Page 145 of Captive

Everly nods. “Yes, you must not run into yourself, or it could be catastrophic.”

The Seer’s words hum in my ears.“There’s always a way out for those who are brave enough to look for it.”

Am I brave enough?

“Are you certain you can do this?”

“Mildred has been training me every day.” Everly squeezes my fingers. “Let me help you, Sol.”

I grip my useless kyanite stone between my shaky fingers. “How will I reach the pool of Zalhandara?”

“We will travel back in time to a place inside Kyanite land.”

If she did that, I wouldn’t have to travel so far—only to the southern tip of Kyanite land.

Mildred shifts her terracotta pot away from her legs and rises to her feet. “I have just the thing for you.”

She shuffles to her shelves, runs her bony fingers along the bottles, and selects one. As she turns with the amber vessel in hand, I swallow through the sudden nerves tightening in my throat.

The old lady removes the lid and holds the relic out to Everly first. “Drink this.”

Everly does as Mildred asks, takes the bottle, lifts it to her lips, and drinks. I draw in a quick breath, trying to ease those tightening nerves. Everly lowers the bottle and offers it to me.

I mirror her, raising the bottle to my mouth and sipping the bitter liquid. On my second sip, it burns as it slips down my throat.

“Good.” Mildred claps and yanks it away from me. “That’s enough. Too much, and your memories will be too intense.” Mildred nods at Everly. “Now your turn, Everly. Do you remember everything I taught you?”

“I do.” Everly shifts to face me. “Are you ready, Sol?”

A part of me wants to say.What about Hector?Shouldn’t I speak to him first?

Knowing he wouldn’t want me to do this keeps me from saying anything.

I straighten my back and take a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Mildred uncovers a cage with two possums inside. I jerk my gaze away and try to not think about what it takes to cast Bloodstone magic.

As Everly chants in the ancient Bloodstone dialect, a fog of gray smoke rises around her. It wraps around the possums and evaporates the fur and flesh from their writhing bodies. Their bones twist and warp, growing and contorting until they’re no longer recognizable as possums.

I swallow through the bile in my throat. I can’t be squeamish right now.

It’s all right.

I’m all right.

Everly finishes the spell, and the smoke disappears, leaving behind two serpents.

I gasp. Somehow, Everly changed the possums into serpents.

“Hurry,” Mildred shouts. “The spell must be completed.”

Everly raises her arms and chants louder and louder. The serpents hiss, but the more she speaks, the more agitated they grow until a blue portal burst from their bodies.

Magic pulses through the shimmering opening, eager to take me to my destination. As I inch closer, my heart pounds in my chest, and my hands shake.

I must step closer.

I must see what’s on the other side.

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