Page 126 of When the Wicked Sing
She turned to Luna. “I have a plan.” She grimaced. “But you’re going to hate it.”
Luna winced. “Will it work?”
Aurora nodded reluctantly.
“Okay,” she sighed. “Let’s just get it over with.”
Moving quickly, Aurora went back to the kitchens and tried not to gag as she picked up Jocasta’s severed arm. She swam back toward Luna, who awaited her in the servant’s hall next to the throne room doors.
“Oh my Goddess,” Luna gasped, covering her mouth and turning away from the gore Aurora dropped beside them.
“Quiet,” Aurora whispered. “Go wait over there,” she ordered, pointing toward a hidden alcove.
Luna moved into position as Aurora dragged her knife across her arm. Scarlet blood leaked into the water, swirling gently along the current flowing through the palace halls. The cut sealed quickly, then she gripped the knife and turned her attention to the open door leading out to where the serpents lurked.
Unable to ignore the sultry taste of fresh blood in the water, she heard them hiss before the first one bolted in her direction.
Fast as lightning, she drove her knife into the serpent’s head just as it sank its teeth into Jocasta’s severed arm. The blade crunched through bone into its brain, killing it instantly.
She yanked the knife free just as the second serpent speared through the water at her, teeth bared and ready to strike. Instincts brought her knife up in time to catch the serpent’s mouth, its teeth digging into her hand. She used the knife trapped in its throat to slam it to the ground. Trapping it withher body, she yanked the knife free, shredding her hand against the creature’s sharp teeth, and sliced open its stomach.
It jerked, and its red eyes went wide before it fell still.
Breathing hard, Aurora pulled the blade from the slimy flesh and grimaced as her hand began to heal.
Luna rushed over to her. “Are you okay?”
Aurora nodded. “I’m fine. We have to go before more come.”
Together, they made it to the throne room doors and peeked through the thick, colorful glass.
The Siren Witch, crowned in her signature headdress, stared ahead with a smile. The crowd gawked at whatever she was saying.
“We have to get in there,” Aurora murmured and slowly pushed the doors open.
“You all are so important to me, and now that our dear Mariana and Cybele are no longer with us—”
What did she just say?
“No.” Aurora shot forward, her chest caving in. “No!”
Before she could get close enough to slam her knife into the witch’s black heart, two grotesque creatures snatched her arms, making it impossible for her to move.
The witch—she had betrayed them. She was the one who had poisoned Astra and Cybele.
“Ahh! Aurora, what a pleasure for you to join us.” The witch swam closer, a devilish smile on her face. Aurora’s eyes caught on the amulet hanging around her neck, its glow pulsing with energy. “I was just informing our sisters that Mariana and Cybele have met a very unfortunate end. But neverfear, we shall remember them and honor their memory by restoring Sirenia. Together.”
Aurora screamed in fury, thrashing violently as her soul cried out. “What did you do to them?!” she roared.
The witch gave her a sad smile. Aurora didn’t buy it, seeing the cruel intention hidden beneath. “They’re gone, Aurora. Mariana couldn’t handle the guilt she felt at having killed Astra. I offered her a warrior’s death as a way out. She took it willingly, and Cybele died in the battle, trying to stop her.”
Aurora snarled, “Liar!”
“My mother … My mother is dead?” Luna whimpered from her position near the doors. “Mariana killed her?”
The Siren Witch’s expression morphed into pure grief, confusing Aurora. Swimming slowly to her side, the witch settled her clawed hands on Luna’s shoulders.
“Yes, my dear. I’m so sorry. My heart breaks at the thought, but Mariana did the only thing she knew to be right. Which was to die after what she’d done.”
