Up to my elbows, my skin is back to its normal hue. I need to hurry. I know I promised to gather the ingredients and mix itupstairs, but I'll be completely exposed by the time I make my trek back. I'll have no choice but to mix it –
The door I had left open suddenly slams behind me. I whip around and come face-to-face with my mother.
"Hello, Freya," she purrs, victorious. "Or should I call you, Eris?" She snaps her fingers and four guards reveal themselves from behind shelves and pop out of closets. They point their spears at me forcing me to stay put. My mother eyes me with a palpable hatred it makes my heart skip a beat. "I don't know what's more embarrassing," she hisses, taking a step toward me, "you believing you could outwit me, or you thinking I would not recognize you. Did you really think I would not smell your magic? Foolish girl."
I tilt my chin higher. There's no need to pretend anymore. "Tell me you weren't part of this attack."
For a split second I clock a sorrow, a deep regret in her face, but it's quickly masked with indifference. "Haven't you learned by now, Eris? Do not stick your nose where it does not belong."
My heart sinks, my shoulders slump. Thrane was right. My mother is guilty. "You really did have a hand in this, didn't you?"
"I do not know what you're talking about." She turns her back on me, signaling her guards to take me. "You will be escorted back to Hydra where you sit in a cell until your trial."
Anger burns bright in me. Everything I've built. Everyone I love is being ripped from me. I won't go down without a fight. "So, that's it? You will execute me for defending myself while you sat by and did nothing to help?"
"I said you would stand trial." She makes no move to look me in the eye. "I made no mention of execution."
"You and I both know how you operate, Mother. My trial will be nothing more than a formality. A box to check before you give Crius' family exactly what they want."
She side eyes me. "You used your magic against one of our own people! A powerful ally at that. There is no saving you, Eris."
"For the years I have been gone, a small part of me hoped you'd changed." I steady my voice, though my knees shake. "That you recognized the pain and suffering you forced me to endure in silence and regretted not lending me a helping hand. I am your flesh and blood. The salt of the sea and the brine of the sand. You left me to die."
She whips around, her feathers properly ruffled. "You didn't die, Eris!" she seethes. "You lived. You just made the mistake of thinking I had softened."
"No, I made the mistake of believing you capable of being a mother." I slide my hands to my sides. "At least I know I was right about you."
Her eyes widen. "No! Stop her!"
But her soldiers aren't fast enough. I slash my hands around the room, water creatures varying in size attack the soldiers. My mother is unaffected by my magic, simply slamming her hand against the water serpent cast her direction and crushing it against the stone pavers.
"Enough!" She shouts and storm clouds appear in the sky. She shoves her hand toward me and a burst of water crashes against me, pinning me to the wall. I grit my teeth, attempting to wiggle free, but fail. My mother whips her water magic against my water creatures slicing them to pieces.
Her soldiers regain their footing. One forces me to my knees while the second slaps manacles on my wrists.
"They know you helped the Soul Eaters," I grind my back teeth, not making it easy for them to bind me. "They're guarding your ships at the harbor. There's no escape for you." I let loose a shaky laugh. "You will be captured and held accountable for your part in the attack."
My mother slides down on to knee before me, an unsettling smile gracing her lips. She strokes her hand down my cheek. "Oh, Eris. Who said anything about going to the harbor?"
Thirty - Six
Atlas
Idrag my fingers through my hair. Night has fallen and all thecrolveshave been dealt with. The city is in shambles but the attack is over. Over one thousand Tronovian lives were lost today and I'm beyond words.
I sit in Uncle Soren's council room with Ronan and Thrane frozen to my chair. Reports continue pouring in. I don the mask of a good soldier, taking blow after blow, but the truth is with each report, my world shatters more.
A soldier found Nyx's twin swords and Shaye's dagger in the street near explosion debris. The harbor showed no sign of them being taken but I know deep in my bones they were captured. The only reason the attacks ceased is because Vesper got what she came for.
Shaye's gone. And I wasn't there to save her.
Time slows as the three of us bear the brunt of more missives.
Finn is in critical condition. My mother reassures me the doctors are doing everything they can to save him. But I see thedespair in her eyes as she clutches to my father. They don't stay, returning to the hospital to watch over my brother and pray he lives.
Evidence of a struggle in the castle apothecary points to Eris being taken and with the Hydrans long gone from our shores, it seems they're the ones who are responsible for her abduction. After swapping information with Thrane, it appears the Hydrans were the ones who betrayed us, bringing Bastian's minions to our shores undetected.
The Basilius family incurred minor injuries but when we were told Shaye was taken, Sylvane crumbled to the floor. Thrane wrapped his arms around her, a mixture of anger and sorrow swirling in his grey gaze. Kamari took her to her quarters to rest but I know Sylvane won't find peace in a bath and sleep won't comfort her.
