Chapter 103: Betrayal

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The rectory rose above the University of Mirage, perched atop a hill adjacent to the magnificent Temple of the Moon Goddess, which signified the place as not only a religious sanctuary, but the true capital of both Valoria and the Church.

Mom was keeping in step with me as we followed Troy up the paved pathway leading up the hill. She sighed deeply, picking at a loose thread on her blue chunky-knit sweater.

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She was upset about something. I believed wholehearted ly it had to do with the fact we were all sitting ducks while Ta sia hid somewhere nearby, waiting to strike.

“Did you know the White Queens split with the Church of the Moon Goddess?” I asked as we continued what felt like a

slow, endless climb towards the rectory.

“Yes, I did. That ended with my reign, however. We estab lished new ties with the Church shortly after you were born.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, sweetheart, I did. It was taught in school. You just never listened.”

I frowned, tucking a loose lock of hair behind my ear. “I did listen-”

“Not often enough,” she teased, giving me a knowing

smile.

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I had a feeling karma for being a total pain in my parents’ ass was going to catch up to me as the years went by. I could already see the gleam of mischief in the eyes of Oli and Will. Charlie was our angel, at least for now.

“Troy, why didn’t Dad want to come with us today?” I asked as we neared the rectory.

Troy turned to us, meaning to part with us and go to the rectory himself while we met with the High Priestess of the Church.

“He and Rowan are putting a force together to find Hay den and Carl. I’m meeting up with them later and then—” he paused, looking from me to Mom. “I’m going to be going with your dad to locate them-and Ta’sia.”

“What?” I roared, which startled several people minding their own business as they sat on the benches along the path

way.

“We can talk about it later, Maeve,he said with force, and

in front of Mom, too.

I felt heat prickle across my cheeks, running my tongue along my lower lip as I thought of a retort, but Mom took my hand and began to lead me away toward the temple.

“We’re already late, honey-”

“You’ re not going AN,chapter_version=chapter_version +1 WHERE until we have a chance to talk about this, Troy!” I said over my shoulder, giving him my best “mom look” that I had been practicing in the mirror the past few days.

Troy was oblivious to it and seemed heavily distracted. He

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had barely said a word to me about the stranger who had come to the gala. He had barely explained what he had found in the journal last night, too. Both he and Dad were being ex ceedingly secretive.

He turned toward the rectory without saying a word, and I turned my head back to the temple, vexed beyond a responsi ble doubt.

“I’m willing to assume the Priestess will need to speak to me more than she needs to speak with you, honey. You can join him after we show both of our faces, at least.”

“Hopefully, there’s a darkened corner where I can ring his

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being too hard on

neck-”

I? You may be okay with Dad being distant and se cretive, but I’m

sounded. I could tell they had hurt her. She didn’t reply, the silence loud er

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

I understand why you’re

do you do it? Be married to a man who-who does things, alone?

a lifelong prac tice, honey. But I trust your father. Just like I hope you will

times.”

walked up the

Priestess’s name was Grace, which I found rather ironic. She walked with grace, and talked with grace, but her

was obvious. Maybe those ties Mom was talking about hadn’t been met with as much support

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she explained certain rites and ceremonies we were already familiar with. Mom seemed to grow in annoyance as I glanced at her, her arms folded over her chest as Grace went

us?” I said, done

my question, and answered casually, “You’re pagans,

same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do

pagans. Witches, if

this woman’s tone toward my mom. I didn’t even know

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didn’t lash out. She stood calmly, peering at

shall we? As much as I appreciate your gracious tour, I am more interested in what you want to know about the moonstone. Such a pagan thing, I

Grace, who had balled her hands

fists.

neck. She was taller than Mom but not taller than me, and I had to look down at her slightly as she spoke. She looked all business in her white and

need it returned to us

her finger on the moon dial. “The moonstone belongs to the White Queens. It always has, and ALWAYS

her back to her full health. She seemed to glow in the light coming through the glass ceiling of the cathedral, her eyes glistening with challenge

use of the moonstones as singular, which matched Grace’s response. She had no

my skin as I watched Grace

have

her

across my cheeks

“Then where is it?”

is so important to the Church to

her lower lip, looking thor oughly irked

the relics related to the Moon Goddess, regardless of whose possession they are in. Includ

that why you aided Damian

fainted. I fought as hard as I could to stay upright as Mom stared blankly at

don’t know what

gotten the map? You said it yourself.

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to back away

moon dial. Mom followed.

are you working with? Is it

when Mom said Tasia’ s name. She looked around, suddenly

speak

Will she hear us? Is this

the Moon Goddess, Queen Maeve.

years ago. She is a girl with powers she doesn’t understand and powers she refuses

do you know all

in on her grand scheme the entire time. Grace was the High

is she?” Mom bit out, anger bringing

she turned into a darkened hallway,

the hell was that all about?” I hissed, my

untouched during their invasion, while they wrecked prac tically everything else. It was especially odd that she told you she knew about the moonstone,

hit the nail on the

looking over

harboring Tasia?” I asked as we stepped outside, the bitter chill of the air biting against my

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