The Three-Faced Goddess laughed, her voice becoming older.That’s because your wolves are tied to her. She enters throughthe same bridge they take when they have to go to someone else. A backdoor, if you will.
Why can’t you take that doorway?I choked again as my throat tried to force her out again.
Swallow.Rowan’s voice bounced in my mind.It might help. I wanted to snort, but I tried it, and the smoke flowed quicker inside of me.
At least your mate is smart.The Crone’s voice was ancient, like it held a millennia of secrets. She cackled when she heard my thoughts.That’s because it does.I felt her hands move over me.I can’t use the same doorway because our powers are different. I can’t drift down on moonbeams.She cackled again.
I felt my lungs screaming for air, and my vision darkened. I think I might not make it.
I felt fingers run down my face.Believe in yourself, your magic, and your strength.The Maiden’s voice called to me.And believe that I won’t hurt you.
I felt my eyes grow dark, so instead of trying to keep them open, I closed them. I focused on the smoke flowing into my lungs. I swallowed and pulled it in like I was breathing. The smoke moved faster.
“She’s going to die!” I heard my mother’s scream, and I wanted to comfort her. I pictured my father wrapping her in his arms and keeping her next to him.
“Ains, we have to believe in her.” His voice was soft, but I felt the faith he had in me, in the goddesses. “They wouldn’t hurt her. Amy knows that, which is why she agreed to this.”
Theo’s cackle ripped through the room. “It’s been over ten minutes. She’s fucking dead.” Something hit flesh, and I heard a scream. “She’s dead, and you all watched her die. The Goddess killed her chosen whore. This is fucking perfect.” He cackled again. “Congratulations.”
Rowan growled, and I heard flesh hitting flesh over and over. “She isn’t dead.” His voice dropped lower. “You can delude yourself all you want. But the Goddesses wouldn’t risk Amy.” Choking noises could be heard, and then a gasping breath. “But if by the smallest chance that Amy is hurt, or, goddess forbid, dead. Do you think that saves you?”
“What…do…you…mean?” Theo coughed out.
Rowan’s voice was filled with amusement. “You brought the spear, Theo.” He laughed. “You brought the only thing that could rip your wolf’s soul out of your body with you as a threat, and now you’re stuck here, waiting for death. If Amy can’t do what she was going to do, then I’ll just use the spear. Either way, you are still dead, and your wolf is gone.”
“You wouldn’t.” Theo growled lowly. “You always said that you would never use the spear on any wolf under any circumstances. You swore when you were a child it was too inhumane.”
“People grow up, Theo.” Rowan’s words were final. “And if my mate is willing to sacrifice her soul to save this world…then so am I.”
Theo panted for a second, and then he laughed. Only this time it sounded manic, slightly unhinged. “You would turn on your values for…a woman?”
“I would do it for her. Yes, in a heartbeat, without second-guessing it.” Rowan answered.
The Goddess must have stepped in because I heard more movement. “Enough.” The Moon Goddess’s voice cut through the room.
The Mother’s voice whispered to my mind.Your mate is devoted to you. That is good. I was worried about your second life after the first disaster, but with him by your side, I can rest easy.
You care that much?I felt something in my chest relax.
Of course I do. Selene may have loved you first. But you are just as much my daughter as you are hers.She sighed.I know you have seen the beginning of your lines, but you haven’t seen everything.
What else is there to see?
Do you trust me?Her voice shifted to the Maiden’s, and I could hear the youthful hope in her question.
I didn’t hesitate.Of course I do.I breathed in once more, and air rushed into my lungs. My eyes snapped open, and I could see the room again.
“Amy!” My mom ran over to me, and I had enough time to smile.
“Mom.” I reached out for her, and I met air. The room shifted, and once again I was in darkness. Only this time, I heard the call of a wolf off in the distance. And a woman’s song from the opposite direction.
“Kane, you rascal, come back.”
I spun in a circle. Where was I?
“You said you trusted me.” The Maiden stepped up next to me; her youthful face was glowing.
“I do.” I answered.
