Page 257 of Lady of Starfire

“The High Witch makes a good argument,” Tybalt said, and Hazel’s violet eyes flicked to him, holding his stare for a moment.

Cyrus had not seen Hazel and Tybalt interact much. If they’d had any conversation or discussion of their past, he had not been around for it. The little he had seen them converse was simple, polite conversation. Then again, polite conversation was odd for a Witch, so maybe they had spoken at some point.

“You think we should leave a way into this world?” Scarlett asked.

“If you have the portal key, what difference would it make?” Cethin countered.

“Me,” Cyrus said quietly. “I’m the difference. We have to give the ring to Gehenna, or my bargain isn’t fulfilled.”

Everyone turned to him, and Cassius was reaching for his hand.

“When the portal key is out of the ring though,” Sorin said thoughtfully. “We can still give the Sorceress the ring. Would we need to destroy the portal key?”

“Portal keys are like the mirror gates,” Razik said. “At least, that’s what my research has led me to believe. They can be connected in a way. Drawn to each other.”

“Someone could essentially use a portal key to activate another portal key?” Scarlett asked, her nose scrunching.

“It would stand to reason that items keyed to the same lock would call to each other,” Razik answered with a shrug.

Scarlett made a disgusted noise. “Do not speak to me of locks.”

“I do not know why we are debating this,” Eliza said. “We destroy any foothold Achaz could have into the realm.”

Spoken like a true war general.

“I agree,” said Cethin. “We are doing all of this to keep Achaz out and protect the realm. Scarlett will be the guardian of the mirror gates. The only way in or out. Leaving a potential crack in that defense is foolish.”

“So it is settled, then?” Scarlett asked, looking around at everyone. “Cass?”

Cassius nodded. “It just seemed like something that should be discussed.”

“Then let’s take care of it,” Scarlett said. “What do we need to do?”

“We should be outside,” Hazel said, speaking for the first time since they had arrived back at the Fiera Palace. “The power needed to destroy it will be great.”

They all filed out to the back gardens, Rayner staying behind with Tula. Sorin led them to a large clearing. “Will this do?”

Hazel and Tybalt were at the back of the group, speaking so low Cyrus couldn’t even hear them with his Fae hearing. But then there was a swirl of black flames, and Tybalt was pulling a book from a pocket realm. It was worn and weathered, the cover black and faded. Hazel took it from him, flipping it open to a page already marked, and Cyrus realized it was her spell book. She ran a finger down the page, eyes moving as she skimmed it before she snapped it shut once more.

“I can pull the fragments from the rings and reform the key,” the High Witch said, moving forward. “But you should destroy it immediately. The realms will sense it has been reforged. If there is anything connected to it, it will seek it out.”

“Understood,” Scarlett answered, pulling the other two rings from a pocket realm of her own.

Hazel stopped in front of Cyrus and Cassius, her violet eyes seeming to search for something. Then she held out the spell book to Cass. “Hold this for me.”

Cassius took it without a word, turning it over in his hands as Hazel made her way over to stand by Scarlett in the center of the clearing.

“You have enough control to keep the others safe?” Hazel demanded in her usual sharp tone as she pushed back the sleeves of her witchsuit.

“Yes,” Scarlett answered. “But they are prepared to Travel out if necessary.”

Hazel nodded, and Scarlett dropped the three keys into her palm.

Cyrus watched as the High Witch drew an upside-down triangle in the dirt, placing one ring at each point. Then she drew a small knife from her belt, slicing her palm and holding it out to drip into the center of the triangle. She began chanting a language Cyrus didn’t know, but a moment later, the rings rose into the air until they hovered nearly eye level with the Witch before a light sprang from each one, meeting in the center.

Scarlett had started pacing back and forth, holding up her hand to stay Sorin, who had clearly expressed concern down their bond. Cethin and Kailia were watching with interest, while Eliza and Razik had guarded looks, as if waiting for something to go wrong. Tybalt, however, was watching Hazel.

A white object of some sort was taking form where the lights were merging. Cyrus couldn’t make out the shape, and he’d never get the chance to as Hazel gritted out, “Now, Scarlett.”

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