Astonishment flashed across Maya’s face before she recovered herself and took a seat on the dark brown leather armchair. Pulling a throw blanket off the arm and onto her lap, she toyed with the fringe of tassels. “You’ve known then.”
Elysia nodded without emotion, continuing to study the woman across from her. “I didn’t immediately. You looked familiar, obviously. Your father’s eyes. Your brother’s freckles.”
“What gave it away?”
She shrugged. “I read you.”
Maya’s mouth twisted. “And you never said anything.”
It wasn’t an accusation, but there was an edge to Maya’s tone that made Elysia smile. She didn’t like being found out. It made her nervous that Elysia had rummaged around, searching for her secrets.
“Neither did you.” She set her wineglass down. “Help me and I’ll help you.”
Still miffed, Maya hedged. “What are you thinking?”
“We both know you have the scissors. You put them in front of me for a reason that day. Do you work for them?”
Maya’s face went blank. “No, the only person I work for is myself.”
“Hmm, well, either you stole them from the fates, or they gave them to you. Which is it?”
Her magic curled around Maya, and the woman bristled. “That won’t work on me. I’ve been shielding you for weeks.”
Elysia took a sip. “I know. You’re going to give me the scissors.”
Maya scoffed. “And why would I hand you a pair of gods-endingscissors?”
“Because I think you stole them. I think that you stole them and wanted to see if you, as a demigod, could wield them. But you can’t, you’re not strong enough. Are they still in your possession?”
“No,” she bit off, eyes flickering with white. “They would have noticed if I kept them for long.”
“Right. I need you to steal them again.”
“Whywould I do that for you?” Her face wore a sneer.
Elysia calmly put aside her wine. “Because if you don’t, I’ll tell Aidan that you stole the scissors hoping to murder him. You’re an easy read, Maya. There are two things you want. The death realm, and your brother. So, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to get me the scissors, and not only will I keep this from Aidan, but I’ll convince him to give you a pass to the mortal realm for a day. He can’t restore your ability to travel realms, but he can manage a pass like he did for me. You can see your brother.”
It was a few moments before she said anything. She looked older when she answered. Older and angrier than her whimsical dresses and antics ever showed. “I raised him, and they want to use him to end Garrison. They don’t care that he’ll die, but I do.”
Elysia nodded. “I don’t want him to die either. Do we have a deal?”
Chapter 39
Rollie was still shriekingwhen Lucy dropped him at Elysia’s feet in the musty cellar.
Elysia smiled down at Rollie, who hurriedly brushed himself off and stood up, ready to blast her verbally.
“Hello, Rollickus, grab a chair. Lucy still needs to retrieve some of the others.”
He stuck a finger in her face. “You can’t justdothat to people. I was about to have dinner!”
Topp’s low chuckle had Rollie turning. “Really? Because I thought that was the only way you and Lucy traveled. Grabbing unsuspecting people and yanking them around.”
Scowling, Rollie sat in an empty chair and crossed his arms, uncomfortable at the sight of Topp.
“Glad to see you haven’t gotten yourself killed yet,” he muttered, looking around the old cellar as if trying to place where they were. Cold concrete, cobwebs, and old wooden chairs that one of the Reyezes had lent them were the only furnishings. Oil lamps bolstered the bleak light coming in from the singular tiny window, but it was still a shadowy gloom in the damp cellar.
Topp smiled viciously, a shred of his old mask in place. “Oh, you know I’m not so easy to be rid of. Oren’s been so helpful ever since your bitch of a god tried to kill me.”
