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.

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.

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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

neck-”

and se cretive, but

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

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

I understand why you’re

Be married to a man who-who does

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

times.”

her response as we walked up the steps

walked with grace, and talked with grace, but

was talking about hadn’t been met with as

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seemed to grow in annoyance as I glanced at her, her arms folded over her chest as Grace went over the Church’s use of a moon dial in the center

your problem with us?” I said, done

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

said shortly. “We have the same rites, the same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do with the fact the White Queens are an extension

said, pagans. Witches,

was shocked at this woman’s tone toward my

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

interested in what you

Grace, who had balled

fists.

pulled back 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 down at her slightly as she spoke. She looked all business

belongs to the Church. I need it returned to us

on the moon dial. “The moonstone belongs

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

which matched Grace’s response. She

unease creep over my skin as I watched Grace stare Mom

have it,

Mom lied, her tone soft

my own expression, hoping the flush prickling across my cheeks didn’t give anything away. I couldn’t lie to save my

“Then where is it?”

ask why it is so important to the Church

along her lower lip, looking thor oughly irked

Church has rights to all the relics related to the Moon Goddess, regardless of whose possession

why you aided Damian in the overthrow of Drogo

I fought as hard as I could to stay upright as Mom stared blankly

know

You said it yourself. The Church lays claim to all

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began to back away from

moon dial. Mom followed.

are you working with?

robes when Mom said Tasia’

not speak her name

Will she hear us? Is this where

Queen Maeve. You must un

She is a girl with powers she doesn’t understand and powers she refuses to use for good. Had the Church not tempted Damian with the map, had they not given it to Romero for safe keeping during the war-going against their own allies-none

do you know all

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.

is she?” Mom bit out,

for it, her robes trailing behind her as she turned into a darkened hallway, leaving us alone in the

was that all about?” I hissed, my voice echoing on the walls

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 nail on the

toward the entrance now. I followed, looking over

she’s harboring Tasia?” I asked as we stepped outside, the bitter chill of the air biting against my cheeks as we walked across the large, ornate garden toward the

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