She gestured to an empty chair next to Brisalia.

I walked up to the table, curtsied and sat down.

“To begin with, I just want to repeat how happy we are that you have returned home.” I clasped my hands together on the table and fixed my eyes on them, avoiding her eyes.

Of course, as if there weren’t already enough uncomfortable things about this situation, all of them were still unaware that I’d murdered Odelia in her sleep.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“You might have already guessed why I’ve called this meeting.

As I’m sure you’re aware, the black witches are gaining power by the day.

We have managed to gain inside information on some of their intentions, but much of their plans we are still unaware of.

You spent many years with them.

I would like to start this meeting by having you explain what you learnt about them while staying there, and what you believe their plans are.” My mind felt so distracted, it was a herculean effort just to focus on her words.

I cleared my throat and ran my tongue over my lower lip.

“I… What do you know already?” Thalia exchanged glances with her sisters.

It was Brisalia who answered me.

“Do you know Efren Hansard?” she asked.

Efren.

Of course I knew Efren.

His sister had made my life a living hell when I’d been under Rhys’ wing.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Well, we managed to catch him.

He’s now a prisoner here.

Most of the information we’ve gained is from him, though it seems that he wasn’t high enough in rank to know everything.

What he has told us is that there is an Ancient still living.

And she is the key to their power.

We don’t know where she is—even our spells couldn’t force this information from Efren.

Right now, we are still large enough in number to overpower them, but their strength is growing each day.

Once they are strong enough, they will take over The Sanctuary.” Brisalia paused, looking at me expectantly.

“I’m afraid there’s really not much more that I know,” I said.

“Rhys and his aunt didn’t trust me as much as you might have thought…” My voice trailed off.

I did know one thing, of course: I knew where Lilith was.

I knew the link she had with The Sanctuary.

But if I revealed that, I was just one step closer to them finding out that I had slit Odelia’s throat.

I ought to admit this to them, but right now, I was drowning enough as it was.

I didn’t think I could handle it.

So I fell silent.

Thalia let out a sigh.

“That is a shame,” she said.

“We’d all hoped that you’d be able to assist with this.” “I’m sorry,” I said, looking at her apologetically.

“You’re a Channeler,” Hermia said.

“Correct?” “Yes.” “Then you must have met with this Ancient in order to gain such powers?” “Indeed I did.

But I don’t remember the location.

Rhys didn’t trust me enough to reveal that to me.

I was blindfolded and escorted by him there and back.

I don’t even know whether she’s being kept on earth or in the supernatural realm.” An awkward silence descended on the hall.

I kept my eyes fixed on my hands.

“Well,” Thalia said eventually, “if you really don’t have any more information to offer us, then, at least you can help us to secure our realm.” “Certainly.

I can do that.” “We already have protection around the island, of course, but since you’re a Channeler, your magic is stronger than ours.

We’d like you to put a protective spell around this place, similar in strength to that which you put around The Shade.” The Shade.

I felt a pang of guilt as she mentioned the island.

There were thousands of people there, many of them dear to me—humans, vampires and werewolves alike—who were dependent on me for protection.

Now that I’d left the human realm, if the black witches attacked, there would be no way they could keep them out.

Patricia and the other witches there could maintain the spell of night and put up some kind of protection around them, but it wouldn’t be nearly strong enough for the might of Rhys and his kind.

But as the memory of Sofia and Kiev betraying me once again came to the forefront of my mind, fire burned through my veins, and it stifled any guilt I was feeling.

It’s just too bad.

The Shade’s queen should have thought twice about playing me for a fool.

Chapter 17: Kiev

After what felt like hours of waiting, I’d had enough.

“I can’t take this any more,” I said, shooting to my feet.

“There’s got to be another way.” “I’m all ears if you have any suggestions,” Patricia muttered, brushing a fly away from her face.

“We need to try to lure someone out.” I felt all three pairs of eyes on me as I began pacing up and down on the rock.

“What could we use as bait?” Patricia looked at me thoughtfully.

“Hmm.” “What about an explosion?” Erik offered.

“That might do it,” Patricia said.

“What if it attracts more than one witch?” Abby said.

“I doubt Patricia is capable of tackling more than one.” All eyes fell on Patricia.