Sunbolt (The Sunbolt Chronicles) by Intisar Khanani Read Free Book Online Page B

his head in return. My secret is safe, then. I slip into the building. Without a candle, it’s much slower going. I cross the room by memory, feel my way to the central hallway and follow it to the collapsed stairs. Kicking a few splintered boards away, I squat in a corner at the back. With the shadows as dark as they are, and Kenta there to assure the Ghost there’s no need to search the building again, it’s unlikely anyone will realize I’m here.  
    I tilt my head, unable to discern anything until I hear the faint shuffle of footsteps at the door, followed by voices.  
    “ This ? This is no safe house!” It’s Saira, and she sounds furious. Not worried or confused or curious. Irate. I close my eyes. I don’t like the sound of her at all.  
    “It is a house, and it’s safe,” Rafiki replies shortly. She must have been making a nuisance of herself on the way over. “What more do you want?”
    “Saira.” A woman’s voice, hard and sharp as honed steel: Lady Degath. “That is more than enough. These men are saving our lives. At least maintain the pretense of being a lady and accept their help with gratitude.”
    A short silence. I hear the door creak closed.  
    “It’s so dark,” a small voice says—the younger daughter.  
    “I’ll light a candle,” the Ghost offers with familiar kindness. “But only for a few minutes. Once we’re settled in, we’ll have to blow it out. We must be careful not to attract attention.”
    “Didn’t you say this place was safe?” the son asks.
    “Yes. It is also supposed to be vacant,” the Ghost says, his words measured, as if he were addressing a simpleton.
    Light flickers, chasing away the absolute darkness of the hall: the Ghost has lit his candle.  
    “Follow me,” he says. I hear his boots in the hall, the others behind him. The stairs are past the four small rooms, so there’s no reason to think he’ll lead the Degaths this far. But if he does, there’s a good chance he’ll spot me right away.  
    “Is that a lycan?” the little girl’s voice pipes up. I grin as someone hushes her.  
    Saira snorts with derision. “It’s just a dog, Alia. And a fat one at that. Lycans look like wolves.”
    I almost choke trying to keep from laughing. It’s going to be a while before I let Kenta live down that particular snub.  
    The Degaths settle into their room quietly, Lady Degath making a single cutting remark that assures near silence from her children. The Ghost glides out after a moment or two, pausing in the hallway. I can just make out his form, backlit by the candlelight. I expect Rafiki is keeping watch at the back door. Kenta glances up at the Ghost, head cocked as he waits in the hallway. Together, they start down the hall to the door.
    “We need to lock the door,” the Ghost says, his voice barely audible.
    “If Hitomi were here, she could have done it,” Rafiki observes. I blink in surprise. I never would have thought Rafiki would stand up for me. “Too bad she ran. Didn’t even get the carriage. You just can’t trust a mgeni . ”  
    Strike that.  
    “That’s enough, Rafiki,” the Ghost says, sounding peeved. Then, “We’ll need to bar it from inside.”  
    I rise, stretching out my legs before making my way down the hall. I pass the Degaths’ room, keeping away from the light, but I can’t resist a look inside.  
    Lady Degath sits against the wall. On the ground beside her lies a blanket for her two daughters. The youngest, Alia, has already lain down. Saira lifts up a small mirror to inspect her hair. Her hair? Maybe the girl is crazy.  
    I continue on to the back room. “All right, boys,” I say sweetly. Rafiki and the Ghost both whirl around, daggers jumping to their hands. Kenta’s teeth gleam in a laughing smile. “Since you missed me so much, I guess I’ll just have to come help out again.”
    “You’re not supposed to be here,” the Ghost says, his voice hard.  
    “Who’s going to lock the door for you