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“How do I get back?” she snapped at Gaia.
“It isn’t that simple,” Gaia said, her voice still frustratingly calm. “You are here until a powerful magical force can bring you back. The fact that you are awake means it won’t be long now.”
“Why are you here?” Prue couldn’t keep the bite out of her voice. “Where’s Mona?”
“You cannot always control who comes to you in this place.”
Prue’s stomach dropped. “Are you—Are you dead?” Mona had been dead when she’d visited Prue here. Prue hated the dread that filled her at the thought. This woman next to her had lied to her for her entire life.
And yet, no matter how many lies she told, it wouldn’t change the fact that Gaia was her mother. As much as Prue wanted to hate her, she would be devastated if Gaia was dead.
Gaia smiled again, but her eyes were grim. “No. But there are dark forces coming for me. Neither you nor I can stop them.”
Prue found herself slowly sinking into the sand to sit alongside Gaia once more. As angry as she was with her mother, she still had so many questions. “What dark forces?”
“The magic of Pandora.”
Prue stiffened at the name of her second sister—the sister she hadn’t known existed until recently. “Why?” Her voice was cautious. She wasn’t sure she would like the answer.
Gaia said nothing for a long moment. She inhaled deeply, her eyes still fixed on the horizon. At last, she said, “It is a long story. And I fear it will take too long to tell you here. But I do wish for you to know everything, Prudence. Perhaps you will not hate me so much if you understand the full truth. Will you allow me to share my memories with you?”
Prue hesitated. “What does that entail?”
“I will imbue my earth magic into you. With it comes my memories.”
“Imbue?”
“Pandora is coming for me, and I refuse to fight her. It will make it easier if I am powerless.”
Prue’s head reared back. “You want to give all of your magic to me? Mama, you can’t.”
Moisture sparkled in Gaia’s eyes, but she continued to smile. “My magic can do nothing for me because of my curse. But I can use it for others. It will only be a fraction of my true power, but hopefully it will help you rebuild the Underworld.”
Prue’s heart clenched at the reminder. The Underworld had become her home. And with Kronos defeated, she had hoped to live there happily with Cyrus, finally able to celebrate their marriage and rule side by side.
But it had been destroyed by Pandora’s magic.
Pandora. The lying, deceitful woman wanted to take everything from Prue. Her home. Her people.
Now, her mother.
Prue’s fingers curled into tight fists. “There has to be something we can do to stop her.”
Gaia stretched her hand toward Prue. After a moment, Prue took it, squeezing her mother’s fingers.
“My memories will give you all the information you need,” Gaia said. “Take them, Prudence. Please. Consider it a peace offering. An apology from me for the deception and lies. You deserved better. So did Mona.”
A knot formed in Prue’s throat. “What about Sybil?”
Gaia’s lower lip trembled, and she dropped her gaze. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “She deserved better, too.” Her voice shook.
“Mama,” Prue whispered, drawing closer so she could wrap her arms around Gaia. Gaia tucked her arm around her waist and stroked her hair, just as she had when Prue was a child.
“You are fierce and strong,” Gaia murmured, her voice soft and gentle. It was the same voice that used to lull Prue to sleep every night. “So much stronger than I ever thought you could be. I wish I had seen it before. You are a queen, Prudence. The Underworld needs you. And with my powers, you can rebuild it. You can create a home for all those lost souls.”
Prue’s eyes grew hot, and she shut them tightly, trying to ward off the grief that threatened to consume her. Gaia would die. Her mother would die.
How could she accept this? She wasn’t ready. There were still so many things she needed to say, so many questions she needed to ask.
