An Irrigo funneled water from the fountain into a long stream that reached above their heads. Without warning, he whipped it forward and wrapped it around her legs, then yanked it back. Mara sailed across the courtyard, her body scraping viciously across the rough ground.
She scrambled out of reach, heart thudding.
A disciple with flowing black hair manifested a glowing axe in her hands and brought it down on Mara’s head with a grunt. Panicked, Mara rolled out of the way, feeling it slice across her cheek. The axe bit the ground with sparks and a heavy thump. She jumped to her feet, eyes darting between the disciples. They were like wolves, with the scent of fresh blood on the air. They wouldn’t stop attacking until their quarry was dead.
Her Gift flared to life, demanding that she retaliate, but Mara tampered it down, allowing it to fizzle to nothing. Cadmus wanted to force her Gift? Let him try. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, watching the disciples as they cornered her.
A woman on the end broke away from the group. Her blue eyes sparked with hatred as flames jumped into her hands. “You killed my brother, witch.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Apologies won’t bring him back!”
Mara gulped, backing up until she pressed against the building. The flames shot from the Ignis’s palms like arrows, leaving Mara with no choice. She threw her arms above her head, forming a shield that saved her from being burned alive. It didn’t prevent the heat from burning through, threatening to cook her inside.
“Enough,” Cadmus called from his balcony.
The Ignis hesitated, flames spurting from her palms as if she were trying to incinerate the shield. Then, obediently, she snapped to attention, allowing the fire to extinguish.
Cadmus tapped his lips with his forefinger, eyeing her speculatively. “Tovaline?”
From the doorway, Tova stepped forward, dressed in her pristine gray robes. She said nothing, but bowed her head, waiting patiently for her instructions. Hatred burned like acid in Mara’s throat at the sight of the young woman. It was her fault Mara was here in the first place.
Without breaking his eye contact with Mara, Cadmus called over his shoulder. “Bring the prisoners out, would you?”
She nodded once, then ducked back inside the Magi building. In the courtyard, it was as if they had been transformed into statues. The disciples stood rigid, waiting for further instruction, like they didn’t have minds of their own. Mara refused to release her shield. Could it be a trap? Yet every second she held it, it drained more energy. She blinked and shook her head, determined to hold it. Cadmus could rage as much as he wanted. He couldn’t force her to use her Gift against her will, against other people. She took a deep, shuddering breath.
In truth, she was terrified. Nightmares plagued her sleep each night. She couldn’t close her eyes for fear of seeing the beast she’d become. Even without the Augeo bolstering her Gift, could she stay in control? Or would she succumb to the power? The Magi from Stonehollow had been right to refuse her Gift. She was simply too dangerous.
Tova sauntered into the courtyard, a chain clasped in her dainty hands. Filed in a line behind her, shackled at the wrists, were three people. Their clothes were worn and dirty. Their faces bore the weight of a hard life, and their eyes were devoid of hope. Mara watched with growing pangs of trepidation as Tova deposited the prisoners by the fountain, then strolled back into the Magi building.
Cadmus cleared his throat, drawing her attention to the balcony where he watched with emotionless black eyes. “It’s apparent that you have little inclination to save your own life, but perhaps saving the lives of others might spur you into action. Standing before you are three dregs that Tovaline was kind enough to capture and deliver to the Order for justice. Let’s make this simple, shall we? Unleash your Gift and fight to free them. If you succeed, their lives will be spared. But if you fail…” He paused, pulling his lips back in a gruesome smile. “You will watch as I execute them before your very eyes.”
Mara’s heart stopped, and she swallowed, unable to move for the hatred that froze her in place, rooted to the spot. What kind of man would slaughter innocents to get his way? To manipulate her to unleash the beast within . . .
She sealed her burning eyes, trembling under the weight of his promise. She had no choice. If she didn’t unleash her powers, he would kill them. But would he let them go free, even if she did succeed? Did it even matter? They would certainly die if she did nothing.
Relinquishing her hold on the shield, she stood and steeled her heart.
As one, the disciples turned to face her as though they were controlled by the invisible strings of a puppeteer. Mara didn’t wait for them to attack. She closed off her mind, refusing to consider her actions. Throwing up a flimsy shield to block the worst of their attacks, she reached out, pulling on their threads of energy.
One of the dregs shrieked as the Armis swung her axe in a wide arc, certain to rend head from shoulders. Mara grunted, siphoning her energy as fast as she could muster. The Armis staggered, and the axe fell before disappearing in a puff of light. As Mara pulled, she vented the excess into her palms, forming balls of pure, white light. Dodging a brick aimed at her head, she threw them in rapid succession, giving the disciples no time to recover.
She ducked around the newly-built fountain, covering her head with her arms as thousands of shards exploded from the statue. How was she supposed to protect three people when she could barely protect herself? The Caeli circled around the fountain, palms raised, and shot a gust of wind that knocked her to the ground. Dazed, she reached out, trying to grasp his energy thread. He broke her hold and sent another blast that would surely knock her unconscious.
In that moment, she wished she had her Augeo. Using her Gift had been effortless, as though she’d been training before she took her first steps. If she still had her Augeo, this fight would have ended in seconds. Without it, every move took all her concentration.
Mara flattened, and the wind whipped her hair as it flew over her head. She rolled out of the way as a boulder smashed into the ground where her head had been. Her eyes widened. Was Cadmus willing to kill her after keeping her alive for so long? Desperate, she latched onto the Caeli’s thread and pulled as hard as she could. His face drained of color, and he stretched a weak arm toward her before falling to his knees.
Realizing that she might kill him, Mara released her hold in horror and stumbled back, covering her mouth. Images from the attack flashed through her mind. The screams haunted her. One by one they had fallen as she cut them down without mercy. No, no, no! Black spots clouded her vision, and she swayed on the spot.
Strong arms caught her before she could collapse.
“Mara, listen to me. You need to fight!” Ethan whispered in her ear.
She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. “No, I can’t. Please don’t make me fight anymore. I’m a monster.”
“You’re not a monster. You are a woman with an incredibly powerful Gift. Cadmus wants to break you and forcing you to confront your greatest fear is the easiest way to do it. Three people will die today unless you stop him. Don’t let him win! Fight!”
For the first time, Mara reached out with her Gift, testing Ethan’s energy thread. It was warm and comforting, like a fresh-baked apple pie on a late summer day. More than that, his truth shone through his words. It was all she could do to not sink into his embrace.
Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her hold around the remaining five disciples, and drained them until they fell unconscious at her feet. Only the soft rising and falling of their chests revealed that they were alive. Her eyes rose to the balcony where Cadmus and Tova watched impassively. Excess power churned inside her, begging to be released. She could end this now. It wouldn’t even be difficult, with the stolen energy eating away at her control. One blast. One shot, and she’d crush them under an avalanche of falling rock and stone.
“Thank you for your demonstration,” Cadmus said, his calm voice echoin
g through the courtyard. His eyes narrowed on her, and she realized that white swirls of pure energy had manifested around her hands. “Enough!”
Mara stepped protectively in front of the three dregs cowering behind the fountain. “And them? You promised they wouldn’t be harmed if I cooperated. Let them go.”
“And release the leverage I have over you? I think not. Magi Ethan!” he called, clasping his hands behind his back. “Restrain our guest, and return her to her cell, son.” His lips curled around the last word, and Mara gasped.
Ethan sighed, bowing his head, and said, “Yes, Father.”
She froze, turning slowly to face Ethan who stood shamefaced, the Deleo shackles dangling from his hands. “Son? Cadmus is your father?”
“I . . .”
Mara didn’t give him a chance to respond. She could see the truth in his eyes. Channeling the extra energy into a glowing whip, she lashed out, wrapping it around his neck. “You wanted me to trust you? I should end you now before you have a chance to betray me, too.”
His eyes bulged as the coils tightened, cutting off his air.
3
The shackles fell to the ground with a clatter that echoed throughout the courtyard. Ethan clawed at his neck, desperate to loosen the coils. Mara growled. He was Cadmus’s son! She yanked him closer, inspecting the similarities that had escaped her notice before. They had the same dark eyes, the same chiseled jaw, and the same high cheekbones. How had she missed it? Oh, the two of them had probably laughed at her foolishness this whole time.
A dozen disciples surrounded her but made no move to interfere. Silence descended like heavy mist as if everyone were holding their breaths, waiting to see what would happen next. She expected to hear Cadmus order her to release her hold, but he had vanished from the now-empty balcony. Where did he go?
Ethan’s face turned a vicious shade of purple. Mara’s features twisted with regret, and her power flared as she choked back a sob. She should just end him now and be done with it. He was the son of her enemy, after all. Just where did his loyalty lie? If she let him live, he would have the opportunity to turn on her, just like Tova had. But he… he had saved her. He had risked everything to rescue them from Kearar. Was this just another trick? Another way to mess with her head? Did his resemblance to Cadmus stop at his features, or was his personality infected in the same vile manner?
Ethan turned his head slightly and gasped a quick breath. His voice was a pained rasp as he said, “Go ahead, do it. Cadmus would probably build a palace for you, just to be rid of me.”
What was that supposed to mean? Why would Cadmus reward her for killing his son? She jerked back as if he’d struck her, and her whip fizzled into nothing. Ethan collapsed, gulping for air as coughs wracked his body. Eyes wide, she covered her mouth in horror. What had she done?
A nearby disciple took advantage of her distraction and grabbed the Deleos, clamping them around her wrists. Instantly, her Gift vanished as if it had never been there to begin with. She sagged from relief. The disciple kicked the back of her knee and she fell to the ground with a cry.
“Stop!” Hand raised, Cadmus walked out of the Magi building and across the courtyard. He waved the disciple away and pulled her to her feet. The stench of onions on his breath made her gag. He reached out, gripping her jaw roughly and turned her face to the left, then the right before looking her straight in the eyes. His lips curled in an evil smile that curdled her stomach. He spared a single, apathetic glance at his son, who was struggling to his feet. If he was afraid she had hurt him, Cadmus didn’t show it. He leaned closer and lowered his voice so only she heard his words. “Pity you didn’t finish the job.”
Mara pulled back, feeling dirty every second his skin touched hers. She kept her voice even despite wanting to scream. “I wasn’t aware that was part of the test.”
“Consider it a simple demonstration of your Gift. Not everyone was convinced of your abilities, but I’d say you’ve silenced the critics for now. And at a fraction of your strength! Quite impressive.” Cadmus clasped his hands behind his back before walking around her in a predatory arc, as a hawk might circle its prey. Mara fought to stay upright without shaking. “I wonder… What will you become in a month? A year?
Ashamed, she chanced another look at Ethan. Red marks encircled his neck from where her whip had strangled him. Guilt twisted in her gut. How he must hate her. But rather than scowl in disgust, his face flooded with concern, as if he were worried about her. After what she just did . . .
Cadmus followed her line of sight and sighed. “Magi Ethan, go see a Healer to sort out your injuries before reporting to me in my office.”
With a visible effort, Ethan tore his gaze from hers. It looked like he wanted to argue with the Head Magi, but he bowed his head before limping off behind the disciple building where the Healers lived.
“And what shall we do with you?” Cadmus paused from his pacing and pursed his lips. “Tovaline. Show our guest to her room.”
Mara frowned. Her room? That was an exceptionally odd way to say ‘cell.’ But when Tova grabbed her by the arm and led her up the stairs of the Magi building, rather than down to the dungeons, her confusion grew.
“What? You have no questions?” Tova sneered.
Mara did, in fact, have questions. Were they going to Cadmus’s office? Would she have breakfast now? Would they ever let her wash, or did Cadmus enjoy having her smell like a latrine? But she kept her face straight ahead, refusing to look at the mousey girl. “I have nothing to say to traitors. If it weren’t for the shackles on my wrist, and the fact that I won’t steal Wynn’s revenge, you’d be dead.”
“I’m loyal to the Order,” Tova said, chin raised, though her lip quivered. “You and the others were nothing but a job to be done.”
“You’re going to tell me that you felt nothing for Wynn? Nothing at all?” Mara snorted and shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”
“I answer to no one but Cadmus, and I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself,” Tova hissed, gripping her arm tighter.
“Or what?” Mara barked out a laugh. “What more could Cadmus do to me that he hasn’t already done?”
“I pray that you’ll never find out,” Tova responded in a quiet whisper, her voice hollow.
Mara almost felt sorry for her. Almost. Then she remembered what the girl had done, and that familiar hatred bubbled up her throat. She was a liar and a traitor. A brilliant actress. She couldn’t be trusted, no matter what she said. Mara wouldn’t put it passed her to make up a tragic story to garner sympathy. No, she would never fall for that again.
Tova stopped on the eleventh floor and led her down the hall to the last room on the right. She unlocked the door and gestured for Mara to enter. She stepped inside the room and froze, certain she was dreaming. The bedroom was as large as her home in Stonehollow. Mara barely restrained herself from kicking off her boots and sinking her feet into the thick, crimson carpet to see if it was a soft as it looked. A massive bed waited at one side of the room. Mara stepped forward, running her hands over the silky, white duvet. She turned, taking the rest in. A basin sat on the table next to the bed, with a pitcher of water for washing. A vase of roses sat next to it—gods only knew where they’d found fresh roses at the start of winter. A mirror hung above a small vanity, and she turned away. She didn’t need to see her reflection to know that her appearance was awful—weeks of caked-on dirt and filth wasn’t a good look for anyone.
A wardrobe waited on the other side of the room, next to a desk with books, parchment, and ink. There was a door to the side that led to what she could only assume was the powder room. Best of all, a giant window lined the one wall, complete with a cushioned window seat. Silent, she walked over and pressed her palms to the cool glass, resting her forehead against it. Except for her daily excursions for breakfast, she hadn’t seen the sun in weeks. Now, all she had to do was look out the window. She hated that something as simple as a window could make her feel indebted to the Order.
Tova’s voice pulled her from her daydreaming. “Is everything to your satisfaction?”
“It will do,” Mara said, trying to keep her voice from betraying her gratitude.
She gestured to Mara’s wrists. “I can’t take these off entirely, but no offense, you need a bath. I have an alternative to the chains that you might find preferable.” She paused and gave her a warning look. Mara briefly considered overpowering her and making a run for it, but how far could she go before the disciples caught her?
As if reading her mind, Tova said, “If you try anything, I will take you back to your cell where you will live out the remainder of your days, however few they may be. You won’t win.”
Reluctantly, Mara nodded. Tova reached into her gray robes and pulled out a pair of silver bracelets, etched with runes. She snapped them around Mara’s wrists before unlocking the shackles, leaving the new Deleos clasped around her wrists. From a distance, they might be mistaken for jewelry, rather than a symbol of her captivity. “Someone should be along shortly to—”
A knock sounded before the door swung open. Ethan’s eyes darted between Mara and Tova. His shoulders fell as he released a heavy breath as if he’d expected them to be trading blows when he arrived.
“I can handle this,” Tova said, crossing her arms.
“I’m sure you can. I just wanted to make sure that you were both alive given your… history.” His eyes turned to Mara, running up and down her body as if checking for injuries. The red marks around his neck had been healed, along with the bruises she had seen this morning, leaving nothing but unblemished skin. She swallowed and looked away.
“Did Cadmus put you up to this?”
“Oh yes. Right after confirming that he’d rather have me dead, he sent me up to spy on his favorite disciple,” Ethan shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
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