“I told you there was nothing here, but you insisted on looking,” Falor accused. “Vartok will hear of this! He knows I have never violated the modesty of his sister, but now you have. I will make sure he knows how you searched his sister’s home and made false accusations.”

  “Okay, okay,” Tuval defended, “I’ll leave without looking at the rest of the den if you don't report me! Agreed?”

  “You think after all that, I will let you go? How dare you! I can’t believe you—”

  Falor’s voice faded away, and his performance amazed Tamar. A few minutes later, her apprentice returned. She let out a breath.

  “We’re safe!” Falor proclaimed.

  Tamar rose from bed and went to the trunk, helping Sage out of it.

  “Thanks to your dramatics, we did it,” Tamar said. “Good job.”

  “Yeah, I figured if I pretended to throw a fit, it would encourage Tuval to leave,” Falor said. “In the end, I said that in exchange for Selah’s necklace, I would not tell Vartok.”

  “He took Selah’s necklace? So I was right that this search is just an excuse for theft,” Tamar said. “Even if you promised not to tell Vartok, I made no such promise.”

  “What about me?” Sage said. “Will you tell him about me?”

  “As I told you last night, I can’t turn you in,” Falor said.

  Sage eyed Tamar, who looked down at her feet. What will I do? She thought. Sage is a Toothbreaker, but he is also someone I...

  “Well?” Falor interrupted her thoughts.

  “I will wait until Vartok returns,” Tamar said. “I would rather Sage be with him than Tuval.”

  “Great!” Falor said, slapping Tamar on the back. “Do you have anything to eat around here? Sage and I didn’t eat breakfast because Tuval was coming.”

  “What, do you think with your stomach?” Tamar chuckled. “I think I have some eggs left.”

  Leading both men out of her room and toward the living room, they both took a seat while she cooked them breakfast. Cooking gave her even more time to think about her own feelings.

  Tamar hated Sage, didn’t she? Yet looking at him, sitting meekly by Falor, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. It must be because of the way he cried, and how he asked for punishment for what he had done wrong. He wasn’t the arrogant young man who broke her heart years ago. His new condition humbled him. And she...well, a small part of her still loved him. She had thought sleep would help her determine what she should do about Sage. In reality, she still wrestled with her feelings.

  SAGE ATE HIS BREAKFAST in silent contemplation. He had been protected, again, by Tamar. He hated being weak, but now he wondered if he deserved it. The graveyard had stirred his conscience, convicting him of all he had done in King Toren’s name. He had become a Toothbreaker because he wanted to be more than an Omega, the lowest ranked Eritam in the pack.

  All his life, Sage had wanted to be strong, just like his peers. Instead, he was weak in physical strength, specializing more in speed than brutal power. He would often practice running, jumping, and hunting with Fang. The one time he had proven himself and could rise in pack rank during the Hunt, they had taken it from him. That was the moment when he left the Eritam.

  But now, he wondered if that had been the right choice. Seeing Selah’s strength despite her weakness rattled him. She shouldn’t be joyful or cheerful. She should be depressed and contemplating her fate, just like him. Adding to his doubts was his own guilt over allowing his mother to die...not to mention the death of his wolf. Why did I just stand by and do nothing? Why did I comply with those orders? He wondered. Sage’s inner turmoil might have continued forever if not for the interruption of Falor.

  “I am so worried about Tamar,” Falor hissed in a low whisper so Tamar couldn’t hear him as she cooked. “She doesn’t have anyone. I mean, she has Vartok, but you and I both know he’s not involved. He has his own family to deal with.”

  “Vartok is married?” Sage asked.

  Falor nodded and said, “He married Corona five years ago when he was the Beta of our pack.”

  “Was?” Sage repeated.

  “Since King Toren killed Kayne and Sarai, that makes Vartok the new Alpha,” Falor explained. He looked pointedly at Sage.

  “If you want me to feel bad, I don’t,” Sage snapped. “Kayne and Sarai were no friends of mine.”

  “Nor mine for what they did to Selah,” Falor agreed. “But that doesn’t mean they deserved to die.”

  Sage didn’t agree with Falor’s assessment about Kayne and Sarai, but kept his mouth shut.

  “I know you hated them,” Tamar said, serving the three of them breakfast. Despite Falor’s efforts, she had heard them. “But there are more who perished because of King Toren’s hand than just them. You saw the graveyard last night.”

  Sage shivered. So many people died, he thought. Was that worth the “strength” of being a Toothbreaker?

  “I have no idea how many of those people were killed because of me,” Sage admitted out loud.

  Falor shifted uncomfortably next to him, and Tamar was silent. Sage wondered whether they would change their mind about him. Will they turn me over to Tuval, after all? He thought.

  Falor suddenly stood to his feet, interrupting the tense silence.

  “I think I should return Selah’s necklace,” he said.

  “Yes, I think you should return it to her.” Tamar smirked.

  Sage noticed Falor blush. He likes that weak girl? Sage thought. Why? The only reason Sage could think of was Selah’s cheerful attitude. After all, that attitude made him question the meaning of strength. Physical strength isn’t everything, Falor had reminded him. Sage wondered if he should re-adopt his earlier beliefs.

  With Falor gone, the uneasy silence resumed. Tamar stared at him, her hands folded under her chin, her eyes unwavering from his.

  “Are you still serving King Toren?” she asked, at last.

  He gulped, and under her penetrating stare, nodded once.

  “What did King Toren tell you to do?”

  He squirmed in his chair. How can I tell her the truth? He thought. I’ve already caused her so much pain. What would she think if I told her I’m a spy?

  “It doesn’t matter what he told me,” Sage replied. “After last night...I don’t know if I want to serve him anymore.”

  It was a truth he didn’t realize until he spoke it out loud. He no longer wanted to be a Skazic or a Toothbreaker. What do I want? He thought, and nothing came to mind.

  “Prove it. Give me the crystal you used to communicate with King Toren.”

  Sage hesitated for a moment before handing it over to her. Somehow, it was a relief to give it to her. She snatched it from his hand and left the room, Eponee following her. He heard some noise from her garden, and then she returned.

  “Now that’s taken care of, we have work to do.”

  “Work?” Sage questioned. Isn’t she going to ask about my past? He thought.

  “Of course, work! You didn’t think I would let you mope here until Vartok returns, did you?”

  Sage opened and closed his mouth, shocked.

  “I have several patients who are supposed to come by for their medicines, and I need to mix those herbs for Iris...” Tamar trailed off, taking their breakfast plates and placing them in a bucket to be washed.

  Sage didn’t know what to do because he was immobilized by shock.

  “Hey!” Tamar exclaimed. “What’s wrong?”

  Sage rubbed his eyes and yawned. “I’m just tired,” he lied.

  “And whose fault is that?” she said.

  It was his, and they both knew it, though they danced around the subject. Why doesn’t she lecture me or turn me in? I feel like I’m on edge, just waiting for her to punish me...

  “What do you want me to do first?” he asked, trying to distract himself.

  “Gardening,” Tamar said. “I think you can handle picking weeds.”

  Sage suppressed a groan. He was supposed to be spying for King Toren, gathering information that was important to him—not picking weeds. Yet, being a gardener for a day sounded more palatable than spying for King Toren at the moment.

  TAMAR WATCHED SAGE working on his hands and knees, digging up the weeds in her garden that were far from where she buried the crystal. The sight was so different from the teenager whose only focus was training. She could recall how obsessively he exercised every morning before they studied books and numbers with Priest Balik. She would come sometimes to watch, wondering at his enthusiasm.

  Vartok, Sage, Corona, and Tamar were all children of the pack who had lost their parents in a hunt gone wrong. Since that moment, they had bonded around their common grief and become friends. As their teenage years arrived, anticipation of the upcoming Hunt, which established rank in the pack, changed their relationships. In Tamar and Corona, it turned friendship into romantic feelings for Vartok and Sage. Both women had dreams of becoming the mate of the next Alpha. The four of them had tried to accomplish their goals, only to have them ripped away by Kayne and Sarai. Vartok became Beta and Corona married him, joining his rank by association.

  I would have married Sage and left if he asked, Tamar realized. She had never cared about rank or status. All she cared about was Sage—to her detriment. She had realized, after he left, that she’d idolized him. Sage had become her god in those days, not Melchizedek. That revelation changed her life. The apprenticeship under Jaira became her new focus. In fact, if she thought about it, Sage leaving her had been a good thing. It had helped her wake up to reality.

  Tamar could never admit it to him, because despite this realization, she was still in pain. His decision to leave instead of facing his problems was still wrong. His additional choice to become a Toothbreaker was wrong. How many people did he kill under King Toren’s orders? She shuddered, not wanting to answer that question, not wanting to think about it. Instead, she resolved to act like nothing was wrong until her brother returned.

  And that day came all too soon.

  Chapter Seven

  Weeks passed. On some days, Sage would accompany her to see patients. On others, he would garden or help with the Eritam who visited her home. During this time, Tamar felt more and more comfortable around Sage. His collarbone was healing, and he opened up slightly. She saw him smile or joke with Falor, and grumble less about his tasks. Even with Selah, Sage seemed open and carefree. They didn’t talk about his past, and neither Falor nor herself brought it up. Instead, a weird peacefulness settled over them. Let the past stay buried, Tamar thought. Just like the red crystal. Despite her desire to keep the past in the past, the more she was around Sage, the more the walls around her heart were dismantled.

  The day Vartok arrived, she was picking herbs in her garden.

  “Tamar!” Vartok greeted.

  “Oh, good morning brother!” Tamar said, hoping her voice sounded more steady than she felt. “I’m surprised you’re here.”

  “Yes, well, I’ve come on a matter of some urgency,” Vartok replied.

  “What is it?” Tamar asked.

  She heard a movement from her den, and she cleared her throat. Sage, she thought, Stay inside.

  “The Alphas have agreed to join the struggle against Toren,” Vartok said. “They want every able-bodied, willing Eritam to pack up and go to Khartome. That means I need Falor and whoever the new man is.”

  “New man?” Tamar feigned ignorance, but her palms started to sweat.

  “Yes, I’ve heard about your new helper. Is he a lone wolf?”

  How has word about him spread? She thought, and then images of how many patients they visited with “Ajira” flooded her mind. She had been foolish to parade him around the pack. It was a miracle that Tuval hadn’t suspected anything, but then again, Tuval was never close to any one of them.

  “He’s not a lone wolf.” Tamar swallowed.

  “Oh?” Vartok arched an eyebrow.

  With Vartok staring her down, Tamar wondered how she would tell him about Sage. More importantly, did she want to turn him in now? Their peaceful days had deluded her into thinking Sage and she were friends again. Before she could decide, Sage emerged from the den.

  “Tamar, what herb is it that treats—” Sage’s voice trailed off as he saw Vartok.

  Despite Sage’s long, braided hair, Vartok’s eyes widened in recognition. “Sage?”

  Sage’s shoulders slumped, and Tamar felt like he was...relieved...Vartok was there. But why? Tamar wondered.

  “I hear you’re an Alpha now,” Sage said softly.

  “And you’re...back,” Vartok managed.

  Tamar gulped. What should I do? She thought, wringing her hands. Based on Sage’s reactions, he would willingly surrender himself to Vartok. If he does, will I really be okay with that?

  “Yes,” Sage answered. “You’re here to arrest me, aren’t you?”

  “Arrest you? Why?”

  Sage’s pupils seemed to change color for a moment, and he glanced over at Tamar. She avoided his gaze, so he turned back to face Vartok, arms open wide.

  “I am the Toothbreaker you are looking for,” he said.

  A mixture of emotions appeared on Vartok’s face—confusion, fury, pain. Tamar’s heart pounded in her chest. If I don’t stop him now, Tamar thought, he might kill Sage! Is that what I want? What I truly want? Her thoughts whirled in her mind as the three of them remained frozen, unable to act. Vartok was the first to break, and he stepped forward and grabbed Sage’s arm. His action shifted something in Tamar, and she moved to stop her brother.

  “Don’t kill him!” Tamar begged. “Even if he is a Toothbreaker, I don’t think he should die.”

  “Even if he may be responsible for the deaths of pack members? Of Jaira?”

  Tamar’s face paled, and she whispered her reply. “He’s not like that.”

  “Yes, I am!” Sage declared, falling to his knees. “I deserve your punishment, Alpha Vartok! I deserve no mercy from you.”

  Vartok remained silent. Minutes passed, feeling like hours, before he spoke again.

  “I will honor the Vexli’s wishes. We shall keep you alive and bring you to her for a final judgment.” Vartok turned to Tamar. “He will stay with us as a prisoner until we reach Nova.”

  “Brother,” Tamar said, pulling at Vartok’s arm, “Why does the Vexli want him?”

  “She asked me to spare his life, though I’m not sure why,” Vartok explained. “The Lehrling and I had wanted to kill him.”

  Tamar let out a sigh of relief. At least he won’t die yet, she thought.

  Vartok dug into his knapsack and brought out a rope.

  “Before that, can I speak to Sage?” Tamar asked.

  Vartok nodded, and Tamar leaned over to whisper into Sage’s ear.

  “I don’t know why you’ve done this,” Tamar said. “Haven’t you changed?”

  “Have I?” Sage countered. “Helping you can’t change who I am—a servant of Malstorm.”

  “Your soul can’t be sold to Malstorm with regret filling your voice,” Tamar said.

  “Really?” Sage questioned bitterly. “Tamar, you do not know all that I’ve done! Find my journal. It will reveal my sins.”

  “If that is what you wish,” she said, her heart feeling heavy.

  Sage didn’t answer, and Vartok tied him up and took him away. Tamar stood, her fist clenched over her chest. Will I really be able to face the nightmares that Sage’s journal contains? She wondered. Well, I won’t know until I find it. With this resolve, she went straight to Falor’s den. Entering inside, Tamar headed toward the guest room and searched it for Sage’s journal. Eponee watched from the doorway, lying her furry head down over crossed paws. Tamar found the journal, took it, and went home. She sat in one of her cushioned chairs, staring at the cover. Should I read it? She thought. It feels...wrong... She gazed at the journal, stationary until Falor arrived at the den.

  “What happened?” he questioned.

  “Sage...he...gave himself up to Vartok,” Tamar replied.

  “And he still lives?” Falor asked.

  Tamar nodded as she answered, “Yes. He said the Vexli, the woman who changed Sage, desired it.”

  “Still, I’m surprised Vartok obeyed this Vexli’s wishes,” Falor said. “He has never listened to anyone before.”

  “I don’t think my brother would admit it,” Tamar explained, “but I think his friendship with Sage played a part, too.”

  “I am grateful for that, at least,” Falor said. “But why did Sage turn himself in?”

  “He told me it is because he is a servant of Malstorm. I hate to believe it, but...” She looked down at the journal and back at Falor. “He said this contains an account of his sins as a Toothbreaker.”

  “Let’s read it,” Falor replied.

  “I-I can’t.” Tamar admitted.

  “Well I can!”

  Falor tried to snatch the papers from her hands, but Tamar stood and strode over to the fire. She tossed the journal inside, the flames eating the paper.

  “Why did you do that?” Falor questioned.

  “I want to hear the truth from his own lips,” Tamar said. “When Sage left, he looked so broken. Like he wanted to die...”

  Falor’s brow furrowed. “Do you think he feels so guilty that he will do something dangerous?”

  Tamar bit her lower lip. “I do. That’s why we need to follow them. Vartok said he needed every able-bodied person for battle.”

  “Battle, what battle?”

  “The Alphas agreed to aid Jakin against King Toren. They are traveling to the capital tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh,” Falor said. He looked down at his feet. “What about Selah?”

  In her anxiety about Sage, Tamar had forgotten about the young girl and her other patients. She felt a pang of guilt. If she left, she wasn’t doing her duty. She slumped in her chair.

  “I’ll stay,” Tamar said.

  “No,” Falor said. “You go. I’ll stay.”

  Tamar looked up, meeting Falor’s blue eyes. “Are you sure?”

  “Are you?”

  Tamar nodded. She was certain, despite what it meant: going to battle, treating soldiers’ wounds. She felt peace settle over her for the first time in weeks. Melchizedek wanted her to go, and the glow of her Mark confirmed it.

 

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