“Sera, what in the realms is going on?” I can only take so many more betrayals before I truly crack.
“I’ve been studying the runes since we got here, and I think I finally understand what they’re saying. They’re an ancient fae enchantment . . . and there’s no way Cary can help us without Kyros’ assistance.”
Alex swears again, and Sera turns, muttering something I can’t quite hear, but I’m sure it’s snarky.
“Wait, so what does this mean?” I yell, trying to get Sera’s attention again.
“It means I might be able to find a way to free you, but it will require a sacrifice.”
Alex finally steps into view, his glower terrifying to behold. “What do you mean, sacrifice?”
Sera winces. “My ancient fae is rusty to say the least, but all magic comes at a cost.”
“Who pays the price?” he demands.
She looks down to me before turning to face him. “Whoever breaks the enchantment takes on the burden of the sacrifice . . . or maybe its ‘curse’? I’m not completely sure.”
“Absolutely not,” Alex says at the same time I say, “Forget it.”
All the hope that had risen in my chest slowly but surely deflates. I have to trust that Kian and Cary will find me a way out. I won’t sacrifice my friend, even if I’m hurt that she’s withheld something so major the entire time I’ve known her.
Sera places her hands on her hips as she glares up at Alex. “You cannot tell me what to do. You’re not my master. Besides, why do you even care? You’ve made your feelings toward me clear.”
“Ican’t lose you, Sera!” I exclaim. “Please, I don’t want you to do this. Do you even know what you’d be risking?”
Sera holds her head high, straightening her posture. “There’s not much you can do to stop me from down there.”
“Sera, please. Let’s give Kian and Cary time. Gods willing, they can convince Kyros to return.”
“She can’t stop you, but I’m not beyond removing you from this place by force,” Alex growls.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Sera points a finger at him. “How do you know I won’t go ahead and curse you while I’m at it?”
Can she do that? I know next to nothing about the fae. It’s been millennia since any were known to exist in our realm.
Without warning, a burning pain slices through my stomach, and I scream.
“Rae!” Sera yells. “What’s happening?”
I drop to my knees, my hands pressed to my abdomen, golden blood leaking out around them. “I don’t know.” I gasp. Oh no. Oh no . . . Kyros said—“Kian!”
“That’s it,” Sera says. “I don’t care what you think. I owe her after everything I’ve done. I will pay whatever the cost.”
My vision blurs as pain overtakes me. It requires all my strength to keep my hands on my stomach to staunch the flow.
Distantly, Sera chants in that foreign language, and the runes light up the cavern as they glow brighter and brighter until there’s an explosion of light and a heavy weight lifts from me.
“Sera? Alex?” I cry. “What’s happening?”
“I’m okay,” Sera says, and I breathe a sigh of relief, but what was the cost? What sacrifice did she pay?
“How do we get Rae out?” Alex asks. “She’s nearly bleeding out down there. I don’t think she can climb the rope.”
“I need blood,” I say weakly.
“Lower me down!” Sera yells at Alex while tying the rope around her waist.
It feels like a blink—I’m fighting to stay conscious—but Sera’s worried violet gaze meets mine, and I want to cry.
