Chapter 7
Luz POV:
“Hurry up!”
I open one eye, the blue light stinging my eyes. My head is still spinning as I try to sit up, wincing in pain. I rub my forehead, blood staining my fingertips as I look down at my hand. Whatever hit me must have hit me pretty hard. Looking around for signs of an exit, I notice for the first time the blue orb that imprisons me.
“Come on!” a voice whines. I look around but can’t find who it belongs to.
“This better be good, Serena.” I recognize Amity’s voice almost immediately. “I was meant to meet with Lilith 10 minutes ago!”
I move quickly, pressing my face up against the edge of my bubble-prison. The room I'm in is lit up only by the light the orb emits. Serval large statues line the walls, none of which I recognize. The interior of the building looks old, even older than Hexide. Where am I? And why is Amity here?
I watch intently as the two girls round the corner, each one wearing a different expression at the sight of the orb. Serena’s mouth is turned up in a smug grin, while Amity wears a look of surprise and confusion.
“Oh, my Gods, Serena! Who’s in there?”
“You’ll never guess.” the young witch replies, drawing a circle with her hand in the air. The walls of the orb around me change from a blue to a transparent white, and suddenly I can see the girls clearer. I jump back in surprise, losing my balance and falling onto my back. “I caught the Human!”
As I regain my balance, my eyes return to Amity, who stands there white as a ghost. Her hands fly to her mouth where they rest for a moment before she speaks. “You have to get her out of here!” she hisses. “Don’t you know what the Emperor will do to her if he gets his hands on her?”
Serena shoots her a confused look as she places her hands on her hips. “Uh, yeah, that’s the whole point.” She points a finger at me, her eyes glowing. “And her captors will be greatly rewarded.” She speaks slowly, as if talking to a child. Amity breaks away from my gaze, turning to look at her. “Isn’t that your dream? To be part of this Coven and take all of the glory that comes with it?” The green haired girl turns back to me, a glint of regret in her eyes. Serena moves behind her, placing both hands on either of Amity’s shoulders as she leans in to talk in a hushed tone. “This is it, babe. This is your future.” Amity keeps her eyes on me as she listens to what Serena is saying. “Take it”.
“Amity!” I call out, my voice breaking. “No!”
Her expression doesn’t change, and I know she can’t hear me. I bang my fist against the orb in frustration, my eyes stinging with hot tears. I don’t fight to stop them as they cascade down my cheeks in a waterfall of regret. I think back to the warning Amity gave me.
“If there’s ever a choice between our people, I will choose mine.”