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Shouts of outrage exploded from the raging mob. The devoted monks were furious to see the remains of their deity destroyed.

Goddess, save us from the righteous. Instead of aiding those in need, they demanded their followers spend coins they didn’t have on building temples while devoting themselves to a bunch of bones. I’d little use for leaders who turned a blind eye to the needs of the people. In fact, I had little use for leaders. Period. Especially kings.

I spun to face the raging mob. As usual, it was up to me to clean up my brothers’ mess. “I’ve got this.”

Drazen grasped my shoulder. “You sure? Your fingertips are already blackened. You used too much power dealing with the guards earlier.” The price for stealing images at a distance was steep. Physical contact was a lot easier.

“I said, I’ve got this.” I shrugged free of his heated grip, raising my glowing hands.

With my reserves near empty, I called on the power at my center, channeling down into the earth, drawing upon Carcerem’s well of energy.Obsidian. It was the mystical force that supported all life in our kingdom. People, plants, animals, insects, all benefited from this gift granted to us by the goddessHathor from the sacred arbors she created. In the end, all returned to the well.

Magic sparked along my nerve endings, swelling up from deep inside. The feeling was indescribable. Pleasure thrummed in my veins, and I swallowed a moan. The temptation to take more, to sink my mystical claws in and never let go, was almost irresistible. I’d fought this battle more times than I could count.

Remember Yaga’s teachings.

The reminder grounded me.

This power was mine to command, not the other way around. Tendrils of purple magic surrounded me in a mystical breeze. My stolen hood blew back off my head, strands of ebony hair tipped with violet floated above my shoulders.

I gave life to my illusion, projecting my glorious creation. Before the monks’ eyes, their lost deity rose from the lava in a burst of whirling flames and flashing embers. Golden fabric swathed her glowing body, a glittering crown resting on her head. Her gorgeous features were ethereal. Her demeanor, regal.

Not too shabby, if I did say so myself. All sorceresses had a specialty. No two had the same combination of skills, though there was some overlap along bloodlines, as there was with portal magic in my family.

This was mine. Not only did I have the ability to pull images from someone’s head, but I could also create them as well. I considered my gift of illusion more of an art form than some blunt tool to be bandied about. While my creations lacked substance, no one could tell the images they perceived were false until they touched one. Because I wasthatgood.

The enchanting goddess reached out to her awe-struck followers. “At last. I am free of my mortal bonds. Thanks to these fine people. Return to the temple and pay me homage.”When the stunned monks didn’t immediately obey, flames shot out of the glowing goddess’s eyes, her command rumbling through the earth. “Return, I say!”

In a flurry of robes and discarded garden tools, the monks scrambled, bowing and muttering prayers as they backed away. Once it was safe, I released my grip on the illusion, and my beautiful creation dissolved in a wave of sparks. Something similar happened within me as I withdrew from the well. Weakness washed through my body, my legs collapsing.

Kronk scooped me up, and Drazen rushed over, grabbing my wrist. Blackened flesh encompassed my hands.

At the sight of the damage I’d done, Drazen hissed in annoyance. “I warned you.”

“I’ll be fine,” I mumbled, my words slurring. “The shadows will recede once I’ve rested.” It was important for all sorceresses to balance the ebb and flow of obsidian. Take too much too fast, and there were consequences.

“We should find a place to regroup,” Kronk’s deep voice rumbled against my cheek. His stone-like arms were solid beneath me.

“More like hide and kiss our asses goodbye,” Drazen sneered. “When we don’t show with the goods, it won’t take long for Vex to place a bounty on our heads.”

“Let us go to Yaga. She can make Runa her special tea,” Kronk suggested.

We hadn’t visited thehagwho’d raised us for several spans. In some cultures, people considered the word an insult, but not in ours. Hags were among the wisest and most respected of creatures. Like others of her kind, Yaga was a wiz with potions.

I snorted. “You’re not fooling me. It’s Yaga’s mead you’re after.” Though the idea of returning to our childhood home for a break did sound nice.

“Fine, then. Yaga’s it is.” Drazen stalked over to my horse, collecting its reins. “As long as I’m not the one who has to tell her we lost the payload.”

It wasn’t Yaga we needed to worry about disappointing. Profits from this heist would have meant the difference betweenlife and death for the villagers. This loss would set us back even further. We’d need a plan and quick. Before the false king sent his soldiers to collect payment for the quarterly taxes we didn’t have.

“Can you ride?” Drazen asked.

“Tie me into my saddle, and I’ll do the rest.”

Chapter Two

RUNA

I convincedmy brothers to leave the damaged cart behind to save time. Kronk rode on the bula since the horses couldn’t support his massive frame. Once we’d put a few miles between us and the monks, we ditched our robes. Drazen and Kronk wore their usual reptilian pants and close-fitting vests because it was the only material capable of withstanding both fire and abrasive skin, while I changed back into my traditional sorceress garb.