Page 55 of Ivy & Bone

And he had her sister.

Which meant Vasileios must have been planning this. In order to intercept a soul before it moved on, he would have had to wait for it, to ensnare it before it found passage to one of the rivers.

But how had he known? Mona had died before Prue even summoned Cyrus. So how did Vasileios know about the bond between Prue and Cyrus before it had even happened?

Cyrus barely registered Prue asking him questions, but he must have mumbled his responses because she didn’t pester him for more information. Eventually, the wizened old healer appeared to check on Prue, inspecting her injuries and searching for any signs of fever or infection. Barrow, to his credit, didn’t ask them any questions, but based on what he knew, Cyrus was certain the man was curious. When the healer deemed her healthy, he insisted on fixing them a meal. Borderline starving, Cyrus and Prue certainly didn’t object, though they did assist him with the meal preparation and scrubbed the dishes for him afterward. The stew, while a bit bland, was surprisingly hearty and filled their empty stomachs.

“I’m happy to provide a room for you to spend the night,” Barrow said as they donned their jackets and scarves.

“You’ve been far too generous already,” Prue said with a soft smile. “We wish there was some way we could repay your kindness.”

“You’re here because of the spirits, aren’t you?” Barrow asked.

Prue’s smile fell, and she exchanged a worried look with Cyrus.

“You don’t have to answer,” Barrow went on. “But if that is why you’re here, then sending those spirits home will be payment enough. Our village has been suffering these past few days. The people are terrified, and I can’t tell you how many have shown up on my doorstep asking me to perform exorcisms.” He choked out a wheezy laugh, but Prue and Cyrus didn’t crack a smile.

“We’ll do what we can,” Cyrus said after a long moment. “I’m sorry for the trouble this has caused you.”

He felt Prue’s surprised gaze on his own, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. Instead, he grasped the healer’s hand in his and shook it before they departed.

“That was kind of you,” Prue muttered as they strode down the snowy path that led to the main road.

Cyrus snorted. “Don’t sound so surprised. I am capable of being civil.”

“Yes, that’s the surprising part.”

Cyrus scoffed in amusement and fell silent as they trudged through snow and mud. He kept glancing at Prue to ensure her steps were steady, but she seemed to carry herself just fine.

“You were quiet today,” Prue remarked, meeting his gaze with concern. “Is everything all right?”

No, Cyrus wanted to say. You almost died and my brother is after us, and the most frightening part of all is how much your accident almost broke me. And I don’t even know why.

But he couldn’t say any of that, so instead, he shrugged vaguely.

“Don’t do that,” Prue said. “It was one thing when our quest only involved my sister. But now your brother is involved. I need you to be honest with me.”

Cyrus laughed dryly. “I have no choice but to be honest with you.”

She tugged on his shoulder, forcing him to stop and look at her. “You know what I mean. I’m asking you to open up to me. I haven’t taken your magic away yet. Because right now, I trust you. We’ll both have to trust each other if we want to successfully reach the Underworld and bring back my sister. I don’t know anything about your brother. I want to be prepared.”

Cyrus heaved a sigh and clenched his fingers into fists at his sides. It was one thing to be bound to this witch. It was another thing entirely to lay out his messy past with his brothers. He had cared for a witch before, and she had used him. Betrayed him.

Would Prue do the same? How much did he really know about her?

But she did have a point . . . She hadn’t taken his magic away. He’d thought she’d just forgotten. But here she was, fully aware of how powerful he was, and she made no move to stop him.

“How about a trade?” Cyrus asked. “For each question you answer, I will answer one as well.”

Prue arched an eyebrow. “You really think another bargain between us is the best idea?”

“This one won’t be sealed in blood.” Cyrus shot her a wolfish grin.

Prue huffed in exasperation as they both fell into step together, weaving down the main road toward the palace turrets that pierced through the clouds. In the sky, above the towering castle, floated several ghosts, reminding them of their mission. “Very well. Ask your question.”

“What happened while you were unconscious?” Cyrus asked.

Prue’s eyes darkened briefly before sorrow took over. With a shuddering breath, she said, “I was with Mona. Between worlds.”

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