Page 42 of Sun Warrior

“Okay, let’s get you back. We’re going to need you to head up a new Council. Without you in charge shit happens like Wilkes allows Nik and his Scratcher whore to go free, whenthey’reresponsible for all of this. We need to make sure they pay for what they’ve done.”

The old man’s eyes opened and he shook his head sadly. “No, Thaddeus, this isn’t Nik and that girl’s fault. It’s ours. I’ve been lying here, thinking about many things, especially about what happened last night. I was wrong—wewere wrong. The Farm was our fault. Becauseof us, our Sun Priest, a good and honorable man, is dead. The Council is dead.” He closed his eyes again, as if they weighed too much to keep open. Tears tracked down Cyril’s wrinkled cheeks. “I should have been with them. I should have died, too.”

“Hey, you’re not thinking straight. After you’ve rested you’ll be yourself again.”

“I am thinking straight—maybe for the first time in years. I see that I’ve been wrong, and I’m ready to admit it. The first thing I need to admit to the Tribe is that the girl, Mari, is the daughter of a Companion who was one of our finest Warriors.”

“What are you talking about? Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” Thaddeus tried to inspect the old man’s head, but Cyril weakly swatted his hands away.

“I didn’t hit my head. I told you—I’mfinallythinking clearly. Mari was Galen’s daughter. I know because I ordered his death for stealing fronds of the Mother Plant for her when she was an infant. Sol was the Warrior who carried out the death sentence.”

Thaddeus’s brows shot up his forehead. “The mighty Sol actually killed a Companion, and that Companion was the Scratcher bitch’s father? Bet if she knew that she’d feel different about her precious Nik.”

The old man stared at him, his green eyes piercing Thaddeus’s soul. He wanted to look away and then reminded himself that there was no damn reason he should look away from Cyril. What was he, really, except a weak, sick old man?

“You’ve changed,” Cyril said.

Everything inside Thaddeus went very still. “What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, Cyril asked a question of his own. “What really happened to you when you were captured by the Skin Stealers?”

“I already told you.”

Cyril grimaced against the pain as he forced himself to a sitting position, clutching his left arm to his side. “No. I don’t think you did tell me everything. You’ve been different since you returned.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course you do.” With a shaking hand Cyril wiped rain, sweat, and tears from his face, and then he sat up straighter, as if he’d found his second wind. “I’m Lead Elder, not a doddering fool. I watch everything—everyone. I watch you. I watched you carefully after your abduction. What I’ve observed has me concerned.”

Thaddeus saw the truth in the old man’s sharp gaze and made his decision instantly.

“I have changed. I’m better, stronger, faster, smarter.”

“What did they do to you?” Cyril asked.

Thaddeus smiled, happy to finally be able to share the truth with someone. “They took Odysseus’s flesh and joined it with mine.”

The old man’s eyes widened in horror. “But they only do that to themselves—only with human flesh—and only because they’re all infected with a rotting disease.”

“Well, that’s the thing.” Thaddeus crouched next to Cyril. “Before I went on that foraging trip, my skin had begun to crack and slough.” He shrugged. “Don’t know why, but it had to have something to do with that diseased stag we found.”

“The one you destroyed, but not before his blood spattered your face and body?”

Thaddeus ignored the disgust in Cyril’s voice and continued. “Yes! Exactly! I think it infected me and got me ready for Odysseus’s flesh.”

“Sunfire! You’ve been tainted by the Skin Stealers’ disease. Thaddeus, we have to get you to the Healers. Maybe they can cure you.”

Thaddeus laughed. “Cure me? Why would I want that?” He held out his arms, flexing them. “Odysseus’s flesh has made mebetter.”

“The disease and his flesh have made youill. No wonder you were so angry at the Farm. You need help, Thaddeus.”

Thaddeus cocked his head to the side and studied the old man contemplatively. “Didn’t you just tell me you should have died with the rest of the Council?”

Cyril said nothing, but Thaddeus saw pity in the old man’s eyes.

“Well, maybe you did.”

Cyril looked confused. “No, I told you what happened. I wasn’t with them at the end. I’m here.”