She swallowed. That small sliver of distrust she’d felt, out of fear of what he would do when she told him who carried it, had likely saved Charlotte’s life.
If she were still alive, that meant they needed her—and still had no idea where the amulet was. Elizabeth let the knowledge straighten her spine and wore it like armour.
Deciding to play for time, in hopes someone would come save her, she said slowly, “But wait—why do you care about the amulet? I don’t understand that part.”
Fiza scoffed at her ignorance. “You stupid mortal, the amuletsarethe portals.”
Elizabeth’s mind reeled.
While Fiza continued explaining, Elizabeth tested her bonds, trying to undo the tight knots with her fingers. Her thumb cramped from trying to loosen the knots, but they held firm. “The amuletisthe lost portal and—”
“Fizalind,” Maud snapped. Her black, depthless eyes were cold. “Enoughtalk.”
Fiza snarled at her sister, “If you had to serve brainless whore after brainless whore—clean their nails and do their hair, and clean their rooms until your fingers were red and raw, you’d want to savour the moment too.” Maud made a face, and Fiza said acidly, “Oh, shut up! You’ll have your fun with her soon enough. Where is she going to go?”
Turning to Elizabeth, she said, “As I wassaying, once there were two portals to the Underworld, and through the witches’ trickery, they turned them into amulets and hid them. One was found, becoming the portal in this castle. The other is still lost. Andyouare the only person in Asteria who can tell us where it is.” Fiza laughed, the sound hollow. “You are not important, nor are you special. Leviathan only cares about you, because obtaining the amulet is crucial to our plans.”
“But—why not let it stay lost?” she pleaded.
Fiza narrowed her gaze. “Why would we leave a chink in our armour for the witches to exploit? The armies of men stand no chance against us and will cower before us.”
Fiza sneered down at her, revelling in her fear, her despair. She leaned in close and inhaled deeply, as if her terror was a fine wine.
“Sister … let’s do it already,” Maud cut in sharply. “If Caspian’s whore does not wish to talk, we’ll just have to make her.”
Maud prowled over to her. “Pick a finger.”
“W-what?”
“Pick a finger,” Maud repeated.
She thrashed against her restraints while she tried to pull even a dredge of magic from within her. But there was nothing. Her well of magic was empty.
“There are two choices here,” Maud said, grinning from ear to ear. “Either we kill you slowly, or you tell us everything you know.”
“This is lunacy. Fiza. Maud. Please be reasonable.”
Maud smiled, and it was terrifying. “The only hope you have of seeing the sunrise is by telling us where it is.”
The demon looked at her expectantly, waving a knife back and forth in front of her.
Elizabeth invented wildly, “I saw it a long time ago. I’m not sure where. It was in a marketplace in Calyx.”
“Liar.” Maud approached her, and the touch of cool, sharp steel grazed her pinky finger, running over her skin feather-light, reminding her of the consequences for lying.
She shuddered. “Okay, fine, I’ll tell you where I really saw it. Please don’t cut off my finger.”
Fiza lowered her chin, her smile turning evil.
“I saw it once. I didn’t even know what it was at the time. I just thought it was some ugly, old piece of jewellery. I’m not sure if it’s what you’re looking for.”
“Where?” Maud asked, eyes riveted on her.
“In the queen’s castle. In her collection of treasures and jewels.”
“You lie.”
“She’s never worn it publicly that I know of, but I have seen it. On her vanity,” Elizabeth repeated. Fiza grinned, while Maud still looked suspicious. “It’s a gold piece with curling and warped metal at the sides and a purple gem in the middle.”
