Page 89 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“It’s not impossible,” Della whispered. “Killian waited for your mother when she died, but when their souls met, they... disappeared.”

“What do you mean, disappeared?” I hissed, not caring if this woman heard me.

Della began fidgeting, which she did when she was nervous.

“Your mother is a stubborn woman, and so is Killian. They refused to go on to the next life, and their souls vanished. I could never track her or him down. I’m assuming your mother wouldn’t move on until she knew you broke your curse.”

I looked at the woman who was claiming to be my mother.

“Della’s right, I didn’t move on.” The woman smiled. “I’m worried that Cassius is tricking you again. Have you spoken to him?”

“No,of course not.”

She took another step toward me. Why did she want to be closer to me? Fuck, I realized my magic was not stirring in my chest. My darkness was not there either. Something about this thing was keeping me from using my magic, or maybe I used all my damn energy trying to see what magic I had.

“I’m pretty disappointed you won’t hug your mother.” She pouted. “Let me at least see how beautiful you grew up to be.”

She moved toward me quickly. I darted from her touch and held out my dagger.

“Who the fuck are you, and how did you block my magic?”

“I’m your mother.”

“No, you aren’t. My mother would never help my father. He murdered her. So, I’ll ask you again, bitch, who are you?”

Her face contorted into a wicked smile as she advanced on me again.

“She’s a vatori!” Della yelled at me. “She can see your memories and thoughts by touching you. One small touch and she can see everything stored in your mind.”

Fucking wonderful.

“So, who hired you? Gwyn, Jesper, or my father?” I glared.

“None of them.” She smiled. I glanced at Della, confused. “Are you looking at your little friend, Ardella, over there? I can see you, goddess.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Della snarled.

“Well, that’s not very ladylike for a goddess.” The woman smiled.

“Answer me now!” Della spoke with so much authority that I felt myself shrink down from her wrath. The woman just stared blankly at her.

“You can call me Val.” Her focus returned to me. “I just want a peek inside that memory of yours, Thea. If you do that, then I will let you go.”

“Fuck you.”

“Well, that’s also not very ladylike for a goddess either.”

Goddess.

I looked at Della, who stared at me.

“You’re a goddess, but you chose to stay in Elloryon and be with Cassius. You’ll remember when you break the curse.”

I nodded like I hadn’t been told I was a goddess.

“Who hired you?” I asked Val.

She ran at me, but I couldn’t even fight her without her getting what she wanted from me. I stumbled into the wall, smacking my face into my side table. Valsmiled at me as she stalked toward me; just as she was about to touch me, Della tackled her ass to the ground.

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