Page 83 of When the Wicked Sing
“Did you know Cybele and Stavros were lovers before the banishment?”
Aurora tilted her head. “I mean … When this place was built,” she said, gesturing to the whole wing the king had built for her—for them, “I suspected so, but I never saw them together. They usually regarded each other like they hardly knew one another. Now I realize it was all an act.”
“Yeah,” Mariana muttered, wrapping her arms around herself. She told Aurora the rest of what Astra’s letter had revealed.
Finally, Aurora stopped pacing. “So, Haliaandthe king want the amulet?”
“Yes.”
“Then we need to leave—now. You know where Astra went, and we can keep it from them—”
Mariana held up her hands. “Wait, it’s not that easy anymore. I can’t swim anywhere, I have no tail!”
Aurora shook her head. “We’ll find a way. We have to get to Astra. Hopefully, she’s found the amulet and we can get it back to Salus before—” She stopped, her eyes falling as her lips thinned into a grim line.
Mariana’s eyebrows lowered. “Before what? Rora?”
“Before Cybele dies.”
The way she spoke sent chills down Mariana’s body.
“The fallout is killing her,” Mariana murmured, releasing a heavy sigh.
Her sister nodded. “The witch says the only way to save her is with the amulet’s power. But we have to move fast, she doesn’t have much time left, and Luna—” Aurora sighed and shook her head.
Mariana’s chest tightened. “What about Luna?”
Aurora swallowed, unable to meet her eyes. “She’s not the same. She’s … changing.” Her gaze lifted toward Mariana, who inspected the way her brows were tight, her mouth taut. “I don’t know what’s going on with her. She’s acting out, talking about revenge if you don’t bring Astra back or the amulet. She’s even been staying in the caves with the cursed.”
Mariana released a shaky breath. “She’s probably seeking solace from the only place that can give it.”
“Maybe.” Aurora bit her lip. “With how close she’s gotten to the witch, I fear what she might do.”
Lifting her hands, Mariana scrubbed her face and sighed deeply. This wasn’t good. None of it was good. Astra would never have let Luna take part in the Scourge, but now that her mother was missing, she was scared, alone. Luna had struggled to find her place in Salus, always believing it was beside hermother, but now that she didn’t have Astra anymore, there was a hole in her life. One she was desperate to fill, no doubt. Without the positive influence of Cybele, Aurora, or Mariana in her life, the only person she would feel comfortable turning to was the Siren Witch.
“There’s one more thing I have to tell you,” Aurora said softly, making Mariana go still, halting her hurricane of thoughts. “Cybele declared—”
“Put your hands up! Now!” a deep male voice shouted.
Mariana and Aurora both turned to see Kosta pointing a loaded crossbow at her sister. Dax stood behind him, staring at Aurora in shock.
In the blink of an eye, Aurora slid across the polished floor and tripped Kosta. His back hit the floor. Lifting the crossbow into her hands, she pointed the loaded weapon at his throat. She grinned down at him, her knee resting on his chest.
He sneered up at her and tried lunging for the crossbow, but she kept it just out of reach.
Auroratskedand shook her head. “Sorry, hot stuff, I always have to be on top.”
In the chaos, Dax slipped over to Mariana.
“Are you okay?” he asked, placing his hands on her cheeks. She was so shocked—and strangely relieved—to see him, it took her a moment to pull away.
Aurora pointed the crossbow at Dax. “Step away from my queen!”
Mariana’s head whipped toward her sister.
What did she just say?
Her throat closed, and her vision wavered.
