Crown of Smoke Page 35
I watch closely, curious to see how a specimen I’ve never seen before will burn.
It doesn’t.
More to the point, it stays alight, but doesn’t get consumed by the flame.
“What in the sixth hell…”
“Don’t hold back, petal. I said a few choice words myself, when I first found it. Well, that was until…” She gives herself a visible shake, as if spooked. “Listen carefully. I’m going to ask you to remove your mask for a single breath. Are we clear? One breath only. Then straight back on.”
“Can’t you just tell me what’s going on?”
“I think it’s best you experience for yourself. I promise you, I will not let you come to harm. Whatever my promise is worth in this new world. You, though.” She gestures to Ash. “Your mask stays exactly where it is.”
I stare at her for several long moments, then do as she says, removing my mask, taking a single sniff, and fixing the cloth back over my nose.
Luz looks expectant. “Well?”
“Well what?” I retort, irritation prickling my temper. I’ve barely had a chance to take in the wonder of the flower that doesn’t burn. The flames only heighten the glory of its colour, the depth and mystery at the bloom’s core.
“What do you think?”
“What do I think?” I gape at her, incredulous that she has to even ask. “You mean what do I know. We must do everything we can to preserve these. Have you found any seeds yet? Or is it a bulb?”
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I notice my voice is strangely high pitched. “Where did you find it? We need to make sure they’re somewhere they can thrive. We should put guards on the plantation. Plant more as soon as get through the first growth cycle.”
I’m talking much more rapidly than I usually would. But what else can I do? They need to understand how serious this is.
“Ah, Rakel?” Ash takes my hand.
“You’ll help, yes? We should leave soon. Where are they growing, Luz? Where did you find it? You have to tell me. I can help. We’ll make sure—”
“Rakel,” Ash repeats, bringing my hand to his mouth, gently kissing the back of it. “Look at me, please.”
But I can’t tear my eyes away from the exquisite flower. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world, and I will do anything to ensure its future. Anything.
I vaguely register Luz has opened the door and Ash is leading me outside. He gently removes my mask. I shake him off.
“What are you doing?” I snap. “We need to pack. Make a plan. If you’re not going to help, I’ll go alone.” I’d have no chance of besting Ash physically, so if he won’t help, I’ll have to sedate him. How much does he weigh exactly? I’d need to get the dose just right. And I’ll have to figure out a way to force Luz to tell me where she found the first specimen so that I—
“Do something for me first,” Ash says. “Take a few deep breaths.”
I tap my foot, impatient.
“In,” he coaxes, like I’m some kind of child.
I do as he says. I suppose he could be some use in this, it would be better to take him than drug him. But if he starts to stray from the—
“Breathe out.”
I shake my head. There was something I was supposed to be doing. What was I supposed to be doing?
“In,” Ash repeats.
Luz moves closer, tilting my head back with long, cool fingers and peering, intent, at my eyes. “She’s almost back to us,”
Back? Where did I go?
“How do you feel, petal? Any urges to go to the ends of the earth to spread the beauty of a particular floral specimen?”
“Ah … say what now?”
Luz nods, satisfied. “It’s passed.” She proffers a small, ornate container. “Smelling salts?”
“Thank you.” I’ve never been happier to breathe their stinging, smarting vapours.
“I inhaled so much it took me a good hour to get over it the first time,” Luz says. “Lucky I had brought it back to the Sanctuary for testing. Payuz locked me in a cell until I came back to myself.”
Ash glances warily towards the apothecary window. “I thought magic was finally where it belongs – with our shadows. Behind us.”
Luz gives a one-shouldered shrug. “That was the plan, yes.”
“Then,” I begin, “how do you explain … whatever this is?”
“I was hoping you would help me figure that out on the way to Lostras. I’ve got a captain waiting at the marina. I daresay the voyage would only take a week or two, if this wind holds. Time to test our former Prince’s new leadership group.”
I glance above us, noticing something I haven’t seen for an entire turn – a patch of blue in the volcanic ash-clogged sky. It’s a small area, but true. And through it, rays of sunlight slant between the buildings, all the way to the ground.
“‘The fingers of the gods’, they used to call that,” Ash murmurs.
I look from Luz, to Ash, and back to Luz again. Followers of Asmudtag believe that nothing can be destroyed. Only channelled. Absorbed. Changed.
“Can … can gods be reborn?”
Luz taps her nose. “You’re still sharp, petal.”
Inside, on the counter, the pristine flower continues to burn.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Wahey, duology achievement unlocked!
And yet it might have all been ashes if it weren’t for…
My amazing agent, Josh Adams—I feel so fortunate to be a part of the Adams Literary family. Thank you for all that you do for me and my words. In the UK, my wonderful agent Caroline Walsh and the David Higham Associates team (special shout out to Christabel McKinley!). May your magic never wane.
At Scholastic UK: my editor, Linas Alsenas. Second books can be tricksy beasts, and only Kaismap knows how you guided this one into the world. Thank you for your editorial insight and keen nose for story, and most of all for your engagement and support every step of the way. Pete Matthews: your eagle eyes are ever appreciated. Gen Herr: thanks for shepherding this one over the line. Liam Drane: you’ve wrapped another magnificent cover around my words, thank you. My gratitude to the wonderful publicity and marketing teams for getting the word out, to the rights team for many fabulous adventures abroad, and to Lauren Fortune for lighting the Shadowscent incense right back at the first chapter.
Thanks to my treasured early (and thereafter!) reader-cheerleaders: Lauren, Serena and Claire. Gratitude to fellow writers and readers (you know who you are) who gave feedback on various intersections of representation. To Sarah and the team at 4160 Tuesdays: thank you for being s(c)entsational humans, for sharing your expertise and knowledge of the perfume industry, and for bringing the Shadowscent world to sniffable life in ours.
Mentors, champions and awesome writerly folk who made sure I didn’t stray into the Wastes during my first year of the author road, especially: Amie, Samantha, Eliza, Lili, Jay, Nic, Ellie, Alwyn, Melinda, Tom, Laure, Patrice, Sophie, Kitty, Emi, Kat, Sim, Christina, Laura (x2), Amber, Sarah, Justin and the residents of the House of Progress.
Not-yet-mentioned friends and family (blood and found) who were the bestest backup team when I’d lost the plot (in all the ways!): Dida, Manu, Phil, David, Kirsty, Brendan, Pip, Andrew, Hattie, Katherine and Andreas.
To Roscoe: we made it. Thank you for your love, patience, and support, and for believing in me, especially during a year when I struggled to believe in myself.
And the finale: to the readers, booksellers, bloggers and bookstagrammers, festival programmers, librarians, educators, literacy advocates and organisations: thank you for all you’ve done to support me and the Shadowscent duology. It means so much, and I couldn’t do this without you. I hope we’ll get to share other stories in the future.
Until then, scents keep you…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
P. M. Freestone hails from Melbourne, Australia and currently resides in Edinburgh. She is a Clarion Writers’ Workshop (University of California) graduate and a Scottish Book Trust N
ew Writers Award winner, and she has degrees in archaeology, religious history and a PhD in the sociology of infectious diseases. You can learn more about P. M. Freestone on her website:
www.pmfreestone.com
Follow Peta on Twitter (@PM_Freestone) and Instagram (p.m.freestone)
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First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2020
This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2020
Text © P M Freestone, 2020
eISBN 978 0702 30146 9
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