by Lisa Morrow
Yara picked up a dark cloak and placed it around her shoulders, concealing most of her new dress. Then, she turned to Bethenny.
The other girl blinked and seemed to come to life. “Don’t listen to her.” She sneered, advancing on us. “Every single one of you knows she comes from a family of liars.”
I flinched at her cruel words.
But before I thought of a good response, Sirena came to stand directly at my side. “Don’t.” The word was a threat.
Bethenny didn’t back down. “Old man Tuie dies, and not long after, they show up claiming to be long lost cousins. But funny how he never mentioned them to anyone.”
“So what!” Sirena said, putting her hands on her hips. “That doesn’t make them liars.”
But Bethenny wasn’t done. “Her dad claimed to be a farmer, but Brotlee’s dad had to show him how to work a field. How do you explain that?”
Doubt flashed in Sirena’s eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
Bethenny stepped forward, crowding us both. “My Ma says they’re traitors to the crown.”
Sirena slapped her.
The sound echoed through the room.
“Don’t you dare speak that vicious lie, or I’ll cut out your tongue.”
I looked between the red mark forming on Bethenny’s cheek, and the frightening expression on Sirena’s face. Shocked.
Bethenny’s hand clenched into a fist. “Mark my words, Rose, you’ll lead us all into trouble. The Protectors will slice your throats and throw you off that bridge, a fitting end for a traitor and her friends.”
I caught Sirena’s hand before she could strike again, my body trembling. “Let’s go.”
If we were leaving Bethenny behind, the last thing we wanted to do was anger her more. Turning on us all would no doubt bring her limitless pleasure. And what was more, there was a frightening ring of truth to her accusations that left my stomach flip-flopping all over itself.
Just more questions I didn’t have the answers to.
“You’re all fools,” Bethenny muttered, glaring.
“Maybe,” Yara said, as we gathered at the door. “But, you’ll keep this a secret right?”
Her chin tilted up. “I’m no squealer.”
That was enough for me. I opened the door.
Peering out and seeing no one, I dashed down the hall. Many times I wasn’t certain which way to go, but Sirena always seemed to know. A few times our group ran into servants, but they walked past us, their expressions unchanging.
When we at last entered the courtyard, a chill washed over me. The darkest part of night had come, and with it, a bitter cold. I ran down the cobblestone path until I reached the bridge made of glass. My breath puffed out before me, but none of us spoke.
I eased my pace as I crept across the bridge, with me in the lead and Sirena’s hand clenched in mine. Snow drifted down on us as we pressed on, and icy winds clawed at our exposed faces and hands. A few cries and sounds of fear came from the girls behind me, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing. Would a breeze eventually sweep us to a gruesome death below?
At last, I spotted land ahead. The tension building beneath my skin eased. I looked back at Sirena, smiling, and she responded with a smile of her own.
But then, she looked around me. Her smile faltered and twisted into a look of horror.
My necklace flared to life, blazing painfully against my flesh, and bringing with it my own sense of terror.
Turning back, I froze. Not twenty feet in front of me stood a line of grim faces. Blair, Clarissa, Meisha, and Bethenny waited. Clarissa laughed at our looks of terror, and I heard gasps from behind me.
“This is unfortunate,” Blair said, crossing her arms before her chest. “But, we all make mistakes. If you should rethink this choice and come back with us now, we will forget your poor behavior.”
My stomach turned. We’d come too far to turn back. Perhaps, I could use my magic to free us.
But the only name I knew for certain was the Goddess of Fire, and I couldn’t see how starting a fire would do anything but momentarily distract them. It wouldn’t give me enough time to actually escape, especially with my friends.
And besides, then they’d know my secret.
“What now?” Sirena squeaked behind me.
The sound of my heart pounding filled my ears. “I don’t know. Give me a second to think.”
The world was closing in on me. I couldn’t give up, but I couldn’t escape.
Clarissa smirked. “What a hard choice. Go back to a warm castle, or get thrown to your deaths.”
Sirena grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my flesh. “But we heard you were going to kill us anyway,” she accused, her voice shaking.
Blair’s eyes filled with guilt, then widened with false shock. “Of course not. Why would we go through all the trouble of bringing you here just to kill you?”
Sirena drew closer to me. “I don’t want to die.” She sobbed the last word.
Fear clouded my vision. “Let me think!”
I needed to risk it. The last time I’d been in danger I’d learned The Goddess of Fire’s name. Surely this dangerous situation would allow me to speak another.
“Perseia!” I screamed.
The women looked at me, eyes wide.
“Perseia!” I tried the Goddess of Destruction’s name again, changing the emphasis of each letter. “Perseia, Perseia, Perseia!” I experimented with intonation, volume, and tone, but still, nothing happened.
Clarissa cackled. “Did you take a bump to the head or something?”
Blair silenced her with a snap of her wrist. “Don’t you see?” Her gaze was calculating. “She has power over the Goddesses’ names.”
The shock on Clarissa’s face would’ve been comical, if I wasn’t fighting for my life. “No. That’s impossible. Only two Protectors in all of—”
“Silence,” Blair ordered. A tender smile curled her mouth. “It’s okay, Rose. I can teach you how to use your powers. I can teach you to be one of the most powerful women in this world.”
“What do they mean?” Sirena’s voice held pain and confusion. “What are they talking about?”
I wanted to turn around, to face her, but I couldn’t risk taking my gaze off The Protectors. “I’m sorry, Sirena. I should’ve told you.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Then, you always knew you’d be Chosen.”
Guilt ate at my heart. “No. Sometimes women with powers aren’t Chosen. I thought it gave me a better chance, but I wasn’t sure. I promise.”
Clarissa smirked. “I’m sure she trusts you a lot right now.”
Blair’s hands curled into fists. “This is too dangerous. She’s going to get hurt.” She turned to the smirking blonde beside her. “I want you to end this now, without violence.”
For a minute I thought Clarissa might argue, but then she nodded.
But I couldn’t let them win.
“Promethia!” Fire blasted from my fingertips, but never reached them.
It licked at an invisible wall before vanishing.
Blair dropped her hand. “Wonderful.”
Meisha crossed her arms over her chest. “We can test her abilities later. Clarissa?”
I held out my hands, waiting for her attack.
Clarissa laughed softly, a familiar sound like the chiming of bells. “Come on, Yara. Rose can’t possibly defeat all of us.” Her voice was soft as silk, beautiful and comforting all at once. “Come home with us. Where you’ll be safe.”
Movement came from behind me as Yara eased around me.
“No!” I cried, reaching out for her. “Don’t do this. You can’t possibly trust them.”
“We tried,” she said, shrugging.
“We aren’t beat yet.” I willed her to believe me.
She shook her head. “I don’t really know what’s going on, but maybe you’re wrong.”
“I’m not.”
Her gaze slid from the valley below us back to me.
“I’m sorry.”
Then she turned and walked away, to stand beside The Protectors.
Sirena grabbed my arm as she maneuvered in front of me.
Fear clenched my heart. Not her too!
“This can’t end well.” She paused, tears in her eyes. “Maybe we really are wrong.”
“But—”
“Rose, I’m not brave like you.” She took a deep breath, and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m going back with them.”
My heart rung, a lonely bell.
“No,” I whispered, the word dripping with betrayal.
Tears streamed down her face. “I’m your best friend. If you tell me to stay, I will.”
I blinked in shock. “I can’t just tell you what to do.”
What if I really was wrong?
“I just want to be safe.”
I knew what I’d heard. I knew what I felt, but I couldn’t tell her what to do. Her life was too valuable to me. It had to be her decision.
“Choose for yourself.”
Her gaze darted from me to the women.
“Sweetheart, let’s go back in the castle where it’s safe and warm.” Clarissa’s tone was that of a loving mother.
Sirena squeezed my hand and then released it, before leaving me standing on the bridge. Alone.
“Now you.” Clarissa smiled at me, her lovely face blossoming into something inhumanely stunning as her attention turned to me. “Let’s stop playing this game.”
Warmth spread over my skin, and a cloud of softness filled my thoughts. Going back to the castle did sound nice. Not fighting anymore sounded even better. Sirena was right.
My necklace blazed, clearing the fuzzy feeling from my head, and renewing my strength. I straightened my spine, pulling the jagged stone from beneath my dress and gripping it in my palm.
What had I been thinking? Why would I possibly go back with these women, after what I heard?
“I won’t go with you! Let me go home, or you’ll regret it.”
Meisha’s voice came to me as if from a great distance. “Join us now. It is your only choice.”
Then, she tried to usher the girls away from the edge.
Sirena paused. “Come on, Rose. Come with us.”
My heart ached. “You know I can’t do that.”
She turned to Blair, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Can’t you just let her go? You said it was our choice whether we wanted to join you or not.”
Clarissa answered, her eyes wide and innocent again. “Not to worry. We’ll take care of her”
A peaceful smile danced across Sirena’s face as she turned back to me. “You’ll be safe.”
Horror filled me as Meisha led her out of my view.
“You’re using magic on her!” I accused Clarissa.
Her eyes narrowed. “It certainly took you long enough to figure that out.” The fury in her expression, accompanied with the venom in her words changed her back into the dangerous creature that seemed to be her other half. “Now, what are you going to do?”
I turned to Blair. “Let us go.”
Her brows wrinkled. “You know I can’t.”
I glared at her, even as the wind whipped my hair into my eyes.
“I’ll still forgive you,” she said, reaching out. “We’ll simply go back to the castle and pretend this never happened.”
I took several steps backward, shaking my head.
But to my surprise, it was Clarissa who pushed Blair’s hand away. “You’d forgive her still?” she screeched. “After all she’s done!” She took several furious breaths. “You’re blinded by her magic, just as you were by her mother’s. I told you that she was trouble, but you risked it all for her. Now, you’ll pay for your mistake.”
“Clarissa—” Blair said, her name a warning.
In the blink of an eye, Clarissa was kneeling on the ground, a glowing dagger raised above her head. Blair reached for her, her mouth twisted into an unspoken word, but the sound of Clarissa’s shout blocked out all else.
“Ahhhh!” she screamed, bringing her dagger down onto the glass bridge.
It shattered beneath her angry blow.
For one horrifying second, my feet slid on the pieces of glass as they came apart, and my stomach lurched. A sense of a nightmare coming to life exploded in my chest, and then the world sped up.
Air whooshed around me, and I fell back, plunging into the darkness below.
Chapter Seven
I’d fallen into another world. A world of pain. A world of darkness. It threatened to swallow me. To consume me.
Sharp stabs of fire ravaged my body. I screamed and screamed until my throat was raw. And then, numbness washed over me. The reprieve from the pain left me empty, like a shell, and a word came to my lips. The same word I’d screamed over and over again as I fell.
“Artemay.” I whispered the name of The Goddess of Protection. Only now, it wasn’t said with fear and horror, it was a word spoken from a dying girl, born of pain, but created to bring comfort. “Artemay.” Tears escaped, making a warm trail on my frozen skin. “Artemay.” I gasped, and shuddered, closing my eyes at last.
A tingle spread over my body. Every hair stood on end. Was this my final moment? Was this what it felt like before one entered the Underworld?
The sensation of cold was the first thing that returned to me, making me aware of my body. The cold was everywhere at first, dancing over my skin, seeping down into my shattered bones and broken flesh. But slowly the sensation of warmth came, only it was the warmth of my blood pooling beneath my body.
I was aware of myself, ready to open my eyes, but what world was I waking into? It could be the place of snow and blood, the place where I was losing a battle with death. Or, I could awaken to find myself staring into the face of Ordunne, the eyeless guide to the Underworld. But, would he lead me to the sweet fields of the righteous, or the dark caves of those who would suffer even in death for their crimes in life? I wasn’t sure I was ready to find out.
Sharp pain pierced the skin at my throat, taking the decision from me. My eyes snapped open to peer into the face of someone I’d never known.
The young man’s eyes were like ocean waves, pale blue, dark blue, and white swirled together, brimming with both energy and life. They drew me in, as if nothing outside of those pools of blue existed… until the masculine lines of his face shifted, as his muscles clenched.
I escaped his gaze only to find the rest of him equally fascinating. Scars danced along the curve of his jaw and spread out like a web on one side of his neck. It was so like my father’s, like a painting done by the same artist. My gaze followed each line as if understanding them would help me to understand my father.
Only, this man’s scars were not pale, but slightly pink and puckered. Either they were recent, or hadn’t healed well.
Another movement caught my eye. In his hand, he clenched a sword that bit again into the flesh of my neck. Overhead, the fog had begun to thin, and early morning sunlight shone through it, giving the impression of a sky filled with wispy clouds.
How long had I been lying here?
“Give me a reason not to kill you!” he demanded. His startling eyes narrowed, and his grip tightened on his blade, but in his eyes I saw reluctance. He leaned in so close I could feel his warm breath on my face. “What have you done with my sister? What have you done with Sura?”
His blade cut deeper into my throat, and more blood spilled from my body, making me shiver so hard that the sound of my teeth chattering filled my ears. It was not a deep cut, not a death blow, but I could sense that I’d used too much of my powers healing myself already.
The shard of purple rock between my breasts warmed, but for once I drew no strength from the stone. I closed my eyes against the brilliance of the white snow, speckled with my blood.
The need to slip out of consciousness into a dark place where the pain from my still-healing injuries couldn’t reach me pressed in my mind. But somehow, I knew that I couldn’t. With each
second that passed, my body healed. I wouldn’t die from my injuries, but I very well could die from the man and his sword.
Something I couldn’t allow to happen.
“Please,” I said, only the word that choked past my lips was less of a word and more of a gargle, so I tried again. “Please.”
He grabbed my chin roughly and pulled me to face him, his pale hair falling into his face, giving me a small reprieve from his prying eyes. “Are you begging me for your life?” he asked, tightening his grip on my chin. “Because we begged you not to take my sister.” He released me, pushing his hair back to reveal the determination in his face.
The shard of stone grew warmer at my chest until it burned, but from the fire licking at my flesh, strength grew. “I beg you to release me. They’ll come for me soon, and I plan not to be easy prey.” The words were a whisper, but I still took heart from being able to say them.
He sat back on his heels, resting his sword along his knees. “Who will come for you soon?”
His face was of a young man, yet I could see the worries of a man twice his age etched into his calculating expression. Could I trust him? If I judged him wrong, these might be my last words. “The Protectors of Tarak,” I said, focusing all my energy on speaking. “I’m running from The Protectors of Tarak.”
“You’re not one of them?” he asked, surprise in his question.
I regarded him carefully. “No.”
Reaching down, he flipped over both my wrists. “You haven’t been marked?” There was genuine astonishment in his voice.
“Marked?” I asked, confused.
“Goddesses help me,” he bowed his head. “I never wanted to hurt someone like you… a woman hoping to escape The Protectors.”
The regret in his masculine voice held me enthralled.
“Let me help you.” His mesmerizing gaze met mine again.
I struggled to think clearly. “Why would you want to do that?”
He frowned. “Because I hurt you. And, well, because I’d offer sanctuary to anyone fleeing The Protectors.” He paused, obviously struggling with what to say next. “Having a similar enemy should make us allies, I think.”
Logic said I shouldn’t trust a man who just moments before held a sword to my throat, but something had stirred deep inside me, and it trusted him without reservation. “All right.”
