Page 36 of Crown of Envy

A shimmering, jeweled dagger appeared, then disappeared just as quickly.

I flicked the covers off and slid to a sitting position.

Justice flicked his gaze over me. “You’re not well enough to travel.”

I held my chin high. “Neither were you on the last task. If I don’t come with you, you’ll fail, and Maci will win. Is that what you want?”

Brody’s brow furrowed, his gaze sharp with determination. “We’ve got a situation on our hands,” he announced. “Intelligence suggests the lower levels of the dungeon are off-limits to the public. It’s a complication but not insurmountable.”

He straightened his posture, shoulders squared as he continued. “We’ll need to adapt our strategy. This isn’t only about sneaking in. It’s about upholding our mission while respecting civilian boundaries. I know it’s not an easy task, but I have faith in this team. We’ve overcome worse odds.”

His gaze swept the room. “We’ll need to be smart, be vigilant, and above all, work together. Every one of you has unique skills that will be crucial for this operation. Who has a plan to get us into the dungeon?”

I rubbed my forehead. “Lisa will have to conjure a spell to hide us as we slip in. It’s the only way.”

He nodded. “I’ll find her and Zara. We need to move immediately before Maci attacks. Brady, Scott, and Garrick are fortifying the Manor. I’ll ask Lisa and Zara if they have protective spells to keep Maci and the demons from penetrating here.”

I nodded, weariness seeping into my bones. He quietly left.

“You’re not up to this,” Justice reminded me again.

Damon snorted, his gaze fixed on me with worry and exasperation. “You’re about as strong as a dandelion in a hurricane right now, sis.”

I didn’t want to admit he was right, but fate had dealt the cards, and there was no way around it. “I’m going, so stop trying to talk me out of it. Both of you.”

Damon ran a hand through his hair, a habit I recognized as a sign of frustration. “Look, I get it. You want to be Super Girl and save the day, but you can barely keep your eyes open. You try to fight like this, and you’ll be demon chow before you can say ‘exorcism.’”

I scowled, a surge of frustration burning through my exhaustion. My jaw clenched so tight that a headache built at my temples. “Damon, I’m done with this conversation,” I snapped. I turned to Justice, my gaze challenging. “Justice was beat up when we went to the Grove of Whispers?—”

“But I’m a vampire,” Justice blurted. He leaned forward, his cool hand grasping mine. “I’m stronger than a human.”

The touch of his skin sent a shiver down my spine, but I steeled myself against the distraction. My free hand clenched into a fist, nails digging into my palm.

“Done,” I repeated, the word coming out a growl. I drew a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “I’m going, and that’s final.”

With a burst of energy I didn’t know I had, I sat up straighter. My muscles protested, a dull ache spreading through my body, but I ignored it. I lifted my arm, pointing toward my bedroom door with a finger that trembled slightly with the effort.

“I need both of you out of here so I can get dressed,” I declared.

Damon opened his mouth as if to protest, then snapped it shut. His jaw worked, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he swallowed whatever retort he’d been about to make.

Justice’s hand lingered on mine, his touch a silent plea. I met his gaze, seeing the worry in the lines around his eyes. With a barely audible sigh, he finally released me and stood.

As they approached the door, I felt their reluctance in every step. The door closed behind them, and I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

Alone at last, I slumped against the pillows, allowing myself a moment of vulnerability. My body felt like lead, every movement an effort. But as I closed my eyes, gathering strength for what lay ahead, I knew I had no choice. Ready or not, I had to face whatever came next.

With a groan that seemed to come from my bones, I forced myself to move. My joints creaked and popped as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the sharp pains that shot through my body. The room tilted alarmingly as I stood, and I had to grip the bedpost to steady myself.

I stumbled toward the bathroom, my feet feeling encased in concrete. The cool tile under my bare feet sent a shock through my system, helping to clear some of the fog from my mind. I gripped the edges of the sink, my arms trembling as I leaned in close to the mirror.

The face that stared back at me was pale and drawn, with dark circles under my eyes that looked like bruises. I splashed cold water on my face, the shock of it making me gasp. After drinking some from my cupped hands, I scrubbed as if I could wash away the exhaustion along with the grime.

After several deep breaths that made my chest ache, I straightened, water dripping from my chin. My reflection looked marginally more alive but still far from ready for battle.

Back in the bedroom, I reached for my leathers, their familiar texture oddly comforting. As I put them on, each movement was deliberate, almost ritualistic. The leather softly creaked as it settled against my skin like armor preparing for war.

I reached for my quiver, gritting my teeth as I swung it over my shoulder. The strap dug into my already aching muscles, eliciting a sharp hiss of pain I couldn’t quite suppress. Ignoring my body’s protest, I adjusted the quiver, reassured by the sensation of the arrows against my back.

---