From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

My comment makes the banshee part her lips with a small laugh. My glare silences her immediately. If we already had our differences before, now that I know everything she kept from us, the abyss between us is completely unbridgeable. I let her stay only for whatever help she might provide- and for Drystan. I don’t know what’s going on between them, and Tim not going to dig into it either.

“And you?” I ask, “Have you gotten any information from Naja”

Evanora has been communicating with her through her fork–tongued pet. She closes the book she’s reading and looks at me with her icy eyes.

“Nothing we didn’t already know”

What do we really know? Because I haven’t felt this lost in a long time. I don’t know how to bring her back. I don’t know how to handle her if she does return, because not even the books have recorded something like this, She’s unique, utterly alone in whatever she’s become–and I’m not sure there’s anything more terrifying than that. Not knowing your abilities or your weaknesses, not having anyone who truly understands what you are.

“Remind me again what you knew.

She sighs, tired of having this same conversation every day.

“Lilith appeared to Naja eighteen years ago and told her that one day, a girl would come to her who carried the Void within. Her duty would be to help her reach her full potential.”

Void.

As if Elara had ever been empty,

“How!”

She scoffs at my question, clearly fed up.

“You already know how. That day, whatever

had been suppressing her true nature and her gifts broke. She had been rebelling against her chains, that’s why she kept getting sick. Her body was begging to awaken. She had probably already started manifesting her powers without even realizing

it

“Why does she resist mine?”

She

raises an eyebrow and looks at me with condescension

“You already know. Elara was made for you. Do you really think Lilith would make her lesser! She lived through that mistake herself–she wouldn’t repeat it with her daughter. She taps her fingers on the book cover. “Sull, we’ve confirmed she’s not completely immune. You broke her.”

My teeth grind together, jaw clenched so tight I could shatter my own fangs.

“Keep looking.” I snap. “Everything that’s done can be undone. Isn’t that one of the core principles of magic?”

“In theory,” the banshee mullers.

pages, letting our eyes–and occasionally our fingers–drift across the ancient lines scribbled on yellowed

We dive once more into turning

ng the page parchment.

None of them mention my gift, because no one before me has ever manifested a power like this. And if someone had no record of it remains, nor of how to manage its consequences. There’s no information on anyone like Elara either. We both seem to be alone in this, No one can tell me how to undo what I’ve done. And no one can guide her through what she is..

When she returns–because I will bring her back–we’ll have to focus on her powers, on learning and exploring them. What someone like her can do n both wonderful and terrifying. To extinguish the soul–the one thing everyone clings to with hope for a life after death. If that possibility disappears, only fear will remain. Not to mention, we’ll need to address the fact that someone could try to use her for our extinction, just like Ragna

Her tears didn’t killanië, I tasted them, savored them on my tongue–and I’m still here. Her blood isn’t just the wildest, most exquisite thing I’ve ever tasted, it also grants immunity to powers. Every part of her is astonishing, untamable–and I intend to uncover every piece of her when I bring

The candle was is nearly spent, plunging the three of us into darkness–except for one candle that remains ever–burning, enchanted by the lule fire salamander I extinguish the wick of the nearest candle with my fingertips, signaling the end of this search, at least in their company

“Tomorrow morning, first thing, we leave for Ciro’s villa. Don’t make me wait, I say to Flara’s brother.

Though on second thought, they’re not siblings. And I’m not sure whether that should worry me. I know a yearning look when I see one–and Silas’s eyes speak of a love far beyond the fraternal. Has he always known? Or is he just a sick bastard Either way, I don’t want this little shit pestering me for acces to her, so for now, 111 let him come along–hut once she’s back, things will change.

1/3

1227 PM c c

Chapter 121

I leave the library via the stairs with no intention of returning to my chambers, where the scent of desperation and chaos await me. Instead. I veer to the left of the entrance hall, ignoring the grand staircase, and stop before a half–hidden little door. I open it, hearing the hinges protest. I descend the dusty stairs until I stand before the long corridor full of cells. My guards patrol the area–one every few meters–and two specifically posted at either side of Ragna’s cell, the prisoner I’m most eager to kill and yet continue to keep alive. Her death does not belong to me.

I glance inside, seeing her disheveled, filthy, and emaciated cases the itch in my chest.

“Careful, vampire. I’m starting to think you’re obsessed with me.”

“Maybe you’re not wrong. I’m obsessed with the sound of your screams when I torture you

Her mismatched eyes–one gold, one green–are dulled. She doesn’t want to show how truly tired and drained she is. I gesture with my chin toward my men. One of them opens the cell and steps inside, lifting Ragna by the arm and seating her in the chair where I’ve enacted her worst nightmares.

“Did you make her scream like this too?

Her provocations are her way of showing she isn’t broken–that no matter how much pain I inflict, her will can endure it. I don’t care. I’m like the sea pounding against the rocks, wearing them down over time. I’m not patient, but I can try. Maybe long enough for Elara to return and end her.

rer’s sex life?”

“Interested in your torturer’s

Well that would be the case if I thought she ever felt any desire for you. But we both kisow she hated you.”

She deliberately uses past tense to talk about her–she knows it makes me clench my jaw.

“You’d be surprised how quickly hatred turns to desire.

“Are you going to desire me, Cassian Her voice purrs like a cat

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