Page 143 of Traitor Witch

I roll my eyes and yank open the door. I storm out of the room and down the steps, double-checking my knives and pouch as I go.

"Great. Send the assassin off on a secret mission with a huge crowd and fanfare."

"They want to wish you luck."

That might be true, but I'd still rather leave quietly without the attention announcing to my targets that I'm out. That obviously shows on my face because Reva laughs.

"The price of fame." Her expression sobers as she looks across the sea. "It's partly selfish. They're praying that you can end it. You're the last Shadow, the last champion of the Goddess. Petra is dying and won't be able to train another student, even if one is born. If you fail, there is no one else."

"No pressure."Opal rubs her face against my chin in a silent show of support.

The steps to the courtyard seem to take forever, but when we're finally there, I'd give anything to be somewhere else.

Lunars, Solars... it seems like everyone has come to send me off. There's almost not enough room for them all and the mood is sombre yet expectant, making the atmosphere oppressive as I wander alone down the small, clear path they've left for me. Hands reach out, touching me as they whisper blessings.

Goddess, it feels like they're sending me off to die.

At the base of the statue, Sophie and Petra stand proudly, gold and silver dresses flicking in the wind.

"How are you feeling?" Sophie asks the moment I'm close.

"Fine." Goddess, I hate that question. "Eager to get this over with."

Petra gives me a once over. "You're not ready."

"You said it yourself. We don't have a choice."

She doesn't say anything, just nods at a witch behind me.

"This was made for you. It's fast, silent, and will get you to Cawshome in time if you leave now. If you make it back, I'll show you the letters your mother wrote to me when you were a witchling."

My mouth drops open, but the old hag just winks and shoves the enchanted metal branch at me.

"Our prayers are with you," Sophie whispers. "May you restore balance with your blade, Shadow."

I'm not certain why a high priestess of life is giving me her blessing to kill, but I don't question it as I buckle the saddlebags on to the broom.

"I'll be back," I promise, glaring at Petra as I perch on the enchanted metal, feeling it come to life with my touch. "So you'd better have those letters ready." I turn to Sophie. "And I will still have my questions about Alletta."

Sophie nods, sombrely. "If you finish the Queen, you will have earned the answers. End this."

Opal stretches over my shoulders and then leaps off, taking her preferred seat in front of me instead.

"Lady's shadows hide you," Petra whispers as I kick off from the ground.

Goddess, this broom is... unbelievable.

It doesn't look like much. It's a plain, black twig, sleek but otherwise unremarkable. Nothing like the engraved and bejewelled masterpieces some of the Coveton witches had, but it flies like a dream.

I've only flown on my crappy, second-hand broom before. Slow, but dependable and good for gliding on air currents.

On this broom, Iamthe air.

I push us higher, revelling in the colder temperatures that only a Lunar can withstand. My old broom would have started to stutter, the magic not powerful enough to reach these heights. It certainly wouldn't have kept up any kind of speed.

Not this one.

I soar into the fading stars, chasing the last specks of darkness across the sky as the sun climbs behind me.