Page 24 of The Other Side

Absolute dread and fear fell over us as we sat in silence, digesting my words.

“Iris—”

“It’s the only way, Tuft, and you know it.”

He crossed his arms. “And how do you expect Cypress will react? She will not allow it. She won’t be summoned like a pet.” I flicked my eyebrow at the irony.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to askherfor a favor.” I swallowed at the traumatizing idea.

“Cypress giving you a favor? Impossible.”

“Is it, Tuft?” I stepped closer. “Even if I use something she wants against her?”

“What does she want, Iris?”

I stared up into his golden eyes, seeing his concern and fear. I didn’t want to see her again, not after everything, but I had to do this. For our freedom.

“Me.”

Chapter

Twelve

CYPRESS

My fingers vibrated as I used my fiery power to command the sounds of the underworld like a harp, composing my own precious gothic symphony of shadows, allowing it to lull me into an odd, peaceful trance. My body swayed gently alongside the soundwaves, my eyes closed as I hummed in unison with the sounds, listening to my devilish orchestra of darkness create their symphony of shadows. What strange peace I felt. After seeing Iris-Marie suffer, that is all I wanted. Peace.

Cypress.

My eyes shot open at the distant sound of my name, my fingers halting as the overbearing sound of my orchestra silenced. I listened closely, hearing only the gentle drops of water in the distant cave, silence filling the underworld.

Hearing voices in my mind? I have officially gone mad.

“Alas, the time has come. Being constrained and imprisoned in this hellhole for so long has finally taken its toll on my mind.” My eyes raised to the top of the cave, nodding towards the heavens. “Bravo, baby brother. You have now cast my sanity into the Abyss alongside those souls, turning the rightful ruler into an empty shell of the goddess she once was. What a mighty godyou are.” I gave a playful bow and rolled my eyes. My fingers resumed as music refilled the Underworld. “What a fitting and ironic way to go, hearing the enchanting voice of the very human I sent to destroy you. You always knew how to crawl under my skin.”

“Cypress.” Her ghostly voice called me a second time, halting my composure. This was no moment of insanity. This was real.

“Iris.” I whirled around, scanning the cave, but there was no sign of my witch. “Could it really be my trickster?” I called out.

“Cypress, please.”

“Iris,” I breathed. Without a second thought, I rushed through the waterfall of hellfire, stepping out onto the dais, looking into the pool below. There, at the base of the stairs in the center of the pool, was a glimpse into the human world, levitating only a few feet above my hellfire. One I had never seen before, burning burgundy, glimmering like her magic. “What is this?”

My curiosity got the better of me as I cautiously began to descend the stony stairs gazing at the glimpse. As my toes dipped into the hellfire, I noticed someone standing within it, peering back at me. My guards rose as I watched, studying the figure, gazing closer. It couldn’t be.

My witch.

“Iris-Marie?” Standing within that mirrored glimpse, looking back at me with an innocent smile, was my dear witch. My Iris-Marie. She was wearing a ruffled dress, the sleeves skimming her shoulders, beaded jewelry hanging from her neck and ears. The witch was using her magic, mixing it with my power to glare into my Underworld. To see me. Something no human had ever dared to do before.

“Cypress.” My chest tightened as my name dropped so beautifully from her dark lips. “I need you.”

She needs me.I had to compose myself.

“Iris-Marie.” I raised my hand, touching the rippled maroon-colored glimpse as I watched her, noticing a flinch. I knew it was due to the pain left behind from our last encounter, from my torture. Typically, I would soak in the idea of being so feared, but in this moment, I felt ashamed. I didn’t want to hurt her, but my anger—that monster rooted from my painful past—it took control.

“I know I hurt you, but you must know, I—it was only to ensure you were not lying to me. I thought—” Her smile dropped as she clenched her jaw, fighting back tears. Always so strong.

“You thought I was wasting your time.” Her words burned.

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