Page 31 of Salt & Blood

Farah suddenly lifted a hand, the glow of her flame burning in the darkness. The crowd of witches stopped, and Mona’s heart lurched in her throat with apprehension at what was coming.

“You are not welcome here,” said a low, threatening voice.

Mona went rigid, scanning the dark forest for the source of the voice, but she saw nothing. No one.

“We have come to see the Gorgons,” Farah said, her voice solemn and strong.

“You bring darkness and death with you,” hissed the voice. “And your flame threatens our sacred flora.”

Mona straightened, her breaths coming sharp and fast.Sacred flora.Was this stranger an earth witch?

“The flame is contained,” Farah promised. “It is only to guide our way. The Gorgons are part of our coven. We have a right to see them.”

“The Gorgon sisters are visitors on our land, protected only by the god blood that flows in their veins,” said the voice. “You have no such protection.”

“But I do,” Mona said, surprising herself by how firm and determined her voice was.

A few people gasped, and the witches parted, forming an aisle through which Mona walked to reach Farah. Her hand was still clasped in Evander’s. He followed, his body taut, as if he expected a fight.

Only when Mona reached the front of the crowd did she make out a figure of shadows standing before Farah. It was shaped like a tall, slender woman, but Mona could not make out any details; only darkness, as if the woman was born of the shadows themselves.

“The blood of Gaia flows in my veins,” Mona said. “And I am one of you, earth sister.”

The shadowed figure withdrew slightly, as if in surprise. Mona’s skin tingled as she had the distinct impression this witch was looking her over, scrutinizing her carefully.

“I smell earth on you,” she said. “Earth and life. Yes, you are one of us. And you are welcome.”

Hope rose in Mona’s chest. “These people are with me.”

But the shadow shook her head. “No. We cannot allow so many intruders. Our soil is too sacred.”

Uncertain, Mona glanced at the witches behind her. Her eyes met Farah’s, and the coven leader shook her head.

“We have never come here with this many before,” Farah murmured. “In the past, they have always let us through.”

A knot formed in Mona’s throat as she looked at the dark specter. “How many? How many will you allow?”

A moment passed. Then, the woman said, “Five.”

A protest formed on Mona’s lips, but before she could utter it, Farah grasped her arm. “This is acceptable, so long as the earth witches allow us to await the Gorgon sisters out here. We will use no flame.” When Mona looked at her in confusion, Farah offered a grim smile. “Your matter is urgent, and you need the sisters more than we do. Council with them. See what they can do for you. And we will be waiting when you finish.”

Mona licked her lips, feeling uncertain about the idea of following this dark stranger and leaving the safety of Farah and her coven. But there was no other choice, and the earth magic rippling from the shadowed woman was strong. It smelled of sage and forests andhome.

It smelled like Gaia.

A pang of longing filled Mona’s chest at the thought of her mother. Gaia had made many poor choices, but that didn’t mean Mona didn’t miss her.

“Evander, you’re with me,” Mona said. Then she turned and called into the crowd of witches. “Sol. Romanos. Pandora. Come with us. We will need you.”

The three figures emerged from their party and stepped forward. Sol shot a nasty look at Pandora, who calmly ignored him and stood next to Mona. Romanos seemed utterly unfazed by the entire situation, as if this happened to him every day.

The shadowed figure inclined her head. “Very well. Follow me. I will take you to the king.”

Mona stiffened. “King?”

“Yes. The Gorgon sisters are conversing with King Midas now. I will take you to him.”

Shock coursed through Mona as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her.King Midas? The man who had been cursed to transform everything he touched to gold? Mona had read about this man in books, but all the stories she’d read said Midas had died long ago.

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