Page 131 of Forsaken Secrets

I tried to examine it more closely, but Lady Ellingsworth jerked me forward, then turned me to face the room.

The very full room.

I'd been so absorbed in the statue that I hadn't noticed all the people. Each was dressed in a dark robe with a hood covering their head to obscure their identity.

Were these all Ellingsworth's followers? Surely so many people hadn't followed him! Were they all warped like Lady Ellingsworth, too?

There had to be over a hundred people in here!

She tightened her grip on my wrist and spun me around, pointing to a still figure tied to a chair by the dragon's right wing. "Ah, look! Your gift arrived just in time."

Aunt Grace? She was so still …

What had they done to her?

I pulled at my arm, but Lady Ellingsworth tapped on my wrist. "Uh uh. I'd prefer not to use that relic again, but I will if needed … maybe on your aunt this time?"

My fingers twitched, and I debated risking it, but Aunt Grace was too out of it. I couldn't risk her getting hurt further.

"Well, well. My husband was right! You care far too much for other people, Miss Maderoth." She tugged me along towards the front.

Finally, we reached Aunt Grace. Lady Ellingsworth tied me to the second chair, pressing a rancid tasting cloth into my mouth and tying it behind my head. I stared at Aunt Grace, praying for her to make some kind of movement that would tell me she was all right.

Gods, let her still be alive! Please?!

My heart beat wildly and my fists clenched on the chair arms.

Lord Ellingsworth was speaking to the crowd of people, his voice echoing through the large chamber. "Today, this young woman will lead us to our salvation. She has been chosen to receive the gift of connection and will grant us use of its power."

The room grew quiet, as everyone strained to hear his next words.

"You, the chosen ones, have been blessed. You will receive the first of the Druid's gifts. He will fulfill the promise he made eons ago. Finally … the corruption will be healed."

The people let out a loud cheer and I gasped.

What in the seven hells was Ellingsworth talking about? Surely he couldn't think that I could bring back the Druid? He'd been lost in the Fall!

Oh gods. Was he responsible for the renewed interest in the Druid? And that statue suddenly reappearing in Ellesmere?

A familiar figure stepped in front of me, his face barely visible as he strode to Lord Ellingsworth and the vicar's side.

Lynk?

What was he doing here? Was he going to save us?

"Miss Maderoth." That booming voice of Lord Ellingsworth was directed at me this time, and I froze. "You are precious to the Great Druid. Tonight, your faith will be proven in the safe restoration of your aunt."

Conviction strengthened his words, and he stared at me with those kind eyes.

How did he not see how terrible this was? There was no way that I could bring that man back! No one alive had that kind of power! Even if Ellingsworth was right, the supposed Druid was still a grotesquely injured stone dragon, not some living person to be healed, let alone heal others.

I bit down on the gag in my mouth and pushed at it with my tongue. If I could just speak …

But it was too late. The vicar already had my aunt's head tilted back and was pouring in a small vial of blue liquid.

"NO!!!" I cried out, the sound muffled by the gag in my mouth as I struggled against my bonds. Hot tears traced patterns down my cheeks, and I slumped back in my chair.

"Do not fear, child. She handled the first one just fine. The Druid will make all right. You'll see." Lord Ellingsworth's voice was gentle beside me and I ached to punch some sense into his damn addled brain.

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