EVERETT
Baelfire,Silas, and Crypt stare at Maven as they think. But I can't think. In fact, I can barely get my voice to work as I glance at the prophetess, the dread and guilt eating me alive.
"You managed to heal her. Thank you. But…can you tell me what was wrong with her?"
I already know this was my fault, but I still have to ask. It's like I just need that extra stab of self-loathing to convince myself to get the hell out of this room and stay as far away from Maven as I can until graduation.
Dear gods, I should have stuck to the plan and kept my distance from her at the Matched Ball—but the moment I'd seen her hand on that siren, all bets were off.
Now, here we are, with my curse rearing its ugly head. I should have been stronger. She deserves so much better. I can't fucking stand myself.
Pia's head tilts toward me. Her voice is unexpectedly warm and gentle. "This was not your fault, nor was it your curse's. Be kinder to yourself."
I flinch when her words unintentionally make three pairs of eyes swing in our direction, and then Baelfire frowns. "What is she talking about? Why would this be your curse's fault?"
"It's nothing."
Crypt is watching me too closely, as if he's putting something together, so I change the topic quickly, once again addressing the white-shrouded prophetess.
"But how did she survive if she came from the Nether?" I ask. "Unless…"
Oh, dear gods. Maybe shedidn't. Silas said she'd had no heartbeat. She could be…
"Unless what?" Pia asks.
Unless she's one of the Undead.
I can't bring myself to say it out loud because it's so damn outlandish. I've been exposed to hundreds of pictures of the Undead, and they're revolting creatures that look absolutely nothing like Maven.
But then, it's also outlandish that she could possibly be from the Nether. No living thing can survive there.
Silas adjusts Maven's hair away from her face, his brow furrowed deeply. Then he faces Pia with determination. "You can read people. Tell us what you read about our keeper."
Of course, he has no problem demanding answers from a prophetess. He’s a blasphemous asshole.
She's quiet for a moment before sighing. "It is true. I am blessed with the ability to see nearly anything in this mortal realm. Thoughts, feelings, memories, truths… But there are places of darkness that even Galene cannot see. Places that have been claimed by the Nether. It consumes everything it touches and turns it all to shadow, just as it has done to your keeper's heart."
Crypt's attention snaps to Pia. "Explain."
"I can see only broken pieces of her past, all shrouded in darkness. But that degree of darkness only exists in the Nether, and it seems her heart still remains in that realm of death."
…What?
"I'm confused. If Maven has no heart, then…how is she alive?" I ask.
Looking like his mind is a thousand miles away, Silas murmurs, “Damn it. A shadow heart."
Very unhelpful since I don't know what that's supposed to mean.
"Hang on. If she's from the Nether, is she still human?" Baelfire asks, looking equally out of his depth here.
Pia adjusts one of the white drapes hanging from her arms. Her voice is deeply sorrowful. “That is hard to say. I only know of her purpose and her blood oath."
"Care to share?" I manage.
It sounds like the prophetess is smiling when she speaks. "If she ever wishes to share the true depth of her nobility with you, she will. But that will be her choice. Now, let her rest, and please dispose of the bodies before anyone else comes in."
Pia's head dips as if she is checking on Maven one more time, and then she leaves the room as sagely and silently as she entered. The door clicks shut softly behind her.
