Celeste clutched the pendant. “Mom.”
“You stay down.”
“She’s trying to separate us.”
I knew.
The shadows weren’t random anymore. They moved deliberately through the room, erecting barriers between us and the exits.
The chamber was becoming a trap.
Again.
Keegan crouched beside us, breathing hard. One sleeve was torn open, blood streaking his forearm where one of the shadow spears had grazed him.
“You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s suspiciously close to my line,” I muttered.
His mouth trembled despite everything.
The Priestess lifted her gaze toward Celeste again.
“You should not have survived that.”
Celeste stood slowly before either of us could stop her.
“Same goes for you.”
Honestly, I was both horrified and deeply proud.
The pendant glowed brighter against her chest as she stepped forward. The moonstone’s light stretched across the floor in pale silver lines that pushed the shadows back inch by inch.
The Priestess noticed.
So did Gideon.
Keegan stood up as a shadow flung Twobble off the Priestess, and Celeste took another step forward.
Gideon’s eyes widened slightly. “The pendant is responding to her.”
“She’s Elira’s blood too,” I whispered.
The Priestess’ expression sharpened instantly at the mention of my other grandmother.
“Oh,” she said softly. “Now I understand.”
My grandmother started laughing as the shadows around her rose higher.
“You thought the Academy chose you, Maeve.” Her gaze slid toward Celeste. “But perhaps it was waiting for her.”
My stomach dropped. “No.”
Celeste looked at me quickly, confusion flashing across her face.
The Priestess smiled, but the gesture was cruel.
