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I forced in several slow breaths and sat down at my solid but simple dresser. Eyes anywhere but on my reflection in the wide mirror, I opened a drawer.
Inside lay a dozen tiny bags, each tied tightly shut. I reached for the pale purple cotton one. After a moment of wrestling with the knot, I eased the bag open and inhaled the scent of the lavender. Floral and fragrant, it was one of my favourites.
The warmth of power spread through me. Another breath or two and I could throw back anyone who came to harm me.
Images came to my mind: Dex flying through the air, Bain lying slumped on the other side of the courtyard, guards with necks snapped, eyes staring, accusing me.
I grimaced. I could do all of that and more, but the idea made my stomach turn.
I wanted to throw all of my dried petals off the terrace. Let them scatter harmlessly to the wind. Better yet, toss myself, before I could kill.
I shook my head. I chose lavender for a reason. After years of practice, trial and error, I knew the smell of the flower was harmless. Even if I inhaled until my body was full to overflowing with power, I could only use it to relax myself and anyone I touched.
I breathed in more lavender scent. It was just what I needed. I let my stress wash away, bit by bit, let my head clear, then closed the bag and placed it back in the drawer. The effect of lavender only lasted an hour or two. It had to be enough. Now was not the time to do something stupid because I was agitated and impatient.
I steeled myself to do what I had to. If they weren't going to come to me, I would go to them.
I rose and now looked at my reflection. The calm rested on me, soothed my face into a mask. The soft blue of my blouse complimented my hair and made my eyes appear even more blue. Even my hair seemed to respond to the lavender; it lay in neat waves over my shoulders.
Part witch, part shifter. If that was what I was, I might as well embrace it.
Bain said we would talk later about my power. I intended to live long enough to hold him to that.
My mother wouldn't discuss my abilities, even after lots of wine. Instead, she gave me a dark look, as though she regretted my existence. Fortunately, Persephone was responsible for the souls of those who murdered, especially those who killed children. A lifetime of disgust at her offspring was better than an eternity of torture.
Still, it left me without much understanding of myself. In my younger days, I might have easily caused deaths without meaning to. Some instruction might have saved a lot of anguish, and the need to sneak away to experiment.
"What are you?" I asked my reflection. "Blessed or cursed?" My reflection had no answers.
"I think of mine as a gift from Hades," Bain said softly.
I jumped as his reflection appeared beside mine. I turned, hand at my hip, to see an apologetic look on his face.
His expression was gone before I could register that I wasn't armed.
Only the influence of the lavender kept my heart from racing. I didn't want to kill anyone, but I hated to feel vulnerable.
"I didn't hear you," I said, accusingly. I dropped my guard. That was a stupid mistake. He could have walked up behind me and slid a blade between my ribs before I knew he was there.
Why hadn't he?
"So I noticed." He seemed on the verge of amusement, but stepped back from it. "I spoke to the Keeper."
"Congratulations." The word slipped out before I was able to bite my tongue.
Bain snorted.
I ignored him. "Am I going to be executed? Or exiled?"
"Which would you prefer?" he asked.
I blinked. "Neither. Am I allowed a choice?"
He regarded me for a long, silent moment. "As much as I am intrigued as to which you might pick, I've come to take you out of the residence."
My heart leapt. "Where am I going?"
"To the temple of Hades, on the other side of the Vault."
