The Traitor's Crux (The Dark Powers Book 1) by Jessica Prather

Author:Jessica Prather [Prather, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oftomes Publishing
Published: 2017-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

21 “THAT WAS PRESIDENT REED,” I stutter stupidly, scanning Harlow’s face for an explanation.

She rolls her eyes, lounging back in her chair, “Wow, nothing gets past you.”

Her memories race through my mind. Malen and Reed had her and wanted to use her for something. But… what?

“Harlow, what was he talking about when he said he needed your help?”

“Reed and Malen had special plans for me because, what can I say? I’m just a lucky girl.” I can still see the desperation in her eyes, like a person whose memories burden her day and night. Her hands shake, even though she tries to hide them. She’s scared. “There are different types of magic, I guess you could say. Some are more powerful than others, and some are… purer. Do you remember how I told you about dark magic?”

I nod and she continues, “I’m one of those witches. So are you—though, I think Reed’s let that one slip, hasn’t he?”

Let her think that you’re on her side. “Yeah, he did…” I admit.

“I figured as much. Practically any witch that he recruits has it. And it’s the obvious choice—our magic is darker than the rest. More powerful and deadly. It’s also influenced by intentions: the more we do dark magic, the more it affects our soul. Malen had the same types of powers—he let it turn him evil.”

“It could shut off our humanity? That… actually explains a lot in Malen’s case.”

She nods, “He figured it all out too. Hit the soul-sucker jack-pot, if you will. He knew if he could find enough people like us, he’d have an entire, easily-influenced army at his disposal. In all reality, Reed is just following along in his footsteps.”

Goosebumps cover my arms. “But surely he couldn’t do that. People don’t just listen—”

She raises a brow, “Oh yeah? Explain the war then. Explain how he got so many on his side. It’s easier than you think. People are dumbasses. It wouldn’t be hard for him at all to influence the darker side of our powers. You know how they operate. Torture, threats, blackmail—they play dirty to get their way. That’s what Reed did with you, isn’t it?”

“Harlow…” I whisper, thinking of the past few weeks. All the magic, the lies, the betrayal. She has to believe I’m on her side. “Reed… he told me that he picked me because of my powers.”

To my surprise, Harlow only smirks. “Of course, he has. Your powers are extraordinary. I can see why he wanted you.”

Harlow frowns, rubbing the tattoo on the back of her hand absentmindedly. After a moment, she jumps to her feet, a thought bright in her eyes.

“What are you doing?” I follow her, watching in confusion as she lets out a sharp breath, running a hand through her hair as she pauses, eyes distant.

“Of course,” she whispers, but I’m not sure if it’s to me, or herself. “It all make sense.”

“What makes sense?”

She turns on me, excitement in her eyes. It’s a new look for her. “I thought you did it on purpose that night, but you didn’t, did you?”

“What?” I scoff.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.