Page 11 of Crown of Envy

I looked at Brody, taking in his pensive expression, the way his features seemed to be carved from stone. “You don’t trust Zara, either?”

His gaze hardened, and his frame tensed. “We need people we can trust on this journey,” he stated. “Our lives may depend upon it.”

A shiver ran down my spine as the responsibility of the mission pressed heavily on my heart. The air seemed to crackle with tension. I glanced between Justice and Brody, searching for any sign of reassurance but finding only grim determination.

CHAPTER SEVEN

A deafening crack of thunder split the sky, making us flinch involuntarily. A light rain fell, pattering against the leaves and the porch roof. The air grew heavy with the scent of petrichor, the earthy aroma that often accompanied the first rain after a dry spell.

A profound silence descended upon us, broken only by the rhythmic drumming of the droplets against the wooden planks. The world seemed to hold its breath as if waiting for something momentous to happen. As the wind picked up, the flower pots swayed gently, and the chimes tinkled a haunting melody.

I kept turning over what Brody said about Zara, then broke the silence. “You consider Lisa part of the team?”

“I do. She’s proven herself many times by helping the team and wanting to find her phoenix, Aurora, to help all my kind. Zara seems to want the Crown of Envy for her coven. There’s something not right about that.”

Justice and I glanced at each other. Brody was highly perceptive, and I trusted his judgment. He was all about saving people and working as a team. None of us, including Lisa, had our own private agenda. I hadn’t even thought about Zara’s reason for wanting the crown.

“So, you think we should be wary of her?” Justice asked.

Brody nodded. “I do. People with personal agendas tend to turn on their teammates to get what they want.”

A cold chill ran down my back like a spider creeping over my flesh. I shuddered at having an enemy in our midst. The mirror had been in the Unseelie realm, and maybe it was tainted, so it wouldn’t always pick the pure of heart to complete these tasks.

“We could be wrong about Zara,” I pointed out. “She might prove to be a loyal team member.”

“Maybe,” Brody ventured, but his jaw locked tight.

Justice finished his last blood bag. “That creature was desperate for the jewel. I have a hunch we won’t be the only ones trying to complete these tasks.”

“Yes, the mirror said as much,” Brody agreed. “We need to rely on each other. Our enemy is as desperate as we are to get the crown, or they wouldn’t come out in the open like that. They won’t hesitate to use any means possible to thwart us.”

“That’s a cheery thought,” I mumbled. “But when has any task we’ve undertaken been easy?”

Brody looked at me. “Sawyer, how is your memory?”

I blinked. “What? Why do you ask?”

“You lost part of your memory when you retrieved the mirror. That could include your fighting skills. We need to know what you’re capable of.”

“I know how to fight.”

“Before you went into the Unseelie realm, you were absolutely a skilled hunter,” he mentioned. “But the Grimoire stole memories from you, and the team needs to know that you still possess those skills. If you don’t, we have to figure out how to proceed.”

His argument made sense, but it irritated me.

I folded my arms. “What do you want me to do?”

Brody got directly to the point. “Demonstrate your skills, starting with your bow and arrows.”

I glanced at Justice. He gave me a sheepish look. “You don’t remember your dad, and he’s the one who taught you the skills.”

I bristled at his statement. It was true. I remembered someone training me, but I couldn’t put a face to them. I couldn’t remember what my dad looked like or even his name, but I wasn’t ready to dive into that. Proving I was a badass warrior woman was more important, not only for them but for me, too.

I stormed into the manor, my footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor. The familiar scent of polished wood did nothing to calm my nerves as I headed to my bedroom. My fingers trembled as I reached for my bow, the smooth yew comforting under my touch. I slung the quiver over my shoulder, the weight of the arrows a reminder of a past I couldn’t fully remember.

This was ridiculous. I knew how to shoot. It was like reliving my childhood, where I had to prove I was as capable as a boy at using a weapon. I frowned, but I couldn’t remember who I’d had to impress. That was so strange. I sensed it had been really important to me, but I couldn’t recall who. Guys in gym class? Maybe. Damon? Possibly. Or Dad? It could have been, but nothing came to mind. My slate was wiped clean.

As I turned to leave, Damon appeared in the doorway, his brow furrowed with concern. He moved toward me, his hand outstretched.

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