“Communication,” A’Meer finished for her. “We don’t have to understand something for it to be possible. Don’t ascribe anything you don’t understand to magic.”

“But what of Alishia?” Trey asked. “What can we do for her?”

“I don’t know,” A’Meer said, shaking her head. “But we have to assume that the Mages will soon know what the thing in her head saw happen here. And as we all know, they’ll want what Rafe has for themselves.”

“Well, I don’t want it,” Rafe shouted. “They can have it, for all I care!”

“What about her?” Trey asked again. They were ignoring him. Dismissing her.

“It’s precious, Rafe!” Hope said.

“Who are you people?” Trey asked. Alishia trembled, mumbled something incoherent. “How are you going to help—”

“Who are you?” Hope asked. “A fledge miner who’s obviously never been topside before, and a strange woman who may have betrayed us to the Mages.”

“She didn’t betray us! It was what was inside her.”

“Maybe she’s always had it there,” Hope said. “She’s obviously not the person you thought she was.”

“She helped me!”

Hope looked down at Alishia where she lay prone on the cave floor. “Let her die.”

“You bitch!” Trey felt the drug still lifting him, trying to tear him away from this scene and carry him up and away, into freedom. But he fought that yearning, looked at Alishia, denying the shred of doubt that Hope’s words had planted in his mind.

“We don’t know who she is,” Hope said. “We don’t know who sent her, why, when, and what she’s going to do next. For that matter, we don’t know him, either!” She jabbed her finger at Trey and advanced toward him. He stepped back, frightened of the tattoos seemingly squirming on the witch’s face, bringing her skin alive.

“We have to leave, and soon,” A’Meer said tiredly. “We can talk about this when we’re away, but I’m in no state to take on another Monk.”

“And who are you?” Hope said, turning on the injured woman. “A Shantasi! And they’re about as trustworthy as my own turds! Who’s to say you aren’t here to steal what Rafe has for your slave-kin?”

“She fought a Red Monk so you could get away!” Kosar shouted.

“And beat it?” Hope threw her hands up. “Nobody beats a Red Monk! They let her win to deceive us. They’re probably closing in even now, ready to snuff out the only bit of hope this land has seen for centuries!” She stood at Rafe’s side with her back to him, arms spread, as if to ward off any attack from the others in the cave.