I snicker; it really had been. We share a small smile, and She pulls me in for a hug, squeezing me tightly to Her chest. “They seem like good men, Serena, and one day, I would like a proper introduction.
She pulls back, and Her eyes tighten as She glances over my shoulder but holds me tightly and stops me from doing the same. “It’s time. You need to leave. Be careful, my daughter.” She gives me a small nod as She steps away. “I am proud to have chosen you, Serena. You have pleased me today.”
“Thank you, my goddess. I look forward to seeing you again soon,” I reply, and She disappears into the shadows, but not before sending me a warning that chills my sore spine.
“They’re here, Serena. Be careful.”
I straighten my back and head out of the temple. I walk toward the path that would normally lead home, walking parallel to the forest, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, so I stop and run my fingers through my hair with the cocky attitude I once had.
“If you’re going to follow me, at least try to hide your presence,” I say, and a chorus of chuckles rings out from the forest’s edge as three forms step forward. I swallow at the face of the man I despise with every fiber of my being.
“Hello, Serena. It’s good to see you,” he says as he draws close, and my heart races so fast in my chest that it hurts.
“Hello, Master Rostova.”
Two brutish men flank him, coming to stand either side of me as they approach. Hands tighten around my arms, and as they do, it’s like a cold blanket falls over me. My senses are numbed, and I’m led into the forest, my feet practically dragging across the ground.
“I’m surprised, Serena,” Master Rostova begins, as he leads us through the trees. I close my eyes and try to still my rapidly beating heart. “My reports suggested you were turning against me.”
I laugh dryly. “Why would I do that? You have such an amazing personality. It’s no wonder you have so many friends.”
He barks out a laugh, and a tree branch smacks me in the face. I wince when it scrapes over my flesh. “Ah, Serena. You have always been delightful, and I hope what you are saying is true, because I really would hate to have to kill you tonight.”
The fingers wrapped around my arms dig in tightly, and I bite my lip to stop myself from crying out in pain. I open my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief, as we have left the forest and entered the clearing. At the center, a hooded figure is working magic I’ve never seen before, conjuring what looks like a portal out of thin air.
Master Rostova laughs at the shock on my face. “Oh yes, we have figured out how to create these darling portals, but unfortunately they are unable to get through the barrier around the vault beneath the school. Such a shame, really,” he tuts and turns his evil eyes my way. “Now, the trident?” he whispers.
Trying to conceal my reluctance, I hold it up nonchalantly, as if it means nothing to me. He reaches out to take it, and I have to force myself to let go as he pulls it back to him.
“I see I have nothing to be worried about,” he says, running his fingers along its golden length, “and I guess my source was wrong about you.”
“I’m a good actor,” I say darkly. “You would do well to remember that next time.”
“And your little charade on the phone; that was all acting too, yes?”
I freeze at that, and Rostova hums, tilting his head back to look at me down his nose. “Keep playing your part here, Serena, and you just might survive.”
He glances to the hooded figure and nods as if they’re having a silent conversation. “We need to leave, but first,” he says, his eyes filling with dark intent, “you will need to be beaten to within an inch of your life.”
My heart drops to my stomach, and I immediately struggle against the fingers wrapped around my arms. I try to call to my powers, but they’re not coming forward—the cold blanket keeps them muffled and beyond my reach.
“Be quick,” Master Rostova whispers harshly before turning on his heel and heading toward the portal.
I try to summon my powers again, but the blanket constricts my senses, submerging me in a phantom pain I’ve never felt before. I scream as it sears through my veins as if it’s burning me alive.
“The more you try to use your powers, the more this will hurt,” one of the men whispers, and the other chuckles.
“What do you think we should do to her?” he asks. I close my eyes and brace for the pain I know is coming.
And I wasn’t wrong. A fist slams into my stomach, knocking the wind from my chest. I double over, and they let me drop to the floor. I curl in on myself as a foot lands on my kidney. But without their touch, I feel my power sneaking back. It’s not enough to conjure anything new, but there is one thing I can do.
I reach far away from me, farther than I’ve had to reach before, and pull. A moment later, a green ball comes surging through the forest and lands square in my chest.
Over and over again the blows keep coming until I can barely breathe. I see the world in flashes of darkness, my body growing limp. My arm falls to the ground beside me, and a moment later, a boot comes down on it, hard. I barely hear the crack over my own scream. Beneath it all, a voice urges at me to hold on.
“Lore?” I whisper.
Shouts ring out, and the two men swear before my whole body goes flying. I don’t even have the
