Page 27 of The War of Wings
Cal gave no response. He simply remained still beside me, intent on the Sanguilite.
“I’ll restore your powers, but upon his death, he is to return here, to my realm. I recently lost a selection of my favorites.” She reached forward, plucking an empty jar I hadn’t noticed and cradling it in her palm. “This one especially. I need a replacement. I think you’ll do nicely.”
“No,” I answered immediately.
But at the same time, Cal nodded. “Done,” he said.
I whirled to Cal, my eyes drilling into his profile as his remained on the Sanguilite. Outrage tore through me. He’d thrown himself into the Darkness Beyond, and now he was giving up his soul to someone who preyed upon them.
“Take me,” I cut in, raising a palm in Cal’s direction when he began to protest. “You want a soul? Take mine. There has to be something you can do.”
She shook her head. “I cannot. But him…” A laugh bubbled from her throat. “And his soul looks so delicious,” she purred, licking her lips as she stared intently at Cal. “It’s known such pain, such horror. Those are my favorites.”
Cal’s breaths were shallow as he stared at her. “You can have me upon my death.”
“No,” I growled, hot tears threatening to flood my eyes. I wanted to scream at him, beat my fists against his chest and ask why he was being so careless, so stupid.
The Sanguilite raised one perfect brow. “I’m starting to think there’s much you don’t know, Petra,” she crooned, and I bristled at the sound of my name in that voice.
Her silky voice was a jagged stone grating against my nerves. I considered ignoring her, grabbing Cal by the hand and trying to will us back to the Human Realm. “Give me my powers,” I demanded, my voice even. “Or I’ll take them back. By force.” I had no idea where that threat had come from, but it felt good.
“You could try,” she replied. “And maybe you’d succeed. But if you didn’t…”
This maddening woman — no,being.Anger buzzed beneath my skin with no way to release it. I glared at her,
“I agree to your terms,” Cal said, emotionless. “Her powers in exchange for my soul.”
I whirled to him, making no attempt to hide my fury. “I’m not giving you up for my powers.”
“You’re not giving me up,” he answered. His features softened, and I knew he was attempting to pour water on my fire, to soothe my soul with his assurance, but it didn’t work. “I’m going willingly. I’m agreeing to her terms for the good of the rest of the world. For the good of the rest of time. And for the good ofyou.”
My fury cracked down the middle, despair seeping from the fault line as my voice broke. “You can’t do this.”
“It’s already done,” the Sanguinite interjected before Cal could respond. “He agreed to it already.”
My eyes shot to her. “How dare you–”
“How dare I what?” she asked, her voice condescending. “Help you defeat Malosym? I have no interest in the dealings of the world beyond my realm. You want your powers? They come at a cost. Nothing is free.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but slammed it shut when I couldn’t find the words I wanted. I was seething. I was devastated. I was furious at Cal for agreeing to something so asinine.
The Sanguilite gestured behind us. “Go ahead. Go back to the Human Realm. It’s no secret you know how.” The smile on her face was knowing, like she was privy to some vital piece of knowledge I wasn’t. “And when you arrive, you’ll find your powers restored. They may be weakened for a time until you build your strength again.”
“Fuck you,” I spat at her, reaching for Cal’s hand.
“Your anger means nothing to me,” she answered flippantly, amusement pulling up on her features. I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to shut her out of my mind, but her voice cut through my focus. “You have something in common, you know.”
I should’ve ignored her, shouldn’t have given her a moment more of my time. But my eyes opened, narrowing on her where she sat in her chair, staring up at her collection. “Who?”
Mischief danced in her eyes. “You and Malosym.”
“I have nothing in common with that monster.”
“You do. Something crucial to the very essence of your being.” A knowing smirk graced her lips, an antagonistic expression that pulled on the frayed edges of my aggravation. “It’ll be harder to find in the Human Realm. The Holy Realms are far more conducive to your magic. But you’ll find it sooner or later.”
Without another word, I closed my eyes, burrowed into myself, and suddenly, we were back in Eserene.
Chapter 11
