Page 81 of Thorn & Ash

Trivia, a young woman with dark red hair, her golden eyes glowing as she lifted her arms. Thick roots poured from the earth at her command. Prue stared in horror as the vision displayed Trivia organizing the village of Erebos, intent on creating a destitute city to prove to Prue how evil the gods were, how they didn’t care about the welfare of others.

Trivia had tricked her, creating this suffering village as a ruse for Prue, trying to turn her against Cyrus.

Dread burned in Prue’s chest as she watched the vision shift. The buildings and homes rose up from the ground, sprouting new life. Demons poured through the village gates, eager for a new home.

Trivia had created a whole new society with her magic.

Gaia’s magic.

The Triple Goddess.

Trivia had the power of the Triple Goddess, just like Prue and Mona.

This was more than just the two faces of Janus. The Gemini twins. Prue and Mona had been powerful as twins, but how much more powerful would their magic be if there had been a third sister?

A third facet to the Triple Goddess’s powers?

“Mother, what have you done?” Prue whispered, her hand shaking as she covered her mouth in horror.

But no, it couldn’t be. The magic within Pandora’s box was ancient. And Prue and Mona were only eighteen. It was impossible!

And yet, she couldn’t deny the familiarity of the magic contained in this box. Was this Tartarus playing tricks on her again?

She glanced around. The tunnel was still illuminated, the icy darkness no longer surrounding Prue. She had broken through the enchantments and illusions.

This was real. The box was really here.

But she had to be sure. She raised her hand, letting it hover above the black box. The tendrils of smoke wrapped around her fingers as if welcoming her, beckoning her closer. She was a kindred spirit.

The earth magic recognized her.

Prue shuddered just before pressing the tip of her finger against the lid. She almost hoped her hand would pass through it; that this was all an illusion to trick her, to make her panic.

But her finger met something solid and warm to the touch. A whimper escaped her as she pressed her lips together to keep the tears from falling.

It was true. Trivia—or whoever she was—possessed earth magic. She, too, was Gaia’s daughter. And her powers were a part of the magic embedded in this box.

It doesn’t matter, Prue thought with determination. I still have to open it. It’s the only way to end Kronos.

Had Trivia been telling the truth when she’d said the box would drain away all magic in the land?

If she’d been hiding her identity, what else had she lied about?

Prue shook her head, withdrawing her hand to take several deep breaths.

“I have to do this,” she whispered. “For Cyrus. For Mona. For this entire realm.”

Prue moved to open the box, but a figure appeared in front of her. She scrambled backward, yelping in surprise as she took in this tall stranger.

She recognized him. It was the same man she and Cyrus had found lying on the ground before.

Kronos. In the flesh.

Prue stared, her mouth open in shock. What was he doing here? What would he do to her? Would he kill her?

Then, she frowned. Could he do anything to her? His magic was unleashed, roaming freely across the Underworld. Did this corporeal form of his even have any power?

Prue drew herself to her full height, looking him in the eye. “What do you want?”