by Eve Stone
I watch Holly for any signs that she might know about this, but it’s clear that she hasn’t known. Her eyes are wide.
“That’s exactly what they did. They stripped the council’s powers and attached them to Excalibur,” Mallory explains. “They were doing an incantation and the spell was complete when the woman handed over Excalibur.”
My head swings around the room searching for Tristan. “Where’s Tristan?”
Everyone looks around, but he isn’t there. Where has he gone? With all the commotion in the room, I’ve been distracted. Has he slipped out to get help prior to Lance’s arrival?
“Help me tie these two together,” Lance instructs Mallory and I.
Knowing that needs to be done, I push my concern for Tristan aside. He can take care of himself and most likely, he’s on his way back here with more help. When we have Gareth and Galahad restrained, I look to Holly.
“What’s she doing here?” I ask, none too friendly.
She had theoretically helped, but I’m not sure I trust her.
“We were coming to find you. While you were all preoccupied, I searched through the lockers and read the other’s notes.”
I cross my arms, wondering why he’d done that.
“Chancellor Andrews tasked me to keep an eye on all of you so that we could glean what the council was up to.”
“Let me guess, the meat head twins’ challenge was to kill me?”
He purses his lips and shakes his head. His eyes avoid mine and suddenly, I’m feeling nervous about whatever he’s going to say.
“They were to kill someone, but not you. Holly.” He bends his head toward her. “That’s why she’s with me. I don’t know if I can trust her now that I know she’s a witch, but I couldn’t let her die.”
“Hey! I’m half witch and I helped save your friends, so fuck yourself, Druitt.”
“Why did they want her dead?” I ask Lance.
“I believe they learned that the Chancellor was keeping an eye on her. They were afraid she was using her witch abilities to uncover their secrets.”
“The council has only been here one time and they’ve lost their powers. How can they know all about what’s happening here? I know those two have been working for them, but I doubt they knew any of this was going on. They’re morons.”
“There’s been a traitor amongst us,” Lance says, stony.
“Emperor Lucius,” I say, looking at the Chancellor in sympathy.
Chancellor Andrews has been certain that his friendship with the Chancellor bought him loyalty from the man, and knowing that friendship is betrayed is horrible. I truly feel for him.
“It wasn’t Lucius,” the Chancellor says. “He’s been imprisoned at the council Headquarters for treason. They learned that he was withholding information. Most likely from the same person who’s deceived us all.”
“Who?” I say, wanting to know already.
Who could possibly be privy to all of the happenings? We were all doing our own things. Lance was separate from the Trials as his directives came from the Chancellor, and ours came from the council. I’m the only common denominator. Surely, they don’t think I’ve betrayed them.
“I didn’t. I’d never,” I stutter, feeling angry that they could even think such a thing.
“No Gwen. Not you.”
I huff indignantly. “Well then who?”
“Tristan.”
“No,” I argue. “That’s not possible. He’s on my side. He’d never.”
The room spins around me. It can’t be true. He won’t hurt me. Not again and not like this. I’ve given myself to him and he’s promised he’d never hurt me again.
Again.
“Where is he then?” Mallory says, eyes filled with compassion. Gareth had released his bindings and never paid another bit of attention to him. Why would he have done that? He wouldn’t.
Lance comes to me, tipping my chin up so that our eyes met. “I’m so sorry, Gwen. I never wanted to have to tell you this, but he’s been working with the council from the beginning.”
“I don’t believe it,” I say, lacking conviction.
His sad eyes shine with sympathy. “Here, I have proof.”
Lance hands me a letter. It’s Tristan’s final trial letter.
Make Gwen D’Morte believe that you care for her enough that she’ll tell you all of her secrets. If she does not have the Sight ability, kill her. If she does, detain her and call for us so that we can retrieve her. Do this, and your position as a Knight will be sealed.
The letter drops from my shaking hand as I drop to my knees. Excruciating pain lances through me, as tears cascading down my face in a river of sorrow.
He lied.
He’s never cared for me, and once again Lance is here to pick up the pieces. A steel resolve spreads through me, icing over all the warm places that makes me vulnerable and weak.
Tristan Locke has broken me one too many times.
Never again.
I’ll find him and make him wish he’s never come to Avalon Institute. Even if I die in the process.
Ready for Book Two?
About Eve Stone
Eve Stone is the author of the Avalon Institute, as well as a few other upcoming worlds. She lives in Avalon along with Gwen and crew, and can often be found trying to pull the sword from the stone, drinking some tea, and reading.
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