Page 84 of Spring's Descent
Demeter’s spine stiffened as her lips pressed thin but whatever protection she’d once carried had dissolved when the witches had died. Her shrewd gaze swept over me—over my crown—and she gave a small, tight nod.
Lark wasted no time. She swept into my cell, stepping over the rubble and displaced bars until she was kneeling at my side.
“No,” I breathed, scrambling back from her touch.
I could feel a shift in the atmosphere, practically taste the magic waiting to enter my body. Midnight was near. I was so close to freedom, to having the power to changeeverything.
My fingers sparked as shadows gathered, but Lark’s hands gripped my wrist before I could wield them.
“Don’t fight.” The power of her compulsion rippled through me, sapping the last of my managed strength. She leaned down, brushing bloodstained curls back from my brow to whisper in my ear. “As soon as I have my sister, wewilldestroy them, just like we always said we would. Trust me.”
But I didn’t trust her.
Lark slipped her arm around my middle, dragging my limp, useless body out of the darkness of the cell. And as my legs scraped across crumbled stone and displaced bars, I couldn’t help but feel like Demeter had already won.
55
PERSEPHONE
The momentmy body crashed to the cold stone at Demeter’s feet, a golden circle shimmered into being. A sharp inhale sounded behind me as the gilded light surrounded Lark and Demeter in a brilliant halo, linking the two of them before fading.
“Our bargain is complete,” Lark breathed, her voice dipping in disbelief.
Demeter rolled her neck as she surveyed me, her lip curled in disgust. My pulse was frantic, but I couldn’t fight. Not with Lark’s compulsion gripping me.
“Lift her,” Demeter said.
Cyrus stepped forward, pulling me into a standing position. Demeter’s hand lashed out, striking my cheek hard enough to send me sprawling across the stone floor. A high-pitched ringing sounded in my ears as the world spun. My lungs heaved as I ignored the throbbing in my head and concentrated on taking my next breath.
Hecate’s magic was near, waiting until I was able to accept it. Just a little longer and I would be free?—
Demeter’s foot connected with my stomach, my body rolling as the metallic taste of blood coated my tongue. Each breathcaused a sharp spike of pain on my left side, probably a fractured rib.
“Don’t break her,” Cyrus grumbled. “I don’t want to wait before I have my fun.”
Bile burned the back of my throat as my stomach twisted. I’d kill myself before I let him touch me.
“Such power wasted on someone so weak.” Demeter prowled forward, light collecting at her fingertips as magic swelled in the air. I felt my own body reaching for power, like a dam on the verge of breaking. “It’s time, Larkspur. Compel her to pledge her magic to The Earth Coven.”
“Where is my sister?” Lark asked.
My pulse thundered in my ears as currents of electricity coursed through my veins. I rolled to my side, feeling my body heal under the hum of power. I had seconds—seconds—until I was able to claim my power. Lark stepped in front of me, shielding me from Demeter’s view.
The High Matriarch’s gaze snapped to her, her upper lip curling. “Our bargain was for that little brat to go free.”
“She is not here.” Lark’s fists clenched as swirls of darkness gathered.
“I never said anything about delivering her to you,” Demeter sneered. “Good luck finding your way to The Underworld.”
“No.” The word fell from Lark’s lips as she drew back.
“Yes,” Demeter said, her eyes narrowing. “And I’ll do worse to you if you don’t compel Persephone this instant.”
Lark swallowed, her throat bobbing. For one moment, I thought she would refuse, but then she unclenched her fists and knelt beside me. One of her hands brushed hair away from my damp brow, like a mother soothing a frightened child. I wanted to scream, to fight, but she’d taken away my ability to do anything but comply.
Her hazel eyes were lined with tears, as I felt the familiar weight of my fire opal settle against my chest. “This is your true conduction stone. Wield it as you please.”
Her compulsion broke immediately.