Moon Witch, Spider King

Sogolon finds peace in the stables. It’s been over a month since Likud has taken the throne. Sogolon visits Olu again, but his room is empty, and all the writing has been wiped clean. She discovers loose planks in the wall and pulls one free to find writing on the back. In the light of the stables, she reads, once again, mysterious references to the King, the Aesi, and Jeleza. This message is written in blood.

Although she loves caring for the horses, over time, the routine becomes dull, and Sogolon yearns for a change. She wants to read. One day, as she walks to the library, she is confronted by the spider-child and the red-faced demon. At the approach of the Aesi, however, both demon-children freeze. The Aesi escorts Sogolon into the library, asking her what she knows about the political structure of Fasisi. She has more questions than answers, however, such as why Emini is not awarded a royal title—Regent—until after she bears a child. When she asks about Olu and Jeleza, she detects a moment of hesitation in the Aesi’s face. Before he leaves, he tries once again to probe her mind, finally muttering, “Her mind won’t move” (183).