Ahead lay a tall, rocky mountain. A trail wound east toward a great bridge spanning the ravine. Workers carried sacks of grain from a silo to waiting wagons. It all felt strangely familiar to Eva.
She’d been able to piece together many memories, but there were still holes. She hoped the man beside her didn’t notice how much he affected her. Lord Peregrine Greycloak. Would he mind if she called him Perry?
“Greetings, Lady Evadne,” the voice pulled her from her thoughts. An elegant woman dressed in black trimmed in gold stood before her. Fame. Eva the Fearless.
Eva’s eyes fixed on the woman behind Fame. She was gorgeous, with long flowing hair and a form-fitting dress that showed off every curve. Her attention was on Perry. Her eyes were the deepest emerald Eva had ever seen. Eva brushed past Fame and planted herself squarely between the woman and Perry.
“Back off,” Eva growled. Danced with Charity. Wonderful shade of green they were. The woman in Hell. What was her name? Anna. Fury rose in Eva. Without a thought her dagger was at the bitch’s throat.
The green eyes blazed. Horns rose from her head. Wings spread from her back. Flames sprang up around her.
“You back off, little girl,” the succubus spat, slashing at Eva with her claws. Eva ducked and drove her dagger toward the demon’s stomach. The succubus dodged.
They circled each other, the flames scorching the ground where the succubus had stood. Charm.
“Mind if I cut in, Lady Evadne?” A light touch, and Eva found herself spinning away from the fight. Megaera swayed toward Charm.
“May I have this dance?” Her voice dripped with sweetness. Charm lunged at her. Megaera giggled.
“Megaera!”
“Awww, did you miss me?”
Charm swung viciously again and again. Megaera danced lightly, gracefully, always out of reach. Yet always in rhythm.
Her copper hair glistened in the sunlight. Her dress spun around her gaily. Long ribbons of nearly transparent cloth whirled around her. About Charm.
A ribbon wrapped around Charm’s wrist as Megaera spun her into her arms. Megaera pulled her close. Her eyes turned inky black.
“How many times have I warned you?”
Charm wrenched free. They circled each other. The ribbons became a blur. One wrapped around her wrist, then another. And Charm was bound. How Megaera had bound her ankles, Eva couldn’t have said.
Charm fumed but was unable to move. Megaera glided up to her and lifted her chin with one finger.
Then she kissed Charm’s lips. Deeply. The color drained from Charm’s face. She coughed.
“Go back to playing with your dolls,” Megaera said, fury barely contained. She pushed Charm to the ground.
***
It had all happened so fast Perry could barely believe his eyes. He understood now how Charm had been such a threat to the Author. And Eva—she was as reckless as ever. The Fury had appeared without warning and vanished just as suddenly.
Eva had wasted no time leaving the scene behind. Fame had tried to speak to her, but Eva brushed past her and set off toward the Hill of Difficulty. Her pace was so quick Perry could barely keep up.
That was when they met the third sister. The one the Author still couldn’t bring himself to hate. Yet she was as deadly as the other two. Comfort.
Her face was sweet, with large, tender blue eyes. Her voice even sweeter. She held out her hands to Eva.
“Eva, dearest,” she said. “The Author has sent me. You’ve passed every test. Endured every trial.”
“Tell me more.”
“No,” said Perry, backing a step away.
“There’s a house in Delight for you. Built by the Prince,” Comfort said. “You’ve fought enough.”
“No, Eva,” Perry said. “No. I will not go.”
Eva’s chin took on that stubborn set Perry knew so well.
“Fine,” she said, then turned and followed Comfort. She glanced back at him.
Perry stared after her. If I gave this to you… would you eat it? Would you follow me into ruin?
No.
Perry’s world crumbled around him as he watched Eva fade into the distance. He turned and began to climb the Hill of Difficulty alone.
He had barely taken a dozen steps when Eva appeared, out of breath.
“Why did you abandon me?”
“Abandon you?” he scoffed.
“You’re my knight. You are supposed to follow me.”
“Not into ruin. You’ve become reckless. Not the wise woman I know.”
“But the Author—”
“That was your own desire, not the Author!”
Lightning flashed in Eva’s eyes.
“Who made you the judge of what the Author wants or doesn’t want?” Her dagger flew to Perry’s throat.
Perry began to laugh softly. “Oh, Eva. My dearest.” He placed his hand over hers and lowered the dagger gently.
A look of horror passed over her face. The dagger clattered to the ground. She threw her arms around Perry and began to sob uncontrollably.
“Oh, Perry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too, Eva. Me too.”
He held her tightly and let her cry.
