Falling sand piled into pyramids wherever it snuck through cracks on the surface. On the ground, large stalagmites rose like fangs.

The first thing I noticed were several crumpled human shapes lying against the wall. The second thing I noticed was that there was no way out.

CHAPTER

8

Since there was no other exit, he’d brought me here to die, to cast me off with the other bodies lying along the wall.

My stomach roiled at the sight of them.

But then one of the bodies unfolded itself and brushed away the sand. Partially covered by a tattered blanket was a woman whose face was weathered beyond her years. Sand lined the wrinkles of her face, despite her probably not being more than a few years older than my mother would’ve been.

She began shuffling toward us, favoring a foot I realized was turned to one side. I skittered in the opposite direction as she approached, but she only gave me a passing glance.

“Cion,” she said, “did you bring us more water? Tania’s so thirsty. Her belly grows bigger every day with child.”

“I’m sorry, Bala,” Cion said, using the term often reserved for grandmothers, aunts, and others worthy of respect. “An unexpected complication arose, and I called the boys off. We’ll get more soon.”

Bala nodded solemnly. “At times it seems as though it is the desert’s will she not survive. The sands know nobody wants another one of Rodric’s illegitimate children running around, but I’ll do what I can for her.”

I coughed to cover up the gasp that escaped my lips.

Cion shot me a silencing look. “Don’t worry,” he said to Bala. “We’ll get you and Tania on the next caravan out.”

She wrapped her hand around Cion’s. Her small fingers barely surrounded three of his. Once she released his hand, she turned toward me with a tired smile. “Are you going on the caravan too?” Her eyes went to my stomach. I couldn’t help from crossing my arms over it. The shackle pressed awkwardly against me.

I shot a glance at Cion. His face was unreadable.

“She’s staying here,” Cion replied. “I’m showing her around.”

I had no idea what he meant by that, but the small smile widened across the woman’s face in response. Her eyes darted back and forth between Cion and me. “There’s no safer place than with Cion. I’m sure he’ll watch over you very carefully.”

I choked on sand I must have inhaled. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

The woman clasped her hands over her stomach. “In this desert, we all have to take care of each other.” She smiled at Cion and patted his cheek before moving back into the darkness of the cavern. She didn’t seem like a prisoner, though it was clear she wasn’t part of the Desert Boys’ activities either.

I turned on Cion. “What is this place?”

He threw his arms wide. “This is where we keep all that excess water we steal.” He leaned back against one of the stalagmites. “You said if we didn’t steal all that water, there’d be enough for everyone. Do they look like they have enough?”