Page 102 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Junie’s eyes went distant, lost in memories. She bit her lip, drawing in a deep breath. “She came through the well, benevolent, beautiful, and entrancing at first. Edond fell in love with her. We all did a little.She brought health and magic to the lands, turning some humans into witches. Then she told us about a ritual to keep people alive longer. She was cryptic at first, revealing parts of it bit by bit, convincing us it was the best way. Even if it made you uncomfortable, or if you thought it wasn’t best, she’d convinced so many of its morality that you were silenced if you asked too many questions. You were told that Evoleen knew best, that her ways were higher than ours, so of course we couldn’t fully understand it. That was the rationale for anyone who disagreed or felt uncomfortable with it.”

Junie’s eyes held horrors untold.

“How did she persuade people to volunteer?” Avenay asked.

“She said they would be rewarded in the afterlife. That their souls would be cared for and they would receive immense treasures. She also convinced them that they would be holier than others. It became an honor, something people vied for. They fought to be the one chosen as the sacrifice.”

Avenay couldn’t imagine it, believing so ardently in something that your senses were robbed of you. She thought of Seraphina, how she had clung to her hope in Evolis, even when others called her crazy. Perhaps she could understand. Perhaps even the most logical, mostkind people could fall prey to a leader’s vision, given enough charisma and motivation. Enough desperation.

They wound through the streets, watching as people cleaned up the aftermath of the night before.

“You’re free to leave now,” Avenay stated.

“Yes, but I don’t think it’s the right time,” Junie replied. “You know, I’ve dreamt of it for so long. But now that I have the chance, it frightens me.”

“I think you’ll like what you see when you get back out into the world.”

Junie smiled and nodded, even if she didn’t look fully convinced yet.

“Junie, I never thanked you. If you hadn’t given me that book, then Vasu wouldn’t have found out what they were planning. Enid and Onora would be dead.”

Junie gave an awkward laugh. “You shouldn’t thank me. I feel like a coward. I should have just told you what was happening. I was so afraid you wouldn’t figure it out, but I was also afraid you would.”

“You’ve had to live in fear for a long time. What you did was incredibly brave. So, I will thank you.”

Junie shook her head, but Avenay could see tears in the corners of her eyes.

“Will you leave soon?” Junie asked.

Avenay nodded. “I need to be with my sister.”

“She’s the one who’s ill?”

“Yes.”

Avenay’s chest constricted. She’d come on this trip for one purpose: to find her sister a cure. And she had. But the cure had been fueled by the death of others, and now it wouldn’t work.

“Take a vial of the healing water,” Junie said, directing their path towards the fountain.

“But the sacrifice wasn’t completed last night. The water isn’t enchanted anymore.”

Junie shook her head as they came upon the pool, the sunlight hitting it and bouncing off in a golden glow, flower petals swimming in the water from the nearby plants.

“No, we still had a month before the enchantment of the water wore off. It still works.”

Avenay’s heart stuttered, then it resumed with a thunderous clap of beats in her ears.

It still works.

“Will it heal my sister?” she asked, voice breathy and high, excited and terrified all at once. A painful lump formed in her throat, full of hope and fear.

Junie grinned, pulling out a water skin from her pack. “It will, Avenay. It will. No matter the illness, no matter the issues. She’ll be healed.”

Junie knelt and filled up one water skin, then another, and another, then stood and handed them to her. “It should only take a few drinks. This can help so many people. Take it back to your people.”

Relief crashed over her in wave after wave until she was laughing—giddy and lightheaded.

Her sister would be saved. Her sister would live and be healthy.

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