.
“Your grace, she has no recollection of Cove, Reef or Bhodi.”
“She has no memories of Sojukokoro, Arinkiri Líla or Italaye?”
“So it seems, your graces.”
“And yet, she knows you?”
“I believe so.”
“And were you all drawn to the girl? Did you feel the fa? What makes you believe she is our Irawo?”
“There were several events, but yes, it was the pull that confirmed it.”
“I see, and how did you act on this feeling?”
I falter. I shouldn’t lie to the elders, but I’m not ready to confess my crimes either. “She was taken before we could really explore it.” Not a lie, but not the entire truth either.
Against my will, my eyes flick to Tanimola. He looks too smug, too invested in this story. Sure, the fate of our entire race hangs in the balance, but there’s something sinister about the gleam in his eye. Remember this, Vance. It’s important.
“I had planned to get closer to her, to test the bond in order to confirm her status.”
“But you were aware that this mission was time sensitive, yes? That the Shikari were actively hunting in the area?”
“Yes, your grace. There were several deaths.” There’s a sharp intake of breath, but no one comments. We all know what’s at stake, and if the Shikari had killed our people, they would already know about it.
“So what do you need, Odomokunrin?” Ayomide asks, drawing my attention back to him.
“Whatever advice you and the council see fit to give, Your Grace. We believed we had found the Star, now we are not convinced. But we do believe this girl is tangled up in this somehow.”
“An interesting choice of words, coming from you.” I dip my head in acknowledgement of his statement, even though I have no idea what he means. “We will discuss this and get back to you. Please wait for a moment.”
I nod. There’s a brief pause, and then a wash of silence spills over me. It’s always a surreal feeling standing in the centre of the council chambers, able to see everything that is going on around me, whilst not being able to hear anything. I can tell from the expressions on their faces that things are getting tense.
They keep me waiting a long time, arguing back and forth until I’m pacing and agitated. I don’t understand what they’re debating. It’s literally one of the many roles of the council to help and support those who come to them for guidance. So why can’t they just advise me and be done with it?
“Child, we are ready. We have our answer for you. Are you willing to listen to it?” Ayomide asks, drawing me back into the noise of the room as his power washes away.
“Yes. I am ready, Your Grace.”
“He won’t listen,” someone mutters.
“You may not like it,” Ayomide warns.
“Please, tell me. My team needs support. I need support. I want to bring them home before they forget everything they remember of this place.”
“You do not seek glory?”
“Never.” I shake my head. It’s true. I just want to return to normality now. Whatever that is.
“Such dedication,” snorts one of the elders who appeared to have been arguing against Ayomide.
“We have to wonder though, Omo,” another adds. “How dedicated to the cause you really are.”
I stare at the speaker in shock. He’s new; I don’t recognise him. It takes all my might to rein in my anger and not lose my shit right here. This. This is why I wouldn’t let the others come with me. Cove and Bhodi are far too emotionally volatile, and Reef is too sensitive. If their debating over whether to help us or not has driven me this close to snapping, what would they have been like?