Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

She shot him a sharp look, and he clamped his mouth shut.

The last thing Magnus wanted to admit was that Cleo was right, but it was true: The sister he’d once known would never have wanted to inflict such pain upon him, no matter what kind of truth she was seeking. What new magic was this? She’d grown so much more powerful since the last time he saw her.

The Kindred were meant to be his; they were the only way to ensure his future, and three of the crystals were still unaccounted for. He knew, now more than ever, that Lucia was the key to finding them.

He didn’t doubt that her new friend Kyan knew this as well.

Magnus pushed himself up to standing and mustered all the strength and willpower he could to trudge around the side of the labyrinth with Cleo and Nic trailing closely behind him. He could see the pair; they’d reached the ancient stone wheel, half-buried in snow and taller than any man he’d ever met. He watched them inspect it together, and the anger in his heart gave him fuel to straighten up and walk faster.

Kyan’s amber gaze narrowed at Magnus as he approached. “Who has visited this wheel here before us?” the angry young man demanded.

“I have no idea what you mean.” Magnus came to a halt, as did Cleo, only an arm’s reach away from him.

“The magic . . .” Kyan placed his palms against the rough surface and pushed. “I feel nothing, even this close.”

“How strange. I, on the other hand, do feel something. I feel the very strong need to throw you in my dungeon for kidnapping and corrupting my sister.”

Kyan snorted softly. “The sister you remember showed only a glimmer of what she was destined to become. Does her magnificence blind you?”

“Kyan,” Lucia interrupted, coming to stand between the two. “Ignore Magnus, there’s nothing he can do to us. We’ve found a wheel, right here in Limeros, just like that old witch promised. What’s the problem?”

“Can you feel its magic? Can you summon it back?”

Lucia frowned, then pressed one hand against the frosty surface. Magnus couldn’t help but notice the amethyst ring on her right index finger that Cleo once wore. “I don’t feel anything.”

“Any magic that previously existed within this stone has been removed.” His expression darkened. “This is Timotheus’s doing. He’s trying to keep me away from the Sanctuary, away from his little safe haven.” He shook his head. “He honestly thinks he can win this game.”

“A game? This is a game to you?” Magnus said through gritted teeth. “Let me guess. You think Lucia is the secret weapon you’ll use to help you win?”

“Magnus, be careful.” Cleo took a step closer to whisper to him.

He glared at her. “Stay out of this, princess.”

Cleo stared back at him, resolute. “I think it’s far too late for that.”

Kyan smiled at Magnus, a grin more sinister than even those he’d received from his father. “You think I’m using Lucia,” Kyan mused. “Yet you and your entire greedy family have been using her for what she is for over sixteen years. It’s only now that she’s finally free from you and able to make her own choices.”

“I’ve never used her, for anything.” The thought was an insult. “Not once.”

“Oh, Magnus.” Lucia shook her head. “I think you actually believe that. I think you believe that lie so completely that if I magically extracted the truth you’d say the very same thing.”

“Who is this creature you’ve become?” Magnus asked, his eyes narrowed and fraught with concern. “And what have you done with my caring, beautiful sister?”

Lucia rolled her eyes. “Your caring, beautiful sister died when her lover took his life on the floor of a temple, right before her eyes. The Lucia you knew was weak and pathetic. Trust me, Magnus, I’m much better now. I pursue the things I want and I get them. And nobody will ever use or manipulate me again.” She hooked her arm through Kyan’s. “If this wheel is useless to us, Kyan, we’ll find another one.”

“Whatever you’re trying to do,” Cleo said, “you’ll fail.”

“Will I?” A cool smile spread across Lucia’s face. “Much gratitude for your opinion. I value it so much.”

Cleo took one step closer to the sorceress. “You lost someone you loved. I know what that’s like. But you can’t let that grief, that unspeakable pain, turn you into something you’re not.”

“Are you really attempting to sympathize with me? No need, little one. Everything I’ve felt, all the trials and pain I’ve experienced, all of it was necessary to get me here. My prophecy has been fulfilled and now my future is my own.” She smiled sweetly. “Cleo, let’s talk about the water Kindred. I know it was claimed at the temple after I left that night. Where is it?”

Magnus watched as Cleo began to tremble, yet she still continued to stare directly into Lucia’s eyes. “I . . . don’t . . . know.”

“Yes, you do. And, just so you’re aware, while I didn’t take any pleasure in causing Magnus pain, I’ll take great pleasure in causing yours.”

Cleo cried out, pressing her palms to her temples as blood began to trickle from her nose. Magnus watched with horror.