Page 146 of Nightbane
She walked to the Wild Isle bridge. Crossed it. Made her way to the Place of Mirrors. She stopped in front of the vault and produced a blade.
“Forgive me,” she said to Oro. Then, she broke her promise to him. She sliced a long line across her palm. The skin parted, blood flowed, pain bellowed—
She turned it into strength.
All the Wildling power within her—the seed—melted down, dripped through her bones like liquid gold.
Isla stuck her crown into the lock, turned it—
And forced the door completely open.
No surge stopped her.
She took a step into the vault.
UNLOCKED
The vault was starless black.
And it was empty.
No. That was impossible. She could feel the power everywhere, metal in her mouth, enough to nearly bring her to her knees.
Where was it coming from?
Blood from her hand dripped onto the smooth stone floor. Her bare feet slid across it as she desperately searched every corner.
Nothing.
Roaring filled her ears; the world seemed to tip to the side.
There were footsteps behind her.
Isla whipped around and nearly dropped to the floor.
Terra said, “Hello, little bird.”
Her guardian stepped forward. “Do you feel proud, little bird?” she said. She smirked at Isla’s hand, still bleeding profusely. Isla didn’t even feel the sting of pain any longer. Power was still gathered in her bones; it still honeyed everything it touched. “Do you feel proud, when you should feel ashamed?”
Grim must have portaled her here. It was the only way. He must be watching her.
Did Terra steal whatever was inside?
No. She couldn’t have. Isla’s crown was the only key.
So why was she here?
Isla laughed without humor, the shock slowly wearing off.Ashamed?“You, who lied to me my entire life. You, who trained a girl to fight but planned for her to seduce a king.” She took a step. “You—” Her voice began to shake uncontrollably. “Whokilled my parentsin cold blood.” Another step, until she was out of the vault and standing in front of her old guardian. Her old teacher. Her oldfriend. “You, who warned me my entire life about Nightshades and have now joined them.”
Terra stood and listened, chin raised, almost in challenge. “I did what I needed to in order to protect our realm. To protect you. And I will continue to.” She outstretched her hand. “Come with me, little bird,” she said. “Before you make more of a mess of things.”
A mess?
She spat at Terra’s feet. “You are a traitor,” she said. “Don’t speak to me about making a mess.”
The vine came out of nowhere.
Isla was slapped across the floor. She slid for a few feet, then stopped. Her shoulders curved. She panted. Then she smiled.
