Page 58 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Which led to another question. How come no one had heard from them in ages? She was about to ask when they came to a fountain near the front gate. It sparkled like diamonds over turquoise water, bubbling up softly and making ripples come out to the edge. A set of stairs led into the pool and in the middle was a statue of a nymph bending to fill a pitcher.

“This is it,” Enid said, grinning at her. “The cure.”

Avenay’s lips trembled, and she begged herself not to cry. But it was no use. Every emotion she’d ever felt seemed to crash into her like a tidal wave, knocking over any sense of composure she had left. Her cheeks were stained with salty tears, and they came out of her in great, wracking sobs. Enid’s arms were around her again as she collapsed to her knees, the demon pulling her in tightly. It was relief but also sorrow and grief that this had been here and her mother had never had it. Relief but also grief that if anyone had taken her seriously, she could have found this years ago, giving Seraphina health.

She straightened, her hands flying to cup Enid’s face in her own. “I have to get this to Seraphina now. I’ll come back, but I have to go now.”

Enid stroked her back as she stared at her in silence for a moment. “There’s one other thing I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Evolis is enchanted where none who enter can leave.”

Avenay’s heart seemed to stop pumping, the blood rushing in her ears. Surely, she’d heard wrong. What a cruel trick this was, to have salvation at her fingertips and unable to use it as she needed.

“But I’m taking care of it. There’s a ritual on the new moon, less than two weeks from now. They need a demon female to reverse it.”

Things clicked into place. “Lemia.” Enid cocked her head to the side and Avenay cleared her throat. “The story of Lemia was real too, at least in some parts. She was the demon, wasn’t she?”

Enid raised a brow. “I suppose it probably was.” There was something else behind Enid’s eyes, something else she wanted to say, but before Avenay could pry it out of her, she placed her lips on hers, kissing deep and long and slow, her breath a reverent whisper against her lips when she pulled back ever so slightly. “I’m going to get us out of here,Avenay, and I’m going to get that cure for your sister.”

Avenay frowned as Enid continued to stroke her cheek. “What ritual?”

Enid kissed her forehead, giving her a wan smile that made Avenay’s stomach tighten. “They’re going to replicate the spell used to make wards around the city, then do it in reverse.”

Avenay’s frown deepened. “Enid, Lemia gave her life inThe Tales of Lemiato defeat the dark god and seal her in place.”

Enid drew in a deep breath. “Not everything in the tales can be correct, can it?”

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

Enid pursed her lips, frowning as her gaze softened, and she looked toward the fountain. “It’s dangerous. They’ve tried many times in the past and all have died.” Her gaze slid back to Avenay. “But I won’t. They believe there’s a better chance since I’m a demon. And I know that fate didn’t bring us here for it not to work.”

“Enid, you can’t d—” but Enid silenced Avenay with a kiss full of passionate desperation.

“I’m going to dispel these wards and get the cure for your sister. There’s no point in arguing with me.”

Avenay could see the truth in her statement. Well, she wouldn’t argue with her now, but she would most certainly be doing her own research and would decide for herself if it was safe for Enid to do. And if it wasn’t, then she would have evidence for her argument.

To save Seraphina and lose Enid? She couldn’t do it. And she knew Seraphina wouldn’t want that, either.

Enid took her hand. “Let me show you Evolis. You’re not going to believe what you see.”

Avenay twined her fingers around Enid’s, gripping tighter than necessary, enjoying this sudden change in the dynamic between them, ignoring the needling question of how long it could last.

Her instinct was to pull back, act as if it was nothing, as if the sex had been meaningless. But she took a deep breath and stilled the thoughts. So much was happening right now, and she had almost died. Her perspective was shaken down, and she knew that in that moment, she wanted to hold the demon’s hand. She wanted to feel that warmth. Come what may, she could at least steal this little moment.

Enid wove her around houses and down a hill into a bustling marketplace. People waved and greeted them. Avenay had half a mind to sit them down and start interviewing each one about everything they knew and all they had experienced. But Enid’s finger traced a line on the back of her hand, and she could hardly think of anything but that touch.

Enid’s face was relaxed, almost glowing, as she animatedly showed Avenay around. Avenay wondered how she had never noticed the small patch of freckles on Enid’s nose or the way her green eyes glinted gold in a certain light.

But she did now, and the moment set into her memory like a painting. Every hair on Enid’s head, the way her lips moved, the way the sun hit her horns.

“I want to show you this textile shop. The owner does amazing embroidery,” Enid said, ducking under a canopy and into the shop. Fabric lined the walls of varying shades and patterns and a nymph stood at a desk in the back, glasses resting on the tip of her nose and gray hair falling to her waist. She turned and smiled.

“Back to buy the fabric for your sister, Enid?” the nymph asked.

Enid nodded and strode forward. “She’ll be amazed by the quality and patterns you have.”

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