Page 42 of The Searching Songbird

Who, Suzu?

“I shouldn't... like I said, it's impossible.”

Suzu! Please, just tell me.

…

There was a long pause as the phoenix fell silent, and Lily bit back the urge to scream in frustration. Thankfully, the end of the song arrived, saving her from forcing out anymore of the strained notes. She gave the judges a small curtsy. “Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes already moving back to the balcony.

The empty balcony.

Now, where did you go? She made a beeline for the stage wing, throwing one last look up at the balcony as she went.

Who was it, Suzu? I know you know, so just spit it out already.

“It makes no sense, Shendri. Really, it's quite impossible.”

Don't make me pluck you, Suzu.

“As if you could.”

…

“Fine. The man who was standing beside Draven was the mirror image of the very man I, and all the other celestial beasts, were created to oppose. The son of Lunares, goddess of the moon.”

Lily stopped in her tracks, and stood motionless in the darkened space of the wing as the steady beat of a drum began to pound inside her head. Or was it her heart that made that noise?

“But... you defeated him. You chased him into the Endless Mountains, never to be seen again.” Her hollow words filled the empty space, making her wince.

“I know,” Suzu replied. “And yet... we did not kill him. Weakened him, yes. Severely so. We thought his fate was sealed, lost to the bleak chill of the mountains, but, perhaps... perhaps he was stronger than we gave him credit for. Perhaps...”

Lily licked her lips, her mouth feeling as dry as sawdust.

“Bade is alive.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Bade is alive.

Lily's heart hammered against her breast as she ran down the corridor that led back out to the theater's grand lobby. Flinging the door open, she gave the room a cursory glance before hurrying over to the first set of stairs.

Bade is alive, and he's talking to Draven. Her chest tightened with worry as she took the stairs two at a time. Please, please let him be okay. She paused outside the door of the mezzanine, her hand pressed against the cool wood. Be ready to come out, Suzu.

With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and strode down the aisle with purposeful steps, mentally preparing herself for whatever confrontation awaited her. As she moved further down the aisle, however, she quickly realized there wouldn't be any at all.

The mezzanine was empty.

“They're gone.” She moved over to the balcony as if in a dream, her fingers curling over that same wooden railing Draven had stood sentry at just moments before. Casting her gaze down to the main floor, she searched the room for any sign of them, but only the judges remained, their heads bent together in heated discussion.

“Where are you, Draven?” And why were you with Bade? Was it a coincidence? Or... Her stomach clenched as a trickle of doubt crept in. Do you know each other?

“Impossible.” With an abrupt turn, she faced the back of the theater and made for the exit. There was a perfectly reasonable explanation to all of this, and just as soon as she found Draven, she would understand.

Perhaps he's waiting for me outside.

Yes, he was very likely out front, waiting for her to join him with her report. He probably had no idea who had been speaking with him earlier. He'd probably even thought it might be the man they sought.

But, instead, it was a very different sort of villain. Who was here, in Flores. Which only produced a million more questions, all of which would have to be put off until later. Right now she simply needed to find Draven and see for herself that he was well.