“He’s asleep now.” Nona straightened up from where she had been bending over Odda, apprehension on her face as she looked at the boy. She put down the flask that held the draught she had made.
Thomas felt the same. Resolution had taken him this far, but his courage was quickly draining away as the time drew near.
“It’s time,” Nectan said. “Do what ye must.”
Icy panic gripped him. But faced with the hard glint in Nectan’s eyes, Thomas’ protest died on his lips. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves, his heart pounding. His eyes sought Nona’s, and she nodded. Beside her, Domech glowered at him.
The Speaker’s surly expectation of his failure strengthened Thomas’ resolve. He clenched his jaw and knelt beside Odda, determined to prove the Speaker wrong. He reached out a hand and touch
