Tears splashed my cheeks. Choking sobs clogged my throat. This was not the delicate cry of a civilized mourner. It was an angry outpouring of grief and rage.
Just before she’d died, Maisie had told me to trust fate. But how could I? In my experience, fate was a murderer. A ruiner of hope. A godsdamned cosmic joke at my expense.
My left shoulder blade burned as if I’d been branded. “Always… with you,” a voice whispered in my head. Maisie’s voice. Her final words to me.
I might have been hallucinating. But it didn’t really matter. Because the pain and that sweet voice filled me with a strength and calm I’d never known. I could sit there and beat myself with barbed, guilty thoughts or I could make things right.
“Maisie, I don’t know why this happened. But I know you deserved better,” I whispered. “I can’t change the past, but I can affect the future. And I will not rest until you are avenged.”
I placed a hand over my heart to sanctify the pledge I was about to offer. “Before the breath leaves my body and I join you in Irkalla, I vow on everything I hold sacred that Cain will pay for what he has done.”
A warm breeze blew through the room, bringing with it the scent of sandalwood and lilies.
The door to the room opened suddenly. A shaft of light cut through the dark, bringing with it the sounds of voices from the main chapel. “Sabina?” Adam whispered.
I blinked against the intrusive light that stung my swollen eyes. Against the glow of the brighter room, Adam was little more than a shadow in the doorway.
“Red?” he whispered. “I’m sorry to interrupt but everyone’s getting restless out here.”
I nodded. As much as I wanted to put this off, part of me knew that if I stayed with my sister’s body much longer, I’d lose my nerve to do what must be done. “I’m coming.”
Adam hesitated before backing away to give me a chance to collect myself.
Placing a trembling hand over my sister’s cold one, I swallowed. “Maisie,” I whispered. “I know I wasn’t the best sister. I know I failed you. If I could trade places with you, I would.” I swallowed the new round of sobs that threatened. “And my biggest regret is that I never got to tell you how much I admired you. How much you meant to me.”
I stood and lowered the shroud from my sister’s face. My lips felt hot against the icy skin of her forehead. “I love you, sister. Rest in peace.”
With that, I covered her back up and turned toward the shaft of light in the doorway. Time to face the music.
“What happened?” Rhea asked, her voice kind but determined to hear the truth. “You were gone for hours.”
I stood on the raised platform at the front of the chapel. My tears were finally dry as I faced the dozens of beings who filled the space—Rhea, Adam, Queen Maeve, Alexis, and at least two dozen other mages, fae, and vampires. At Rhea’s question, my eyebrows rose. I knew Liminal time was different than in the mortal realm but—I glanced at the window. Holy shit, it was already afternoon.
I swallowed and looked around the room. At first, I’d wanted to demand they leave. That the story I had to share was too personal for an audience. But then I realized that everyone in that room had a stake in the outcome of my trip to the Liminal. So even though it was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, I cleared my throat and shared the story in a loud, clear voice.
I didn’t stop until it was done. I told them about the white stag and the pool. I told them about Maisie kneeling on the shore. I told them about Cain’s plans to enter the Liminal and reclaim Lilith as his own. I told them about the ritual Maisie performed that freed Cain. And then I told them how my sister died in my arms.
The room fell silent. I backed away from the edge of the altar and slumped against Giguhl. As the seconds ticked by, pressure built in my gut. Any moment now, the accusations would begin.
Naturally, Queen Maeve—never my biggest fan—was the first to step forward. I gritted my teeth and braced myself. “Sabina,” she said, her voice loud for all to hear. “I am the first to admit I had my doubts about your honor.” I nodded and braced myself for the attack. “But I was wrong. Your sacrifices for the good of all the dark races will be the stuff of legend.”
“B-but—” Shock made me stutter. “I failed. Cain got away and I couldn’t save Maisie.”
The Queen raised her chin and looked at me over her nose with an imperious stare. “Do not interrupt, young lady.” I waited for her to continue. “We all mourn Maisie. Her loss will be felt keenly for decades. But you shouldn’t blame yourself. Cain is a cunning foe, a manipulator of the first order. No one blames you for Maisie’s death.”
My mouth fell open. “Thanks.”
She tilted her head. “Now, what resources will you need?”
“Wait,” I said, having trouble keeping up. I didn’t know if it was the exhaustion, the grief, or just the general f**ked-up state of affairs, but I had no idea what she was talking about. “Resources for what?”
“For your mission,” the Queen said. “Cain must be stopped.”
Rhea stepped forward then. “Yes, get us a list and we’ll make sure you have everything you need.”
“Wait, you’re serious?”
Rhea tilted her head and frowned at me like she was wondering if I had a fever. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
Her eyebrows lowered. “My dear, I lived far too long and have seen far too many lives lost in this sad conflict between the dark races to joke. Cain is the biggest threat to our way of life that has ever existed. And if anyone can stop him, it’s you.”
I didn’t know what to say. Sure, I’d already planned on going after him no matter what the Queen or anyone else thought. As far as I was concerned, the target on Cain’s back had my name all over it. But I’d been prepared to have to fight for the right to be the one who went after Cain. I didn’t expect to learn that everyone here believed in me and had my back. Their support went a long way toward easing my guilt and my fear. Now if someone could just do something about this black hole in my heart.
I pushed down my grief and focused on finding more answers. “What are you guys going to do about the treaty?” I asked.
The Queen and Rhea exchanged a look. “While you were gone, we had a chance to discuss that.”
“We’re declaring a state of emergency for the mage race,” Adam said. “Aunt Rhea was elected as interim leader of the Council until Cain is out of the picture and a general election can be held.”