Page 4 of A Tale of Treachery

“That’s well enough, Lali. Your safety is more important to me, and besides, I’ve maintained enough control of my magic to survive without exposing myself.”

Her eyes flashed with a warning. She knew what I really meant by claiming my magic was controlled. “You can’t keep your magic locked up forever, Dahlia. These things have a way of rebelling and seeping out into your surroundings.”

It was true. The urge to release it pressed and burned against my skin. I’d kept it locked up, as it was far too dangerous to release, especially in Cambriel, where a slip of magic would spell my doom.

“It’ll be all right,” I promised. “Nothing is ever going to happen to you, and nothing will happen to me, either,” I reassured her with a smile that didn’t quite meet my eyes.

“I forget about the fair-headed prince of yours.” She winked, but her tone was hollow.

My cheeks flushed at the mention of Aiden.

She was correct in thinking that I had an ally at court, seeing as Aiden had often bailed me out of trouble, but things had recently changed between the two of us. He wouldn’t be coming to my aid anytime soon, especially after what I’d done.

“I don’t need his protection to ensure you’re safe. Living in the sanctum is guarantee enough. Remember, I hear everything that’s said in the palace, including all their plans. If they ever came to fetch your coven for a collection, I’d find a way to warn you.”

Eulalia tilted her head, her eyes filled with deep sorrow but also gratitude. The stress of hiding from the soldiers was taking its toll.

“Thank you,” she replied in a soft tone, her eyes glazing over once more to see what Silas saw. “We’re running out of time, and we need to do the full moon ritual before it grows too late.”

“How would you like me to begin?” I asked, knowing that my magic was needed to start the ritual.

“Fire, please.” She held a crystal in her hand and tilted her head to the sky, closing her eyes while humming an ancient tune beneath her breath. The melodious ballad echoed around the clearing as the crystal lit, a pale blue shade that reflected against the trees.

Blue, the color of peace and protection.

I twisted my palm face-up and summoned my magic from that dark void within myself. It fought me at first, wanting to come out in a huge, blazing burst, but I pushed it back down, allowing a golden trickle to slither its way down my arm and out through my hand.

A small flame appeared in my palm, dancing with the joy of liberation, but I didn’t let it celebrate for long. With a twitch of my hand, the flame transferred to the firepit in the center of the clearing.

“Done,” I replied, turning to Eulalia while clutching my wrist to my chest. My magic was burning and begging to be released to its full extent.

She eyed me skeptically, the golden glow of my flames reflected in her pupils. She didn’t say anything for a moment, her lashes fluttering as she contemplated whatever was on her mind.

“I hate that you don’t remember your childhood. I wish I could reach into that head of yours and tear out whatever memories you’ve crammed down deep. Maybe you’re fae?”

We both knew I wasn’t a fae, and it was also clear that I wasn’t a witch, since witch magic had to be conjured with a spoken incantation. My magic was similar to faerie magic in that it was deeply instinctual, but my face and body held no fae features. I wished I could tell Lali the truth, but it would be dangerous for her to discover I was part shade.

“You know I’m an orphan. I would love to know what I am just as much as you would,” I replied, hating the lie. I smiled softly and walked up to her, taking her hand in mine. “Who knows? Maybe I’m half fae after all. I could have been thrown out for being the runt of the litter and appearing too human.”

She chuckled and squeezed my hand, a sort of knowing in her eyes. “Whatever you are doesn’t matter to me. You’re my friend, and there is nothing in the world that could change that,” she promised. “Now, let us begin.”

We moved to the fire and held our palms over the heat. Eulalia’s hummed tune morphed into a lyrical song, words of protection for our world and all those who lived in it. Her tune cast a sort of spell that was meant to prevent the otherworld creatures from clawing their way through the rift.

The purpose of the ritual was odd, considering what I was, but I liked our world the way it was and refused to let it change.

I fished for the dagger hidden in the thigh strap beneath my dress and sliced a small cut into the skin of our palms. Blood swelled and dribbled down, greeting the flames below with a loud sizzle.

The air vibrated with power, and a whirlwind of energy caused the ground to shake. The trees surrounding us groaned as a sudden gale wind attacked the clearing, my dress twisted as my long braid lashed across my face.

I broke away from Eulalia and sheathed my dagger, knowing that my part in this ritual was done. All she’d needed was my blood and a small bit of magic.

Nothing to do now but wait for her to finish.

I fisted the bottom of my gown and held my body firm against the threatening gust, but through the long wisps of ruby hair, I could see Eulalia, perfectly poised and unaffected by the cyclone tearing its way through the clearing.

She was still singing, her dark curls brushing across her back as her gown floated in the wind, untouched by the bluster. When her song ended, the air went still and silent, the wind dying down to nothing.

With a sigh of relief, I gathered my knotted hair behind the nape of my neck, hastily twisting it back into a braid. I tried to straighten my wrinkled gown but failed and gave up, marching over to the satchel that held my green cloak—the uniform of the scholars of the sanctum—and threw it over my shoulders. If anyone in court caught me sneaking back in wearing something other than leather pants, a chemise, and my cloak, they would know that I’d been up to something.

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