Page 157 of Lady of Ashes

When Scarlett didn’t reply, Callan glanced back at her to ?nd she’d gone still. Her eyes were narrowed on Tava’s hand. “Where did you get your necklace, Tava?”

Tava froze next to him. “What?”

“Your spirit amulet? Where did you get it?”

Tava looked at her brother before glancing quickly at Callan. “I found it in a box of what I assumed were my mother’s things. Years ago.”

Scarlett took a step forward, her hand outstretched. “May I see it?” Tava hesitated before reaching up and unclasping the necklace, placing it in Scarlett’s palm. She held it up, studying the jewelry intently.

“She has mixed blood, Scarlett,” Sorin was saying.

“I am aware, but if it was her mother’s, it could be the mortal key …”

“We would need to take it to the Shira Cliffs with the others,” Sorin replied.

“Tomorrow. We should take them all tomorrow after the meeting with Talwyn.”

“We are still in the room,” Callan cut in dryly.

“Tava, can I take this? I think it may be one of them,” Scarlett said, ignoring Callan.

“One of what, exactly?” Tava asked.

“One of seven keys that were hidden by Eliné. Together, theycan unlock the wards to Avonleya,” she answered. “I believe we have already found three, and if this is another …”

“How can you be sure?” Drake asked.

“I can’t,” Scarlett said. “Not until I take them to the Wind Court and Princess Ashtine con?rms the chains are, in fact, windstone.”

“Why do you think my mother would have had one of these keys?” Tava asked, her eyes ?xed on the necklace Scarlett still held aloft.

“Because one of each was hidden with a child of each bloodline on the continent. If this was your mother’s, it could be the mortal key,” Scarlett answered.

“But why would she have it?” Tava pressed.

Scarlett seemed to be debating how to answer. “The best way I can explain it, is that the keys have been trying to get back to me. How the current owners have come into them have all seemed like weird coincidences to be honest, but I am ?nding they are anything but coincidence.”

“Say we ?nd an amulet at the Lairwood Estate,” Drake cut in. “How will we know if it is the one you seek?”

“I suppose you won’t,” Scarlett admitted. “Just bring me any amulet you ?nd with Reselda’s symbol.”

“And how are we supposed to contact you?” Callan asked.

“Amaré will come to you every evening at this time,” Sorin replied. “If you have found something, give him a note to bring to us. If not, you can send him on his way.”

“But you have that vial if anything urgent arises,” Scarlett added.

He did still have it. Despite everything in him wanting to get rid of the thing, smashing it would only summon her here. That was the last thing he wanted, yet here she stood anyway.

“I know you think you are handling things, Callan,” Scarlett said, her tone softening slightly, “but I assure you they are ten steps ahead of you.”

“And you do not think they are ahead of you?”

“After being held captive by them for weeks, I know they are,” she replied. “That is what terri?es me most. That is what steals my sleep at night. That is why I am here.”

“What are we supposed to do? Invite ourselves over for dinner?” Callan asked, pacing on the rug in his sitting room.

Scarlett and Sorin had left minutes ago, disappearing into thin air. She’d given the Tyndells an update on Cassius and the orphans, and she’d listened to any information Tava had for them. Callan hadn’t said much after the discussion of the amulets, but he’d listened.

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