Page 59 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Let’s keep moving,” Luka said. “News of this will have already spread.”

“I didn’t know,” Tessa repeated.

Axel offered her an understanding smile as he ushered Katya towards a passageway.

They’d been walking for another few minutes when he said to Kat, “Your training is going well?”

“Yes.”

“The first round of testing is after the Samhain celebrations.”

“I know.”

“According to reports, your instructors believe you will be able to have your bands removed,” he continued. “That’s impressive. Few have them removed at the first testing.”

“Being away for these days might alter those results,” she replied.

“You are worried about it?”

“No, but it stands to reason that practice is required. Is that not how you mastered your gifts?”

“I can take you to train while we’re here,” he offered.

“Really?”

He huffed a laugh. “You only need to ask, Kat.”

“That is not as simple as you make it out to be.”

Then she was letting out a gasp as he tugged her into him, his shadows creating a shield as a figure stepped in front of them.

“Where did he come from?” Kat whispered.

But Axel was pulling the small mirror from his pocket, finding Cienna’s message. Looking over at Theon, he said, “It’s time.”

They’d followed the messenger for another hour. He took them through winding passages, many of them forcing their group to go single file. Axel stayed at the front, directly behind the messenger, but he could hear the constant coaxing from Theon and Luka. The first tight passage they’d had to force her to go through. The messenger wouldn’t wait for them. If they lost him, they were fucked. Cienna had wards that purposefully misdirected those who didn’t already know how to find her.

Finally, there was a faint light that only grew as they made their way towards it, and when they finally stepped into the open cavern, Axel let out a breath of relief.

This cavern was bigger than the others they’d encountered. There were shelves fashioned to one wall, various bottles and tins of the gods only knew what was in them. Dug into the stone wall was a hearth where there was a make-shift stove with various pots bubbling and steaming. Several tables littered the space, and there were four other passageways leading off the room.

“Chaos follows you everywhere now?”

They all turned at the sharp voice, finding a tall female standing before them. Her mahogany hair was braided down her back, and her black clothing hugged her figure. Her violet gaze was fixed on Theon where Tessa was peering around him.

“Cienna,” Axel said, stepping forward. “Thank you for seeing us.”

“Youare Cienna?” came Tessa’s shocked voice.

Cienna said nothing. Only continued to watch her.

It was Theon who said, “Do you know each other?”

“No,” Tessa muttered, breaking Cienna’s stare and looking around the space. “I am just surprised.”

“Cienna?” Theon asked, clearly not believing Tessa.

“Speak carefully,” the Witch retorted sharply. “There are five of you. I will answer five questions. One from each.”

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