Page 84 of Rites of Passage

Mae touched the unblemished skin on her right arm, her fingers trembling. The wound Barquiel had inflicted on her that morning had long healed.

“They were after my blood too,” she said leadenly. She met their worried stares. “Whatever they’re trying to do with that book and that key, they must need my blood to make it work.”

Vlad swore.

CHAPTER35

Mae openedthe door to Bryony’s room and barged inside.

The Atlanta coven magic users Ephra had tasked with looking after Charlotte’s soul orb startled and jumped to their feet, magic flaring in their hands. Dread widened their eyes at the sight of her.

“It’s okay.” Bryony rushed in behind Mae. “We mean no harm.”

The witches slowly relaxed, faces pale and eyes red-rimmed from crying. Apprehension tightened Simon Roth’s face as he studied the other figures piling inside the room behind Mae and Bryony.

Charlotte’s aide didn’t look like he believed Bryony’s words at all.

Mae approached the table.

The aide blocked her, his stance defensive, guarding the last remnant of his High Priestess. He clenched his jaw. “Look, I know you think Charlotte betrayed the High Council, but I won’t let you—”

“She did not betray anyone. And I’m not here to destroy her soul.” Mae masked her impatience behind a level tone. “I would have done that this morning if that had been my goal.”

The sorcerer pressed his lips together, gaze probing. “Is it true?”

Mae looked at him blankly. “Is what true?”

“I told him you would help them find Charlotte’s remains after this is over,” Ephra explained.

Mae bobbed her head curtly at the sorcerer. “Yes. I promise to do whatever is in my power to find her.”

He sagged and swallowed. “Okay.”

The sorcerer stepped aside so Mae could get toSoul Shield.

Mae’s pulse raced as she reached for the crimson sphere. She retracted the spell and let the bright orb that was Charlotte Brix’s soul drift gently into her hands.

Even though this was her idea, it seemed crazy now that she was about to do it.

“Will this work?” Raven said tightly, mirroring her thoughts.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Mae murmured.

She closed her eyes and drew on her powers.

Sound faded. Soon, the only thing she could detect was the pounding of her heart, the faint hum coming from the orb, and the bond connecting her to Brimstone and Hellreaver, their magic dancing brightly between them.

Show me.

Nothing happened.

Mae chewed her lip.Well, it’s not like I was expecting it to work right away.

She slowed her breathing and focused internally. Even though there appeared to be an endless repertoire of knowledge and spells buried in her very DNA, it wasn’t as if she could easily decipher it or even tap into it at will. The only times she’d successfully accessed the repository she appeared to have been born with were when she’d been desperate to save someone or herself, as had been the case after her awakening.

Technically, we’re all screwed if Barquiel and the Sorcerer King win, so there’s that.

Something glimmered in the depths of her consciousness at that thought. Mae tensed. She broadcasted her intent and reached out toward it.

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