Page 28 of The Sirin Sisterhood (The Sons of Echidna #2)
Lucy
“Can’t go any further,”Grace’s voice crackled over the headset as the military helicopter landed in a clearing in front of a thick wall of fog.
They’d tried, but the moment the aircraft flew over the mist, every warning signal in the cockpit began to scream, even the high altitude alarm, despite them being only meters above the ground.
“Your coordinates are within walking distance. From here, you’re on your own. You sure you’re gonna be okay? Last thing I want is to have to tell Xim you’re all dead.”
“That’s fine. Thank you for getting us here.”Lucy nodded, unclipping her seatbelt. “It’s probably, like, a protection spell or something.”
Grace raised her brows but didn’t respond, sliding the door up for the trio.
“One last thing, for when you’re ready to come home.”She handed Lucy a small black box. “This is your locater. Activate it when you need an extraction.”
◆◆◆
The trio passed through the wall of fog in only a few steps. As they passed the barrier, they were suddenly greeted by a vast clearing flooded with warm sunlight, a little paradise hidden by the unwelcoming wilderness.
Lucy assumed it was the witches’ version of Gaia, a magical version, judging by the aggressive scratching behind her as Lai gnawed on his palm with his teeth to relieve the itch.
Nestled within the clearing, lined with towering trees that were adorned with evergreen crowns, was a village that looked like it had been plucked from the whimsical pages of a fairytale.
The huts, with their thatched roofs, dotting the clearing like snug mushrooms peeking through the dew-kissed grass.
Each hut bore a stamp of creativity, the doors and window panes painted with colorful designs that mirrored the gardens growing over every spare inch of land: flowers, berries, bees, and small birds adorned the dreamy little dwellings.
Klein’s fingers touched Lucy’s hand in encouragement as they were silently approached by two women with long daggers tied to their hips.
Security, Lucy assumed. She followed them as they were led through tall wooden gates and into the beautiful village. Curious girls peered at the strangers from behind ornately carved wooden columns that lined the path.
Lucy took Klein’s hand in hers, trying to take everything in.
Bright winged butterflies waltzed through the air, casting fleeting shadows over cobblestone pathways meandering between the quaint homes. Lucy was in love. If the manor wastrulya write-off, maybe she could convince the witches to let them all live here .
“I think that might be them,”Lai whispered, nodding toward three women dressed in elaborate gowns with veiled faces, standing at the entrance to the largest building in the village.
One held a silver plate covered with an embroidered cloth, with fresh bread resting on it, along with a small glass jar of white flakes that might have been salt if Lucy had to guess.
The air hung heavy with the mystery of the village, and Lucy hesitated before she ventured forward, taking the lead as the head of the family. Treading softly through the unknown, she examined the tapestry of unfamiliar faces. They watched her with a mix of suspicion and intrigue.
No one said anything as she climbed the steps. Before any greetings, the tray with bread was thrust toward her, inviting Lucy to partake.
“What do I do with the bread and salt?”Lucy whispered to Lai, uncertain of the custom.
“Take a piece and drop it on the ground.”Lai chuckled.
“Okay.”
“Wait, no!”Lai slapped her hand. “Raised in a barn, you lot, I swear...”
He shook his head at Lucy before miming asmallbow, taking a piece of the bread, dipped it in the salt, and eating it.
Embarrassed by her almost-mistake, Lucy followed suit. It was a strange custom, one she didn’t understand, but she wasn’t going to risk offending them, or say no to free bread.
Lai took his turn before Klein hesitantly copied, holding the bread in his mouth for a while before swallowing. Lucy felt a pang of sympathy for the man. She knew he didn’t really eat. Hopefully, the scrap of bread wouldn’t hurt him.
“Welcome.”The woman holding the bread nodded once the guests had completed the ritual. “Please join us at the feast table as our honored guests.”She turned and walked into the hall, the two other women following her.
“That wasa test of intent, not a welcoming gesture. If you ever want to declare your displeasure, you scatter the salt instead of eating the bread.”Lai explained. “Friends share bread, but enemies would never eat at each other’s houses.”
“Thanks for the warning. Knowing my luck, I would have spilled the salt by accident,”Lucy whispered back, taking a deep breath before she led the way into the hall.
◆◆◆
The long tables inside were set with a modest meal of roasted fowl and vegetables. Clay pots steamed with the fragrant aroma of bay leaves and black pepper. Lucy peeked into one and found it filled to the brim with a flavorful mix of broth and juicy dumplings.
A few girls were finishing up setting the drinks, jugs of cranberry juice, and decanters of something that smelled much stronger for the main table.
That was where Lucy and the others were led, taking the seats at the long benches opposite the heads of the coven.
Lucy had an idea of what to expect now: pleasantries and greetings, most likely, and maybe a toast.
Not quite. The woman who had greeted them with bread poured herself a shot (of what Lucy could only assume was vodka, judging by the potent smell) and tossed it back before slamming the glass down on the table She leaned towards them, her veil flicked back over her head.
Lucy thought she was rather old at first until she noticed just how much the frown line between her brows appeared to age her.
She couldn’t have been much older than thirty, perhaps?
It was hard to tell in the low candlelight.
“Where is Aristos?”
The woman barked the question, seemingly oblivious to societal niceties. The abrupt demand hung in the air, leaving Lucy startled and defenseless, caught off guard when she had been expecting polite greetings.
“Defeated,”Lai answered before anyone else could. “In a fair battle. Lucy now leads the family.”
Lucy sat up straight, swallowing the lump in her throat, wondering if the vodka was a free-for-all; she could use a shot herself, anxious and tense.
“Thank you for welcoming us,”she offered quickly. She hoped there wouldn’t be follow-up questions. The ‘battle’hadn’t been particularly fair. She’d snapped a collar around his throat mid-climax; he’d never had a chance to even protest.
“Defeated?”The woman glanced over to the redhead on her right, exchanging a skeptical look. “By you?”
For some reason, her thick Russian accent added extra insult to the barbed question. It reminded Lucy of the look Eleanore had given her at the ill-fated dinner party; Lucy didn’t seem like a danger to anyone but herself.
She silently cursed Lai for putting her on the spot with his dramatic answer. Now, she needed to play along with his ridiculous performance. Did he have to turn everything into cheesy improv theatre?
“I’ve collared him like the dog he is,”she said, careful to avoid lying. She had no idea if they could tell if it was the truth, but they were witches; they probably had ways to spot a fib.
She waited for a reaction, but their stern faces betrayed no emotion. The third woman was still wearing her veil, hiding her expression entirely.
“Show them the photos.”Lai nudged Lucy with his elbow. Under the table, his hand squeezed her thigh in reassurance.“The ones you took in the forest.”
Lucy blushed and pulled out her phone. Scrolling past the million selfies of Lai (when had he taken those?), she found the photo of her standing over the defeated Orthrus.
Lucy had to admit the silly moment looked like convincing evidence to support her claim.
Lai held the camera while she sat triumphantly on the dog’s head, blowing imaginary smoke from finger guns.
“Hmph. The dog has been beaten. Very impressive.”The woman looked up from the screen, studying Lucy closely, before she tucked the phone into her dress, ignoring the girl’s squeak of protest. Lucy sighed.
It wasn’t like she needed it while they were here, but she’d have to remember to ask for it back when they left.
“I am Agata of the Sirin Sisterhood. Welcome!”She beamed, her demeanor changing so quickly it almost gave Lucy whiplash. Her wide smile brightened the room.
“This is my sister, Sabira,”she added, pointing to the redhead. “And Freya.”Agata motioned to the veiled one.
“I want to see,”Freya whispered to Agata, reaching for the phone.
Lucy could tell that Freya hated the veil. It was no surprise when Freya’s hand started crawling upwards to lift it. Agata stopped her, catching her fingers in her own and gently squeezing.
“Now, please eat. Then, we can discuss your visit,”Agata announced. “But first, a toast to Lucy!”
Lucy raised her glass and looked to Lai for instructions. It was just a simple toast; she couldn’t mess that up, right?
“Don’t put your cup down until it’s empty,”Lai nodded, raising his glass.
Lucy mimicked him, letting the drink burn her throat. The effect was immediate, her empty stomach absorbing the alcohol and sending pleasant heat thrumming through her body.
She put down her empty glass and saw Lai grinning at her. He had barely even sipped from his cup.
She reached for a piece of bread, stuffing it in her mouth to mop up some of the vodka she’d chugged.
“Thank you for such a wonderful meal and for allowing us into your village,”Lucy offered between bites. “I was told there was tension between you and Aristos.”