Page 76 of Witch's Fate

“I’m Sylvi.” The tall blonde at his side smiled, then tipped her head toward the statuesque brunette standing nearby. “This is Vivienne.”

“Hi,” Vivienne said. She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you. Sorry you’re in a bind.”

“I am. But if you’re here, I assume you’re willing to help?” Hope fluttered in her chest. Logan was a full god, Sylvia demigod. They werepowerful.And Vivienne—whatever she was—looked willing to help, and that’s exactly what Sofia needed.

“Yes,” Logan said. “Aurora helped us once. We’re happy to return the favor. And I don’t like what the High Witches are doing.”

“Bitches,” Aurora said. “Can’t keep their greedy hands to themselves. That’s the problem with Mytheans whose magic comes from destruction. They’re wild cards. They play by the rules for a while, but eventually they pull something you don’t expect.”

“Thank you,” Sofia said. “Really. Having a god and a demigod on our side will really help.”

“Andrasta will help too,” Aurora said. “And her man, Camulos. Ana and Cam, they prefer to be called. That’s another god and demigod. Esha just told me the news. Ana is her best friend, so she’s got pull there. And Vivienne here is a Sila Jinn. She can access afterworlds.”

Ah, so that’s why she’d been the one to get Logan and Sylvi out of Mnemo-wherever.

“I’m pretty new to the world of Mytheans, but I’m good with a sword and have some other nifty powers, like traveling to afterworlds. And frankly, I like a good battle.” Vivienne grinned.

“Thank you, so much,” Sofia said.

“Okay,” Aurora said. “At least a dozen powerful Mytheans associated with the university have agreed to help. There’s one more that I want to check with. I’m headed out to do that. I’ll let you know if I have any luck.”

Aurora left, along with Vivienne, Sylvi, and Logan.

Sofia was about to get a drink from the kitchen when Aleia appeared in the doorway to the bedroom, her face white and her eyes stark. She supported herself on the doorway.

Fear shot through Sofia. “What did you see?”

Aleia opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She tried again, whispering, “Your—your death. In the battle.”

17

Sofia’s knees weakened. Kitty’s warmth pressed against her calf, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep her on her feet. She sank onto the couch.

“How?” Sofia had no voice. She cleared her throat and asked again. “How?”

Aleia came to kneel on the floor in front of her. Her face was still stark. “I couldn’t see that. Just the moment right before. You’re gasping your last breath, surrounded by sand. It’s very strange. I didn’t see after that, though.”

“Oh my gods.” Sofia gripped the couch cushions.

“They capture you during the battle. It’s important to them. They get power from destroying the village itself, but more so from the deaths of the Mytheans who live there. It’s a dark magic. The energy of your life fuels them, and you’re the most powerful Mythean in Bruxa’s Eye.”

Sofia tried to control her breathing. This wasn’t set in stone. It couldn’t be.

But fate wouldn’t be denied. She was grasping at straws.

Sofia reached for Kitty, sinking her fingers into her soft fur.

Dimly, Sofia realized that Aleia sat next to her and rubbed her shoulder.

“There will be a way out of this,” Aleia said.

“You think so?”

“I do,” Aleia said, but Sofia could tell she was lying through her teeth. Seers were good liars. They often saw things they knew people shouldn’t hear. And Aleia subscribed to the school ofbetter to tell a white lie than hurt someone.

“Would you mind giving me some time alone?” Sofia asked. “I just need to get my thoughts together.”

“Sure. I’m headed back to the village. If you need me, you know where to find me.”

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