Page 45 of Crown of Envy

Brody placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “We know one thing for certain. Maci will be waiting for us to complete our third task.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in. “She’ll probably lie in wait for us in the catacombs when we face the Aegis serpent. But remember, team, forewarned is forearmed.”

I sighed. “I need to rest and eat before I can think about going on our third task.”

“We need to know what it is,” he pressed. “We’re all exhausted, but we don’t have much time. Maci isn’t slowing down.”

The reminder of our enemy sent a jolt of adrenaline through me, momentarily cutting through the fog of fatigue. My stomach clenched with fear and determination.

I nodded grimly, my head feeling heavy with the motion. A wave of resignation washed over me as my body protested the decision my mind had made. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but Brody wasn’t wrong. If Maci suspected we were too exhausted to fight, it would play perfectly into her hands.

“You’re right,” I conceded. “I’ll go check with the mirror.”

Justice put his arm around my shoulder, his touch comforting and supporting. I leaned into him, and we walked past the rest of the team, then Grady and Scott. Their concerned gazes followed us, weighing heavily on my already burdened shoulders.

Back in my room, Justice wrapped his arms around me and held me close. His familiar scent enveloped me, a small comfort in our chaotic world. His steady heartbeat was mesmerizing, the rhythm almost hypnotic. My eyelids grew heavy, the temptation to curl up next to him and fall asleep nearly overwhelming. My muscles ached for rest.

He kissed the top of my head. “We’ll get through this. I promise,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

I looked up at him, my neck protesting the movement. His dark eyes met mine, and I wanted to lose myself in that gaze, to forget all my responsibilities.

“I hope so,” I whispered back, my voice cracking slightly. The words hung between us, heavy with unspoken fears and tentative hope.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the pull of exhaustion warred with the urgency of our mission. The mirror awaited, holding secrets that could determine our fate. With a deep breath, I drew strength from Justice’s embrace and the knowledge that, no matter what, we were in this together.

Reluctantly, I untangled myself from Justice. The loss of his warmth left me feeling vulnerable, but I steeled myself for what lay ahead. With heavy steps, I headed to the dresser where the Mirror of Aethereal rested.

My fingers touched its cool surface, and the mirror vibrated in my hand as if awakening to my touch. I drew a deep breath and spoke the words that would set our next challenge in motion. “Please, show me our third task.”

The mirror’s surface swirled, reminiscent of ripples spreading across a pond. From its depths, my mother’s familiar voice emerged. The sound of it sent a pang through my heart, a mixture of comfort and longing.

“You have done well,” the voice soothed, its tone both proud and cautionary. “The last task brings you closer to your goal, but it will test you in ways you’ve yet to face.”

I listened intently as the mirror continued, each word etching itself into my mind.

“This task takes you deep within the catacombs, where you must navigate the Labyrinth of Reflection. Look for a specific door marked with the symbol of balance. The magical maze begins in the chamber beyond. It will force each of you to confront distorted versions of yourselves, each consumed by envy. To succeed, you must resist temptation and find the true path to your heart.”

The mirror’s surface shimmered, reflecting my worried expression back at me as it delivered the final piece of information.

“After you have completed this task, the Scales of Balance will materialize. This ancient artifact has the power to weigh the purity of your intentions against your envious thoughts.”

As the mirror fell silent, I stood there, absorbing the magnitude of what lay ahead. The Labyrinth of Reflection sounded like our most challenging task yet, not only physically but emotionally and mentally. I turned to Justice and saw my concern reflected in his eyes.

“We need to tell the others,” My voice was stronger now, fueled by determination. “This task will test us all in ways we might not be prepared for.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

I gathered the team in the dining room, my feet dragging with every step. Our next task hung heavy on my shoulders, but the gnawing emptiness in my stomach reminded me we were all running on fumes. There was no reason to face this news on empty stomachs.

As we filed into the room, the rich aroma of lamb stew wafted through the air, making my mouth water instantly. Sean McDuff had outdone himself once again. A large pot of stew steamed in the center of the table, chunks of tender meat and colorful vegetables visible in the savory broth. Beside it was a loaf of freshly baked bread, its golden-brown crust practically begging to be torn apart. A bowl of crisp salad added a pop of color to the spread.

I sank into my chair, my muscles sighing in relief at finally being able to rest. Around me, the same exhaustion was etched on every face. Dark circles under Damon’s eyes replaced his usual smirk. Lisa’s hands trembled as she reached for her napkin. Even Brody’s typically ramrod-straight posture had a noticeable slump.

Sean moved around the table, placing a tankard of dark ale in front of each of us. The rich, malty scent of the brew mingled with the food aromas, creating an almost intoxicating mix. I wrapped my hands around the cool metal tankard, grateful for something solid to hold onto.

“Eat first,” I insisted, my voice hoarse from fatigue. “Then we’ll talk about what’s next.”

There was a collective sigh of relief as everyone dug in. The clinking of spoons against bowls filled the air. I took a spoonful of the stew, the warm, hearty flavors exploding on my tongue. It was comfort in a bowl, a brief respite from the struggles ahead.

As I ate, I couldn’t help but study my teammates. Each bite seemed to bring a touch of color back to their cheeks, a spark of life returning to their eyes. Yet beneath the momentary contentment, I noticed the tension, the wariness. They knew, as I did, that our hardest task was yet to come.

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