Page 78 of Salt & Blood

Before she could process this, the ground split, and cracks formed all around her and Cyrus. From the fissures sprang forth vines and roots, curling forward, each one bearing sharpened barbs.

“Mona,” Prue whispered in disbelief. She wanted to climb to her feet, to run to her sister, but she couldn’t leave Cyrus. Instead, she clung to him, bringing his head into her lap as she witnessed the chaos erupt around her.

The Titans scattered as Evander dived for them once more, his hands outstretched. Prue caught a glimpse of pearly white claws extending from his fingers. He slashed, and one Titan wasn’t quick enough. Evander’s claws raked through his shoulder, and black blood bloomed. The Titan screamed in rage, falling to the ground and clutching the wound. Apollo crouched low, cowering with his arms above his head as he tried to avoid Evander’s strikes.

“Prue!” shouted an achingly familiar voice.

Prue looked over and found Mona racing toward her. Her long, black hair whipped behind her, and she wore a corseted tunic and leather pants. She dropped beside Prue, and the sisters embraced. Prue’s tears fell anew at the sight of her sister. Goddess, it had been so long since they’d seen each other.

“What are you doing here?” Prue asked in a strained voice. “It isn’t safe!”

“That’s exactly why I’m here,” Mona said with a smile. “I couldn’t leave you to deal with this on your own.”

Prue’s lower lip wobbled, and she started to cry once more. There was so much strength and confidence in Mona’s face that it almost made her unrecognizable. She had a fierceness about her that had never been there before. Gone was the meek, bookish sister she’d grown up with in Krenia. This woman was every bit the goddess Prue knew her to be.

“Mona,” Prue choked, lifting Cyrus’s head on her lap. He still wasn’t moving. “Can you heal him? Please.”

Mona frowned as she looked over Cyrus. “What happened to him?”

“One of the Titans struck him.”

“No, I mean…” Mona faltered, and Prue realized she was noticing Cyrus’s all-black hair and unmarked skin.

“He’s mortal,” Prue whispered.

Mona stared at her, eyes wide with alarm. “What?”

“There isn’t time to explain! Can you heal him?”

“I—I will do what I can.”

Apollo was shouting something at the Titans. Prue looked up and found him gesturing wildly to the crowd of demons standing with Lagos.

“No,” Prue whispered in horror. “Lagos!” she cried, waving her arms frantically. “Get them out!Go!”

Lagos glanced from her to Apollo, finally understanding. He shouted urgently at the crowd, and within moments, they were fleeing the Undead Wilds.

But the Titans were faster. They surged forward, easily overtaking the crowd. One of them slammed into the earth, cutting off their escape.

Prue pressed her hands into the ground, summoning her magic. Vines and leaves coated the earth, slithering toward the Titans. One by one, her vines yanked on their ankles, tethering them to the ground. Each one yelped, clawing at the restraints, but Prue’s magic had bought her people time. They darted around the Titans, continuing their hurried movements.

“Shit,” Prue hissed as one of the Titans inhaled deeply. Her foliage turned to ash, and he sucked it up, then roared in triumph. White light burned in the sky, and he struck. A demon fell with a loud cry before the Titan extended a clawed hand and ripped out his throat.

“No!” Prue screamed, jumping to her feet. She summoned more magic, then froze as the Titan met her gaze. A hungry smile spread along his face.

He wanted her to conjure her magic. He wanted to devour it, too.

It would only make him stronger. She couldn’t.

But her people were falling. The Titans were inhaling her magic, breaking free of her hold on them as they preyed on the innocent people of the Underworld.

“Prue!” Mona cried.

Prue turned to her sister, but before she could face her, more lightning burst in the sky, momentarily blinding her. She shielded her eyes as the glow burned against her, searing her face and warming her blood. A roar of fury exploded around her, making the ground tremble.

And on his feet before her was Cyrus. His eyes were all-white, and they crackled like the lightning dancing from his fingers. His chest was rising and falling with heavy breaths, and his teeth were bared.

“C-Cyrus?” Prue breathed, pressing a hand to her chest in an attempt to calm her racing heart.

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