Page 61 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
The soul ofMr.Addisontook them to a far-off land where the scorching sands didn’t cool under the setting sun.Hehad fled by horseback, by sea, and finally on the back of a humped animal.Butthere would be no hiding fromDeathin the land of sand and odd trees.
“We don’t have much time,”Cadelsaid as they stepped onto the scorching sands. “Makethis one quick.”
“Right, becauseI’veenjoyed this—”Auroracried as a sharp pain radiated from her shoulder to her fingertips. “What’shappening?”Shetore offCadel’sjacket, looking for the cause of the pain.Angrywelts formed and faded.Theymigrated to her chest.Itfelt as if she had swallowed fire. “Thane’shurt.Wehave to leave.”
“No.”Cadelgrabbed her arms. “Youmust collect this soul.”
The pain worsened.Herbones felt as if they were being broken and mended. “Godsbelow, move.”AurorapushedCadelaway before vomiting on the sand.Asharp pain radiated across her cheek before the vision in her left eye went dark.Shetouched her face to make sure her eye hadn’t fallen out of her head. “Ican’t see.”
“Aurora.”Cadelshook her. “Listento me.Ifwe don’t collect this soul, you will fail andDeathwill win.”
The pain racing through her body proved a bigger worry than the soul calling to her.Auroraclawed at some unseen hand around her throat. “He’sgoing to killThane.Wehave to go.”
“No,”Cadelcried. “Listento me.It’snot real.He’sdoing this on purpose.Thaneis fine.”
“No, he’s not.Ican feel it.”Shefrantically felt for her eye.Ithad to be gone.Therewas too much pain and darkness.
“AndIcan’t.ThaneandIare also connected.That’swhyIam still here.Trustme.”Cadel’svoice was strained.
She knewCadelwas lying.Shecould hear his ragged breaths and see the sheen of sweat that coated his pale skin. “Ihave to save him.”
“Then the curse will never be broken.Youwill fail.Deathwill not give you another chance.”
The pull of the soul was as strong as her pull toThane.Deathwas not playing fair.Shewas not some stupid mortal for him to play with. “Ihate this.Iam a god.Youdo not get to play with me!” she screamed at no one and at any god that was listening.
“Aurora, we need to hurry.”Cadelpointed to the sky that the sun would soon be rising in.
“I know,”Aurorasnapped. “Butright nowIcan’t see out of my left eye.Ifeel like my skin is on fire.Canyou give me a moment?”Auroratook a deep breath, sucking in the warm, dusty air. “Fuck.”Shegagged on the taste of blood in her mouth.Shepressed her fingers to her eye.Shecould feel it flutter under her lid.Butno matter how much she willed it, her vision would not return.Sheturned toCadel. “DoIhave both my eyes?”
Cadel frowned. “Yes.Ofcourse.”
“Are you sure?”Sheblinked a couple times.
“Aurora, we are running out of time.”Cadelpointed to the horizon and the darkness fading.
“Fine.”Shestomped into the large tent.Thecloth walls flapped in the wind, causing the brass lanterns that hung from the ceiling to sway.Theycast jewel-toned shadows on the lavish interior.Thefloor was covered in rugs and furs from animals that didn’t belong to the desert.Mr.Addisonhad filled his life with every bit of excess he could fit into it.Includingthe woman who stood beforeAurora.
Rubies adorned her dark hair.Herlips were brushed with copper, and her eyes spoke of her true identity.Onegreen and one dark as night. “Envy?”
“Ah, daughter ofLife, what a surprise.Areyou, too, one ofDeath’spets?”Envymoved to the ornate sideboard that held glass bottles filled with different colored liquids. “MayIoffer you a drink?”
“No.Whyare you here?”
“Because he is my husband.Whyelse wouldIbe here?Areyou sureIcan’t offer you something to drink?Itwill be a moment before he’s ready.”Envyrolled her eyes. “Hethinks he can talk his way out of his bargain withDeath.WhereisThane?”
“How do you knowThane?”Aurora’seyes watered from the thick scents that filled the closed-off space.
“We go back.”Envysmiled.Herone green eye shimmered in the low light. “Well, not that far back.Suchan eager lover, thatDarkness.Alwaysin such a hurry.”
“Thane, in a hurry?”Auroralaughed. “NowIknow you lie.BecausemyDarknessloves to take his time.Heloves to spend all night doing what he does best.”Envywas a creatureFatemade with a mortal.AndsinceEnvywas a demigod,Auroracould read her little tricks like written words. “I’mhere for the mortal’s soul.Youare free to go wherever your kind runs off to.”Aurorawaved the woman off.
“Aurora, what is taking so…Cassandara?”Cadelstepped into the tent. “How?Imean, you should be dead.It’sbeen years.”
“Oh, you.Whatwas your name,Cabel?No,Caleb.Caden?Itdoesn’t matter.”Envywaved offCadel.
“That’s the woman you traded your soul for.Envy?”Aurorapointed to the demigod.
“Envy?You’rea god?”Cadelfrowned.
