He nods, but there’s a hopeful glint in his eye.
“They have a woman with that gift locked away. She’s not stable, though, and they don’t have a way to fully control her magic. They don’t have a cure. They have guards,” I tell him.
His whole body deflates and the agony on his face makes my heart ache.
“But they think there might be a way with some kind of special relic. Probably the same thing you’re searching for,” I say quickly.
He straightens. “Who is it? Maybe we can work together.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an option. He’s not really atogetherkind of person.”
The heartbreak in Nate’s expression has me adding, “but I’ll ask. See what I can find out for you. Will you be at my door tonight?”
He nods, still solemn. Like he doesn’t want to get his hopes up. I’m almost regretting telling him. It’s not like Brevan has a way to help.
“I’ll make sure you can leave discreetly,” he says. “Alan knows and he won’t say a word. You can trust him.”
I nod, then follow him to the door. He opens it a crack to check the hallway, then pulls it open the rest of the way so we can leave. Thankfully, we don’t encounter anyone else on our way to my rooms.
When I arrive, I’m met with a very unwelcome sight. Three large trunks are set near my door. Draped on top of them is a thick traveling cloak.
My heart falls into my stomach. It can’t be time already? How did this happen so fast?
“They just arrived,” Anya says.
“When?” I manage.
“Tomorrow,” she replies.
“Don’t worry, Sabina,” Antonia says. “We’ll keep researching. With everyone gone, maybe we can find something we missed.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, trying to sound grateful. But my eyes are glued to the trunks. I wasn’t expecting this so soon. I thought I’d have it all figured out by now.
“It’s not too late to run,” Anya says quietly.
Don’t fight it. Find your power, daughter.
I scowl. Now? This is when she decides to show up again? My jaw tightens as I resist the urge to scream at the absentee goddess.Why?
Answers.
“Are you alright?” Anya asks.
“I want to go to the temple,” I tell her.
“Do you want some company?” she asks.
“I’ll be quick.” I’m already on my way to the door, and I don’t look back to see if anyone follows me.
Nate’s brows furrow when he sees me.
“Temple.” I start walking, and I know he’s right behind me. I don’t explain, and I don’t say a word before slipping into the space and closing myself in.
As I walk toward the altar, I’m biting out words as quietly as I can but the longer I talk, the louder I get. “Alright, Mara, explain. I’m tired of the games. I’ve been searching. Hunting blindly. People are dying and I’m no closer to finding answers to anything. I can’t help my ladies. I can’t help anyone! Now this?Thisis where I’m going to find answers? Then what the fuck have I been doing the last few weeks besides wasting my time?”
I rest my palms on the altar’s surface between candles. The flames flicker and glow. Yellow and orange and constantly burning. None of the candles drip wax. They just burn. There’s so much magic in this room. “Why won’t you tell me what you want?”
Closing my eyes, I take slow, steady breaths, working to calm myself. It feels like everything is spiraling out of my control. I have no clear path forward. I don’t know who to trust or what anyone is after.
