Page 91 of Glass and Bone
“How could she possibly do that?” He sets his glass down and looks up at me, irritated.
“Your mother was a witch, Elaenor.” I scoff as an uncontrollable giggle escapes my mouth. I turn towards Theo who has a brow raised. “This is not a joke, Elaenor.”
“Yeah, okay. A witch? Are you serious?” I spit. He has to be joking.
“Yes. I am.”
“There is no such thing.”
“Yes, there is, and your mother was one. She was born in Zivell and was only brought over to the country when she was betrothed to King Argent.”
“Zivell?” I ask. My knowledge on the histories of our land is scarce as my father wasn’t keen on geography lessons.
“It’s north of Tatus, its own country. But your mother was born there. I never met your grandmother, but I knew of her heritage. I only guessed her power when she seemed to disappear into thin air and reappear elsewhere.”
“She couldteleport?” I was aware my mouth was open in disbelief. This couldn’t be true. I rest my hands on the back of a chair and try not to laugh at the absurdity.
“Yes, other small magics too, such as memory suppression. She used it to get people to forget they saw her quite often.” I shake my head and pull out the chair in front of me, plopping down into its plush cushion.
“Witches are nothing but folklore.” Theo says loudly from behind.
“Don’t raise your voice at me, boy. You are lucky I am even allowing you to be here since you seem to be preparing for war at my border.”
“None of this explains who told you I wasn’t your daughter.” Viktor sighs before taking another sip of his drink and tearing his eyes away from Theo.
“A young man, around your age, appeared here. He seemed to have a lot of information about Noterra, Labisa, Rakushia, and some other countries. He said that you were not my daughter, but that you were descended from someone else. He also said you were in danger in Noterra and that I needed to help him get you out. He offered me quite a large sum of money to ensure your safety out of the country.”
“What did he look like?” I ask warily. It couldn’t be…
“Dark hair, green eyes, tall. Why does this matter?”
“Enzo.” I whisper.
“What? Speak up.” He asks, irritated.
“Was his name Enzo?”
“Yes, why?”
“Oh my gods.” I stand quickly, the chair almost falling back. Enzo was trying to get me out of Noterra, and he succeeded. He’s been trying to get me out of there this whole time, telling me I’ll meet him eventually. That I just need to be patient and bide my time.
“What is it, Nora?” Theo whispers from behind me.
“We need to go.” He’s been trying to get me to leave. He pushed me towards Rakushia. He wanted to get me alone. What if he’s not the good guy here? What if he is working forLabisa? “I don’t know why, but I need to go back.”
“What?”
“I have a weird feeling that Tobias is in danger.” His eyes widen slightly, and he nods before turning to the door. He grabs the handle, but it doesn't turn. He shakes it and I hear a deep chuckle.
“I’m not letting you leave, Elaenor.” My father says from behind.
“Father, we have to go.” I plead. I hate begging, especially to my father, but I can’t stay here.
“No. You can’t go back there. It isn’t safe.”
“Since when do you care about my safety?” I spit. “You used to whip me, beat me, let your friends touch me. You treated me like I was nothing but a body for you to use and abuse. You don’t get a say in anything that happens to me anymore.” Theo’s hand rests on the small of my back.
“Does your husband know his brother is in love with you?” Viktor laughs, sending a chill down my spine.
