Did shock affect your hearing?

  Or was it the lack of sleep?

  Mia wiggled her finger in her ear and stretched her jaw. The ringing didn't stop, and the bubble-like pressure in her ear worsened. She swallowed, hoping it would pop.

  It might be the stress. The head maid used to say stress could cause the body to react in weird ways. She would warn the girls about grey hairs and wrinkles. Not that, that was a pressing concern of hers. She hadn't seen a bath in weeks, much less a mirror, which was understandable; water was a scarce resource.

  A warm wand touched her arm.

  Nessa’s gaze was concerned. “I…call...yo.”

  Miss looked away first, unable to hold Nessa’s gaze. She looked across the tent, barely five steps, but the ledger lay there unassuming, unconcerned with the damage it caused.

  “There's something wrong with my ears,” she said as an excuse. She was shouting. “It's like listening to rain.” The guilt wasn't as strong as last night. It wasn't as strong as it should be. “It's muffled and funny.”

  She didn't know if the words made sense. If she'd said them right.

  It felt like someone had boxed her on the ears too hard, but worse.

  “Did…y…poison?” Mia's brow furrowed, her hand reaching out to touch Mia's forehead.

  The gesture was odd; their roles reversed. Mia would have laughed if she hadn't seen Nessa's mouth moving.

  The room shrank, cold sweat breaking out on her brow. Mia's heart hammered in her chest. She couldn't hear.

  Her hand touched her ear.

  How?

  Wha…?

  She grabbed Mia by the arms and shook her.

  Nessa's face contorted in pain. She pulled back.

  Mia yanked her arms back, holding them up, not sure where to put them. They stayed in the air in surrender or confusion. “Sorry!”

  Nessa's mouth was moving.

  Mia’s blood ran cold.

  She touched her ears.

  She shook her head.

  This wasn't happening.

  Was it because of the ledger?

  A side effect?

  Was it poison?

  The Nazirians?

  Despite the rising panic, she was calm, or maybe a better word, was numb. Her heart still raced, trying to beat out of her chest. But her mind was foggy, like she'd slept too long or too little.

  Small hands grabbed her, giving her a strong shake.

  Her eyes drifted back to Nessa, vision tunneling to her moving mouth.

  Mia blinked.

  A sharp slap whipped her head to the side.

  She blinked faster, tears pricking her eyes.

  Her hand chipped her cheek. Wide-eyed, she stared at Nessa.

  Nessa pointed at her ears, then crossed her fingers in an X. She taped her mouth, then pointed at her ears and shook her head before pointing at Mia.

  Mia's hand slid from her cheek to her ear, nodding.

  Nessa’s eyes widened, horrified.

  She sprang up, running towards the tent opening, but Mia grabbed her arm.

  Mia shook her head. She pointed to the ledger lying on the floor, its pages bent, spine at an odd angle.

  Nessa crossed the room, picking up the ledger from where it lay. She hesitated, probably wanting to open it, but in the end, she brought it to Mia.

  True Name: Mia

  Debt Status: Active (Hearing Loss)

  Two lines, nothing else.

  Mia closed the ledger, opened it, and pressed her hand to the page.

  True Name: Mia

  Debt Status: Active (Hearing Loss)

  Debt status: Was that the debt she owed to Ashfall?

  No. That didn't make sense. The words ‘debt status’ had been on Nessa’s page, but it said it was not applicable. Nessa still owed points to Ashfall, so there was no reason for it to be marked not applicable. Plus, Ashfall had taken points from the loot they collected and handed over.

  It was also too terrifying to think they could take away someone's hearing from a distance at any point, for any reason.

  She clutched the ledger.

  This was what Mox was waiting for?

  The reason he was avoiding her?

  Warm hands clutched her arm.

  She looked up.

  Nessa was crouched in front of her, tears streaming down her face. She put her hand to her mouth and motioned, throwing up.

  Mia tilted her head.

  Nessa taped the page and repeated the motion, her lips moving.

  Oh. Mia taped the page, pointing at Mia's eye. Can you see what's written here?

  Nessa frantically shook her head.

  Mia didn't hesitate. She pointed for Nessa to put her hand on the page.

  Nessa's small, tanned hand looked wrong resting on the pristine white paper.

  Name: Nessa

  Debt Status: Not Applicable.

  Mia had something that Nessa didn't. A debt that was making her ill.

  She pointed at the paper again.

  Nessa pressed her hand.

  Name: Nessa

  Debt Status: Not Applicable.

  Mox had no intention of giving her the answer or making this easy on her.

  Mia grabbed her bag, searching for a parchment, quill, and ink.

  Dan.

  She pointed at the word.

  Nessa nodded, turning to run.

  Mia grabbed her again.

  Slow.

  Nessa bit her lip, nodding. Hands twisted in the fabric of her shirt, she walked out of the tent.

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  Mia's hands shook as she closed the ledger. She kept her eyes on the entrance. People went about their day, movements efficient.

  A child was scarfing down his bread. Eyes darting wildly.

  It would be fine.

  Breath.

  Wait.

  One. Two. Three. Four. Seventy-two.

  Dan entered the tent. His eyes glanced over Mia.

  He pointed at his chest, then pointed out the tent.

  Mia jumped to her feet.

  Her legs gave out, and she crashed to her knees.

  Mia bit her tongue to keep from screaming.

  She shouldn’t attract attention.

  She couldn't reveal a weakness. Scavengers were all vultures. They were waiting to smell blood…they were waiting for her to falter.

  Hands gripping the cot, she stood.

  Arranging her bag gave her a moment to collect herself. She slipped the ledger inside, using the fabric to block Nessa's gaze as she put it in her space.

  Dan wouldn't be here if the only outcome of this were her death.

  Feeling steadier, she pointed at Nessa, who hung back, then pointed at the tent.

  Nessa nodded.

  It was morning, and the camp was already breaking for the day's march.

  Mia wrote.

  Lady T.

  Being close to Mia protected Nessa, but it also made her a target. Travelling with Lady T was better, away from the rest.

  Nessa wiped at the tears that continued to fall, nodding, giving Mia a small smile. She ran over, hugging Mia's waist.

  Mia rested her hand on Nessa's head.

  She bent and pulled the small frame against her.

  It was hard to tell which one of them was shaking. It wasn’t wise to bring Nessa with her. The situation was uncertain, and the outcome even more so. She couldn’t even guarantee that she’d return.

  Mia straightened.

  Once she was sure her legs would hold, she left the tent, forcing herself not to look back.

  The walk was quiet. They’d dismantled the inner camp except for the commander's tent. It stood there, mouth open as if waiting for her.

  No. It was waiting for her.

  Her impaired state hadn’t shocked Dan; he expected it.

  Mox had assigned Dan to her.

  He waited for her by the open entrance of the tent, his gaze dead.

  Mia squared her shoulders and stepped through.

  ***

  Stepping through the wrap was disorienting. She lost her footing, tilted to the side, and crashed to the floor.

  That has never happened before.

  Usually, stepping through the wrap gate was like walking through an open door.

  Mia eased onto her knees, the ringing in her ears louder.

  She grabbed her head, squeezing. Eyes closed was better. She rocked, unwilling to stand, unwilling to face this challenge.

  One. Two. Three. Four. Sixty. Seventy. Night.

  She counted until the silence didn't swallow her. Until the clothes on her skin didn't feel too heavy. She kept going until she didn't feel like a loose thread on a fraying sweater.

  Mia looked up.

  She wasn't alone.

  Dan stood to the side, gaze focused on the tent opening, hand on the hilt of his sword.

  There was another man, dressed in a long white robe with a friendly smile on his face.

  “You must be Ben, Mox told me to expect you, though he seemed to think you'd have someone accompany you. Someone else I was supposed to meet.” His voice was low, each word lilting as if he were singing.

  “I can hear.” Her voice never sounded so sweet.

  “You can hear me,” he corrected.

  Mia strained her ears. She could hear her heart breathing, the gulp of her swallowing, and the pounding of her heart, but she couldn't hear anything else. No voices, or feet, or anything to tell her the world hadn't disappeared.

  “Senric?” She asked.

  “Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ben. Though it could have been under better circumstances.” He held out a hand.

  Mia hesitated, but eventually placed her hand in his.

  He tugged her up, releasing her as soon as he was sure she wouldn't fall.

  “I couldn't hear,” she said, the words tumbling out. “My ears started ringing, and then it felt like they were stuffed with cotton or I was underwater. And then there was nothing. That has never happened before. I thought it was poison. But I wasn’t exposed to anything. Not that I know of, at least. I was in camp for a week. Just walking around. I went foraging once or twice. Could that have done it? Something I touched? It was odd. Just there and gone. I was done when I went to sleep. But I stayed up late.” She sank into a crouch, her arms wrapped around her knees.

  A warm hand settled on her shoulder. Her breathing ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She was shaking again. Harder this time, so strong she thought the earth beneath her feet tremored.

  “You owe a debt.”

  Mia knew that, but having confirmation, hearing him say the words eased the tension inside. “I have a debt.” Okay. She could work with that. “Who do I owe, and what do I owe?” She reviewed everything that had happened since arriving in Cinderwild. She couldn't figure out who she owed a debt to and why they hadn’t just told her.

  It wasn't Mox. He was the first person she considered, but he was always clear about what she owed and why. Points for renting the ledger and Dan. A favor for keeping her secret. Other than being infuriatingly shady about his interest in her, he was pretty straightforward.

  The smile melted off his face. “An Overseer has expressed their interest.” His voice was soft. Tone reverent and fearful.

  “A what?” She asked. He sounded honored. She almost felt sacrilegious for being horrified.

  He exhaled. “Let's take this conversation elsewhere.”

  Mia didn't want to go elsewhere; she wanted answers. She wanted her hearing. She wanted…it was hard to say when it happened, but she could no longer imagine herself living in Drunn, or anywhere else.

  Mia followed him out of the tent, a duckling following behind the mother duck, with little thought to where she was going. Standing to her left, silent and ever present was Dan.

  She pushed down on the rising panic.

  There was a debt. She needed to pay it, and this ordeal would be over.

  They were in another camp. It differed from anything she'd ever seen.

  It was loud even if she couldn't hear.

  The air hit her first, thick, heavy, and hot. The smell of burning metal and hot oil filled her nose like a pot poorly tended in an open hearth. Underneath, sweat mixed with dust and the earthy scent of trampled grass.

  Her eyes darted everywhere. People moved like ants, orderly, swift, purposeful. Their feet rose and fell, boots striking the ground in a rhythm she felt deep in her chest. She could almost hear the beat, the thud.

  They were soldiers. There was no mistaking them for the warriors she was used to seeing. They wore armor with crests prominently displayed. Their eyes were hard, scanning their surroundings like they were waiting for something.

  A hand clapped on her shoulder. Senric’s smile had returned. She would swear he was laughing at her, but she had no way to prove it.

  Senric led her into a large tent with multiple cots. Bandaged men rested on a few. Others were empty except for a folded sheet neatly at the end of the cot.

  Mia looked away, feeling like an intruder.

  They continued deeper, the tent impossibly large, until he pushed aside a flap and led her into another room.

  Dan didn't enter

  She felt the magic move over her, wet and hot. “What was that?”

  “Secrecy magic,” he said. Senric moved around preparing tea. “Conversations with medics like priests are privileged, and the medic can’t repeat what a patient tells them, but the people in Cinderwild aren't known for being trusting, hence the spell. It ensures I can't repeat anything said here.”

  The last bit of tension left her body. She sank into a chair.

  When the cup settled on the table in front of her, she moved slowly, curling her fingers around the warm porcelain. She hadn't had anything to drink other than water in so long.

  Mia savored it.

  The warmth spread through her body, sweetness lingering on her tongue.

  “Jasmine, how lovely.” It was her favorite. He knew it was her favorite. The way he knew that was through Mox. Calmer now, she realized she needed to be mindful of what she said. He couldn’t repeat their conversation, but there might be other ways for people to find out what she said.

  Cinderwildlings were mistrustful for a reason.

  He sat across from her, enjoying his tea. Neither spoke, but the overwhelming need from before had eased.

  Senric refilled her cup. “Are you ready to continue?”

  Mia toyed with the handle, spinning the cup in its saucer. “Yes.”

  “Do you remember how you came to Cinderwild?” He didn't wait for her to answer. They both knew there was no way to forget. “The Overseers created the barriers. There are hundreds of them spread over the world, but no matter where you’re sacrificed, you always end up in Cinderwild if you survive.”

  Senric’s finger rubbed the edge of his cup. “The barrier you came through determines who you owe the debt to. And, for the most part, what you owe. The barrier between Tigen and Asua requires a sacrifice of fifteen beautiful women and five beautiful men for every forty people who pass through. They receive a flesh ledger if chosen. I don't need to explain what the debt is, do I?”

  Mia shook her head, remembering the tent at the edge of the camp. She'd comment that they kept the desirable people there. “Fiona,” she said, the name bitter on her tongue.

  He nodded. “Fiona manages the brothels in Ashfall, but she’ll sell most of those people. Travel between Tigen and Asua is unregulated. The governing countries on both sides keep a…stable of suitable sacrifices.”

  Stable.

  They bred them to be sacrificed. An image of a pot-bellied man walking between stalls examining horseflesh flashed in her mind.

  No disgust.

  No comment on the wrongness.

  No feeling of wrongness.

  Just an internal, oh, that’s interesting. That’s the way it is.

  Was she always callous, or had she adapted quickly?

  Either way, there was nothing she could do to change the existing system. “Flash leader? Is that like Mox’s ledger?”

  “Mox has an information ledger. I’m unsure whether he collects specific information or if general information will suffice. I do know he’s cleared his debt. And,” he clapped his hand. “That’s all I’ll be saying about Mox. The woman we’re visiting after this also has an information ledger, but she collects secrets.” Senric took a sip.

  Mia mirrored him, pleasantly surprised that the temperature hadn't dropped. Magic was involved. It was wasteful, but it also said a lot. “Why do we need to visit her? If I told you which barrier they sacrificed me at, wouldn't you know which ledger I have?”

  “I have debts of my own to clear,” he said.

  She waited, but he said nothing further. “Does Mox’s ledger know who I owe a debt to?”