I hastily packed a satchel of supplies—the Temptation Key, the Crone’s spell book I’d stolen from Envy, extra stockings, and dried fruit I’d pilfered from the kitchens—and changed into something warmer.
I stripped my dress off and replaced it with my fur-lined leather trousers, a lace-up tunic, and velvet cloak. I yanked on boots that went up to my thighs and snagged the strap of the bag as I rushed outside. I paused near the stables, the selfish part of me wanted to bring Tanzie for company, but I had no idea what I was looking for and didn’t want to miss anything by riding too fast. This was something I needed to do alone.
Before I could talk myself out of it, or draw the attention of any nosy members of House Wrath, I set off toward the edge at the back of the property and slid down the steep mountain. In record time I was on semi-flat ground again. I glanced behind me—the mountain Wrath had opened with a whispered word was as tall and as imposing as I remembered it.
I hoped I’d see it again soon.
With an image of my twin in my mind and determination in my heart, I began my trek through the unforgiving mountain pass. This time I was prepared for the subtle prodding of emotions. And I knew how to fight off demonic influence. I felt the first licks of power sliding along my skin, searching for a place to sink its teeth in. I bared my teeth at the realm. Even without the use of my magic, I was not helpless. I had a dagger and newfound grit.
“Do your worst.”
I was certainly going to do mine. I trudged through snow that gradually reached the top of my knees, my steps slow and unsteady. I didn’t think of the cold and ice. They were distractions. I kept my attention on my surroundings, looking for any hint of the Seven Sisters.
The first time we’d walked through here, I’d sworn I’d seen women using bones as knitting needles. I convinced myself it was my mind playing tricks, but I didn’t think that was the case. If the Seven Sisters made themselves known to me then, I prayed they’d do so again, especially now that I was no longer walking with the enemy.
A third of the way up an enormous section of the mountain, an ice storm struck. I pulled the hood of my cloak up and continued on. Little pellets struck me, over and over. As if furious with my defiance. The realm was wrong there. It was not defiance that drove me forward, taking step after excruciating step through this hell. It was love.
This journey may have begun with vengeance and revenge, but below that, it had always been about the love I felt for my twin. Nonna had been right; love was the most powerful magic. And I would harness it and—goddess above. I stopped walking, my attention catching on something that didn’t form naturally on any tree.
I squinted at the giant cedar and felt the blood drain from my face as I beheld a carving.
VII
“Hello?”
I reached for my dagger and glanced around. There were no sounds, no footprints, no otherworldly indications the Seven Sisters were near. But that seven carved into the trunk… I’d been taught to never overlook the signs. And that one was glaring.
I circled the tree, not finding anything else unusual about it. It was average sized, if not a bit more sparse than the surrounding cluster of cedars. I replaced my weapon in its sheath and dropped to my knees, digging through the snow. There had to be something here.
A few painful moments and frozen fingers later, my nails scraped against frozen earth. I tried scratching the surface and only succeeded in breaking several nails.
I stood, hands fisted at my sides, and tried to rein in my temper. The Sin Corridor sensed my momentary lapse in control and pounced. My favorite sin unleashed my fury, and I screamed, the sound muffled and smothered by the freshly falling snow.
I released all of my emotions, kicking at the snow, snapping branches off, and beating the ground. Sweat beaded my forehead and I couldn’t stop. I brought my fist to the tree and punched it as hard as I could.
“Godsdamnit!”
Pain lashed up my arm. I winced at my bloody knuckles, the fight and fury immediately leaving me. Godsdamn fool’s errand. Ridiculous riddles and… a thought occurred to me as blood dripped into the snow. On a hunch, I smeared a few drops on the tree, right across the Roman numeral seven. There was no moment of hesitation—the trunk clicked open, revealing a set of stairs hidden within it. I walked around the tree again. It didn’t seem possible for such a large set of stairs to fit inside, but I was finished asking questions. Now was the time for answers.
I said a prayer to the goddesses and stepped inside. The hidden door closed behind me, and torches flared to life. I went to grab my dagger again, but some innate feeling warned me against it. I don’t know how I knew with such certainty that I would not find a foe here. In fact, I feared any act of aggression might work against me. If I was about to locate a divine object, I needed to have faith that all would be well.
I inhaled deeply and pushed on. The stairs were wooden, semicircular, and curved around an enormous trunk. I took sure, confident steps, excitement and trepidation pumping through my veins the closer I got to the bottom. At the ground level a small stone chamber greeted me, a solitary pedestal in its center. And there it was. It had to be. I paused, taking in the sheer beauty of the mirror that was on display. Crafted from what appeared to be a combination of mother-of-pearl and raw moonstone, it was the most magnificent thing I’d ever seen.
It glowed from within. I stood before it, hardly noticing the tears spilling down my cheeks until the drops hit the mirror and sizzled. I set my satchel down and went to reach for it when candles suddenly lit around the chamber.
Seven ghostly shadows flickered in the light. They didn’t speak. Did not make a move toward me. They waited. The Seven Sisters had arrived. It was not fear, but awe I felt, deep in my soul. And a sense of familiarity.