In any case, what Eliza wanted to know about her heritage would not be found in the Book of Elazael. At least, not that edition. The real book of Elazael was within her.
She contained it. Not in her blood, though only those of the blood had it. It was, in fact, encoded on the thread of her life, that tether hooking soul to body that would be found on no anatomy chart ever drawn in this world. She didnt know that, even as she fell headlong into it, in the backseat of a car on a long, straight road.
Right into the heart of the madness that had claimed each and every prophet to come before her.
48
HUNGRY
There were no french fries to be had at Tamnougalt, and, in what Zuzana considered a blatant breach of hospitality laws, there was no chocolate, eitherexcept in liquid form, that is, and hot chocolate just wasnt going to cut it right now. But if she was back to her old self enough to crave these things, she was not back to her old self enough to complain about them.
And I never will be again , she thought morosely, sitting in the shade on the rooftop terrace of this new kasbah. Well, not new, obviously. New to her. It was strange to see people ambling around in their cool leather slippers, at home in this place that reminded her so much of monster castle. Just add a few homey flourishes, like Berber drums and some big woven cushions laid out on dusty rugs, fat candlesticks bearing years of wax drippings. Oh, and electricity and running water. Civilization, of a sort.
Though Zuzana rather doubted that any running water ever would be able to compete with the thermal pools at the Kirin caves for awesomeness. After Karou had left her and Mik alone in there, they had indulged in a daydream of bringing people to the caves from Earthnot rich adventure tourists, either, but people who needed and deserved itto take the healing waters. Theyd be carried on the backs of stormhunters, and sleep on fresh furs in the old family dwellings. Candlelight and wind music, a banquet under the stalactites of the great cavern. Imagine, being able to give that experience
to someone. And Zuzana didnt even like people! It had to be Miks good nature rubbing off on her, whether she wanted it to or not.
They had the rooftop terrace to themselves for the moment. The others were down in the room, hiding out, sleeping, and doing research. Mik and Zuzana had taken it upon themselves to procure food, and so here they were, menus spread before them on plastic tablecloths.
They hadnt talked at all about the battle. What was there to say? Hey, Virko sure tore that angel apart, huh? Like he was slow-cooked chicken, ready to fall off the bone. Zuzana didnt want to talk about that, and she didnt want to talk about the other things shed seen as they made their escape, or to compare notes and know whether Mik had seen them, too. It would make them more real, if he had. Like seeing Uthem, whose revenant necklace she had strung herself, set upon by a half-dozen Dominion. And Rua, the Dashnag who had carried Issa through the portal. How many others?
You know what? Zuzana said. Mik looked up questioningly. I am too going to complain. Why even bother living if you cant complain about the absence of chocolate? What kind of life would that be?
A pale one, said Mik. But what absence of chocolate? Whats wrong with this? He was pointing at the menu.
You better not be messing with me.
I would never joke about chocolate, he said, hand to heart. Look. Youre missing a page.
And she was. And there it was, in black and white on Miks menu, spelled out, as every item was, in five languages, as if chocolate were not universally understood:
gateau au chocolat
torta di cioccolato
pastel de chocolate
schokoladenkuchen
chocolate cake
But then the waiter came to take their order, and when she said, First well have the chocolate cake, and well just eat it while youre making the rest, so bring that first, okay? he told themwith what struck Zuzana as an entirely inadequate display of regretthat theyd run out.
white noise
But this was when Zuzana felt the nature of the change within herself for a certainty, because it wasnt a big deal. Her lines of context had been redrawn, and the one for Big Deal had been scooted way the hell back. Well, thats a bummer, she said. But I guess Ill survive.
Miks eyebrows lifted.
They ordered and asked that the food be brought straight to their roomand the waiter triple-checked the quantity of kebabs and tagine, flat bread and omelettes, fruit and yogurt. But it is enough for twenty people, he pointed out several times.
Zuzana regarded him levelly. Im very hungry.
Eliza wasnt laughing anymore. She was speaking. Sort of.
The driver was on his phone, shouting over the sound of her voice even as he sped down the long, straight highway. Somethings wrong with her! he yelled. I dont know! Cant you hear her? Twisting his arm around to hold the phone nearer to her raving, he lost his grip on the steering wheel momentarily, swerving onto the shoulder and back with a squeal of rubber.