Chapter 9

Almost immediately after having these thoughts, Yaliana felt bad. She was doubting someone she knew to be intelligent and resourceful, and not only that, someone she liked a lot. She should have more faith.

“You have a map?” Yaliana said after a moment of reflection. “So we can get back to the compound?”

“I’m not going back!”

“Your father said he’s calling off the arrangement. You can go back. We can go back together.”

“My father lies all the time. I knowhe won’t renege on the deal he took so much effort to make.”

Yaliana shook her head in disbelief. Boss Wakuma couldn’t lie, not to the knights, not if he wanted them to remain loyal. Yaliana trusted him, and Ulissa wasn’t safe here. She had to get the woman to see reason and come back with her.

“But I found you,” Yaliana said.

“No, I found you. If anything, you’re coming with me. You’re injured. You can’t force me to go with you. Besides, if I leave you, you might be killed.”

“You don’t even have a weapon.”