14

“Come,” Halo said to me, outstretching her arm. “Let’s do this together.”

I took her hand, and we walked into the spring. The water was warm from the stifling heat and humidity around us. Sulfur, tinged with an aroma of death, permeated the air, but the soft liquid swirling around us had a calming effect. We continued to submerge ourselves until we were waist-deep in the water.

“I will start with an incantation,” Sire said, moving to the edge of the water.

I held onto Halo’s hand when Sire started chanting in a low, melodic cadence.

“Oh, heart and soul of the people whose bodies are now part of your earth, bring forth their spirits, commence their rebirth. From the ashes you fell to the sprouts you will spring, raise up Onyx Rah greater than our imagining.”

Over and over again, Sire said the same thing until his words petered away and he entered a meditative trance. When he did, the denseness in the stifling air dissipated, and a cool breeze danced on my skin. I didn’t let go of Halo’