How could I let everything she’d labored for fall apart?
That serpent had never been Father’s. It had beenmine—and Mother had always known that.
The prophecy of the final maiden depictedme, not Haimyx.
Standing, I extended a hand, feeling the new magic rush inside me like a tempest. The snake moved at my command, gracefully dipping into the Empty and emerging again, like the silks of a dancer. It coiled around Seraphim before returning to me.
Seraphim laughed, staring up in awe at the creature. I grinned as realization struck me.
I was wielding Elpis magic.
I could forge into the Acheron and slam shut the Empty.
I could save Aethra.She needn’t die at the end of our journey—I would take her place.
Ma’at turned, shambling back toward the sheer cliff. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her back.
What did I say? Was mother still in there, able to hear me?
“Thank you.” I managed.
She didn’t turn her head, but whispers carried from the void, caressing my face like the touch of her hands when she still lived.
“Do me proud, Set.”
Pulling from my grip, Ma’at returned to the Empty. She stepped past the border and vanished.
A piece of me went with her. A piece that had been with her for years.
Closing my eyes, I said my final farewells.
When I opened them again, Seraphim was standing beside me. “What will you do now?”
Gathering myself, I turned to her. “I’m taking my Godsdamned city back from Eris.”
She grinned. “Then let’s go kill the bitch.”
36
Aethra
Ipulled my hood over my face and looked down, avoiding the gaze of passing guards. Security was at an all-time high in the city, but Seth and Seraphim were nowhere to be seen. The sun dipped below the buildings, promising another day without finding them.
The others had spread out in search of our lost comrades, leaving me to watch the hideout in case they returned. Ducking back into the alley, I froze when I noticed a young woman standing near the stables. A satchel stuffed with scrolls hung over her blue coat—a messenger.
She turned to me as I approached. “Hoping for a letter tomorrow?”
That was one of Cerys’ phrases. “Onefromtomorrow would be better.”
Pulling a scrap of parchment from her bag, the young woman handed it to me and walked away. Hurrying in the opposite direction, I read the short note.
Icelus would be sending a unit of men to apprehend Cerystomorrow and take her in for questioning. If Seth wanted to make good on his challenge to Eris, he needed to do it soon.
Crumpling the letter, I chewed nervously on my lip. I had no idea where he was. No one had seen him since he stormed out of my room. Seraphim must have gone after him.
Two days had passed. Had they been captured? Surely Eris would have gloated about it . . .
I noticed a shadow behind me and whirled around. A strong arm grabbed my wrist and pinned me to the wall.
