Page 60 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

“Five questions is not nearly enough,” Theon argued.

“Perhaps not, but it is far more than you deserve.”

A huff of laughter had them all turning to Tessa.

“What?” she asked. “I like her.” Turning to Theon, she asked, “Did you lock her in a wine cellar too?”

But it was the Witch who replied coolly, “I suppose a network of caves is slightly more comfortable.”

“I didn’t—” Theon started, but then snapped his mouth shut at Cienna’s arched brow.

“Okay. Five questions,” Axel said, stepping forward. “We will be grateful for whatever information you can give us. Right?” He sent a pointed look at Theon. He was tired of being the middle person, but Cienna refused to work directly with Theon and Luka after she’d been forced into hiding for bestowing their Guardian bond behind their father’s back.

The muscle feathered in Theon’s jaw, but he gave a sharp nod of his head. “Of course, Cienna. Whatever you can provide will be invaluable.”

“And you, descendant of Sargon?” Her attention switched to Luka, and then her eyes seemed to widen before they narrowed. “What did you do?”

“As usual, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Cienna,” Luka said, folding his arms across his chest.

She hummed in disapproval before her attention shifted once more, this time to Katya. “You are unexpected to see down here.”

Axel stopped himself from asking if she knew her. Barely. But he managed to hold his tongue.

Turning her back on them, Cienna moved to a table that had multiple books laid open atop it. “Ask your questions.”

“We need a few minutes if you’re only allowing us one each,” Theon retorted.

She waved a hand in an impatient motion to get on with it, and Axel hid his smirk as his brother bristled. Tessa was watching them curiously as she made her way to the shelves of ingredients.

“The Witches are said to be wicked,” she commented, reaching for a tin.

“We are,” Cienna replied, not bothering to look up from her book but rather flipping a page. “Put that back.”

Tessa shrugged. Replacing the tin, she ran her finger along a leaf on a plant. “Plants don’t seem all that wicked.”

“Tell that to the priestesses who perform your assessments,” Cienna retorted.

“The priestesses aren’t Witches.”

Cienna lifted her head. “Aren’t they? They might call themselves something different, but make no mistake about what they are.”

Tessa’s eyes widened, but before she could speak again, Theon said, “No questions, Tessa.”

She glared at him, moving to another table.

“I do not have all day, Theon,” Cienna said irritably. “Ask me what you seek to know.”

“As I said, it is more than five questions, and I have no doubt your answers will only create more questions,” Theon replied, having made his way to the same table Cienna was at.

“Ask the right questions, and that won’t be the case.”

“Speak what you know, and none of this would be necessary.”

Cienna slammed her book shut. “If you do not wish for my help, simply say so.”

Tessa had joined them now, and Axel watched her eyes bounce back and forth between Cienna and Theon, an intrigued expression on her face.

“I have my question,” Tessa suddenly announced to the room.

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