Page 126 of Traitor Witch

She may not have a crown, but there is no doubting she's their equal when they all share the same stone body.

Atop the Moon and Sun Goddesses’ chiselled hair, a mosaic-lined pool waits for a high priestess. The stonework of the crowns grants enough privacy that only those approaching from above, as we are, would be able to see inside.

It really is a temple to all three goddesses.

Unheard of.

But it's right in front of my eyes.

Stairs are carved around the single body the goddess statue shares, disappearing behind it and reappearing on the other side until they reach the collarbones, where the stairs split into two, climbing up each side of the statue until they reach the crowns.

Around the statue's feet there's a large balcony-type space, overflowing with plants and black, white, and grey fabrics. There are benches dotted around, but the gatheredcrowd is standing, leaving only a single, clear space for us to land in.

My knees shake as I dismount the broom, but I refuse to let it show until I know who I'm dealing with. The moment we reach the ground, Opal dismounts, shaking her fur out grumpily while giving me, and everyone else, a look of death.

We're surrounded by witches, both Lunars and Solars, and even a few white-eyed Seers. All of them staring at Elsie and me. The crowd is silent, leaving only the sound of the damned ocean and my own ragged breathing.

"Nilsa Dunn av Coveton, Shadow of the Moon," a voice echoes from the base of the statue. "And Elsie Fadden av Ilyani. Welcome to Sanctum."

A Mother Solar and a Mother Lunar. Standing side by side like best friends. Both smiling at us like they've been expecting us for a long time.

But the Mother Lunar looks...old.

It's so strange that I'm caught off guard and actually end up bowing to her. My body on autopilot while my mind tries to catch up.

She's definitely a witch—the sigils across her weathered skin attest to that—but her hair is grey, the skin around her silver eyes crinkled with age.

Immortals don't age.

This is not a woman who looks capable of killing a high priestess in her prime. Let alone two.

Chapter Thirty-Three

NILSA

"Rise," the Mother Solar orders, her voice scratchy. "I am Mother Solar Sophie and this Mother Lunar Petra."

"Lovely to meet you," Elsie chimes, like the polite little Solar she is.

I stay silent. I still don't know if these people are friends or enemies, and no matter what I do, my eyes keep snapping back to the Mother Lunar.

Petra just smirks. "I may look like a wrinkled ball sack but I can still take you out with my hands behind my back. Now, get your ass over here, witchling. We have shit to get done."

Instead, I tug the ring from around my neck and chuck it at her feet. The accusation is silent but unmistakable.

"You want to do this now?" she asks.

I nod once.

She raises her brows, sighs and crouches, picking up the ring and rolling it between her finger and thumb for amoment before stepping closer to me. "Yes. I killed her. I suppose you want to know why?"

She doesn't wait for my reply, just keeps moving forward, right into my personal space.

"Because the Goddess ordered me, her Shadow, to do it."

It takes a second for the words to penetrate.

"That's a lie," I hiss. "Glenna was the Goddess's faithful servant. She taught me—"