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

o

being too

neck-”

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

tell they had hurt her. She didn’t reply, the silence loud er than her words would have

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

alright. I understand why

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

your father. Just like I hope you will trust Troy’s judgment here. We may be White Queens, but they are men. And we have to let

times.”

the steps to the temple

grace, but her words were often harsh and sharpened to such an edge I felt as though they could

Mom was talking about hadn’t been met

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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 in annoyance as I glanced at her, her arms

problem with us?” I said, done with

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

Priestess,” Mom said shortly. “We have the same rites, the same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do with the fact the White Queens

said, pagans. Witches, if

was shocked at this woman’s tone toward my mom. I didn’t even know how to

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

for, shall we? As much as I appreciate your gracious tour, I am more interested in

by Grace, who had

fists.

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.

Church. I need it

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

I was thankful to have her back to her full health. She seemed to glow

moonstones as singular, which

unease creep over my skin as I watched Grace

don’t have it, do

lied, her tone soft and

my own expression, hoping the flush prickling across my cheeks

“Then where is it?”

why it is so important to the

tongue along her lower lip,

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

aided Damian in the overthrow of

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

don’t know what

have gotten the map? You said it yourself. The Church lays claim

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began to

moon dial. Mom followed.

are you working with? Is

her robes when Mom said

speak

she hear us? Is this where you’re

Goddess, Queen

She is a girl with powers she doesn’t understand and powers she refuses to use for good. Had the Church not

you know all

was sickly 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

is she?” Mom bit out, anger bringing color

for it, her robes trailing behind her as she turned into a darkened hallway, leaving

my voice echoing

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

you hit the nail on the

I followed, looking over my shoulder

how did you know 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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