“That’s why the Shadows, Circe’s spirit, whatever, didn’t show up until after the curse broke, angry as hell,” Phoenix gathered. “And because she still had no place to go, she just sought out revenge in the shape of shadows.”
“Right, and when Alec jumped off the lighthouse the next day, his spirit had no place to go, either. Due to the broken sapphire, he was trapped in an echo, which re-enacted his death over and over again. The only way to stop it all is to piece that stone back together, take it to Bone Island, and repeat the same spell Circe cast. It will send their souls to the afterlife. I’m certain of it.”
Phoenix whistled before he grinned. “You are such a nerd, Romeo.”
Julian lifted his chin. “So, what’s the catch?”
“This spell was supposed to last until their final breath, and it broke before it could. If we look at this in reverse, it’s going to cost a final breath to restart it,” I explained, closing the book.
Julian cocked a brow. “And you’re willing to risk a life on a theory?”
I looked him in the eyes. “I’ve been living and breathing their story for months. I can recite this story. I know every detail, every clue.” Even the ones I hadn’t told them. Ones I wouldn’t share unless it proved to be useful. “I know Circe and Alec as I know myself. This is what it takes. I am not wrong. The message of Seaworthy Death isone final breath. One of us must die.”
“What do you mean one of us must die?”
All our heads turned to Beck, who was pulling himself out of the spring.
“Did you get it?” Julian asked.
I stood and gazed down at his hands with hope.
When Beck had both feet planted on the ground, water rained from his drawers, and he brushed droplets from his short hair with his palms, mist flying about. “No, the pieces were like glued to the bottom or something. Maybe magic,” he dragged in breaths, almost drinking them. “And it’s broken into four pieces, not five.”
Julian’s silver eyes hit me. “Is there a message for that, too, Einstein?”
“No, it’s five,” I said, confused. “Maybe you missed one.”
“I don’t miss,” he said, looking up at me through his wet lashes. “There are four, and I don’t think I’m the one who’s supposed to pick them up.”
Phoenix’s brows jumped, his gaze drifting to me. “What does that mean?”
I closed my eyes, inhaling, wishing the message I’d purposely didn’t tell them didn’t have to be true. That she wouldn’t have to be a part of the plan. “It means there’s only one person who can take them from the spring.”
CHAPTER 57
ADORA
This isa tale of the falling of two lonely, desperate souls who crashed into each other at the wrong place, right time in a cruel, hidden town that was crumbling from within. And as fate would have it, every time the Heathen and the Siren collide, their pieces shatter and scatter. They become dust, swept into the corners of the universe, waiting for something else to believe that these two belong together. Belief in their hearts alone was not enough.
My thoughts spiraled as I pressed my forehead against the cool car window, watching Weeping Hollow pass on the other side of the glass. Not even ten minutes had passed by, and I hated how empty my finger felt without my ring.
When we pulled into the driveway of the Pruitt mansion, my fists sprang loose and my fingers stretched out. The drive wasn’t completely wasted. Aside from coming up with the synopsis of Stone and my love story in my mind, I also thought of all the lies I’d soon spill.
In no time at all, I was walking through the Pruitt’s massive entryway and was escorted into Augustine’s office, where Cyrus was waiting. He stood upon my arrival, and I looked back to see Viola walking in and closing the door behind her.
“Adora, please sit down,” Cyrus insisted. He grabbed the back of a chair, pulling it out—one of two in front of Augustine’s mahogany desk.
Just like the rest of the furniture in the mansion, the desk took on a Chippendale style, with cabriole legs and ball-and-claw feet. A traditional rug with navy blue accents quieted my steps, and the warm, earthy tones and wooded details surrounding me felt like a hug. The back wall was lined with books, no space spared. And in the corner stood a large, sixteenth century floor globe.
I sat in the chair beside Cyrus, and Viola sat behind us in the corner of the room. It bothered me that I couldn’t see her whenever I wanted.
“Last night was ... eventful,” Augustine replied, keeping his tie back as he sat in his chair.
Uneasiness crept in, but I sat taller to hide it, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Shouldn’t Ivy or ... I don’t know ... my father be here?”
Augustine adjusted his tie and smoothed down his shirt, settling into his chair. “Your fiancé is sitting right next to you,” he said. “Why would we need anyone else?”
“It seems I’m outmatched.” Not a lie. “Whatever this is about, do any of you honestly have my best interest at heart?”
