Lagos inhaled deeply. “It is… certainly plausible. But if they have connections to the Titans, I don’t think that is a good thing. What if they are allies of the Titans?”
“Regardless of any former alliances they might have held, they swore their loyalty to me,” Cyrus said.
“And you believe them?” Lagos asked.
“I don’t know,” Cyrus said. “But I don’t have any other options.” Straightening, he said firmly, “I need to speak with them.” He had half-turned to the door when Lagos gripped his arm.
“Cyrus…”
“I will not give up my immortality,” Cyrus promised. “Not without consulting you three first. But, I must see what information they are willing to give before I offer the payment I promised.”
Lagos nodded grimly. “Very well. But I’m coming with you.”
Cyrus shook his head. “They need something from me. I don’t believe they will hurt me. But I can’t say the same for you, and I’m not willing to risk it.” He looked at Lagos with a mixture of gratitude and regret.
He would actually feel much more comfortable if Lagosdidaccompany him. His stomach roiled with uncertainty at the thought of facing those spirits alone.
When they had pledged their loyalty to him, he’d felt powerful and exuberant, like he could conquer anything and anyone.
But since that moment, a part of him was terrified that he couldn’t measure up to the ruler everyone expected him to be. What if he returned to his old ways? What if he made a horrible mistake? So many people were depending on him.
He had made so many missteps as king, so many grievous errors all for the sake of power. How could he be certain not to follow that same path once again? It had become instinct for him, and now he had to start anew.
For a god as old as he was, it was a daunting prospect.
For Prue,he reminded himself.This is for Prue.
He nodded once, resolve coursing through him. “I’ll leave for the Wilds at once. Thank you for your counsel.” He gestured to the shattered reflection bowl. “In themeantime, repair the bowl and let me know when it’s finished. If the spirits can’t provide us with any answers, that’s the only lead we have.”
The demons muttered their assent and began scooping up the broken pieces of the bowl. Cyrus turned and left the room, agitation burning inside him as he wondered if perhaps Evander had been right.
Perhaps he wasn’t doing enough. Perhapsnoneof it would be enough to bring back his wife.
HOPELESS
PRUE
Prue had traveledthrough portals before, but nothing like this.
The Titans’ magic shifted and twisted around her, warping the air with something dark and unnatural that grated against the earth magic surging in her veins.
Wrong, wrong, wrong,the magic seemed to pulse.
Revulsion and nausea swept over her, and when the dark magic rippled, she thought she might vomit.
Mona’s hand was clamped in hers. Her sister was trembling.
Prue had to be brave. For her.
She crammed her eyes shut, gritting her teeth and promising herself it would be over soon. Any second now, and the darkness would fade, and she would be able tobreathe.
The air shifted again, and a whoosh of air filled herlungs. An invisible force slammed into her, crashing into her store of magic and jarring her very bones.
She and Mona collapsed onto something rough and cracked, like stone or concrete. Blinking wearily, Prue glanced up at a murky gray sky. They were in a wasteland of decaying trees. A patch of square concrete was beneath her, and dust and sand surrounded her.
No flora in sight. But Prue was certain this was intentional.
The Titans were many things, but they were not stupid.
