Page 57 of The Wolf and the Chimera
The place where they told me to go is only accessible by magic,I agreed.I just didn't realize it required aripple’sworth of magic.
The waterfall filled me with fear. Ripples led to all kinds of pockets between dimensions, including to the High Witch’s court. Despite my earlier threats, I wouldn’t go back there.
I couldn’t.
As soon as I had arrived in the court, the Handmaidens—High Witch Cordelia’s cronies—had smothered me in darkness. They had used their magic to spell me to sleep, but only my body had gone still. My mind had stayed awake, perfectly conscious of my own helplessness as I laid on an altar for days.
The silence had nearly driven me mad.
I would never take us there,the sorceress argued.Well, not until we’re powerful enough to end that bitch once and for all.
How do you know it won’t lead back to her?I asked.When Ryder and the others rescued me, their ripple was spelled to lead right to Cordelia’s dungeons—
Those goons didn’t rescue you, remember?the sorceress interrupted.I did.
She wasn’t entirely wrong. It washerpower that had broken us free from Cordelia’s spell and allowed us to escape. She had nearly killed my allies in the process, but the sorceress wasn’t one to worry about details.
You won’t let us go back there?I clarified.
Not yet,she promised.Not until we’re ready, and we arefarfrom ready.
Though I believed her, a question lingered in my mind. I hesitated.
Why are you helping me?I asked.
Because I’m filled with benevolence?she offered.
I snorted, and the sorceress sighed.
I have my reasons,she answered.None of which negatively impact you in the near future. Can we go now?
Though I worried what this would mean for my long-term future, the sorceress’s reasoning didn’t matter, regardless of how selfish that made me.
If Mom and Dad were alive, I needed to find them.
I took a deep breath and calmed my erratic heart. Wondering if I was making a huge mistake, I walked toward the ripple.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryder
When I arrived at the chateau, I ran into Melanie coming out of the building’s rear entrance. She wore a band tee, cargo pants, and a beanie. Her pin-straight, pink hair poked out from the hat.
“Where’s Kieran and Elle?” I asked.
She raised an arched brow at me. “Really? No hi, Melanie, how are you, Melanie? Just straight to it?”
I scoffed and crossed my arms.
“I thought you didn’t like exchanging pleasantries with me?” I argued.
“Don’t you ever forgive and forget?” she said.
When she tried to pass me, I blocked her path.
“Hey,” she grumbled. “I’ve been doing cyber-security updates for Lyall all morning. This is my only break to go outside.Move.”
The mention of the Sovereign’s name only irked me more.
