Page 41 of Salt & Blood

A dozen memories assaulted her at once. Her and Mona opening the book. Darkness seeping out of it, devouring their village. Mona, stepping into that darkness, sacrificing herself to save everyone else.

Pomegranate seeds and candles surrounding the book as Cyrus appeared in the sarcophagus. And then, in Faidon, when Vasileios had stabbed her and she’d been bleeding out, Prue had used the book to reunite Mona’s body and soul.

Blinking rapidly, Prue rubbed her chest, struggling to calm her racing heart. Goddess, it was too much. This book had been involved in so many dark and dangerous spells. And now it was here again.

“How did it end up here?” Lagos asked, as if reading Prue’s mind.

Prue shut her eyes against the storm of her thoughts and emotions, trying to think logically like Mona. What would bring the book here?

In a flash, awareness hit her, and her eyes snapped open. “Cyrus. His powers are gone. His magic was linked to this book. It must have returned when he lost it.”

Lagos grunted in surprise, turning to look at the book once more. Prue kept her distance. Even from across the room, she could still feel the book reverberating with power. She felt like it was watching her, eager to devour her magic. Now that she had the power of a goddess, she feared the book would be even more drawn to her, hoping to suck everything out of her.

“Do you think his magic returned to the book?” Lagos asked thoughtfully, clearly unaffected by the book’s power. Perhaps it wasn’t a threat to him, since he was a demon.

Prue inhaled deeply and straightened, staring hard at the book that had caused her so much pain and suffering.

But… it had also brought her to Cyrus. Without it, they never would have met.

Light bled through the uncertainty fogging her mind, and she chewed on her lower lip as she considered this. “Perhaps. This book is how he got his powers in the first place.” Her eyes flared wide as she looked at Lagos. “Do you think… Is it possible he could get his powersbackfrom this book?”

Lagos turned to her, the movement quick. His dark animal eyes narrowed, but she couldn’t tell if it was in concentration or warning. “Even if he could, would his body be able to handle it? He is still a mortal.”

Prue’s heart sank. This was true. What if the intensity of that power ended up killing him? She nibbled on her fingernail, struggling to come up with an idea, something she could bring to Cyrus. He would be thrilled to know there was a way to get his magic back. And perhaps that would mean he wouldn’t have to put on a show for Apollo anymore.

“Prue,” Lagos said sharply.

She frowned at him. He rarely used her given name. But the alarm in his voice set her on edge. His head was turned toward the staircase. Prue whirled, her heart lurching in her throat when she found Hyperion standing at the top of the stairs, watching them.

Oh, shit.How long had he been there? Had he heard everything?

“What are you doing here?” Prue demanded.

Hyperion said nothing as he slowly descended until he stood before them, his dark eyes sweeping over the contents of the dusty room. “Fascinating,” he murmured, his voice strangely accented.

Prue didn’t like having a Titan here in this vault, where all manner of powerful and enchanted objects lived. She drew closer to the man, then faltered when his body seemed to ripple with a foreign energy. Her own earth magic rose to meet it, forming a transparent shield between them both.

Hyperion chuckled, the sound low in his throat. “Clever goddess. Gaia has taught you well. But… she is not here, is she?”

Prue went rigid but refused to back down as he drew closer. She reinforced her shield of magic, holding it in place for whatever attack was coming.

Metal clanged loudly, and then Lagos stood between them, a dirty blade in his hand. He must have grabbed it from the shelf.

“You will not harm my queen,” Lagos growled, baring his teeth. A low growl rumbled from within him. He had the face of a bull, but this sound made him seem more like a feral tiger than anything. Prue had never seen him like this.

Hyperion did not even glance at Lagos. His dark gaze was still fixed intently on Prue. Lagos raised his blade. Prue cried out, reaching for her friend, but she was too late. With one lazy sweep of his hand, Hyperion sent Lagos flying backward until the demon collided with the shelves. Jars and glass shattered, and he fell to a crumpled heap on the floor.

“No!” Prue shrieked, surging toward Lagos.

Hyperion was in her face, his movements startlingly quick, like a blur of motion. His arm lashed out, and he caught her throat, his fingers wrapping tightly around her. In her haste to help Lagos, she had neglected her shield.

Now, Hyperion was choking the life out of her.

Pain split through her, her neck burning and her lungs straining for air. She couldn’t breathe. Spots danced in her vision. She choked and gagged, fingers clawing at Hyperion’s hand, but he was too strong. His hand was thick and meaty and her thin fingers could do nothing against his strength.

You are a goddess,she reminded herself.Not a mortal. You can stop this!

Fighting past the pain, Prue summoned her roots. The earth cracked, and several vines wrapped around Hyperion’s feet. They tugged, and he cried out before sinking to his knees.

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