Page 50 of Cursebreaker

I watch Margaret, follow her suspicious gaze from the map, to Titus, to the doors of the captain’s quarters.

Titus rubs the nape of his neck. “There were lots of maps that came with the… ship,” he says with a nervous glance at Margaret. “Captain Shade told me it was enchanted. I just didn’t know why—or for what purpose.”

I think about the night Titus showed me Hildegarde’s hidden cavern beneath Castle Grim. He told me then not to tell anyone—even Will. I questioned at the time why he would keep secrets from the person he trusted the most, but now I can’t help but wonder if it’s because deep down, Titus knew something was wrong. And I’m grateful he did. Because if Will knew there was an enchanted map on board, he would have stolen it, too.

My stomach twists at the thought of him realizing we have the compass—how Morana warned him not to fail her again. Will he be punished for losing the one piece of the Navigator he managed to steal?

I shouldn’t care. I hate that I do.

It was all real for me, Aster.

I shake my head as if to clear it and take a closer look at the map.

My heart skips a beat.

Inked over the map of the Known World in silver script are the words:

Only blood can heal the land. Only truth can mend the past.

The same words spoken to me by the woman beneath the waves—the woman made of gold dust. I had only ever told Will and Titus what happened that day. Only they know what was said. At the time, Will and Titus clung to every word. Now I know why. Titus already had this map—and Will already planned to betray me.

I fight the urge to look at Titus, to no avail.

He’s already staring, his expression nettled. “Just like the message.”

Owen looks between us, brow furrowed. “What message?”

I expect my siblings to be angry with me for keeping another secret from them, but no one speaks. They’ve gone still, waiting for me to explain. “Before we went to Castle Grim,” I tell them, “I had a… vision of sorts. There was a woman—she gave me a message. ‘The queen of this world has risen. She who lurks in shadows, devouring the light. Only blood can heal the land. Only truth can mend the past.’”

Rook lets out a long, low whistle. “Ominous.”

I turn to Owen, pointing at the map once more. “What does it mean? It looks like every other map.”

Owen nods slowly, considering. His gaze slides to Diana. “You’re a Sorceress, hmm?”

Diana crosses her arms. “Why?”

“Can you sense any enchantments?”

Her eyes narrow. “Can’t you?”

Owen’s lips curve, a rueful smirk. “The magic used to enchant these artifacts would have been blessed. I may be free of Morana’s service, but I am still a Shifter—cursed magic still flows through my veins.”

“This is ancient magic.” Diana takes a step back, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I can—”

Owen places a hand on her arm, quietly commanding. Gently, he says, “Humor me.”

Diana cuts her eyes at his hand as he slowly withdraws it. She inhales. Nods. Cracks her knuckles. “I’ll try.” She approaches the map once more, stretching her hands out over the parchment. She closes her eyes.

Minutes pass. Nothing happens.

“So…?” Rook murmurs.

“Shh!” Diana says sharply, opening her eyes to glare at him.

Her gaze glows with silver light. Blood trickles from her nose in two solid streams, and Gabriel reaches out his hand to steady her. She sways but she gives a furious shake of her head. “No—there’s something here—I can feel it—”

She gasps, as if struck. Her eyes roll to the back of her head.