Immortal Consequences(133)
Edith’s grin stretched wider. “Come on. Be a good sport. You’re not shackled. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Wren hesitated, hands trembling by her sides. She tried to summon a surge of corporeal magic, a sparkle of silver light, into her veins, but nothing came. She tried again and again, but there was only an empty, gaping hole in its place.
Shock rippled through her.
“What did you do?”
“You can have your magic back once I know I can trust you with it.”
“You—” Wren shook her head. It wasn’t possible. “How?”
“There’s so much you don’t know,” Edith sighed, motioning her forward. “What they taught you in those shiny halls is only a fraction of what you’re capable of.”
Wren walked cautiously out of the cell, keeping her distance.
“Are the others safe?”
Edith shrugged. “For now.”
“They’ll come looking for me.”
“That’s my hope.”
Wren stopped in front of Edith. She tried not to flinch underneath her gaze.
“You can’t keep me here forever. I know you think I’m the one who’s going to help you take Blackwood down—but you’re wrong. I hate Silas just as much as you do, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to destroy Blackwood and everybody in it.”
“Maybe not now.” Edith’s eyes raked over her face. Her lip twitched. “But you will.”
She turned away from Wren and pushed through the large arched door carved into the cobbled wall. Wren saw the glimmer of something on the other side—tall grass and mountains—and she caught the faint scent of earth. It propelled her forward, desperate to be free from the confines of this prison.
She stepped out into the cool night air.
They emerged onto a field, rolling hills surrounding them. The sky was a black nothingness, no stars or silver glow. Jagged snowcapped mountains cut through the horizon like a spinal cord, pointing into the heavens in menacing spikes. Wren had to imagine they were somewhere in the outskirts of purgatory, though she had no idea where. It couldn’t be the Ether. She’d feel different, drained.
“Where are we?”
Edith ignored her, motioning her forward. “Come on. There are a few people I want you to meet.”
As they crossed the field, something began to materialize in Wren’s vision. A hole carved into the base of a mountain. The flicker of light danced within the towering cave, the bustle of movement and voices. And the closer they got, the more Wren began to realize that it wasn’t just her imagination, but there really was something inside the cave.
An encampment.
Tents draped in black and gold. The warm scents of smoke and magic. The crackle of dozens of fire pits dug into the ground. Flickering lights were strung together from one side of the cave to the other, lanterns swaying in the cold breeze. Crooked branches sprouted from the ground, dotting the rocky terrain with the carcasses of trees.
And the people. So many people. Dozens if not hundreds. Some chatted as they moved, exchanging hushed whispers. Others laughed and drank under the glow of firelight. A few people battled each other in what looked to be practice duels. Casting corporeal spells at one another. Dodging attacks. Others watched, cheering, hands raised in the air.
Wren came to a sudden halt.
“What is this place?”
Edith surveyed the land with a soft smile. Pride glistened behind her dark eyes.
“This…is the Demien Order.” The shadows running through Edith’s veins hummed with satisfaction, traveling up and down her body in feathered ribbons. She smiled, and a crown made entirely of swirling shadows appeared above her head. “And we’ve been waiting a long, long time for you, Wren Loughty.”
Acknowledgments
Getting to write this acknowledgment feels like a pinch-me-oh-my-god-what-is-happening moment, so bear with me as I attempt to function like a normal human being and put together coherent sentences. There are so many people I have to thank for creating not only this book but me as a person, so I think the best place to start is with those who quite literally brought me into this world.
To my parents, Viviana and Jorge, aka Mami y Papi, aka Vivi y Chochi. This book would not exist without you. I am so unbelievably lucky to have had the kind of parents who allowed me to chase my dreams, no matter how wild and unattainable they might have seemed. Gracias por todo.
To my super sibs, Camila and Andy. Camila—I’m not going to get too mushy because THAT’S GROSS! But you were, are, and forever will be my biggest inspiration. I would never have picked up my first book if I hadn’t been desperate to copy everything my big sister did. Andy—I’m so lucky to have had your unwavering support throughout the years. Even with more than two thousand miles between us, there’s never been a doubt in my mind that you’ll always be cheering me on.
To my incredible grandpa Tato. Thank you for being a pillar in my life. I still remember when I’d call you from school because I forgot something at home, and you’d drive all the way there without hesitation to drop it off for me （and befriend all the office ladies once you got there）。 You are the best grandpa ever, and I hope I’ve made you proud. And, of course, a massive thank-you to Nonna, who isn’t here with us anymore but whose love endures.
A warm thank-you to the rest of my family. There are literally so many of you, I think this would be twenty pages if I tried to name you all. But to all my aunts, uncles, cousins and everyone else—los quiero a todos!