With lightning speed I rushed for her, wrapping myself around her. My sweet little sister was soaked with blood and smelled of dried urine and something foul. I remembered the joy in the eyes of the Zamariens. My jaw hung as I turned hateful eyes to Asarah.
“You put your own Granfifi in the hands ofZamariens?” I whispered, my shock pulsing through my body. “You turned over your youngest Granfifi for bloodied sport?”
I couldn’t believe my own words. I couldn’t believe the truth I was seeing. The blind rage I was feeling.
“No,” she answered simply. “I turned the little brat over to teach you a lesson. You didn’t think your little stunt at Titombwe would go unpunished?”
I froze, my hands coddling Evanae’s head, holding her to my slow beating chest.
“The little ashrat has been working with the Fallenspawn to try and undermine this temple. A boldness she picked up from you no doubt. I will never stand for such a thing. And since you won’t listen to reason, when I am through with her, I know you will think twice about forcing my hand ever again.”
“What in the stars do you mean, ‘when you get through with her’?” I asked.
“Simple. The trial was the easiest one given to you so far, and youstillfailed. No matter. You will remain a Disciple. We have need of you. The Anathelle females must remain in the temple. Well,youwill. This one will never.”
Then Farasee Asarah snatched Evanae up by the neck with a tendril of hardened starlight, yanked her across the chamber, and shoved two talons through her spine.
Chapter 59
The world spun, tilting on its axis. I was unbalanced and didn’t know if I’d ever be right again. I shot to my feet, stumbled and crashed onto my knees. Evanae’s body tilted forward, then she fell face first to the floor. I rose to my feet again and stumbled to my knees once more.
The life had been sucked out of me. Unable to stand to my feet, tears streaming down my face, I crawled on my hands knees, making my way across the expansive Council Chamber to my little sister. Her body was a broken, mangled thing. Endless cuts lined her arms. Her legs. Her wings were pitiful displays of what they once were.
I couldn’t help but see the young, vibrant angel who loved to sing loud while bathing so the entire villa could hear. The angel who liked to dance when it rained, swim in the ocean for hours, and stuff her face with fried plantain, even when she was full. The angel who ate caramel-filled donuts then licked her fingers while cleverly prying secrets from you.
My sweet Evanae who’d heard I’d been punished by Scourgers and sent me bowls of cookies. Bowls Quazar consumed half of, becoming obsessed with her desserts. Mybright-eyed sister who always believed in the happier things of the world.
Not a single Farasee looked on with pity outside of Davithius. He was disgusted and fuming. Crawling on my knees I made my way to Evanae.
“My sweet Vava,” I cried, my voice breaking. “My sweet, sweet, Vava.”
She lifted her head, her wide eyes still a beautiful mauve under the lights that shone through the glass windows.
“Sazu.” She coughed.
Blood spurted out of her mouth. Racking sobs took over my body. I began shaking, uncontrollably as she coughed more and more blood.
“You,” she tried again.
“Shh, don’t speak Little Seashell.”
I made it to her side, pulling her into my lap. I gently took her into my weakened arms and held her close. I lifted her head to me, brushing back her blood-soaked hair. I could hardly see the young female I knew for all the damage that had been done to her face.
“You are…” she continued anyway. “Everything. Suns, moons, stars.” She lifted her dirty hand to my face. Her nails were gone. Only bloody stumps remained. I could see the life fading from her eyes, as more blood pooled out of her dress, soaking my gown with its warmth.
“My Vava.”
I couldn’t stop my tears. Couldn’t stop my trembling shoulders.
“You are everything I hoped to become one dawn,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Manmi used to…to tell me to follow…follow you. I’m glad I…listened.” She struggled to cling to life. I lifted my hand to her cheek, beginning tofyuse.If I had to drain every last drop of my starfire to keep her breathing, I would.
“I love you, Sazu.”
Evanae’s pretty purple eyes fell shut.
“No,” I sobbed, gently slapping her cheeks. “No, Vava. No. Wake up,” I cried, voice more tears than sound. I was mid-fyuse, ready to do what it took to save Evanae, when a tendril of starlight wrapped around Evanae’s body, yanking her from my arms.
“NO!” I screamed.
