Page 9 of Liar Witch
I grimace.
This isn’t the sort of decision I should be making. This is an issue to be argued over by leaders like Danika and Petra and Sophie and all the other high priestesses. Or at least someone with more wisdom and experience.
Not their assassin. Not a barely immortal witch, still aching and hurting from days of torture at the hands of her enemies.
“We are not taught that the Goddess actively wants everyone to die. Only that all things must, in their time. So no, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t condone what they’re doing to your people.”
He nods, the action slow and purposeful. “That is enough. The wraith only want peace and to be left alone and forgotten once more.”
“And if you get it—if people were to stop mining crystals—you wouldn’t come above ground anymore?”
“The wraith are not made for the surface. We belong in the deep, old places. Destroy the mines and we will leave. When our homes are safe, you will not see us again.” He pauses. “Provided that weapon is destroyed.”
I glance down at Glenna’s athame. “No.”
“That killed my brother.”
I glare pointedly at his teeth. “And wraith teeth tore my friend to shreds. Maybe it’s time the wraiths learned how it feels to be vulnerable.”
“This is not up for discussion.”
“No,” I retort, fingers tightening on the hilt. “It is not.”
Acelin shakes his head. “It appears we’ve reached an impasse.”
I tense, wondering where he’s going with this. “Yes.”
His red eyes watch me with an unsettling focus for a long, fraught silent minute before he replies, “Walk some more with me and I will show you around Inis Mor. Maybe if you learn a little more about us, you’ll find we’re not the monsters you believe us to be. Perhaps you will reconsider.”
“I don’t have time to wander around with you,” I protest. “You want to know why the Queen is so obsessed with your crystals? Because she’s using them to make herself immortal. Along with pieces of every other race. Shifter blood, vampire fangs and even siren scales go into that potion, and she needs to be stopped.”
“One witch will accomplish this?”
“OneShadowwill.”
Or, at least, I will once I’ve saved my harem and Sanctum.
“If she wipes out the witches, no one will be left to stand against her. I can’t stay here and take a tour.”
“We will discuss.”
With those three words, Acelin places a clawed hand on the nearest crystal and disappears in a sudden burst of brightness that leaves me blinded yetagain.
“Fucking wraiths,” I whisper under my breath, rubbing at my eyes.
It takes hours.
After the first few minutes, I end up sitting on the ground with my eyes closed. The inactivity is getting boring, but I’m still on edge about being surrounded by wraiths. On top of that, I’m injured and my immortal healing is being slowed down by the fact that I haven’t eaten in close to a week.
So it’s no surprise that my brain decides to take a break. By the time Acelin reappears, I’m full on dozing against a crystal.
At least the brightness dims when he’s nearby, so I can finally see again.
“You are still too injured to make the trek to the surface.”
Asshole. “Watch me.”
“And your allies are unable to help you.”
