Nil on Fire (13 page)

Rangi didn't respond. I waited until I knew he wouldn't.

“Did Maaka talk with you after he returned?” I asked. “Did he tell you how that island has changed? That it's not the place it once was?”

Rangi's expression cooled.

“Council meetings are private matters, young Rives.
If
the elders met with Maaka, I would not be at liberty to tell you what was discussed. It does not concern you.”

“Wrong,” I said. “It absolutely concerns me. It concerns all of us standing here. It concerns all the people in both worlds, those here and there, and it especially concerns the unlucky kid tapped to go tomorrow.”

Rangi said nothing. He didn't even flinch.

I hadn't expected an elder cone of silence on this scale.

“So,” I spoke slowly, “the elders may or may not have spoken to Maaka after he returned. He may or may not have discussed how the island we call Nil has changed, and the elders may or may not have listened to him. And based on a meeting that may or may not have occurred, the elders may or may not have made a decision whether to allow anyone through tomorrow's solstice portal. Does that sum up the situation?”

A glint of amusement lit Rangi's dark eyes. “Perhaps.”

“Thanks for the help,” I said sarcastically, my cool slipping. “And I bet if I ask, you have no idea where Maaka is.”

Rangi shrugged. “Last time I saw him he was fishing on the island's north shore. But I don't know where he is now.”

Of course you don't
, I thought. At least Rangi had confirmed Maaka was here. I'd silently feared he'd fled to the mainland, so at least we still had a shot at finding him; it just wouldn't be easy.

Nothing involving Nil ever was.

Skye's fingers tugged mine.

“Isn't that Maaka?” She pointed.

Down the black sand beach, a bare-chested boy sporting black tattoos across his left shoulder, chest, and arm stood talking animatedly with a girl. She wore a yellow floral dress, her dark hair long and flowing. For a moment, I thought it was Kiera. One long look confirmed it wasn't Kiera, but the boy was definitely Maaka.

“Yup,” I said, not letting go of Skye's hand. “It's reunion time.”

We started jogging.

“Wait!” Rangi's voice echoed over the water breaking against the dock. “Let me show you to your house!”

I didn't turn. “Later,” I said. I didn't care if he heard.

Thad and Charley kept pace behind us. I kept my eyes on Maaka; I didn't want to risk losing him, not when he was so close. I knew how elusive he could be.

Before we were in voice range, the Kiera look-alike strode off. Maaka watched her go, arms crossed, back to us. As I strode up behind him, he turned, probably because I was panting; my stealth skills had slipped, either from disuse or desperation.

“Rives.” Maaka looked mildly surprised. “What brings you to my island?”

“The use of the possessive is a nice touch.” I nodded. “Good to see you too, Maaka.” I tipped my head toward the girl, who was getting farther away with each second. “I see you haven't lost your way with the ladies.”

A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “What brings you here, Leader Rives?”

“You remember Skye.” She waved. “And this is Charley, and Thad. Every one of us has been to Nil and back. Like you.” I paused. “Or not like you, Maaka. If you recall, we flew standby while you went first class.”

“But we all arrived at the same place.” He shrugged.

I snorted. “That's debatable, but it's not a discussion for today. Today let's talk about tomorrow, shall we? And please don't tell me the end is already written, unless it's written that no one goes through that gate tomorrow and the island's time is up.”

Maaka looked intently at me. “Paulo did not leave with us. He chose to stay. Perhaps he saw something we missed.”

“I don't think so.” Skye's firm voice caused Maaka's head to swivel back toward her. I had the distinct impression he'd forgotten she was there.

“You don't think what?” Maaka's condescending tone made my fists curl.

Skye smiled, a dangerous one that let me relax. “I don't think he chose to stay, Maaka. I think something made him stay. And I think he saw what it was.”

“Do you?” Maaka said blandly. He crossed his arms, putting a wall of ink between him and us. A new tattoo on his right shoulder looked back at me: an eye in the center of a diamond.

“I do.” She straightened. “Maaka, you left with us. You know the island has changed. It's not safe, for anyone. Please tell me you told the elders.”

He looked down his nose at her. “Why should I tell you? This is not your business.”

“Oh, that's where you're wrong.” Her tone stayed cool, calm water hiding a deadly rip current below. “It's totally my business. I still hear Nil, Maaka. Every night. Every day. Nil called me here, and here I am.”

Maaka paled. “The island called you?”

“At least someone's finally listening,” Thad said pleasantly.

“Yes.” Skye nodded. “It called me. Still calls me, as a matter of fact, to make sure no one goes through that gate tomorrow. It wants the tradition to end. The island is tired, Maaka.”

“But Paulo stayed.” Defiant Maaka resurfaced.

“Yes, we know.” Skye sighed, frustrated. “We have to trust him on that end. We can't control what's happening there. But we can control what's happening
here
. And the tradition has to stop.”

For a long moment, the two stood still, a clear face-off, a total déjà vu moment. I flashed back to a similar standoff on Nil. The only thing missing was the Man in the Maze as a backdrop.

“You don't get to decide,” Maaka said finally. “It's not your choice. Or mine.”

“Then whose is it?” Skye snapped.

“No one you know. Go home, Skye. Good-bye, Rives.” Maaka started to walk away, and I stepped in front of him.

“So that's it? You're done? You're here, you said your piece to the elders, and you're washing your hands of that island? To hell with anyone else who goes? Is that it?”

Something like regret flashed through Maaka's eyes. “It's not that easy, Leader Rives.”

“Nothing worth fighting for ever is,” I said. “And the end of Nil is worth fighting for.”

He studied me, his gaze thoughtful. Like he was weighing words, deciding trust. “Her name is Lana,” he said finally. “The choice is hers. I gave her my recommendation that the journey is no longer worth the risk: I gave her my knowledge of the island as it is now, and I gave my word that I will not follow her tomorrow. I can do no more.”

His word bound him, not me. Not us. It felt like a total Maaka cop-out.

“You mean you won't do more,” I said.

He shrugged. “Good luck, Leader Rives. Speak from the heart.” He paused, his expression odd. “Remember what I told you.”

“Always.” I looked sideways at him and almost laughed. “So I guess this was the middle after all, right, Maaka?”

He turned away, toward the Death Twin. “The middle,” he repeated slowly. “The end. A new beginning. I don't know anymore.” His tone reflected an inner confusion that almost made me feel sorry for him. Almost. “Only time will tell,” he said quietly. “It does not run backward.” He spun back to me, his dark eyes oddly fiery. “Remember what I told you.” He offered his hand, a first for us. “Lana is my cousin. She is strong. Like her.” He nodded at Skye. “I would prefer Lana not go. But her mind is set. Perhaps you can make the difference. Perhaps you will bring this cycle to an end.” His eyes flicked between me and Skye, and I wasn't entirely sure which of us he was referring to.

But it didn't matter. Like Charley and Thad, Skye and I were a package deal.

I shook Maaka's hand, wondering if he'd ever man up like he should. “I'll try.”

He nodded. “That's all you can do.”

Maaka turned and walked away. I had the strangest sense that this was our true good-bye, that I'd never see him again.

“What the hell did you just agree to?” Thad's voice cut through my quiet revelation.

“A trip to the Death Twin tomorrow,” Skye said. She sounded disturbingly cheery. “Who's in?”

 

CHAPTER

24

NIL

BEFORE DAWN

The island opened one eye.

It would rest again, but for now, it would wake. It
must
wake, so when noon came, it could call the ones it needed. The
one
it needed. Until then, it would watch those already here. Like the one called Paulo, one who shared the island's sense of anticipation, one who might even share the island's true hope. He needed no guidance, which was fortunate since the island could spare no energy for it, not now; all the power the island had left would be spared for moments it must act, and for the final moment, when failure to act would equal failure.

Time would tell.

It always did.

*   *   *

The sun rose over Mount Nil, twinkling with promise. Honeyed light cascaded down the peak in rivulets of brilliant gold. On the far side, out of sight, the silent platform sat ready. As he stared at the mountain, Paulo pictured the black platform drenched in light, the swirls and lines on the ground filled with glittering white sand, waiting.

It was time.

With effort, he turned away from the mountain. By the firepit, a small group sat quietly, some staring off into space, others picking at their food. He'd set a dozen whole fish to roast before dawn; he'd retrieved the full water gourds from the Cove, too. He was preparing the only way he knew how. Hafthor stood, his back to the pit, gazing toward the sea and his little houses. Molly sat near Davey, pushing a piece of fish around on a wooden plank. Calvin crouched on his feet, poking the embers with a long stick, stoking the coals. Amara sat by the fire, near no one. As usual, she wasn't eating, or talking. She was intently carving a wooden stake with cold precision.

“Morning,” Paulo said. All five lifted their chins to look at him. He took in their faces, their anxiety and distress and ever-present panic running just below the surface of their expressions. Not for the first time, he marveled at the effortlessness with which he'd watched Rives lead the City before. At the time, Paulo had been so concerned with himself, with his journey. Now all these faces, all painted with their own brand of fear, looked at him for guidance. Looked
to
him.

He wasn't entirely sure that he was up to the task.

Still, here he was.

It also occurred to him that they didn't look as afraid as they should.

He cleared his throat and his head. “I'll be back in a few days,” Paulo informed the group. “All the water gourds are full; I refilled them from the Cove this morning. The food stores are as full as they can be, but ration the dried food as best you can; it's all we have. We have a new chicken, so at least we have eggs. Don't waste them. Hafthor will fish each day at the traps. I would suggest that everyone work to keep the firepit going. A night watch with torches wouldn't be a bad idea either.”

Calvin's eyes went wide as Molly's narrowed.

“Where are you going?” she asked. Her gaze was wary.

“There is something I have to do. While I'm gone, look to Hafthor for any questions. He's been here the longest besides me.”

Arms crossed, Hafthor tipped his head in the barest of nods.

“I should be back in a few days.”
Possibly with a newcomer
, he thought. The crescent moon had gleamed in warning, although he hadn't needed it; he
knew
. Tomorrow was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and the most powerful gate of the year as well. To be called to the noon gate was an honor among his people, yet he fervently hoped no one answered. But something was happening today; he'd felt the island sucking in energy for the past few days, and last night he'd barely slept, so in tune with the silent vibration of the island at its core. The crescent moon had called; he would not risk being late.

Five faces, ten eyes. All still trained on him, waiting.

He relented.

“I can't tell you right now, but when I return, I'll tell you where I went and why. You have my word.”

Hafthor gave Paulo a satisfied nod; Davey looked annoyed, as usual. Molly's expression stayed intense, and troubled. Amara had no expression at all. She returned to scraping the piece of wood with a jagged black rock, her movements slow and calculating. Paulo hadn't admitted it to anyone, but he found Amara slightly frightening. Since she'd arrived, she'd focused her time on making weapons, not friends.

Calvin threw his stick into the fire and stood. “All I want to know is what animals live here, all right? Like the ones that can kill us. Because I know I saw a jaguar out there. And Davey here says he saw a tiger, which is flat-out insane. And I want to know what else we can eat because I'm damn hungry and all I've had is fish and raw eggs for two weeks straight.”

“Welcome to paradise,” Davey muttered.

“I saw a rabbit this morning,” Paulo said evenly. “You can trap it. You also can cook eggs over the fire, or go south for coconuts, pineapple, and redfruit. As you know, guava is to the north. There are some crab traps set to the north as well; I haven't checked those lately. But.” Paulo paused, making sure he had Calvin's full attention. “Avoid the mudflats; they're directly inland from the Cove. There are at least five hippos there by my last count and they're highly dangerous. There are monkeys there too, which can be more trouble than you'd expect.” He fought a wry smile. “And like I first said, I don't know what other animals are here, besides us. But I know they're hungry, just like we are. Don't let the fire go out.”