Chapter 49
I already knew what I would see. Still, I looked up at the night sky. My heart sunk at the sight of the full moon beaming down at me between winking stars.
I’d been so caught up in the thrill of defeating Livia, of defying death and restoring Amalie, that I’d forgotten about my own bleak circumstances…Fool.
“I take it you’re here to collect your prize?” I asked bitterly.
“How astute of you.” I could hear the smirk in her voice.
“Alara, who is she? What is she talking about?” asked Tarben, but I would not—couldnot—take my eyes off the malevolent figure gliding towards us from the skeletal trees. I didn’t want the witch anywhere near my friends.
Turning to them, I said with hushed urgency, “You have to go. Now.”
“We’re not leaving you,” said Tarben. Sensing danger, he stepped in front of me. Behind us, Hugo and Filip had positioned themselves at Amalie’s side.
“Go,” I pleaded with them.
Tarben unsheathed his sword, with Hugo and Filip following suit. “Let us pass or I will gut you,” he threatened, leveling his blade at the Crow.
She came to a halt in front of us. “So protective.” Her high-pitched voice sounded mocking as she examined the cauldronwhich was, astonishingly, still steaming.
I pushed forwards so I was standing next to Tarben. “You can’t hurt her. She’s not really here.” At the confusion on their faces, I said, “She’s a projection. Her spirit is here, but her body is not.”
“How is that possible?” asked Filip.
“Witch,” muttered Hugo, his lip curling.
“Who are you?” Tarben demanded, reluctantly lowering his sword.
“Me?” the Crow gestured towards herself. “I am someone who’s owed a debt, and I’ve come to collect.” She angled her veiled head towards me.
“Alara, what is she talking about?” Tarben’s voice carried a note of fear.
Ignoring him, I addressed the Crow. “Just take me. I’m willing to go right now if you let them leave unharmed.” I had to keep my friends safe. After all, I’d been the one to recklessly get involved with a witch. I would never forgive myself if she hurt them.
She folded her hands in front of her. “Don’t you worry, pet. We’ll depart soon enough. But first, you’re going to take down the wards around Solvardunn.”
I huffed a disbelieving laugh. The witch had lost her mind.
“You’re going to take down the wards and then I’ll have everything I need.” She bent down to study the grimoire, still lying undisturbed on the leaf-coated ground where I had left it.
My brow furrowed as my brain began to put two and two together. “You want the grimoire?”
“Amongst other things,” she said, still crouched on her haunches. “Why do you think I sent you to this kingdom of all places?”
Sucking in a sharp breath, the realization caught up to me. “You orchestrated this all so I would find the grimoire?”
“You didn’t think I was helping you out of the kindness of my heart, did you?” Her laughter was shrill and unnerving. It echoed across the clearing. “I told you about dear Basia knowing you would seek her out and discover this.” She pointed her marked hand at the grimoire.
I narrowed my eyes. “You knew she wasn’t the murderer all along.”
She stood to her full height. “Child, I knew more than your pretty little head could possibly fathom,” she said smugly. “You were the final piece in a plan that’s been decades in the making.”
“For Seru’s sake, would someone please explain what’s going on,” said Hugo, who was promptly shushed by Filip.
My stomach churned at the realization. “You were working with Livia?”
She clapped slowly, mockingly.
