I heard a commotion in the corridors as the doors of the great hall burst open and Aiden came in dragging Skye with him. Her face was battered and bruised, and her golden hair was matted with dirt and blood from a gash on her head. It was painfully obvious Aiden had not gone easy on his sister. I almost felt sorry for her.
“How did you find her?” Penelope asked, taking a tentative step forward.
“I caught her opening a portal and I followed her through,” spat Aiden. “Little vixen was not easy to catch.”
“And the book?” said Penelope.
Skye hung her head and didn’t answer.
“Where is the Book of Abraxas, Skye?” Penelope asked again.
“She told me she already gave it to Morgana,” Aiden replied.
My eyes narrowed. “Why would she . . .” I froze. “That’s not Skye.”
Cold calculating eyes looked back at me, black as obsidian. She grinned.
“Lilith!” I gasped.
Before Aiden realized what had happened, Lilith grabbed a dagger from his belt. “Azaren must die!” she screamed and flew at my father.
My father’s eyes widened as Lilith raised her hand to strike a killing blow.
“No!” I sprang to my feet. My magic exploded without so much as raising my hands, flinging Lilith against the far wall and pinning her there.
She thrashed and writhed in her bonds, and in a flash, Tristan had a sword to her throat.
“Wait!” my voice boomed across the room.
Tristan stilled his hand. “She has to die. It is the only way for a traitor like her.”
“No,” I said as I stalked toward her. “Skye may be a traitor, but she doesn’t deserve to die.”
Lilith had occupied Skye’s body for her magic, to make her more powerful. She would keep changing bodies until someone stopped her. She had taken Vivienne’s life when she left her body, and I was not going to let her take any more.
“This ends today,” I said and placed my hands on her chest.
Tristan and Aiden held Lilith pinned to the wall as I plunged my magic deep into her. The Dark Queen screeched in fury; her rotting magic clawed and tore at mine, a hateful, twisted darkness that devoured souls and fed on power. I gritted my teeth against it and pushed harder. Light magic streaked through Skye’s body, drawing a shriek from her lips as Lilith swore and raged curses at my father. Wave after wave of pure, shining white light shredded apart the darkness and shadows that lurked in the deepest recesses of Skye’s body, incinerating the Dark Queen from this world forever.
I removed my hands from Skye’s chest. She stared back at me, eyes wide but blue as Mermaid Lagoon.
Aiden shook his head. “I’m sorry, Aurora. I didn’t know Lilith had taken over her body.”
I put my hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “It’s all right, Aiden. No harm done.” I turned my eyes back to Skye. “You will be tried by the Elder Council for your crimes.”
Aiden nodded. “I will make sure she is delivered to Elfi.”
Skye spoke up. “I can help you get the book back.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied her face. There was no more of the Dark Queen left in her, but Skye had willingly betrayed the fae and helped her mother steal the Book of Abraxas. “Why would you do that? You were the one who helped steal it in the first place.”
Skye’s azure eyes glinted dangerously. “Dragath took my mother. She is trapped in the Dagger.” Her eyes softened as she lowered them. “I just want to get her back. And you are the only one who can do it.”
Now that was something I understood. But I had no idea how to get my own mother out of the Dagger, let alone anyone else’s. Still, Skye didn’t need to know that. Maybe we could use her to turn the tide of this war.
“I could,” I said noncommittally and ran my fingers over the hilt of the Dagger, which was now secured at my belt. “After everything you did, why would we trust you?”
“You can’t.” Skye crossed her arms. “But it’s your best option.”
“I will go with her,” Aiden said, his tone flat. “I can convince Morgana I have turned sides.”
I shook my head. “No, Aiden, it is too dangerous. Her camp is teeming with Drakaar.”
“Not to mention dark fae.” Tristan arched an eyebrow. “She will never believe one of the Elite would betray Izadora.”
“I will tell Morgana that Skye convinced me to help her.” He threw her a disgusted look. “She is my sister, after all.” He turned back to me. “If I can get close enough to Morgana, I can kill her and end this wretched war.”
“And it’s common knowledge how much he hates you, Aurora.” Skye smirked. “Morgana might actually believe he betrayed his queen just to get rid of you.”
Aiden opened his mouth to say something, but I held up my hand. “It’s okay, Aiden.”
“If she finds out you are lying, she will kill you,” Penelope added.
Silverthorne, who had remained quiet so far, spoke up. “Aiden is right, it is the most practical plan.”
I nodded. It did make sense—provided Skye kept her word.
“You will go tonight,” Silverthorne continued, “while her army is regrouping. We only have a few hours. They will attack again at dawn.”
“Be careful,” I added.
Aiden nodded and caught Skye by the arm. His boots clomped on the stone floors as they left the hall.
I fiddled with the Amulet of Auraken, which rested around my neck. I did not need it anymore, and it could no longer contain my magic.
Penelope held out her hand. “I will hold on to the amulet for safekeeping. We do not want it lost in battle.”
I nodded, taking the Amulet of Auraken from around my neck and giving it to Penelope. “Do you think Skye will betray us again?”
Penelope’s eyes were
