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“Not at the moment.”
“And for you, Madame Hearthling?”
“The same, thank you.”
Enjoying a meal, it seemed. Thessa stepped through the intricately carved door, a warm contrast to the cold marble walls, and said, “Blessed be, Supremes.”
They gasped in unison.
Madame Morganna’s fork dropped, the sound echoing off the smooth floor. There wasn’t a carpet to be found in this miserable fortress.
General Valstrom slammed her fists on the table. “Guards! Seize her at once.”
Madame Hearthling pursed her lips, setting her uneaten scone down. “How’d you get in here?”
Thessa eyed the soldiers. “Oh, I wouldn’t bother.” There was nothing to collect. Apparently, the more blood she used, the less translucent she appeared. She slipped through their arms and sauntered over to the dining table.
General Valstrom was seething. “Astral Projection is banned in this realm, when we find you, and trust me, we will, you’ll be locked in the dungeons until there’s nothing left of you.”
Thessa sighed. “How typically extreme.”
“Why do you look so familiar?” Madame Morganna asked quietly.
Thessa amused her. “You were the guest speaker at my graduation this year. Great speech, by the way. What was it you said about my future?The possibilities are as unique and infinite as the stars? You got me there.” Her tone was nothing but satirical. She hadn’t planned to act this way, but undeniable anger coursed through her veins. She understood now why Soren wouldn’t have been able to form any sentences here. “And of course, you might recognize me from the recent trial … doserpentssound familiar?”
Another round of gasps.
General Valstrom’s face was etched with undiluted hatred as she whispered something to her guards.
Thessa began to pace in an effort to appear unworried. “I’ve already sent the message across Andera, fixing your lies. Shadow-wielders exist and were executed cowardly, by you three. And continue to be.”
The room fell silent, all attention creeping toward her astral form. Madame Morganna and Madame Hearthling eyed each other, and Thessa could’ve sworn guilt swept across their faces, if only for a heartbeat.
Thessa went on. “Death is not to be feared, so why fear it?” She spun to the Elemental Supreme and pointed a dramatic finger her way. “Who will hold your hand, on your last breath, General Valstrom?”
No answer.
Thessa reclaimed her astral appendage and went on, “Unless you learn to accept our kind, and restore our rightful place in this world, the respect you hold will wither.”
General Valstrom barked out a laugh. “There isno placein this world for demons, or their sympathizers.”
“Our magic created this realm right alongside Celestial,Elemental, and Botanical magic. Is it not darkness that balances light? For even you can see that, Madame Morganna, can’t you? It’syourCelestials who so quickly understood. We’ll come peacefully. We deserve that chance. That is why I’ve come here.” She tried not to beg.
Madame Morganna’s lips parted but General Valstrom’s glare had her mouth snapping shut.
The Elemental Supreme huffed, taking a sip of wine before speaking. “No. Absolutely not. If you try to walk these streets, you will die.”
“Then we’ll have to call this battle the ReAwakening. Hopefully it’s written up correctly this time.”
Madame Hearthling’s eyes shot wide with worry.
“They’ve re-bred,” General Valstrom spat, red wine dribbling from her thin lips.
Thessa backed through the wall and booked it down the hall.
She had one last conversation to have.
“How’dyou get in here? Again? And why are you flickering?”