Page 61 of Salt & Blood

Once before, Mona had made a treacherous journey across the sea and jumped into a whirlpool to save her sister in the Underworld. Looking back, Mona was shocked at her bravery. Had she really been that bold? It didn’t seem like her at all.

In a sense, Mona felt that version of herself was stronger and braver. Right now, she was terrified, and she had Evander, a coven of witches, and three Gorgon sisters on her side.

So why did this journey feel sofinal? Why did she feel that, instead of coming to her sister’s rescue, she would only arrive in time to witness her doom? The dread that filled her was unbearable and inescapable. It coiled inside her like a serpent made of ice, chilling her blood and dragging her down. Knots formed in her chest, cinching tighter with each step she took.

When they reached the hidden caves of the fire witch coven, Farah removed her scarf and swiped sand from her face before turning to Mona. “With the powers of Gaia flowing through your veins, it should be enough to fuel the portal so you can travel through it.”

“If it’s not, we can help,” Marina said, gesturing to her sisters, who both nodded.

“Thank you.” Mona tried to smile, but all she managed was a weak grimace. “What will you do after this?”

“We are sending word across the realm to other fire witch covens,” Marina said. “It’s time to rally our forces. We cannot fight this darkness if we are separated like this.”

Mona nodded, her throat tight. “I hope you prevail. And as soon as I know my sister is safe, I’ll come back to fight alongside you.”

Farah smiled and squeezed her shoulder. “You will always be welcome here, earth witch.”

The crowd of witches slowly filed down the narrow passage that led underground. When they reached the massive cavern, several witches immediately shifted to their serpent forms, hissing and gliding along the rocky floor. Mona wondered if the shift was some form of release for them, a way for them to relax and be free. It certainly looked that way.

“I’ll show you to the portal,” said Wren, jerking her head toward one of the tunnels.

Mona remembered the way, but she was grateful for an escort all the same. The darkened tunnel seemed to swallow them whole as they wound through it, their footsteps echoing and bouncing off the walls.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the metal archway. For a moment, Mona studied the etchings and designs, wondering what the symbols meant. Perhaps, if she made it back, she would ask Farah.

“May the Goddess protect you both,” Wren said solemnly.

“Thank you,” Mona said again, her voice strained. She shared a glance with Evander, and he nodded.

Mona remembered how to power the portal. She had done it in Elysium. Back then, her magic had felt so vast, so endless, that she felt like she could do anything.

Now, she felt weak and helpless, unable to save or help those she loved. What good was all this power amidst so much destruction? It felt futile to even try and stop it.

Even so, Mona stretched her hand forward, her fingertips brushing along the cold stone of the archway. Closing her eyes, she summoned her earth magic.

It took several tries. The weight of her frustrations and worries bore down heavily upon her, making it harder to conjure the magic that flowed through her. After a moment, life sprang forth in her chest, burgeoning through her body. The ground cracked as vines and thorns slithered forward. She pushed more, drawing as much energy as she could and funneling it into the archway.

The portal began to glow an ethereal pale blue that illuminated the dark cave, bathing her and Evander in light. The space underneath the arch shimmered and rippled like water.

“Are you ready?” Evander asked.

Mona nodded, even though she wasn’t. But she couldn’t afford to hesitate.

Prue was in danger. That was all that mattered.

With one last parting glance at Wren, Mona stepped through the portal, pulling Evander along with her.

SPACE

PANDORA

Pandora was tremblingby the time she, Sol, and Gaia reached Elysium. She was covered in sweat, her bones weary and her mind clouded from the restraint it took to keep her darkness in check.

Every moment she stood alongside Gaia was filled with unbearable pain. Leashing the snarling monster inside her took all her effort. When they stepped through the portal and arrived on the barren beach, she sank to her knees, utterly spent from the taxing ordeal.

Gaia knelt by her side and touched her shoulder, as if to help her. The instant her mother’s fingers brushed her skin, a hiss of pain erupted from Pandora, and she jerked away, her flesh on fire. Her mother’s touch had burned her.

“Don’t,” she gritted out, wheezing through sharp breaths. “Please.”

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