Page 11 of Salt & Blood

Shit, shit, shit…

Pandora found herself edging backward toward the tunnel she’d come through. Could she throw herself into the portal once more? Where would she end up?

It didn’t matter. Anywhere was better than here. Even a collapsed realm would be preferable.

When Sol reached them, he gestured toward Pandora. “What is she doing here?” he repeated, his tone icy.

“She came from Elysium, seeking refuge like you,” Farah said, her gaze flicking between Sol and Pandora.

“I will leave,” Pandora said quickly. “I’ll leave at once. I shouldn’t be here, I?—”

“She is responsible for the destruction of Elysium,” Sol said, his eyes blazing. “My mother’s death, the loss of my home—it’s all her fault. She has the soul of Pandora inside her, and it’s because of her that the dark magic has been unleashed.”

FRACTURED

PRUE

“Again,”Gaia commanded.

Prue wiped sweat from her brow, her arms trembling and her body weak. The two goddesses stood across from each other in the throne room, where they had been practicing conjuring earth magic for hours.

“I want this entire room to become a lush forest, Prudence,” Gaia said, her blue eyes sharp and unyielding as she fixed a determined stare on her daughter. “You can do better than this.”

Prue let her arms fall on her thighs, gasping for breath. “I’mtrying.”

“You’re not trying hard enough. If you ever hope to prevent Apollo from taking your kingdom, then you?—”

“I know what’s at stake, Gaia,” Prue snapped, rubbing her forehead as frustration mounted within her. Her last attempt with her magic had sprouted trees and roots, with shrubs and flowers spreading over the entire floor. But the chandelier on the ceiling had remained, as had the two silver thrones.

Emotion flared in Gaia’s eyes, and Prue knew why. She usually called herMama.But sometimes, Prue couldn’t help but be reminded of the divide between them. Gaia had lied to Prue her entire life, keeping her lineage a secret, letting her believe she was nothing more than an ordinary witch.

Prue had forgiven her for this. But it didn’t mean they could return to how things were before. Even on Krenia, their relationship as mother and daughter had been strained. Gaia always got along better with Mona.

Mona.Prue’s chest constricted in agony. Goddess, she missed her sister. Was Mona safe? Was she well? Prue had to believe she’d gotten out of the Underworld before Pandora’s magic had consumed the realm.

“I don’t know if I have it in me,” Prue said in a low voice. She was so tired, so fragile, so deflated.

Gaia’s expression softened just a touch. She drew closer to Prue, her emerald gown swishing on the marble floors. “You do,” she said gently. “I know you, and I know your magic. Youcando this. One last try. Please?”

Prue’s gaze flicked to her mother’s in surprise. Gaia never saidplease.As a goddess, and, before that, the Mother of the witch coven, she was accustomed to giving orders and having them followed without question.

So much had changed in Prue’s life over a short period of time. She couldn’t forget that Gaia had changed, too. Losing her powers and her third child to Apollo, then almost losing her other two daughters as well, had taken its toll on her. As far as Prue knew, Gaia was still prepared to give herself up to Pandora’s dark forces. But if Prue could prolong that for as long as she could, perhaps Gaia’s mind could be swayed.

“All right,” Prue conceded. “One last time.”

“Remember, this is not like witch magic,” Gaia reminded her. “No grace. No conditions. No third eye. You need to trust your goddess blood.”

Prue nodded. With a deep inhale, she spread her arms around herself. Her magic flared to life, making the ground rumble. The lacy blue fabric of her dress rippled from the movement. Her black curls billowed as a powerful wind swept over her.

Still she pulled, drawing out that power and strength, focusing on the new energy churning within her. Ever since Cyrus had brought her back from the dead, her magic had felt different. Foreign. Like it belonged to someone else. Like it wasn’t trulyhersanymore.

Gaia had promised it would take time to adjust. But they did nothavetime. Apollo was already here. Any day now, Prue expected his army to burst into the castle, ready to seize it by force.

He hadn’t yet formally challenged her or Cyrus for the throne, which made Prue suspicious. Was he waiting for his forces to arrive? Or was he doing something else? He had announced his intention to rule, but then he’d vanished. Prue could still sense his powerful sun magic and knew he was still in the realm, but she had no idea what nefarious plans he was putting in motion. And she didn’t like it.

Focusing her thoughts on her powers, Prue flexed her fingers, coaxing out more and more of her magic. It burst from her, making the wind whistle and the ground quake. Cracks formed in the marble, and vines and roots sprang forth. Sweat dripped from her temples. She resisted the urge to wipe it away, keeping her arms stretched on either side of her.

More, she urged.More.

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