Page 60 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“Yes.” I didn’t care how much it hurt.

Laera grabbed my wrists and pulled. I screamed as pain expanded from my injured back and chest, radiating through my entire body. I grabbed her wrists, forcing myself to get up. She didn’t say a word about the tears or the curses coming from my lips.

Somehow, with stars exploding in my vision, I was on my feet. I took a few tentative steps. The pain was intense, but as long as I wasn’t moving too quickly, I could walk.

“You’ll need to get that cleaned and you’ll need the antidote if the snake got you,” Laera said.

“I don’t think it bit me,” I replied.

“That’s good.” Laera walked back over to the stone, then caressed the rock as she walked in a slow circle around it. “I don’t think it was damaged. Chimera fire didn’t seem to be enough to erode the stone or the magic. I can still feel it.”

“Can you make it work?” I asked.

Laera removed her hand from the stone, then looked up at me. “No.”

My heart fell into my stomach. “No?”

“Not alone, anyway. It’s been dormant for so long, the spark is buried. I need another magic user,” she replied.

“Sophia?” I asked hopefully.

“I don’t think she’s strong enough,” Laera replied. “I’d need Ryvin or Ara, but they’ve not yet returned.”

“What about your mother?” I suggested.

Laera scowled and after a few breaths, she nodded. “I’ll ask.” She closed her eyes and went so still, I wasn’t sure if she was even breathing.

An overwhelming urge to shake her to see if she was alright came over me until I remembered what she’d done at the temple. This was magic. She was doing something with it.

She opened her eyes. “She’s on her way. And she’s bringing Selena.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“It still might not work, you know,” she said.

“I know. But we have to try,” I replied.

“He’s on his way,” she added. “My father.”

“How far?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I’m not sure. He was blocking me out completely, but now I’m getting through a little. It’s like whatever he used to keep me out is cracking.”

“Let’s hope it falls apart completely soon,” I said.

“It will.” She sounded confident.

“Can you check on anyone with your magic?” I asked.

She lifted a brow and I realized I’d overstepped. “I’m not trying to inquire about your magic. I’m wondering if you can check on Ara.”

Her shoulders dropped. “I haven’t been able to find her or Ryvin or even the shifter.”

“I hope she’s alright,” I said.

“She’s stronger than you realize,” Laera replied. “So are you.”

“This better be important,” a sharp femalevoice called.

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