Page 35 of Crown of Envy

As she walked to the door, she paused and looked back at us. “Thank you, Sawyer, for making me see. We’ll talk more when I get back, okay?”

I nodded as Lisa left the room. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving us in contemplative silence.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” I asked, looking between Damon and Justice.

Damon ran a hand through his hair. “I hope so. At least she’s aware of it now. That’s the first step.”

Justice squeezed my shoulder gently. “We’ll keep an eye on her, on all of us. We’re stronger when we’re honest with each other.”

I leaned back against the pillows, exhaustion washing over me.

As my eyelids started to droop, urgent footsteps echoed in the hallway. My eyes snapped open, adrenaline instantly cutting through the fog of fatigue.

The door swung open with a bang, and I flinched. Brody burst into the room, his usually composed demeanor shattered. His face was pale, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead.

“We’ve got trouble,” he announced.

Damon was on his feet in an instant, chair scraping against the floor. “What happened?”

Brody’s eyes darted to each of us before settling on me. “It’s Maci. Grady and Scott returned with intel that she’s on the move. And she’s not alone.”

My heart plummeted, dread seeping into my bones like icy water. Justice’s hand found mine, squeezing tightly, his touch a lifeline in the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

“What do you mean, not alone?” I managed to ask.

Brody’s jaw clenched. “Reports suggest she’s amassed an army of envy demons. They’re heading this way.”

The room fell into a stunned silence, the shock of Brody’s words hanging like a physical presence. My earlier exhaustion evaporated, replaced by fear and determination churning in my gut.

I scrubbed my face roughly as if I could wipe away the dire news. “She’s coming for the Heartstone,” I realized.

Brody crossed his arms. “Someone must have told her we had it,” he growled.

“How long do we have?” Justice’s voice was steady despite the dire news, a calm counterpoint to the panic threatening to engulf us.

Brody shook his head grimly. “Not long. We need to move. Now.”

I scowled, frustration and weariness bubbling up inside me. “To do what?” The words came out sharper than I intended, edged with fear.

“I know you’re weakened, Sawyer, but we must start the next task.” Brody’s tone softened slightly, acknowledging my condition. He strode across the room and grabbed my backpack from the floor. The familiar thud of it landing on the bed beside me was oddly comforting.

“You need to ask the Mirror of Aethereal what our next task is.” His voice left no room for argument.

I swallowed hard, my hand instinctively moving to the backpack where the mirror waited. Its cool surface seemed to pulse against my fingers, even through the fabric, as if it sensed the urgency of our situation.

Responsibility twisted around my insides like a boa constrictor, squeezing tighter and tighter. Despite my weakened state, I knew I had to push through. With Maci and her army of envy demons bearing down on us, we were out of time and options.

I inhaled, steeling myself for whatever the mirror might reveal. “All right,” I agreed, my voice stronger than I felt. “Let’s see what our next move is.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

My team watched me like a hawk. I held my breath as I grabbed the Mirror of Aethereal’s handle.

“Please show us our next task.” I couldn’t hide the weariness in my voice.

Damon and Justice glanced at each other as if to say I wasn’t up to the task. But they were wrong. I had to go on this challenge. Only all six of the Chosen could accomplish it. Even though I wanted to sleep for a week, I was going. I’d find the strength somehow.

The mirror rippled again, and Edinburgh Castle appeared. My mother’s voice spoke again. “Deep in the castle, in the last cell in the dungeon, you’ll find a stone with a marking on it. It requires the Chosen’s blood to open. Inside, you’ll find this.”

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