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I opened my mouth, the words to beg for Estrella’s freedom dying before I could even speak them. Estrella’s hand reached out to grasp mine, her fingers intertwining as she sought out that single trace of comfort.

I still remembered those first moments of being bound. The battle of wills that had happened within me. I’d only been a child, barely been old enough to understand, but even I’d known the darkness settling upon me wasn’t right.

“I have need of something that is locked within Tartarus,” Mab said, clicking her tongue as she turned to look at the shimmering Cove. It looked innocent—the perfect disguise for the horrors that slept within.

“No,” I rasped.

I’d seen what remained of those who returned. Seen the absolute terror that consumed them. Most never set foot on solid ground again, never emerging from the entrance to Tartarus—but the ones who did…

They were never the same. Most almost begged for death.

Mab continued on as Estrella clenched her teeth together, grinding them as she looked at the Cove. She’d seemed drawn to it that first day, and even now, there was the strangest sense of longing in our bond.

Strangled by Mab’s hold on both of us, but there, no less.

“Bring me a snake from the crown of Medusa,” Mab ordered, nodding toward that shimmering pool.

Estrella moved to obey, her legs shifting even as she grimaced. Mab gestured to one of the guards behind her, and the male unclasped the scabbard from his waist. Stepping up, he ignored my growl as he settled it about Estrella’s waist. The sword was far too large for her small grip.

She shifted to stare down at it, realization dawning for what kind of task this would be. It wouldn’t be any simple trip to the market, not with an iron blade at her side. Imelda hurried through the crowd, though Fallon remainedback ever-so-slightly. The male at her side, her betrothed, blanched as he looked at all the blood up close.

Rheaghan had been his king, and without an heir…

Etan was the new King of the Summer Court, at least until one of the other surviving Gods stepped up to take Rheaghan’s place. Mab had strategically placed her daughter to become queen, as if she’d known that Rheaghan’s time approached. His body floated in the water as Imelda pressed a small pouch into Estrella’s hands.

I had no doubt it was filled with herbs. With medicines, and maybe a few plants that Estrella could use to her advantage in battle—if she’d had any of the knowledge Imelda did.

But she didn’t—couldn’t. Not when she hadn’t had Imelda’s centuries of training.

Not when she didn’t have that kind of magic.

Estrella took a step toward the Cove, her eyes connecting with mine as she gripped my hand more tightly. I stepped alongside her.

I’d go with her. Anywhere.

Even to Tartarus.

One of Mab’s men grabbed me around the back of the neck, hauling me off my feet and tossing me back to the sand behind him. Estrella spun, her eyes landing on me where I lay upon the sand. The fear there, the terror that lingered in her green gaze, would haunt me for the rest of my life. She wasn’t afraid of the prison itself, only of what might be done to me while she was gone.

Of coming back to me dead.

“You have thirteen days to complete your task. If you do not complete this order in time, or to my satisfaction, Caldris will die. You will not be here to save him, and I will shred hisheart until there is nothing left for you to repair. You will not get close enough to give your mate your blood a second time,” Mab commanded, waving a hand.

A burst of shadows spread out from her, catching Estrella around the ankles and urging her forward. I hauled myself to my feet, falling back when Mab squeezed her hand and willed me still.

Estrella’s feet touched the water.

She sloshed through the surface as she stepped into the carnage of the eight bodies, then moved to the deepest part of the Cove. I knew the moment the ground faded out beneath her, when the water grew too deep.

Her arms moved frantically as she attempted to swim, her life in Mistfell always keeping her from the waters surrounding her village. She sank below the surface, sputtering as she struggled and managed to get her head above water.

Fear pulsed down the bond, along with the strangest sort of song. It radiated through me as Estrella turned to face me.

The water rippled.

Something came from the depths.

Tendrils spread through the water like ink, like tentacles. In the crystal-clear water of the Cove, I watched Estrella’s terror widen her eyes in shock as those tendrils wrapped around her ankle.

As they stretched up and grasped the bodies of the sacrifices.

“Caelum!” Estrella called, her mouth filling with water as she was pulled under.

And then my mate was gone.