The Balance of Fates by RAQUEL RAELYNN

Author:RAQUEL RAELYNN [Raquel Raelynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Goldheart Publishing
Published: 2023-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter sixteen

As My Eyesight Began to Fade

A knock on the door makes Lucia jump. Is it Gabrielle? Lucia looks at the time. It’s still early. She’s making her way to the door when she hears a voice.

"Lucia. Lucia, dear, wake up."

Lucia freezes. Mother? Eyes wide, Lucia rushes to the wardrobe throwing off the T-shirt she borrowed from Adelaide and slipping a nightgown over her head. The thick fabric falls at her feet.

"Coming! Just a second," she calls, out of breath and anxious as she pulls up her hair and moves quickly toward the door. She throws it open to reveal her mother, Hatsia, the woman in formal dress for so early in the morning.

"Mama, I—I wasn’t expecting you," Lucia says as the door closes behind her mother. The woman raises a single brow, taking measured steps inside the room, scanning Lucia’s space. She hopes her mother doesn’t notice the untouched sheets or the spot of black fabric peeking out from under the bed.

"I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on your win at the first trial." A warmth spreads across Lucia’s face. Her mother has never praised her before. It’s a foreign feeling that tightens her chest and chokes her up.

"Of course, it was a close win," Hatsia continues, perching on Lucia’s chaise. Lucia moves to the end of the bed, folding her legs under herself. Hatsia’s eyes finally land on Lucia, giving her a critical examination. Lucia tries not to squirm.

"You didn’t tell me your magisk bloomed."

Oh no. "I didn’t— I didn’t know," Lucia stutters, searching for a plausible lie. "It just happened during the last obstacle when one of the contestants attacked me. I remembered my magisk application classes and it just burst out of me."

Lucia sweats, head bowed. She can’t meet her mother’s eyes, afraid the woman can see the lie.

"Well, that’s wonderful. I can’t wait to give the coven the good news. They will be thrilled."

"It isn’t a magisk nature or anything, but it’s something."

"Yes, it is." Hatsia stands abruptly, fingering the orb around her neck. "I want you to spend more time with Fabien. He can teach you and help your magisk grow. Your grandmother is getting sicker, and I need to be able to rely on you. I need your magisk to be as strong as possible, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mama."

"I also want you to keep a close eye on your opponents. Keep them close."

"What do you mean?"

Hatsia smirks, and it sends a chill down Lucia’s spine. She lays a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

"Be nice and friendly, and sweet as you are… But keep in mind that at the end of the day they want your downfall. They’re betting on you to lose, and they’ll use your sweet nature to do so. It would be helpful if we were aware of their weaknesses as well. Living in such proximity is good for one thing after all. Learning secrets."

Lucia’s heart beats fast, and she tries not to meet her mother’s eyes. Last night is running through her head.

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