Page 55 of Magic of Sins

That night, I wake up to find Erin standing in my room, and for a brief moment I think she wants to talk to me about Ophelia. But then she nods toward the door, which is standing ajar. A narrow strip of light falls on the floor from the hallway.

“There's a call for you.”

Sleepily, I sit up and rub my eyes.

“For me? Why? Did something happen?”

No one knows I’m here except for Caden. Ava might have guessed, but how would she have gotten the number of the palace?

Erin tosses me the robe hanging over a chair next to my bed.

“Come on. I’ll take you to the phone room.”

Still drowsy, I put the dressing gown on over my long nightgown and rush after her without even bothering to putshoes on. The palace corridors are bathed in a dim light. Outside, it’s still dark. I can only just see the outlines of trees swaying in the breeze through the high windows. Somewhere a branch is knocked against a windowpane by the wind. The irregular beat makes me pick up my pace.

“It’s in here.”

Erin opens the door to a small room lit by a single floor lamp. The phone sits on a coffee table next to an armchair, the receiver is set down next to it. I hesitate to pick it up.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Erin says, pulling the door shut behind her.

Reaching for the receiver, I falter for a second. I don’t know why but I get a feeling like I won’t like what awaits on the other end of the line.

My hunch is proven right a second later when an almost animalistic sound emanates from the phone, making me jump. I hurry to pick up the receiver and press it to my ear with trembling hands.

“Hello?” Silence. “Hello, is anyone there?”

“You should have told me!”

It’s Ava. She sounds angry. And hysterical.

“Ava, what’s wrong?” I ask. “How did you get this number?”

A snort. “Don’t act all sanctimonious. They told me. They told me you are a filthy liar!”

“Ava …”

Distraught, I shake my head. Did she find out about my secret? How? Maybe Mrs.Byron called our house and told her what happened this morning. Still, I find it hard to believe Ava would react this way.

“I’m sorry,” I say, but Ava interrupts me with an angry shout.

“You’re sorry? You’resorry? When I get my hands on you, you’re dead, bitch!”

Shocked by her outburst, I almost drop the phone.

“Ava, this isn’t like you,” I stammer.

Then I realize thisreallyisn’t like her. My good-humored and loyal friend would never become so angry, unless…

“Is there someone with you?”

“Is there someone with you?” she mimics me. “Like you care! You and your little secrets. Always pretending to be better than me. Always so pure, so lofty. And all this time you’ve just been a pathetic little sinner.”

Her words hurt. They bring tears to my eyes, but I can’t think about myself right now. Ava’s in danger. A sin mage must be close by. Someone who told her about my powers and then took advantage of her confusion and incited her anger. If I don’t do something, Ava could hurt herself or others.

“I’m coming over,” I tell her.

Ava lets out a menacing laugh.

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