Chapter 64

The tunnel opensinto a massive cave. I gasp, my eyes widening as I take in the breathtaking sight. Thousands of crystals of all shapes and sizes cling to the rocky walls and ceiling. Clusters of amethyst, quartz, calcite, and hematite emerge from the stone like colorful stalagmites.

"What is this place?" I ask as I turn in a slow circle to admire the mesmerizing crystals.

"This cave is called The Hollow," Aleksander says.

"It's beautiful." I take another turn before stopping to face Aleksander. "Where is the looking glass."

"This way."

He takes my arm again, and I allow him to lead me deeper into the enchanting cavern. Crystals of every hue surround us as we venture toward the heart of The Hollow.

After several moments of walking, Aleksander stops before a dark pool of water. Apprehension tingles against my skin as I stare down into those murky depths. I had expected a mirror or some other magical artifact, not this ominous pool.

"Ask it what happened to your sister," Aleksander says, his voice echoing off the crystalline walls.

I swallow hard, unable to tear my gaze from the inky water. "I-I don't understand," I stammer out. "You told me there would be a looking glass here."

"You want answers. Yes?" When I nod, he continues. "Then ask it."

I stare into the water, its dark surface so opaque I can't even see my reflection.

Swallowing hard, I try to gather my courage, but before I open my mouth to speak, Aleksander shoves me from behind. I gasp, my arms flailing as I desperately try to regain my balance on the slippery rocks. But it's no use. With a scream, I plunge into the frigid water.

I thrash and kick, fighting against the current, but it's like going against a riptide. The more I struggle, the more it seems to pull me back, binding me to it.

Pain sears through my skin like a thousand needles piercing every inch of my body. I scream, but the agony keeps coming, keeps serrating through me.

Water fills my mouth, choking me, but I barely notice. All I can focus on is the excruciating sensation of something being ripped out of me.

A wisp of smoke rises from my chest. It hovers above me for a moment before dissipating into the air. Another plume follows, and then another, each one tearing free from my body with a fresh wave of agony.

I convulse, my muscles seizing as more and more tendrils of smoke are wrenched from me. They rise into the air like ghostly fingers, reaching for the crystal-studded ceiling of the cavern.

Through the haze of pain, I catch a glimpse of Aleksander standing at the edge of the pool. A smile plays on his lip as he watches me. He's enjoying this, enjoying watching me suffer.

I try to call out to him, to beg him to stop this torture, but I can't form the words. All that escapes my lips is a strangled cry as another plume of smoke is ripped from my chest and carries to him.

I claw at the water, trying to find a way out, but there's nothing to grab onto. Nothing to hold.

Just when I think I can't take another second of this torture, the pain recedes, fading to a dull ache.

Aleksander leans down and plucks me from the water.

Anger fumes through me, blinding me as I call on my crimson magic, but nothing happens. I scowl, frustration boiling up inside as I try again, needing those flames to make this man pay for what he did to me, but still nothing happens. No flames appear, no heat rises within me.

Aleksander stands there with his arms folded across his chest, looking calm, while I seethe with anger. My hands clench into fists at my sides.

How dare he? After what he just put me through, he has the audacity to act so nonchalant about it?

It shatters something inside me, some fragile shard of composure I've been clinging to. Before I can stop myself, I act on pure fury and launch myself at him, slamming my body into his with all my might. Surprise ripples across his face as he stumbles back a few steps.

It's not enough. The rage still simmers, demanding I make him pay. Demanding I unleash every ounce of pain and betrayal churning inside me.

My hands shake with the effort to restrain myself, to hold back the urge to claw at his deceitful face. I want to scream and rage until my voice is hoarse. I want to beat against his chest until he truly understands the anguish he's caused.

Even now, he remains composed. And it makes me want to break him.

"Calm down, Annora," he says.

I don't want to calm down. I want to make him hurt, make him burn.

I ram into him again, harder this time, putting my whole body behind it. He grabs hold of my arms, his fingers digging into my skin as he tries to restrain me. I struggle against his grip, writhing and twisting, but he holds me firm.

"Let me go!"

As suddenly as he grabbed me, he lets go and I stumble, falling to the ground. Anger surges through me as I scramble to my feet.

"What did you do to me?" I ask.

"Nothing other than bind your magic to mine."

Bind my magic to his?

Like Widow Maker and Ellery?

I back away from Aleksander. "No, this isn't possible. You couldn't have bound my magic to yours."

But even as I say the words, doubt creeps in. He had lured me down here under false pretenses, shoved me into some strange magical pool, and now my crimson magic is gone.

Horror impales me as my gaze drops to my wrist, to those silver threads so much like Ellery's.

No!

"Call the flames, Annora."

"I can't," I say through gritted teeth. "You've taken that from me."

His eyes flash. "Call them."

The command rings through my mind, and before I can think, my palm ignites in a burst of crimson fire. I cry out, more in shock than pain, and shake my hand frantically until the flames extinguish.

Horror washes over me as the full impact hits. He has bound me to him, just as Widow Maker bound himself to Ellery.

I am under Aleksander's control now.

"Why?" I ask, my voice breaking over the single word. "Why would you do this?"

Aleksander speaks in a plain voice. "Isn't it obvious? I want the same thing your husband wants. Control." He reaches out and trails a finger down my cheek. I flinch away from his touch.

"This changes nothing," I hiss. "I am loyal to Jasce. Your binding magic cannot change that."

Aleksander's mouth curves into a smile. "We'll see about that."

Footsteps approach, and I whip around, expecting Jasce to be standing there. But it's not Jasce who approaches, a smile on their face.

"Hello, Annora," she says, and my stomach flips inward.

"Asha," I say in a choked whisper. "You're alive."