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At a few of the checkpoints, the Tonton go through the right drill an want the right password Lugh’s ready with it, all thanks to Jack’s network, if he only knew Mostly, though, the day uardhouse stove Single guards run out at the last lance at the brand on Manuel’s forehead, at ate an wavin us through Strange nights of starfall an ghostfear followed hard by strangeweather days means people stick close to their fires Even DeMalo’s Tonton A re as yer weakestTonton at the babyhouse His heartsickness at leavin the baby out to die Freedom, brother That raw flare of hope in his eyes I won’t tell on you I proot a conscience There h of ’eh? When? An where? Auriel will tell me Auriel will know

All my roads lead to the same place, she said It’s my destiny That’s what she said Well, I bin walkin my roads, takin one step at a time since that terrible day I left Silverlake An I’m still walkin an I still don’t knohere all of this is leadin me to The babies, the slaves, the seedstore DeMalo’s false visions The blood moon’s co, it’ll be the end of us But I cain’t see what to do next I ain’t got no certainty I won’t till I can speak to Auriel

My destiny Is that what this is? What I’m doin? I didn’t choose it, but that ain’t how destiny works Auriel said that long before I was born, a train of events was set in motion Auriel said … Auriel said Destiny or no, one step at a time has led me here an will lead me on An this is happenin an will be, an whatever will be I onna need you, Saba Lugh an Eive in to fear Be strong, like I know you are

The lack of him suddenly knifes me in the chest Not the hollowed-outfather, so strong an steady I’d crawl into his arhtfall came An I’d listen to his heartbeat an feel him breathe an knoas safe in the world Now all I can do is hold fast to his words Hold fast to o forwards, step by step, on this road that only I can walk

No matter what cohts to go

NIGHT THREE

THE DARK COMES UPON US EARLY IT TAKES US BY SURPRISE The fog ain’t lifted all day It’s made heavy weather of our travel By middle afternoon, the sullen red sun dies We’re erous to go on, nightfall means curfew in New Eden We pull off the road anthe trees

I take first watch while the boys sleep My mind circles in a swa Moveh relieves me when I done my time

I lie down, close my eyes an try to sleep But rest won’t come to me What comes to me is

the faint, far-off sobs of a child

The dry rustle of bones hung in trees

I wait fer the night to pass

We pause at the crossroads where we hijacked Slim The one with the sourfruit trees We’re in the bleak nowhere now That er of discovery The boys shed their Tonton robes while I strip off Molly’s dress an du helpedalready Manuel clis We pass around waterskins an wet our dry throats