Attack on Phoenix by Megg Jensen Page A

Rell said carefully, not admitting anything.
    "But, you are one of them. The buried, those that live underground." Torsten said again. He cocked his head, taking her in. "You look like a grounder, with your hair and clothes, but your accent is off. It's been a few years since I lived in Hadar, but I don't recall anyone with that lilt in their voice."
    This wasn't going at all like Rell wanted. Hours ago, her mission had been simple: turn them away, convince them to look elsewhere. But new circumstances had forced her into this corner. She closed her eyes, praying silently, hoping for illumination.
    "Look at her. She's praying again." Andessa chuckled. "I can't believe anyone thought she had something to do with the dragzhi leaving. As you saw, Hadar is burning. Her false religion didn't do any good."
    Rell's eyes snapped open. "It did work. They left because I prayed."
    "Then why didn't you stay up there and protect the city?" Andessa asked, her brow furrowed. "Maybe Hadar wouldn't be burning if you had."
    Rell wondered the same thing, but she put the thought out of her mind. She was here to stop these defenders from finding the Key. Before ascending aboveground, Rell had barely considered the people living on the soil. That shouldn't change now. These people were unbelievers. They meant nothing to her. Not even Renata, who had been so generous.
    If it was the gods’ will for them to die at the hands of the dragzhi, then so be it.
    "Leave her alone," Torsten said, glaring at Andessa. "You can't blame one person for what the dragzhi have done. Her prayer didn't work up there. It was coincidence."
    Rell wanted to argue with him, insist he just didn't understand how the Menelewen Dored worked. She was standing in front of him as proof of their power. And yet, Torsten couldn't perceive anything beyond what his eyes saw. His heart was closed.
    "I can help heal you," Rell said, hoping changing the subject to Torsten's injury would divert Andessa’s accusations. “You need to trust me. You need to follow me to the healer's ward."
    "So you are buried." Mellok snorted in disgust. "Cowards, all of you. Hiding underground while the rest of us fight."
    They weren’t afraid. Underground was the only place they could be free to worship the Menelewen Dored. “Your people can’t stop trying to get back into space to return to a planet that has probably forgotten about you. And you think I’m the fool?”
    They fell silent. Rell waited a few moments, turned on her heel, and started back down the winding tunnels. Footsteps sounded behind her, followed by a poorly-concealed gasp from Torsten.
    "Maybe you should all wait here while I get help," Rell said.
    Torsten squinted, pursing his mouth. His chest heaved with every breath.
    "No. You can't just leave us here. What if you don't come back?" Andessa asked. “We’ll be lost.”
    Mellok helped Torsten slide to the ground where he sprawled out, resting his leg.
    Rell had indeed considered losing them in one of the many twists and turns. With her luck, they'd discover one of the many secrets hiding underground. No, Rell would have Torsten healed, and then she would convince them to leave. She just had to find a way to make it happen.
    "I'll go with her." Leila wove her way through her friends and stood next to Rell. "I'll make sure she comes back so we can help Tor."
    "No." Mellok and Andessa both said it at the same time.
    Leila rolled her eyes, turning to Rell. "Ready?"
    "The three of you stay here," Rell said.
    "What if someone happens upon us?" Torsten asked. "What should we say?"
    "No one will. These tunnels aren't used anymore. You're safe." Well, safe from the others underground, at least. There was no reason to tell them the tunnels weren't used because of recent cave-ins. Rell had traveled these tunnels many times when she wanted to be alone, and she hadn't seen any indication of instability. "We'll be back soon. I promise."
    Torsten nodded at Rell, a smile on his face. "Thank you.