“Trust ain’t worth much in the deepworlds.”

—Dazzer Goflansi, famed smuggler

Cold fear gripped Zaina’s heart—had she been found out? Was this a test? Her life was flashing before her eyes—the pleasant moments, like time spent on her homestead, and the unpleasant ones—her time in the academy, much of the last few months.

Her eyes lowered to the blade at her throat. She gulped and took a deep breath, and then tried to steady her voice as she said, “What are you doing?”

Sivanya’s face twitched, her eyes losing their resolve for a moment before it returned with a hint of sorrow. “Hold still.”

Zaina wasn’t in a position to argue, so she focused on trying to slow her body’s rapid breathing. Sivanya, hand shaking, reached forward with her thumb and rubbed Zaina’s mark. First softly, then less so the second and third time; what was she trying to accomplish? The confusion and frustration in Sivanya’s eyes was enough to make it clear.

“Do you think my mark is fake or something?”

Sivanya’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not ruling out it being a tattoo. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“It’s real,” Zaina said, suddenly gripped by anger. “Trust me, I wish it wasn’t real—but it is.”

“I have to be sure—”

“I have been spit on, spurned, and betrayed by too many people since I got this fucking mark to have its authenticity questioned. No, you know what? This is ridiculous.” She stood up and made to leave.

“Wait,” Sivanya said. “I understand what you must be feeling—”

“Do you? Because after everything it took to get here, how many times I had to fight—” Zaina turned away. She was genuinely hurt, but showing that to Sivanya to gain her trust felt—twisted. “I’m sorry, maybe it’s better that I leave.”

Sivanya patted Zaina’s mat. “I’d rather you stayed, if that’s worth anything.”

Part of her did want to abandon the mission—now she knew what would be waiting for her if she ever was found out. Sivanya’s eyes had been frightening and murderous. After seeing them Zaina didn’t doubt for a moment that Sivanya would kill her if she discovered her true purpose.

Still, she wanted to stay. The enclave was more welcoming and homey than she imagined. Life was harsh and short here, but it wasn’t altogether unpleasant. And beside all that, these people needed all the help they could get. Zaina sighed and sat down.

“I’ll hear you out,” she said. “What the fuck was that about?”

Sivanya’s fang dissipated, and she raised her hands. “I had no choice. We caught two infiltrators last month alone—every new member of the enclave must be checked.”

“So all along—the entire time you were showing me around, being nice to me—it’s all because you thought I was some kind of spy?”

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“We can’t be too careful these days, Zaina. Not when we’re so close to salvation—not with what’s at stake. A single successful infiltration could cause the destruction of the entire enclave. Tell me, knowing that, would you take the word of the next stranger who walks in with a black mark?”

It was a fair point, but Zaina was too animated by now to concede that. “You were only staying so close to keep an eye on me, weren’t you? And I—”—this next part felt genuine, but also made Zaina’s stomach turn knowing it might further a deceptive purpose—“—here I thought you might actually be the first friend I’ve made in a while.”

“I admit, I took more of an interest in you than many others,” Sivanya said. “Most had their marks checked upon arrival.”

“How long?” Zaina asked.

“What do you mean?”

“How long did it take to realize you suspected me?”

Sivanya chuckled. “How honest do you want me to be?”

“One-hundred percent.”

I wish I could be the same with you.

Sivanya nodded. “To be honest, it was from the moment I laid eyes on you. Too many red flags.”

“Red flags?” Now Zaina was curious. “Like what?”

Sivanya’s head rocked back and forth, as if she was considering how to word her next statement. “Most of the people who come here are—let’s say, beaten down. You were happy as could be, though—that’s red flag number one.”

“Okay,” Zaina said. “Sorry I try to keep a positive outlook.”

“That’s not really something you should apologize for,” Sivanya said, stifling a chuckle.

“What else?”

“Most people have to be coaxed into helping,” Sivanya said. “Plus, you had so many questions—you wanted to be in the know on everything. That’s two more red flags.”

“So being helpful, positive, and inquisitive around here gets you put on a watchlist?” Zaina shook her head. “That’s messed up.”

“It’s not like that,” Sivanya said. “Once you have my trust, you have it, and I’ll want you to be all those things.”

“So why now, then? Why not check my mark the second we met?”

“Honestly?” Sivanya said. “I wanted to see what your intentions were. I assumed your long walk last night was to contact your allies—but I wanted to see how you carried patrols today, so I waited a night.”

“Well, do I have your trust now?”

Sivanya stared at her indifferently. “I’m not quite sure what to make of you entirely, Zaina Quin. I feel like you’re holding something back—like there’s something you’re not telling me. But if you are being truthful, if you truly did receive your mark from the Eldritch—I don’t know what to make of that, either. Why would you be here unless it wanted you here?”

Zaina didn’t know how to answer that.

“I’ve been honest with you,” Sivanya said. “Now you be honest with me—tell me, do you still hear the whispers?”

A shudder like so many crawling spiders made its way down Zaina’s spine. “Yes.”

Her voice barely a whisper itself, Sivanya asked, “What are they telling you right now?”

Zaina closed her eyes and tuned in to her brain’s constant background noise. “Kill her. Kill her. Kill them. Kill her. Kill her. It keeps going on like that.”

“How often do you have to live with that?” Sivanya’s face had turned to pity.

“It only flares up a couple times a day,” Zaina replied, “but that’s not important—you thought I was spying!”

“Like I said,” Sivanya said, standing up, “we had to be sure. Now—you should get some rest, and rest well in the knowledge that your sleep will not again be disturbed in such a manner.”

“So what, you do trust me now?”

Sivanya frowned. “Not quite. Something’s holding me back—what you’re holding back, I suspect. But I don’t think you’re an unmarked, so you deserve a chance. My suspicions have been wrong before.”

Well, that’s sort of good news I guess.

“I’m not holding anything back,” Zaina said. “That much I can promise.”

“Hm,” Sivanya curtly replied. “Goodnight, Zaina Quin. Sleep well.”

Once she was alone, a wave of relief coursed over Zaina.

That was way too close. She sighed. What am I doing out here?

Nothing made more sense than the day before. There was only the feeling of angst and pent-up anger. She felt trapped—she couldn’t imagine how the others felt.

I have a way out, if I want to take it. They don’t.

She wasn’t any closer to a solution, either. The temple still loomed over everything, either a world-ending threat or a saving grace; Zaina had to find out which it was, and fast.