The Blight is a terrible rune, Vernasha had instructed. At its command, you can twist someone beyond recognition, allow him the form and shape of a terrible daeva—a lesser size, but as rabid. You can perform this blight on any unsuspecting person, letting it incubate within him for days and weeks with no one the wiser. The result is a monster of your own making, a daeva that not even a Dark asha can command. Any asha can create the necessary poison to introduce into her victim’s food and drink, but a bone witch must cast the final spell. For this reason, we must deny those accursed women this rune.

Still, the casting is long and complicated. The rune must be woven into food and drink at least three times in two days, then at least once every three days following. Take too long and the spell will be rendered irrelevant, and you must repeat the process all over again. Once done, perform the rune one final time over the person to awaken his demons. The only known cure is a merciful death—of either the target or its summoner.

The Blight rune is a secret our elders must uphold under penalty of death. Vigilance is key.

Vernasha had scratched a strange rune on the paper that resembled a floating eye. This Delving rune glows red, she had written, should the Blight rune fester within us.

We were quick to take her advice and relieved to find that none of us had symptoms of the blight.

Kalen then tested it on poor Yarrod. The rune glowed red.

I’m surprised you’re letting me in on all this, Fox murmured in my head. Not that I’m complaining.

I don’t want to keep secrets from you, I responded, trying not to think about my black heartsglass, other details I hadn’t told him.

What do you want me to do?

Inform Empress Alyx about this new development but ask her not to act until we return.

What about Inessa?

You’ll tell her regardless of what I say.

I felt his grin. I wouldn’t if you asked me to. She’ll understand.

I don’t want to put you in a spot where you have to choose between us. I’m gonna turn in; it’s late.

Take care, Tea. Love you.

Love you too, Big Brother.

“You cannot keep punishing yourself, Tea,” Kalen said quietly, coming to sit beside me.

“Are we seriously going to kill the boy tomorrow?”

He sighed. “They cannot keep him indefinitely. He’s already injured a few soldiers. King Rendorvik understands the situation. I’ll wield the sword myself if I have to. I’d take the burden from you if I could.”