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“What are you talking about?”
“It is not within the power of the Twelve gods to erect the magical barrier before you. That is the purview of Hecate, and she was not present when I was banished and locked away.”
My mind whirred, putting the pieces together. “Does that mean a child of Hecate did this?”
“Yes.” Her voice was no more than a hiss.
“Did they do itafteryou had Mom taken?”
“It is the only explanation. The barrier is between the Lethe water. My allies would not have been prevented from telling me of its existence.”
I leaned over, pressing my hand to another barrier between me and Mom. “What does this mean? Someone found out the prison was opened and erected this barrier to make sure no one else could go in? Or come out?”
She didn’t reply.
“How do I get rid of it?”
“A child of Hecate is the only one who can, and no,” she barked, “you may not recruit one. No one else is to know of what you’ve found here tonight. I clearly have an enemy within these walls, working against my freedom. They could be any child of Hecate. That Hecate spawn could have allies of their own. You shall not take the risk, and you will not have more time!
“Seven moons. Either I’m freed, or your mother never will be.”
Her voice faded.
I didn’t need to ask to confirm. The conversation was closed.
I RAPPED ON ALEX’Sdoor that night. There was no worrying about being caught by Sirena. She was one of the still lumps on a mattress in the infirmary. I wouldn’t lie. My vindictive side delighted that the Fates saw fit she should be beaten to a pulp a second time.
Alex opened the door, and I threw myself in his arms.
“Aella!” He spun me off my feet. “Thank the gods you’re okay. I went looking for you after they let me out, but the reflection rooms are scattered about the bowels of this place. I searched until Hondros found me and put me to sleep. I woke up to you knocking on the door.”
“It’s okay, Alex, but please, let’s never talk aboutthat roomagain. I understand now why instructors only had to say the name, and everyone got their shit together quick.”
“It’s barbaric.” He cupped my cheek. “I hate that you’re only seeing the ugly side of Olympia. Monsters, forced conscriptions, dirty politics,that room, and your mother’s abduction. I bet every day you’re thankful you didn’t grow up here.”
I smiled softly. “It’s not exactly paradise in the mortal dominion either. All those thieves breaking in and ransacking our shop to figure out our secrets. War, rape, murder, locking away anyone who doesn’t speak what the majority decides is reality.
“There are monsters in every world, Alex, but at least in this one, there’s you.”
He groaned a ragged breath, hugging me tight. “Gods, I love you so much.”
I opened my mouth to say I loved him too when his slammed on mine. I promptly forgot about speaking.
It was like our first kiss, except better in every way.
Alexander cupped the back of my head, tipping me in his hold. I clung to him—the only thing keeping me up. Anchoring me to everything.
Eyes so heated, but his lips were soft and warm. They banished my hate, anger, fear, and the horrible deadline hanging over my and my mother’s head. Nothing existed in this room—in this life—except me and Alexander.
He guided me onto the bed, our bodies and mouths still connected. I’d never gotten blind drunk before, though I had to believe this was what it was like. My head spun. Pulse raced. Breaths quickened. I felt clear and silly at the same time. Like I was about to jump off a cliff without wings, but the joy of falling through the air was worth the end.
His tongue tangled with mine, inviting me to play. I moaned as he caressed me, suddenly sure that this was nothing like being drunk. If wine gave this feeling, no one in the land would set down a bottle.
Fingers tickled my ankle, skating higher along my thigh and slipping under my clothes. I dropped my knee, making clear what I wanted him to do.
Alexander brushed over my band and kept going—chuckling at my grunt of irritation. His arm tugged my tunic along with it. My heart thumped as he slipped it over my head. Why? I did not know.
I was horribly nervous and we’d gone further than this before.
