Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

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.

“Stop it!” Nic rushed at the sorceress, but at the flick of her finger he flew backward, hitting the wall of the labyrinth so hard that it knocked him out cold.

“Tell me,” Lucia gritted out.

A bloody tear slid down Cleo’s cheek as she continued to resist this fearsome new magic. “Princess Amara,” she finally gasped. “She stole it. I’m sure she’s returned to Kraeshia with it by now. You evil bitch!”

Lucia held her smile in place. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

She turned toward Kyan, and Cleo fell to the ground. Magnus rushed to her side, helping her back up to her feet, and swept her golden hair away from her face.

She wiped her hand under her bloody nose. “I’ll be fine.”

Magnus nodded once, firmly, and then sent a dark glare at Lucia and Kyan. “When you leave here, don’t ever return. Either of you.”

Lucia turned to him, still calm but clearly surprised.

“And if we refuse to follow your orders?” Kyan asked lightly, as if Magnus’s words were those of a court fool, there only to amuse him.

Magnus took another step forward and eyed him up and down with disdain, just as he had with Lucia’s prior, unworthy suitors. He attempted to shove Kyan, but the young man didn’t budge an inch.

Magnus then swung his right fist, striking Kyan squarely in his jaw.

Again, he didn’t flinch, but the amusement faded from his expression. “You try my patience, boy.”