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“Oh, Fee! You’re here. That’s jolly,” Pippa says as Fee looks at her in horror.
Pippa saunters over to us and places berries in our hands. She gives Ann a kiss on the forehead. “Ann, darling, why do you shake so? Are you cold?”
“Y-yes,” Ann whispers. Her lips tremble with sheer terror. “Cold.”
“Do you believe, darling? Do you believe that I am the chosen one?”
“Yes.” Ann nods, sobbing.
“And will you eat the berries? Will you accept my grace?”
“If you were truly the chosen one, you would not need to intimidate your believers,” I say. If I am to die, I will not go without a voice.
Pippa strokes my hair. “You’ve never liked me much, Gemma. I think you are jealous.”
“You may think what you like. We are in danger. All of us. The Winterlands creatures mean to rule the realms. They have already killed many of the tribes. They ride without mercy, taking the souls of those who will not join them.”
Pip frowns. “I’ve heard nothing.”
“The creatures are on their way here now. If they sacrifice me at the Tree of All Souls, they will have all the power of the Temple and rule the realms.”
“They cannot rule the realms!” She laughs. “They cannot because I am chosen. I hold the magic. It grows in me. The tree told me so! If they plotted, I should know it.”
“You don’t know everything, Pippa,” I say.
She brings her face toward me until it is inches from mine. Her lips are still purple from the berries. Her breath smells of vinegar. “You’re lying.” A slight smile pulls at her mouth. “Why don’t you use your magic against me?”
“I don’t want to do that,” I say, my voice cracking.
Pippa’s face lights up. “You’ve lost it, haven’t you?”
“No, I haven’t—”
“That’s why you couldn’t stop me—because I am the true chosen one!” Pippa thunders.
Bessie grabs me hard by the arm. “Let’s prove it to the unbelievers! Let’s take ’em to the Winterlands!”
“No!” I shout.
Pippa claps. “That is a splendid plan! Oh, yes, let’s!”
Felicity takes Pip’s hands. “Pippa, if I eat the berries, if I stay with you, will you let them go?”
“Felicity!” I shout.
She shakes her head and gives me the tiniest of smiles.
“Will you? Will you let them go?”
A glimmer of recognition flashes in Pip’s eyes, as if she is remembering a favorite dream. She leans down, the black of her hair weaving into Felicity’s blond strands, a tapestry of light and dark. Sweetly, Pippa kisses Fee on her forehead.
“No,” she says harshly.
“Pip, you don’t understand; they’ll hurt you,” Felicity implores, but Pippa is past human reason.
“I am more powerful than they are! They don’t frighten me. I am the way! I am the one! Bessie, we need another volunteer,” Pippa commands.
I am pulled from my seat and up to the altar, where I fear I may meet the same fate as Miss McCleethy. Pippa forces more berries into my hands.
