Lucenna’s whisper drifted through the fog of sleep that drew her in. “What do you fear more than the darkness?”
“Failure.”
Chapter 33
Lucenna
The sky was dark as Lucenna packed her things and left camp with the journal. After cloaking herself, she left the others asleep by the dying fire. The stolen item was a block of lead beneath her arm as she headed north without stopping. The autumn chill brushed against her cheeks and wafted through her hair as she hiked. A hint of sunlight rose on the horizon, and in the distance, she heard a faint scream.
Lucenna halted in place, her heart beating in her throat. It really would be so easy to keep walking and completely disappear in the mountains. They would never find her. There was so much at risk. Too many delicate plans in place. It all rode on the Moonstone, but if she couldn’t find it, then there would be no saving the women of the Magos Empire. She had to do everything in her power to get it, or they would never be free.
Dyna’s cries carried on the wind.
Lucenna conjured a sphere of magic in her hand and the purple light glinted off the crescent sigil of House Aston on the journal. There was so much history behind it. So many wishes and dreams. It was once a symbol of hope. She accepted Azeran’s mantle on his behalf and for the women of her country. For the sorceresses she swore to protect.
Sorceresses like Dyna.
Desperation and greed whispered that she had every right to take the map. It was the property of the Astron family, and she needed it.
Lucenna spoke the passphrase. The journal clasps unlocked, recognizing her as kin, but her finger froze on the first page. She hadn’t earned the right to open it.
“Lucenna!” Dyna came tearing out of the bushes with the others behind her. “No, no, I sensed her power here. She was here!”
“She’s gone,” Cassiel grated. “I told you not to trust her.”
Dyna spun as she wildly searched the glade. “She wouldn’t do this to me. She wouldn’t.”
“What do we do?” Zev asked Rawn. “I lost her scent.”
Lord Norrlen rubbed his face with a heavy sigh. “I may be able to track her on foot.”
Zev shook his head. “Dyna, why did you tell her about the map?”
“Lucenna was searching for Mount Ida too, Zev. But she wouldn’t do this. I told her what I need to do. She knows what’s at stake. She wouldn’t steal from me. I know she wouldn’t. Lucenna!” Her broken cry ripped through the forest, startling birds out of the trees.
It squeezed something in Lucenna’s chest, but she didn’t drop the invisibility spell. Not yet. Dyna may hate her at the end, but she needed to learn this lesson. Have it pierced right through her so she wouldn’t ever forget.
Green light sputtered in Dyna’s hands. It was there, waiting to be unleashed, but she curled into herself and dropped on her knees. Lucenna shook her head. The girl was too soft.
“Dyna.” Cassiel approached her.
She flinched away. “Please don’t say it. I know I’m stupid. I’m so stupid.”
But she wasn’t stupid, only full of so much doubt. Lucenna was sick of it holding her back. She increased the gathering of Essence in her hand. Dyna gasped, and her head snapping to the spot where she stood.
“Show yourself.” She got to her feet. “I know you’re there!”
Dropping the invisibility spell, Lucenna threw a wave of purple at the men. Cassiel dodged, but it wrapped around Zev and Rawn in a misty cloud. She flicked her finger, lifting them in the air. Zev snarled while Rawn merely looked at her with disappointment. No matter how much they struggled, they couldn’t break free.
Cassiel withdrew his sword, and white flames spiraled around the blade. “Come on then, witch.”
Lucenna gave him a cruel smile. “Gladly.”
With a wave of her hand, she sent a blast of fire at him. The flames caught on his coat and he yanked it off. It was all she needed to distract him. She snatched him in a purple shroud and placed him with the others in the air.
Dyna stared at her with wide eyes. “Why?”
“Why?”Lucenna retorted. “Because you made it too easy to take from you, Dyna. If you want the journal back, then come get it.”
