Page 46 of Tanglewood Legacy (The Three Sisters 3)
“Why would I want this… thing? What is it?”
“Have you heard of Augustine’s chalice?”
Delphine popped her hip out, looking bored. “No.”
“St. Augustine dabbled in both Christianity and Paganism. He imbued the chalice with the magical properties meant to make him stronger and more resistant to curses. It worked. With it, Augustine became immune to demon magic. This frustrated Asmodeus, and he took an interest in the object. He wants it, not only because it would remove a weapon against him from this realm, but also because he believes he can use it, warp it, and make his own magic stronger with it. He’s searched for it for centuries. If you had it, you could use it to buy his favor. Already, his attentions have turned from you to Antoinette. Don’t deny it. I know the way he works. Soon, he will abandon all three of you, and your powers will fade.”
The way Delphine’s scowl deepened was encouraging. Her barb had hit home. To be sure, it was a guess on her part. She’d never been Asmodeus’s lover, but her gut told her that the demon of lust would steer clear of monogamy and become easily bored.
Delphine’s eyes narrowed, and her sisters whispered to each other and then into her ear. “You’re lying. Even if you had this chalice, you’d never give it to me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I love Pierre. The banns have been posted. I don’t want to leave la Nouvelle-Orléans. But you’ve won. I can’t stay without your permission, and Pierre will never be safe without your promise of protection. I will gladly trade the chalice for these things.”
Expression turning icy, Delphine shook her head and jutted her chin toward the stake. Through a cruel smile, she said, “All this talk of chalices and demons, when all I want to do is watch your sister burn.”
Isis turned her attention back to the stake and took Circe’s hand.
That went well,her sister mused to her over their bond.
I have her exactly where I want her.
Military drums started at the end of the street, and Isis leaned forward to see Circe—or rather, Medea disguised as Circe—come into view, dressed in a plain white shift. Her hands were bound, and the executioner, former slave Louis Congo, prodded her forward. Isis swallowed down a lump in her throat and could not watch as he positioned her on the platform and tied her to the stake.
I don’t think I can do this. I want to grab my wand and rage against every person standing in this street,Isis thought.
Try watching yourself be tied to a stake and know it’s your sister taking the fall for you. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Tears welled in Isis’s eyes as Louis lit the fire.I should have used shadow to break her out of prison. We shouldn’t have let it go this far.
And leave the Devereaux sisters to ravage the parish? This is our home. We could settle somewhere else, but our problems would follow us wherever we went.Beside her, Circe shook her head.
Goddess, the flames are rising.
Trust the plan.
Isis looked up at Medea. Her sister’s screams cut over the crowd that had fallen eerily silent in the street. The illusion that made her look like Circe started to char grotesquely. But Medea’s gaze told a different story. As their eyes met, there was anger there but not pain, not fear. And then her sister’s chin bobbed toward the wood beneath her.
“What’s she doing?” Circe whispered, then caught herself and sent her thoughts through their connection again.It’s as if she wants us to look at the fire. You don’t think she wants us to put it out, do you?
Isis stared into the blaze consuming her sister. Symbols glowed in the burning branches. Not just symbols,words. Realization dawned, and she squeezed Circe’s hand.It’s the Tanglewood tree!
Isis lunged forward, but a soldier grabbed her around the waist and dragged her back. “It’s not the end for you, mademoiselle.”
A set of female hands pried her from the soldier’s grip. “I have her,” Circe said, then guided Isis toward the back of the crowd.
“Goddess, no,” Isis whispered.
“There’s nothing we can do. The tree is gone.” Circe pulled her into a firm embrace.
Delphine chose that moment to appear beside them. “Have you just figured out my sweetest surprise? When I led the mob to burn your plantation, I managed to chop down a tree on your property, one of a variety I saw you carrying when we got off the ship. Oh, it was smaller then, but the similarities were remarkable. An unusual tree and unusual circumstances. Now, it’s kindling.”
If Circe hadn’t been holding her so tightly, Isis would have lunged for Delphine’s throat. But her anger at the vampire was soon drowned out by fear for Medea. She turned back toward the stake. The flames were above her sister’s head, hiding her from view.
“Isis,” Circe said, “you don’t think…”
No, Isis thought to her sister.Medea is fine. We’d feel it if she wasn’t. At least, Isis hoped they would. It was too late now. Medea looked dead, but that was always the plan. Isis wouldn’t be able to recover her body until much, much later. Goddess, she prayed she was right and her sister would be okay.
She allowed the fear and grief for what Medea had gone through to color her expression as Isis turned weeping toward Delphine and her sisters. “The deal is off. I’ll go to Asmodeus myself and trade the chalice he wants for his promise to destroy you. You’ll regret this day, Delphine. Remember, Asmodeus visited me first.”
