Page 196 of Evermore

“Why would you care?”

A slow, predatory smile spread across Bellatora’s face. “I’ve seen your Ever in action, Keeper. At this point, anyone on the other side of the battlefield from her made the wrong choice. Besides, this might be the most interesting thing to happen in centuries. I wouldn’t miss it.”

Briony appeared at my side. “Should I gather the children?”

“Take them upstairs. Make sure they stay there until one of us comes for them.”

I turned back to Tuck. “What exactly did you promise her?”

“That I wouldn’t tell you where she was going or what she was doing.”

“But you told Bellatora.”

Minnie stepped forward. “The bargain didn’t cover that. She went after Ezra, Thorne. Alone. He has Thea, Elowen and others from the Underground. There’s more. Quill shouldn’t hear this.”

I glanced back to where Quill still sat with the children, watching us with wary eyes. I nodded to Briony, who immediately went to Quill’s side, guiding her and the other children from the room despite their protests.

“Speak. Now.”

“We think he’s trying to lure Quill in.”

“I’ve already told you he is,” Bellatora snapped. “I was there when he said it.”

“And you’re only now fucking mentioning it?” I snarled.

She shrugged. The casual expression of an untouched goddess. “I was spying. You’re welcome.”

“He’sat Misery’s End,” Tuck said carefully, the bargain clearly restricting his words.

“I need to go.” I moved toward the door, power gathering around me.

“Wait.” Minerva’s command stopped me. “We need to think this through.”

“There’s nothing to think through. Ezra has Paesha. He plans to use her to get to Quill. I’m going to stop him.”

“And how, precisely, do you plan to do that? Your power is as erratic as his. You rush in without a plan and fail.”

“Then give me a fucking plan, Minnie.”

Her eyes held mine. “There is only one way forward, Reverius. Only one path that leads to an end rather than another cycle of violence.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“It’s the only way. You know it as well as I do. The balance must be restored. Completely. Permanently. And he cannot walk away.”

“There has to be another solution.” But even as I said the words, I knew there wasn’t. Bellatora looked between us, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Oh. Oh, this is going to bemagnificent.”

“Even if I agreed to this madness, it can’t be done.”

“It can,” Minerva countered. “With help.”

“Whose help?”

“Vesalia’s.”

That godsdamn name lingered between us. Vesalia, Goddess of Time.

“I’ve already summoned her,” Minerva said. “And I’m sorry for it, my boy. You can say no. But there aren’t many choices left that don’t lead to an end of everything.”