Apex Magazine: Issue 93 by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Apex Publications

Petro scrambled to his feet as the temple’s black wall slid apart. His whole body ached from the cold and from the waiting; the others had left but he had stayed, squatting there in the garden of glass, massaging his numb fingers and rubbing grit into his eyes whenever they threatened to slip shut. He had prayed hard.

Pale blue light welled from the temple’s dark mouth and Petro watched, trembling, as a figure emerged, her body covered. When the selection passed Reva over, he had wept with joy, knowing the God in the Pit had tasted all his small sacrifices of blood and water and decided to leave her for him, instead. He had made plans to ask her father for an early marriage as soon as the Clan was moving again.

The figure came closer, taking wavery steps. Petro’s hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. When Reva had disappeared in the night, it had put stone in his belly. He knew if he’d only had the chance to speak with her, to calm her, she never would have done such a foolish thing. But maybe the God in the Pit had spared her for him once more.

The figure stumbled, and Petro ran to her, holding out an arm to steady her. In the blue glow, he recognized the shape of her body. His heart sank. It was Brete. The God had taken Reva and sent Brete away.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice hoarse from disuse.

Brete didn’t answer, only shaking her head from side to side, side to side. Her eyes were wide and terrified, and when the scarf slipped down her face he saw that beneath her nose, nostrils flared wide for breath, there was only smooth, pale skin.

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