Page 83 of Ivy & Bone

Gaia watched their interaction with interest, and for one insane moment, Cyrus could’ve sworn she’d seemed disappointed. As if she’d wanted Prue to attack.

What was this goddess playing at?

“The Triple Goddess,” Prue said quietly, her gaze fixed on Gaia. “Is it you?”

Gaia nodded. “Part of my curse is that I cannot use my powers for myself. But I can bestow them on others. The Crone and the Maiden. You and Mona. Sybil.” Brief regret stirred in Gaia’s eyes, and Cyrus wondered how much of it was real. This life, this farce Gaia maintained—how much of it had been an act?

Prue huffed another cold laugh, but it sounded more tired than before. “Sybil? Does she even know?”

“She has long since suspected something is different about me. But she has never asked outright. She trusts me to confide in her in my own time.”

Prue was shaking her head. “Then, she’s a fool.”

“Perhaps.”

“What happens if Prue goes to the Underworld?” Cyrus asked suddenly. The question had been prickling in his mind ever since Gaia’s identity had been revealed. If Prue was the daughter of the Earth Goddess, would this affect her transition to the realm of the Underworld? A Goddess of earth and life descending into death and decay . . .

Gaia’s icy gaze shifted to him, and he held it, refusing to waver or falter under her powerful glare. “Son of Aidoneus,” she hissed. “You dare address me?”

“He is my husband,” Prue snapped. “He can do as he pleases.”

Satisfaction and pride swelled in Cyrus’s chest. “Answer me,” Cyrus pleaded. “Prue and I are bound to return to my realm. I must know she’s safe.”

Gaia offered a cruel, mocking laugh. “No witch is safe with you, Osiris. Your power consumes everything—and everyone—in its path.”

Her words rippled over Cyrus’s skin like a whispering breeze, bringing his cold magic rising up in response. He pushed it back down, but it kept writhing, kept screaming . . . He felt like he was trying to keep a dam from bursting using nothing more than his hands.

It was useless. He was only prolonging the inevitable.

“Don’t try to dissuade me from doing this, Mother,” Prue said. “I’m going to the Underworld, and I’m bringing Mona back.”

Cyrus’s gaze flicked to Mona, still standing there with a vacant expression. Then, Cyrus’s insides went cold with dread.

Vasileios was no longer next to Mona.

Dammit, Cyrus thought, glancing around in a panic, realizing his brother had used their arguing as a distraction. But where was he?

Suddenly, Gaia’s back arched, and she cried out, her body going stiff. Behind her, a long vine had embedded itself into her back. It withdrew, revealing a sharp, spear-like appendage with the goddess’s blood on it.

Vasileios lurked behind Gaia, his hands sweeping through the air. With a jolt, Cyrus realized the vines followed his movement. Vasileios was wielding Mona’s magic.

“No!” Prue shrieked, reaching for her mother.

But Cyrus was faster. He lunged forward, shooting black flames as he went. His unholy fire lashed at the vines, burning them to a crisp. Cyrus leapt, catching Gaia just before she collapsed, her back oozing blood.

Power thrummed in the air. The dark clouds swirled overhead, cloaking them in shadow. Thunder rumbled, and Cyrus’s dark magic burst to life, finally breaking free of its restraints. With a groan, he hunched over, barely holding on to Gaia’s limp form as jets of black magic erupted from his chest. Pain sliced into him as the icy coldness seeped into his bones, claiming him.

“No,” he gasped, his vision going dark.

“I’ve got her.” Prue appeared by his side. “Cyrus, you have to—” She broke off with a scream that pierced through the fog of Cyrus’s vision. In a flash, he could see again, and found Prue clutching at her chest as blood quickly soaked her dress.

Then, he saw it. A blade had been thrust into her from behind, slicing straight through her body. Impaling her completely.

“Prue!” Cyrus bellowed.

Prue fell to her knees, her face bone-white. Behind her, Vasileios withdrew the bloody sword, a triumphant smirk on his face.

“You knew this could never happen, Cyrus,” Vasileios said. “You cannot be with her. If she goes to the Underworld, her magic could destroy the entire realm!”

---