Page 18 of As Above, So Below

Her tall, slender frame is draped with navy robes that billow in her wake along with her knee-length, silver hair. Upon her brow rests a circlet dripping with shimmering moonstones. It creates a veil that frames her face, reminding me of moonlight.

Coming to a stop upon the last step, she reaches out, taking my hands into hers with a gentle smile on her face. Her touch is cool, like I’ve plunged my palms into ice water. She scans my face, whether to scrutinize or admire, I can’t tell.

“You have their eyes?” she whispers the question using common tongue, the intensity of her stare forcing me to lower my gaze. “How?” She lifts my face with a finger under my chin.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I yank my chin awayand step back. “Nor do I care. Netharis—”

“Using the language of the hells on sacred ground is rude, Vestaris,” she chides, one corner of her lips tilting in a smile. “I would have taught you better.”

This goddess cannot be serious.

Her sharp, twinkling laughter cuts through me and sets my skin crawling.

“You resemble me but embodyhim,” she muses, lifting a dark brow. “Tell me, where is Vaelyn?”

In the hells, where I should also be.

“Why do you want the heir of the hells?”

Her eyes widen. “Is he the heir? Perhaps it is you after all. She was right.”

What in the nine hells does she mean?

Who was right?

“Artemise,” she calls over her shoulder.

The silver-robed figure near the altar sweeps down the stairs with due haste. Stopping beside the moon goddess, she lowers her hood and I clench my jaw to keep it from dropping to the ground.

Ahumanwoman.

Not a fae.

“This is Vestaris Moonshadow.” Celesta gestures toward me with an upturned palm. “My daughter.”

Moonshadow?

Is she giving me her winged fae family name? Or perhaps I’ve always had it and Netharis has never told me.

“Welcome her into the fold. Teach her what she needs to thrive in this realm. Keep her safe. She is the catalyst.”

“What?” I step back.

“Of course, my goddess,” she pitches in a quick bow. “Come, Vestaris, within the temple you will be cared for.”

“What?” I’m sure I sound like a mimic bird at this point.

Artemise extends a weathered hand, descending the last step. Celesta remains upon it and makes no motion to move.

“I don’t understand.” I shake my head.

Celesta’s brows raise with surprise. “I’m offering you sanctuary, Vestaris. Take it.”

“I—I can’t.” Nothing about any of this makes any semblance of sense. “Demons cannot walk within the living realm.”

Celesta’s expression softens. “Half demon,” she reminds me gently. “Netharis has kept you from your Fate for long enough.”

“Fate?” Nektos has nothing to do with me.