“Ada,” Sasha began, “Speak to me. Something has been wrong since this morning,” she challenged.
“I fear our niece may have brought war to our home,” I began. Sasha turned back to Percy, taking her bloody hands in hers and squeezing.
“Explain,” she demanded.
“This morning, I received an anonymous letter. It detailed the reason for Selene’s return,” I began, pausing—not quite certain how to address such a topic with my dear wife.
“Adamantia Ardens, tell me what is going on,” Sasha demanded, hitting me with her glare as she turned her attention away from Percy.
“Percy was accused of inter-coven magic—”
Sasha released her hands.
“—It was proven a false allegation,” I was quick to reassure.
She turned back to the girl.
“Percy, why would anyone make such an accusation against you?” she asked, but received no response. The girl was catatonic, staring into the distance.
“It was not inter-coven magic, rather something much worse,” I continued, and Sasha’s attention was back on me. “A novel ability.”
“A novel ability?” Sasha repeated.
I nodded.
Her features scrunched up in confusion. “Novel abilities are cause for celebration. It signals the growth of a coven,” she said, confusion lacing her tone.
“Not this new ability. Percy has exhibited the inverse of her innate magic,” I explained.
“The inverse of Flores magic?” she asked, looking back at Percy.
I watched as understanding changed her features from confusion to concern.
“That would mean…”
“Death,” I answered, “Percy exhibited death magic—twice.”
“And Selene brought her here?” Sasha asked, standing from her previous crouched position in front of Percy. “Why? Are we even sure? Have you brought this to Selene?”
“No, I haven’t spoken with Selene about it,” I told her.
“Well then, it’s simply rumour, isn’t it? We must speak with Selene. We need to send for her, and a healer—Percy is injured, mentally if not physically.” She straightened her back and made to walk past me. I gripped her waist, halting her.
“No,” I commanded.
“Ada, let me go,” she said, her tone warning. “We can’t leave Percy like this.”
“Something is wrong,” I told her, not releasing her from my hold.
“Of course something is wrong! Look at her,” Sasha replied angrily, waving her hand back towards Percy.
“No. Something more is wrong. I found Percy in the servant’s dining room. She had been attacked—or maybe she had done the attacking. Regardless of who started the altercation, Percy ended it. It was not a quiet scene. Yet no one had attempted to intervene, not a single servant loitering to watch the carnage unfold. No security alarm signalled. I didn’t see or hear a single servant on my way here with Percy. Have you seen anyone recently?” I asked.
Sasha’s frown morphed to concern, “No, but… but I’ve been here, reading, and… and what are you suggesting?” she asked.
“I’m suggesting that perhaps whatever happened with Percy was set up. I’m suggesting that it certainly isn’t coincidence that I can’t so much as smell a servant of the estate right now, and Lydia and Elliot are meant to be arriving any moment,” I explained.
“You think we’re under attack? From the inside?” Sasha asked, her voice low in a whisper, as if she expected to be overheard.
