Orion shook his head. “It’s no use. We must leave.”
Valeria sneered and turned around with Eros, heading into the cave with their prisoners in tow.
“You’re stronger than they are. We fight them together.” Vardan shoved Orion in frustration.
“No. We must return home. That's all we can do.”
The scene shifted again. It was an office, one Ava recognized that now belonged to Thorne. Vardan was pacing and pulling at his hair. Was this the mad king he had become? Because of what Eros and Valeria did?
“I destroyed everything,” Vardan said. “Burned all the texts, so there is no way they can link us to this. They can’t find out. No one can ever find out!”
Orion sat in a chair, watching him closely.
“You haven’t even told me what happened!” Vardan continued rambling. “It’s been months with no word from you! Did they complete the ritual? Was it successful?”
“They did.”
“They needed a soul sacrifice. Valeria never would have sacrificed herself. Who?—”
“Eros,” Orion interrupted. “It doesn’t matter now. We must get our story straight, Vardan. We know nothing about this.Nothing. As far as everyone is concerned, Eros is dead. Weinvent a story about him messing around with portals and spread it around.”
“But heisdead. Right?”
Orion paused, rubbing his jaw. Ava shuddered at how similar the motion was to when Casimir stroked his beard. “Technically yes…but Lomos now inhabits his body.”
Vardan froze. “So, it’s true. They raised the ancient god. People will recognize Eros, won’t they?”
Orion shook his head. “He doesn’t look like Eros any longer. The only thing that’s the same are his eyes.”
“How do you know this?”
Orion was silent.
“You went to Frosthaven, didn’t you?”
“I had to try one last time.”
“And?”
“I barely escaped with my life. It’s over. Continue as if nothing happened. And prepare for war.”
“War? I thought this was just to take care of the hybrids.”
Orion shook his head. “It’s bigger than that now. Eros is bringing over armies from another realm…and…well he’s going by a different name.”
“What name?”
“Andras.”
Nausea churned in Ava’s gut, her breath coming in short bursts. She was going to be sick. “Oh god,” she groaned. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.”
Jareth stood still, just as shocked.
“Jareth,” Ava laid her hands on his shoulders. “How do we get out of here? We must tell everyone. Right now.”
He blinked, as if coming out of a trance, but another scene appeared before they were able to stop it.
It was Jareth’s suite in the astral palace. Orion was in the middle of shouting at a younger Jareth, who was standing still,jaw clenched. Ava looked at the real astral prince beside her. He was frozen, fists tight at his side.
