Strega Maria’s milky white eyes rolled into the back of her head, seeing something that we could not. Sinister whispering filled the air. The words were incoherent to me, but Strega Maria nodded as the shadow spirits spoke to her. Elena grabbed my upper arm beside me.
“Seraphina Dallier, my spirits say that the answers lie within you,” she said at last. Her eyes rolled forward, the whispering ceasing.
“What?” I gasped, my heart thundering in my chest. Elena’s nails dug into my arm.
“They cannot see anyone else who is responsible. They only see that the power came from within you.” Strega Maria sneered.
“That is not possible. Tell them to look again!” I cried. “Who was it?”
“They only see you, Seraphina Dallier. Your power brought down that chandelier.”
“Seraphina, we have to go now.” Elena’s eyes darted around the tent. They landed on the perch where the crow had sat, watching us. It was empty.
Strega Maria chuckled: a horrible hacking sound. “My familiar is so helpful. Clever boy. He delivered the message as soon as I learned your name. I believe I shall collect a handsome reward for turning you over to the authorities.”
No. No, no, no, no.
“Let’s go.” Elena hadn’t let go of my arm the whole time. She steered me toward the flap in the tent.
“Please,” I begged, “please tell me the truth. You have to know the truth!”
“I told you, my dear, what my spirits saw. The power that brought down that chandelier was your power, girl. You shall burn for the crime.”
“Seraphina, we have to go.” Elena dragged me to the entrance of the tent. I was vaguely aware that I was crying, as the world slipped out from under me. This was not possible. I knew in my heart that it was not possible. I had not done this. Would Elena believe me? It didn’t matter. We had no time.
“Run,” Elena gasped, and I spied them at that moment as well. The lights from the gendarmes’ vehicles. Coming from the direction of the river.
“Shit,” Elena breathed, “we’re fucked.”
“What now?” I sprinted beside her toward the lights, not away from them.
“Leave it to me. Whatever happens, do not stop running.”
Elena splayed a tattooed hand toward the river and closed it into a fist. All the lights on the street, including those of the gendarmes’ vehicles, went out. It was completely dark, except for the glittering stars above us.
My breath rasped, a stabbing pain in my side, but I kept pushing, tears streaming into my hair as we flew as fast as our legs could carry us. We were almost through the cemetery, the bridge looming ahead. If we could make it across, if we could get to the wrought-iron gate in the little courtyard, we would be safe. But we would have to get past many gendarmes first.
The first two approached, wearing the solemn fist of Scion proudly on their dark uniforms. They had pistols and batons. We had nothing but Elena’s magic to protect us.
Elena sent a ball of red light flashing toward them and they were knocked off their feet. We kept running.
Another two approached from the left. Elena was quick, but not quick enough. That red magic she conjured hit one, knocking him down, but the other managed to get his leg out in front of me. I went down fast, my ankle twisting with a sickening crunch.
He was on me in a moment, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking me backwards. Fear flooded my system as I struggled against him. He was so much larger than me, overpowering me easily. I couldn’t do any magic. I couldn’t do a thing to get out of this. I could feel his hot breath in my ear as his other hand pawed at my waist; my spine locked in terror. And something was very wrong with my ankle. I scrambled to get back on my feet, but I couldn’t bear weight on that side.
No. We are not getting caught. Not like this.I refused to let myself go down without a fight. I threw an elbow back as hard as I could and caught the gendarme in the stomach. He grunted,bending over at the waist as he finally let go of my hair. I didn’t have time to think as I turned and brought my knee up. It collided with his face, blood spraying from his nose. He was on the ground now, crumpled in a heap and groaning. I did the only other thing I could possibly think of and stomped down hard on the man’s groin.
“You fucking bitch!” he spat at me as I hobbled out of his grasp. I had escaped capture, but I could not bear weight on my right leg.
“Elena!” I cried, as another gendarme ran toward her left. She blocked him, blasting him backward with another ball of red—flames, I realized. The way to the bridge was clear, but I couldn’t make the sprint. And the gendarme I had hit was not going to stay down for long.
“Go,” I gasped. “My ankle. I’ll slow you down.” I was limping—struggling with each step. If I couldn’t make it, if I were caught, I’d be dead. They’d light a pyre for me right here.
Elena didn’t say anything as she backtracked. She just hauled me up, supporting me under my shoulders, and kept on running. She was practically carrying me. Across the bridge we flew, the pain in my ankle intense and fiery with each step, even with Elena’s support. Somehow, we made it to the other side. Elena splayed her hand again and a shimmering shield went up across the bridge.
“Temporary protection spell,” she wheezed, hauling me closer to her. “No one will be able to pass for a while.” Elena’s breaths sawed in and out. I was going to vomit. But we made it, panting, sweating and cursing, to the iron gate.
TRUTH SERUM
