Page 92 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“I don’t see anything,” he spoke.

“Flora, who were you around recently?” I demanded an answer. Her eyes shifted red, and she snarled at me like a rabid animal.

“Flora, sweetheart?” Her father came at her, but I refused to let him touch her.

When I glanced back at her, she looked possessed. Her eyes were red, but her smile was chilling. I glanced around and saw Cassius, and everyone was frozen to their spots.

“You little bitch,” she ground out, but her voice was different, chilling. She had been poisoned, or something else was in control of her. “You’re going to go to Ravenstone Coven; bring the bloodstone, or I will gut Cassius.”

“I don’t know where my bloodstone is.”

“Find it,” she hissed. “It’s in your father’s throne room.”

“Who are you?” I asked.

She didn't respond. Then Flora fell to the floor. Her parents rushed her, not realizing they had been frozen. Cassius glanced at me.

“She was poisoned; she didn’t do this.” My healing magic surged forward and pumped through her body. “She’ll be okay, but she will need lots of rest.”

Then I used my magic to go to Cerithia. When I entered my room, Della was silently crying as Haden glared at her.

“You won't ever see me again,” Della said to Haden without looking at him.

“Fine by me,” he hissed.

I felt like shit to ignore their conversation, but this couldn’t wait.

“Della I need you.” I interrupted them. Cassius appeared a moment later.

“Thea, what’s going on?” He frowned.

“You and Haden need to leave now," I spoke with fake irritation, hoping he would think I was angry with him and he’d leave.

“Are you upset about Flora?” he asked.

I turned with a glare.

“Get it through your head that I don’t want you here. Leave!” I whispered harshly. “And take your friend with you.” I glancedat Haden.

Cassius’ eyes bounced between mine before frowning and taking Haden and himself away in his shadows. Damn it. My bond burned at how cruel I was to Cassius, but he needed to stay away.

“What’s wrong?” Della looked at me.

I explained to her the wound and Flora’s odd behavior. Della’s face fell the moment I described the wound and what I felt from it. How they demanded my bloodstone.

“Thea, whoever did that was a blood witch. That is the mark of a blood possession.”

What… no, they wouldn’t do that to me.

“Are you sure?” I frowned, but somehow I already felt like I knew this. When Flora’s eyes shone bright red, I knew it was a blood witch.

“I’m positive.”

“Fuck.” I used my magic to take Della and I to my father’s throne room. We tore through the room, but the stone couldn’t be found.

Fear gripped me because the woman had threatened Cassius. I was not risking him for anything, and when I found out who was responsible for this, I would gut her. My chest began to tighten. I couldn’t breathe. My legs shook as I leaned against the desk.

“Thea?”

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