Page 24 of Salt & Blood

Perhaps that’s why they cover their faces,she thought bitterly.

Her sandals kept sliding in the sand, slowing down their trek across the dunes. Sol kept shooting her scathing looks every time their party had to wait for her to right herself, but the other witches waited patiently for her.

Even Evander, who, moments ago, had had to be dragged on a bed of ivy, was moving with lithe grace and strength. Pandora tried not to feel irritated by this. After all, it was her fault he had almost died.

“I’m sorry,” Pandora muttered.

Mona, who still clasped her hand in hers, looked over in confusion. “What for?”

Pandora snorted. “Do you really need to ask?”

“I need to hear you say it.”

Pandora took a steadying breath, but her insides felt shaky. “I never apologized for any of it. And I need to. I’m sorry for what I did to Evander. I’m sorry for what I did toyou. I’m sorry I didn’t look to you as a sister when I needed help. But I was never raised… I never had…” She blinked rapidly, unsure if it was the threat of tears or the stinging dust particles that made her do so. She swallowed hard. “I’ve never had sisters before. I’ve never been able to trustanyone. It’s a new concept for me. The only thing I can do is apologize to you and promise I will do better in the future.”

Mona nodded, her face solemn. She did not smile, but she did not have any ire in her expression, either. After a moment, she said, “It’s a start. And I appreciate your words. But I’m not the only one you need to apologize to.”

Pandora’s gaze fell on Evander, who walked a few paces ahead of them. She had no doubt he could hear their conversation, though he was too polite to say so. He seemed deeply curious about their surroundings, his head turning as he gazed in wonder at the dunes. Only then did Pandora remember he didn’t have much experience in the mortal realm. All of this was very new for him.

“Yes, Evander,” Mona murmured, following Pandora’s gaze. “But also Sol. Prue. Cyrus. There aremanypeople you’ve wronged, Pandora.”

Pandora flinched at the reminder, but she forced herself to nod. “I do. There is much to atone for. And I’ll do the best I can.” Her eyes found Sol, and she stared hard at the place between his shoulder blades, trying not to admire his figure as he walked firmly though the sand.

“I’ve tried apologizing to him,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He doesn’t want to hear it.”

“Can you blame him?” Mona asked. “His mother just died. And he blames you. Apologies are necessary, but so istime.I’m not saying he will forgive you—he may not. But it’s not something that will happen overnight.”

Pandora wasn’t even sure why she cared. She still despised Sol. Or at least, she told herself she did. Even on his better days, he was loathsome and arrogant and…

And it was all a mask to keep people at a distance. He preferred the freedom of solitude, of no expectations or responsibilities. Pandora knew that now, because she had seenbehindthe mask. She had seen him come undone. For her.

“You’re right,” Pandora said in a tight voice. “I don’t think he will ever forgive me.” Because if their roles were reversed, she certainly wouldn’t have forgiven him.

When the crowd of witches and gods crested the tallest dune, Pandora, covered in sweat, took a moment to brace her hands on her legs and catch her breath. But when Mona jolted and gasped beside her, she found herself drawn to the scene below.

It had once been a town, but now, it was nothing more than ruins. Buildings had been reduced to hunks of concrete. Ash lined the streets. Stains of charcoal and blood coated the ground and the walls.

“What—What happened?” Mona asked, her hand pressed to her heart.

“Harpies,” Farah said gravely. “Ever since Pandora’s box was opened, the dark creatures have been roaming our realm, destroying everything in their path.”

Pandora’s head whipped to Farah. “The creatures arehere? But how? I’ve seen the darkness. I brought it to Elysium. It shouldn’t be here yet.”

“Do you think darkness has boundaries?” Farah’s eyes flashed as she pinned Pandora with a fierce stare. “Opening that box created cracks between the realms. These creatures slipped through those cracks. The openings will grow wider until there is no separation between our world and theirs.”

“Their world?” Mona asked. “What is their world?”

Pandora spoke at the same time as Romanos. “Tartarus.”

A chilled silence passed between them. Even Sol looked worried, his thick brows furrowing together. His eyes darted to Pandora and then flicked away just as quickly.

“With the Underworld destroyed, all the creatures bound by the wards of Tartarus were unleashed,” Romanos said, staring at the desolation before them. The wind tossed strands of his black and silver hair across his forehead, and a wrinkle formed along his brow. “And the longer this goes unchecked, the more creatures will continue to invade the Realm of Gaia. Not just from the Underworld, but from Elysium as well.”

“Elysium?” Evander said sharply. “What creatures could possibly have lived in Elysium?”

“You think Apollo didn’t have enemies?” Sol said with a derisive snort. “The Underworld isn’t the only place capable of monsters.”

“Kelpies were creations of Tethys and Neptune,” Farah said. “For all we know, there were other Elysium gods who created such abominations.”

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