“It was her. I know it was her!” My mind raced, trying to remember every detail of what had just happened. “It was like she was under some kind of spell. The black oil that covered her had changed her eye color. Changed the signature of her magic.”
“Then when it fell away, she looked like herself,” Ana said. “Her eyes were blue again.”
“She recognized me.” I was sure of it. “As soon as the spell was lifted, she recognized me.”
“It happened right when Nix finished removing the magic from the flame,” Ana said.
“Oh, fates.” It all clicked into place. “The Rebel Gods returned five years ago. When Rowan disappeared, they were the ones who abducted her. They used her magic to jumpstart their operations. That’s why the magic in the stronghold felt strangely familiar.” I spun toward Nix, who watched with wide eyes. “Can I see the rock? The one where you put the magic from the eternal flame.”
“Sure.” She handed it over.
As soon as I touched it, my jaw dropped. It was like holding Rowan’s hand again. The scent of lilacs and the feel of a breeze hit me. Tears welled in my eyes.
“This is her magic,” I said. “They took it from her and used it to fuel the stronghold.”
Ana touched it and gasped, her gaze meeting mine. “It is hers.”
“We have to save her,” I said. “She didn’t mean to do those things with the Rebel Gods. She’s a captive, under their spell.”
Cade wrapped an arm around my shoulders, supporting me when my legs turned weak.
Cass stepped forward and laid her hand on the rock. “All of the magic in here is pure. Good.”
“They took her goodness and used it to create the stronghold,” Ana said. “We have to get it back to her.”
“We have to get her back.”
We had to.
Epilogue
The next evening, after a long rest and healing, Jude and I walked through the forest toward the portal to Edinburgh. Mayhem, my new shadow, flew at our side. We were headed to the Whisky and Warlock for a victory celebration with the rest of the gang, though I was so worried about Rowan that my mind would be in two places.
But we had to formulate a game plan for the future, and it was just as easy to do so at the Whisky and Warlock. And as Jude said, sometimes you needed to focus on the good in life.
“You’ve done well, Bree,” she said as we walked amongst the fairy lights.
“Thank you.”
“Your magic is secure?”
I tested my wings, feeling no pain. “I think so. I did what you said—what the Valkyrie said. I looked before I leaped.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was about to kill Rowan. Right before she was revealed, I was about to throw my dagger. She was down, weakened. I’d have killed her. But I waited. Something told me to wait.”
“You listened to yourself, rather than just throwing yourself into the fray.”
I nodded. “Well, it worked. I didn’t kill my sister”—just the thought of it made bile rise in my throat—“and I think that’s what earned me my wings. Now my magic comes when I call. I just have to practice using it to its fullest extent.”
“You deserve that. And you’re well on your way to succeeding at the academy. You’ve gone through trials that no trainee ever has to face.”
“The biggest trial will be saving my sister. That wasn’t her—they cursed her. She seemed different. Like she was overtaken by something. And she had new powers. Saving her is my priority now.”
“As it should be. And we’ll find a way. The documents that we stole will give us a good lead on the Rebel Gods. And we’ll find out what they’ve done to your sister and how to break the curse. The Protectorate has contacts. I’ve called on some of them already. We’ll see what they have to say.”
“Thank you. Truly.” Jude’s help meant everything. She was my boss, not my mother. But that didn’t keep me from feeling a similar warmth toward her.
“Of course,” Jude said. “We’re here for you. We’re a team.”
I smiled as we reached the portal in the clearing. We crossed through, stepping out onto the bustling city street in the Grassmarket. The sun shed a warm glow over the cobblestones, and the sound of bagpipes burst through the air, a busker on the High Street trying to make a buck. Or a pound, since we were in the UK.
The Whisky and Warlock was packed, as usual, with our crowd filling the little room where Sophie worked. The fire burned warmly in the hearth, and the beer taps gleamed in the light.
In the corner, Nix, Cass, and Del sat, along with Ares, Aidan, and Roarke. They’d said they’d come by to visit, and I was glad to see they’d showed up. Ana sat in the corner, joking around with Caro, Ali, and Haris, but I could see from her eyes and the set of her shoulders that she was thinking of Rowan.
Constantly. As I was.
I looked away from her, searching for Cade, who was on the other side of the room, near the bar. I gave him a nod before going over to my friends from Magic’s Bend.
Mayhem headed straight for Sophie, probably to order a Ham-tini, which I doubted even existed.
I stopped at my friends’ table. “Thank you guys again for all of your help. And for coming tonight.”
Nix grinned. “Anytime. You helped us so much five years ago.”
“When can we count on you visiting?” Cass said. “We’re at P & P most Friday nights.”
“The Friday night after I rescue my sister.”
Del smiled, but her gaze was serious. “That’s fair enough. If you need our help with her, just call. We may be able to do some tracking.”
“Thank you, really.” We shared a bit more small talk, but I could feel Cade’s gaze burning into the back of my neck.
It warmed me all over, and eventually, I parted ways with my friends and approached Cade, who was turning from the bar. He held a pink martini glass in his hand that bubbled with glittery smoke.
“Developing new tastes?” I asked as I stopped in front of him.
“For you. Sophie’s new special—the Valkyrie.”
I smiled and took it. “You didn’t tell her what I was, though, did you?”
I wanted to keep that on the down low. Bragging about my power wasn’t my deal. And it was dangerous to let people know you were super powerful. Better to be underestimated.
“No. I just suggested the name.” He smiled at me. “It suits you.”
“Thanks.” I took a sip, enjoying the tart taste.
“You were incredible in the stronghold,” he said.
I smiled. “You weren’t so bad yourself.” I sobered a bit. “Thank you for always having my back.”
I’d learned a lot about him these last couple days. His childhood had shocked me, but it only went to prove how strong and brave he was. He’d made his own way in the world, always choosing the side of right.
He was much more than just a super strong god wrapped in a hot package. So much more.
“I’ll always have your back, Bree. I like you. And even if I didn’t, I believe in you. You’re going to accomplish great things. Important things that will make the world a better place. I want to be around for that.”
“As long as one of those great things is saving my sister, then yes. I’m up for that.” I’d do whatever it took.