Page 72 of Salt & Blood

“What?” Pandora was too exhausted to decipher her words.

“You need Sol.”

A lump rose in Pandora’s throat, but she forced it down and shook her head. “He doesn’t need to be dragged into this.”

“You should send for him.”

“He’s been through enough,” Pandora said sharply. “And I will notsend for him,as if he is some lackey to be ordered around.”

Gaia’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized her. Pandora refused to meet her gaze, worried her mother would see more than she wanted her to.

In truth, Pandora was being a coward. Ever since Gaia had revealed that the passion between Sol and his former lover had been nothing more than a means to take down Apollo, Pandora feared what she would find when she finally confronted Sol once more. Would he despise her all over again? Would he resent her for what the goddess had done to him?

She didn’t want to look into those midnight blue eyes and see loathing again. Her heart wouldn’t be able to handle it.

If Gaia noticed this turmoil on her daughter’s face, she didn’t remark on it. Instead, she said, “Let’s try something else. Focus on the goddess. Pandora.”

Pandora stiffened, nostrils flaring. “I thought the whole point was to leave her out of this. I don’t want her growing stronger.”

“You won’t. I want you to focus on how much you despise her. Think about what she has done to you. To those you love. What has she taken from you?”

Pandora’s lips pressed together. “This won’t work.”

“Humor me.”

With a sigh, Pandora let her hands fall against her thighs. “And what if it gives her control, and she forces me to attack you?”

“I can defend myself.”

Pandora recalled how she’d lunged at Gaia in the Voiceless Jungle. The earth goddess had not fought back. Pandora had the distinct impression that Gaia refused to fight her. If it came down to it, would the darkness kill Gaia because she would not defend herself against it?

Pandora hated how the thought of killing her mother caused her so much pain. She held no affection for this woman. She loathed her, actually.

But she also didn’t want to be the cause of her death. She had caused enough suffering in her life. To add even one more casualty to that list would be too much. The weight of that grief, that shame, was unbearable, and she couldn’t possibly carry any more.

“Try it,” Gaia urged. She spread her hands, flexing her fingers toward Pandora as if preparing to summon her magic if she needed to.

“Fine.” Pandora’s eyes closed, and, reluctantly, she thought of the soul inside her. It had been quieted ever since Gaia had evoked Pandora’s own emotions. But as she prodded it, opening herself up to those thoughts and that darkness, the energy in her shifted and swirled.

“No,” Gaia said firmly. “Do not let her out. Think aboutyourfeelings toward her. You are still in control.”

Pandora’s fingers clenched into tight fists. She shut down the darkness, burying it deep, as she instead focused on her own thoughts.

She has taken everything from me.

She broke Sol’s heart.

Pandora’s fists began to tremble. A quivering intensity shook through her, boiling her blood and rattling her bones.

She cursed me to a life of misery.

She haunts me every day and night.

Pandora’s breaths came sharp and fast, and rage coursed through her, heating her body as it churned violently.

She lied to me.

Betrayed me.

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