Roman sensed Jareth’s energy in this place.Did my father leave a message for me somehow?
It would make sense, I suppose, given that I’d likely be brought here. In fact, if it weren’t for Roman, I may well be living in the prison and only allowed out for each trial. Although Crone would have a fun time coaxing me out since she won’t step foot inside this place…
We burst through the prison’s outer wall, the beam of light retracting the moment that our feet touch the ground. I’m outside again so abruptly that it takes me a moment to catch my breath.
But we made it. And I’m grateful.
If not suddenly confused by the darkness around us, the air crisp, as if night is about to fall.
I’m struck by sudden fear.How long was I gone?
Last time I went into the prison, I didn’t immerse myself in an illusionary world, but this time…
Roman paces back and forth across the footpath, his breathing ragged, his focus snapping up as soon as he sees me. I pull up short to see a bracelet of emerald runes formed around his left wrist, as if he were crafting and storing them, ready to use.
I hurry toward him, needing to tell him that my father left me a message in the prison, but a sudden vibration stops me in my tracks.
I pull up short as an ugly laugh sounds in the shadows on my left.
Crone steps out of the darkness, her cackling laughter vibrating through the ground beneath my feet. “Well, I guess it’s true.” She looks me up and down. “You survived the first trial.”
Her focus lands on each of my wolves. “And you’re back with your friends, I see.”
I hold my head high as the other royals step through the wall and gather behind Crone.
Even with my demon sight, I didn’t detect their presence until they revealed themselves, but I have a feeling Crone might have had something to do with that. Her hands are lifted slightly, wisps of ivory magic shimmering around her and between us.
I count my remaining rivals: five.
Koda and Esta stand slightly apart from the others, while Arga remains closest to Crone. I remember Roman’s warning that Arga feeds on pain, just as I’m strengthened by fear.
I take a beat to consider Crone carefully, testing my power to seek her fear. Roman warned me that she’s so powerful, I might need to be in physical contact with her to discern it—and he’s right. She may as well be made of cold metal. No feelings at all. Except, perhaps, annoyance.
The other royals, on the other hand, are coated in fear. All except Arga, who is aggressively confident. “I’m glad you’re alive,” he says, stepping forward. “This way, I get to kill you myself.”
“Not in the next trial, you won’t,” I say, trusting Roman’s advice that Crone will conjure an opponent for each of us.
He gives a “humph” before he snarls, “Soon enough, little sister.”
Apparently, he still refuses to call me by my name.
“I hope you’re prepared, Nova,” Crone croons. “The next elimination begins in an hour.”
Ididlose time in the prison. When I went in, I had all afternoon ahead of me, but I refuse to reveal how much this throws me.
Crone narrows her eyes at Roman, who has taken up position a step behind me, the bracelet of runes spinning slowly around his wrist.
“Bring her to the Cage,” Crone says. “Make sure she isn’t late.”
Crone turns and glides back along the footpath, waving her hand as she goes. At the movement, a beam of light appears at her feet, immediately transporting her at her command.
Arga snarls at me before he follows with the others.
Koda is slower to leave, his focus flashing from me to Roman, but he doesn’t say anything before he also leaves.
Esta remains behind, and I’m on my guard in case her intentions are underhanded. She casts furtive glances in the direction that the others went before she hurries toward me.
Her feet are bare and she’s wearing a flowing, white skirt and loose top. Her blue eyes are wide and the tension around her mouth is hard to miss—along with the dark rings under her eyes.
