Page 114 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“We can discuss what she saw when we get back. Do not mention anything on the ship,” I said to Baylis who nodded, wiping tears from her eyes.

The forest glowed an eerie green as we headed to the docks. Guards lined the borders of the earthen path. The sounds of rustling leaves could be heard in the distance. What was going on here? What was hiding in these woods?

The lights from the ship appeared at the end of the lane and my muscles relaxed a little. We just had to make it to the ship, then cross the bay, and we would be fine. Everything was going to be alright.

My feet couldn’t get me to the dock fast enough. A rustling ripped through the forest and a large vine descended upon me, knocking me backward. Stars dotted my vision, and mybody ached from the impact. The unruly tendril snaked its way around my waist, tightening its grip.

“Aelia!” Baylis shrieked.

A guard quickly sliced the vine from where it wrapped itself around me.

“It’s okay, I’m fine. Go ahead, get on the ship.”

She took a step toward me but one of the guards stopped her.

“You cannot go back.”

“It’s fine go,” I repeated.

Baylis turned and headed for the ship.

The guard offered me a hand and pulled me from the ground. When I looked up, Clotho stood before me.

I blinked at her in disbelief.

Her blue eyes flitted around the forest.

“We do not have much time, so listen closely, daughter of Morta. I know you did not want to hear of your past, but there is a message I need you to hear. Be careful of who you keep close, someone has already betrayed you.”

“Who?”

“The Trinity will not let me say more.” She tapped her temple.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Unsure if I could bear what I was about to see. I didn’t want to break minds anymore, but this seemed important. Letting out a breath, I focused my energy on the Fate.

A door of pure ice awaited me. Hesitantly, I knocked. Cracks formed around the outside of the door, and slowly, it opened.

Clotho sat on a throne of intricately carved ice. Her blue eyes trained on me.

“Listen to me, child. I may look young, but I have seen everything since the dawn of time. What I’m about to show you will be confusing at first, but it is the only way I can show youwhat you need to see without alerting the Trinity or my sisters to my treachery.”

I nodded, swallowing the dread blooming in my gut.

Images of Baylis and Gideon in compromising positions flashed before my eyes. Kisses shared in the comfort of his bed. Words of love, whispered in the dark. Baylis and Gideon together in his study. He ran a loving hand down her dainty neck, brushing her hair behind her shoulder.

My blood boiled and my stomach turned.

“You know what you must do,” his deep voice said.

Baylis nodded. Her gray eyes obedient as if she were looking at a god incarnate.

“Yes, my love.”

Bile rose in the back of my throat.

“That’s enough,” I shouted.

Clotho spit me out of her mind.

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