Chapter 103: Betrayal

Lv.1

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.

o

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.

0.00%

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

7.82%

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

o

being too

neck-”

be okay with Dad being distant and se cretive, but I’m not okay with

didn’t mean the words to be as harsh as they sounded. I could tell they

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

I understand

married to a

his schemes? It’s a lifelong prac tice, honey. But I trust your father. Just like I hope you will trust Troy’s

times.”

the steps to the

grace, and talked with grace, but her words were often harsh and sharpened to such

talking about hadn’t been

0

us on a tour of the temple, which felt wholly unnecessary, especially as she explained certain rites and ceremonies we were already familiar with. Mom seemed to grow

your problem with us?” I said,

by my question, and

rites, the same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do with the fact the White Queens are

I said, pagans. Witches, if I can

tone toward my mom. I didn’t even know

Lv.1

She stood calmly, peering

tour, I am more interested in what you want to know about the moonstone. Such a pagan thing,

off by Grace, who

fists.

into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She was taller than Mom but not taller than me, and I had to look

need it returned

mistaken, Priestess,” Mom said, reaching down to tap her finger on the moon dial. “The moonstone belongs to the White Queens. It

into a diamond under pressure. I was thankful to have 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 as she waited for

Mom’s use of the moonstones as singular, which matched

unease creep over my skin as I watched

have it, do

her tone soft and

cheeks didn’t give anything away. I couldn’t lie

“Then where is it?”

I ask why it is so important to the Church to have it in

lower lip,

the Moon Goddess, regardless of whose

Damian in the overthrow of Drogo

I could to stay upright as Mom stared blankly at Grace, tilting her head to the side as Grace’s face underwent

know

Romero have gotten the map? You said it yourself.

42.65%

began to back

moon dial. Mom followed.

working with?

as white as her robes when Mom said

speak her

us? Is this

the Moon Goddess, Queen

a vendetta about something that hap pened thousands of years ago. She is a girl with powers she doesn’t understand and powers she refuses to use for good. Had the Church not tempted

do you

pale, her eyes wide. She had come into this trying to wear us down, and Mom had been in on her grand scheme the entire time. Grace was the High Priestess. She was part of the High Elder Council.

she?” Mom bit out, anger bringing color

ran for it, her robes trailing behind her as she turned into a darkened hallway, leaving us alone in the grand marble foyer of the

hissed, my voice echoing on the walls despite my attempt

pleased with herself, exhaling deeply. “Noth ing, honestly. I was guessing, throwing things until they stuck, so to speak. I found it odd that Damian’s forces left the Tem ple untouched during their invasion, while they wrecked prac tically everything else. It was especially odd that she told you she knew about the moonstone, and that we had it, given

you hit the

followed, looking

chill of the air biting

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255