Page 38 of Awakening Storm

“I believe I am your great-granddaughter,” she said.

If she had expected a show of fanfare at her announcement, what she got was far from it. The lines on his face tugged downward. “It saddens me that you are here.”

“You do not wish to see me?” Her heart sank, especially after all she’d withstood before coming here, to get to this point.

“I do not wish for you to endure this endless life.” His eyes lacked any spark or joy as he spoke.

Aidan eased forward. “We intend to escape this place. Do you have any information that might help us?”

“Meditate. It is the only means of escape.”

“We’re after something a lot more permanent,” Aidan said.

“Then I cannot help you,” Katsu retorted. “If there was a way out, I would have found it years ago.”

“What of the boundary. When I found it, it seemed flexible,” Aidan said, surprising her. He hadn’t yet had a chance to tell her what he’d found out. “Can it be pierced?”

Katsu shook his head ever so slightly. “No one has ever left.”

Rhianna averted her eyes and swallowed hard as disappointment fanned in her chest. She tried to control her breathing as she fought her emotions.

Don’t cry.

“What about Theodora? What is her weakness?” Rhianna straightened her spine as the idea materialized. “Maybe if we stole her scepter! It seems to be the source of her power. Surely that would get us out.”

Katsu’s eyes met hers for the first time. “No one has accomplished that, either. And Theodora is a master of torture.” He glanced to Aidan and back to her. “It will not work. Do not try it.”

Disillusionment and frustration flooded her. She wondered what sort of torture he spoke of and how he knew. Her gaze slid to Aidan. She didn’t want to see anyone she loved be put to the test.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. She held her face in her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m tired . . . and . . . and I never imagined this world existed, let alone feared being here.”

Aidan eased her up and put his strong arms around her, holding her to him. “I’ll find a way. I promise.”

“But you’re on the right track in one respect,” Kastu said. “Any answer lies with the sorceress.” He stared intensely at Aidan, as if trying to impart a message.

Rhianna glanced between the two men. Were they exchanging some sort of communication? Could there be more to Aidan’s powers than she knew?