Page 5 of Salt & Blood

“Who are you?” she demanded, her voice deep and commanding.

Pandora shifted, but Mona elbowed her before she could speak. “We come from Elysium,” Mona said carefully. “We seek refuge from the darkness of Pandora’s magic.”

The woman sniffed deeply, then wrinkled her nose. “Thisone reeks of the darkness.” She pointed to Pandora. “I can smell the death and decay.”

Pandora stiffened, but Mona said quickly, “We are daughters of Gaia.”

The woman straightened, her eyes flaring wide. She cocked her head, looking at Mona with more scrutiny. “Earth witch.”

Shock bubbled through Mona’s chest. How could this woman tell? Mona had thought her goddess magic had pushed out any signs of her grace, or her witch affinity. But somehow, this woman knew.

“Yes,” Mona said. “And you are a fire witch.” Mona didn’t know much about fire witches, only that they were hunted for their deadly and volatile power. Isolated as her little island was, she had never encountered any before.

“My name is Farah,” the woman supplied. “I’m the leader of this coven. We are willing to provide refuge to a fellow witch.” She gestured to Pandora again. “But she is not welcome.”

“But—”

“We need your help,” Pandora interrupted. “There were others who came through before us. Gods and goddesses of Elysium. Have you seen them?”

Farah was silent for a long moment as she appraised Pandora with suspicion in her gaze. “Yes,” she said at last. “A few others have come through this portal. Which is why it would be difficult for us to shelter you here. We already have too many people to care for.”

“We do not wish to intrude,” Mona said hastily. “We just need to locate the other portals, and…” She hesitated, resisting the urge to cast a glance behind her toward Evander. How would Farah react to the presence of someone like him? A death god, possessed by demonic magic.

Gathering her resolve, Mona said, “Do you have a healer? My friend is wounded. I tried to heal him myself, but my magic isn’t working properly.” She stepped to the side, revealing Evander’s crumpled form on the ground behind her.

Farah jerked back, nostrils flared as her gaze settled on the death god. After a moment, her expression smoothed into mild interest. “Ah. A death god. That explains the smell of death and decay.” Her eyes roved over his torn and shredded wings. “But this one is different. I have never sensed energy like this before.”

“Please,” Mona begged. “He is dying. Will you help us? We—I can cook or clean or perform magic for you as payment. Whatever you need.”

“You are in a different realm, so your magic must acclimate to your new surroundings,” Farah said, still scrutinizing Evander’s still form. “And even if your magic was at its full power, I speculate you would still have trouble. The death magic emanating him is… quite potent. Too potent for magic like yours.”

Farah’s gaze slowly moved to Mona, then shifted to Pandora. “You bring a strange and deadly magic to my coven. To allow you refuge would endanger my people.”

Mona’s heart sank to her stomach. If this witch wouldn’t help her, then what would they do? She didn’t seem hostile, so Mona believed—or rather, hoped—the woman wouldn’t attack them. Would she let them pass through the cave unharmed?

“But,” Farah continued, “I believe there is someone here who can help you. I will bring you to him. No payment required.”

Mona went rigid with apprehension. “Who?”

“If I’m not mistaken, he is his brother.” She pointed to Evander.

Hope rose in Mona’s chest. “Cyrus?” If Cyrus was here, that meant Prue had to be as well. Had they survived?

Farah’s brows knitted together. “No. Romanos.”

Mona blinked, momentarily startled by this. Romanos had gone through the portal with her when the Underworld had been destroyed. She had looked for him in Elysium, but Hestia had assured her he was safe in the mortal realm.

Hestia.The thought of the fire goddess, now dead, made Mona’s chest ache with grief and despair.

Did Farah know? Did she know the goddess she worshipped was dead? Could she sense it?

“I don’t—Is Romanos well?” Mona asked. “Is he safe?”

A smile lit Farah’s face, making her features soften. “Yes. He is well. Come. I will take you to him. But I’m afraid you cannot stay here for long.”

Mona nodded eagerly. “Of course. We understand.”

She hurried to Evander, struggling in vain to lift him under his arms. Pandora was by her side at once, helping her to hoist him up. But he was so heavy.

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