Truth or Death by Sara C. Roethle

Author:Sara C. Roethle [Roethle, Sara C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vulture's Eye Publications
Published: 2019-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

Sophie

Sophie stumbled away from Sleipnir. Strong arms wrapped around her, then lifted her back to her feet. She smiled sheepishly over her shoulder at Aila. Clumsy, she was not, but she found traveling with Sleipnir almost as jarring as traveling through Yggdrasil. And her injured—probably broken—arm did not help her balance.

Madeline and Marcos stepped away from Sleipnir’s other side, seemingly unfazed. Of Marcos, she was not surprised, and of Maddy . . . well, she was pretty sure she wasn’t Maddy anymore. The possession that had come over her was oddly reminiscent of the Key, and she hoped it had not somehow escaped from within Yggdrasil’s root when Maddy pulled the magic into herself.

Realizing Aila still had a hand on her waist, she stepped away, then blushed. The conflict between her and Aila was unfortunate, and she did wish to mend it, but now was not the time.

Madeline glanced at Marcos, then walked off into a forest of maples.

Sophie jogged after Marcos as he followed her. She reached his side, then put a hand on his bony shoulder, despite her aversion to touching him.

He stopped walking and looked at her.

“What the hell is inside Madeline? Is it the Key?”

Aila reached them. “I don’t think so. Not even the Key could have decimated a god so easily. There was nothing left of Ve.” She shook her head, her hazel eyes on Madeline as she proceeded through the trees. “Not a trace. We must proceed cautiously.”

Marcos blinked at her. “It seems to me, whatever is inside Madeline is accomplishing the task she thought herself too weak to handle. What is the issue?”

Sophie huffed. “The issue, is that we care about Madeline, and we don’t know what this thing truly intends.”

“I do not believe it will harm her, if that is truly your concern.” He turned and walked off in the direction Madeline had gone.

Sophie had no choice but to follow, but there was one issue.

She glanced back at Sleipnir, then to Aila. “You should probably lead the horse along so it doesn’t run off without us.”

Aila’s cheeks flushed. “Why must I be the one to lead it?”

Sophie arched a brow. “Are you not second in command after Mikael? Is not leadership your task?”

Aila sighed. “Fine.” She walked back toward the horse.

Sophie smiled at her back. Aila was far too easy to manipulate for her own good. It was cute . . . especially in one so otherwise formidable.

Once Aila had Sleipnir by the reins, they crunched through the leaves in the direction Marcos and Madeline had gone.

Aila cast a wary glance around the white-trunked maples as they walked. “Are we truly supposed to just stay back and watch? What if Madeline is trapped inside her mind, powerless against this being’s influence?”

Sophie brushed the fingers of her left hand against her blade’s hilt near her waist. Sometimes just touching a weapon made her feel safe, but not now. Especially since her right arm was her dominate, and would be no good to her for a while.

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