Sacrifice of Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,7

away from the world, and the petitioners had trickled to a small, select handful.

A handful that Terra was beginning to suspect had paid an enormous fee to be healed.

Intending to spend a few hours in the library, Terra was startled by the sudden appearance of a slender female with delicate features and eyes the color of spring grass. Her hair was dark gold and braided to hang down her back. Like Terra, she wore a flowing white gown, and her feet were bare.

At a glance, the two looked similar. They both possessed the delicate beauty of all nymphs. However, Terra’s hair was closer to honey than gold and left free to tumble down her back. And her eyes were an astonishing lavender color. They also shared the soft scent of aloe vera.

Terra offered a nod of her head. “Cyra,” she murmured in soft tones.

Cyra was one of the few older Serafs still willing to speak to Terra. The others had branded her a rebel. They didn’t like the questions she asked or her insistence that the temple of the Serafs was there to serve others, not to accumulate wealth or power. Or maybe it was her influence among the younger healers who shared her desire to reach out to those in need that angered the elders. In any case, they tended to regard her with cold disdain.

“I have been searching for you,” the female said.

Terra blinked in surprise. “Really? Is there a petitioner?”

“Not exactly,” Cyra said.

“I don’t understand.”

Cyra reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a medallion that hung from a delicate golden chain.

“I was given this by…” Her words trailed away as if she were reluctant to say the name. “By a sister. She claims that it appeared on the doorstep this morning.”

Terra frowned in confusion. Nothing could get through the barriers around the temple.

“How did it get here?”

Cyra arched a brow. “You tell me.”

“Me?” Terra looked closer, her breath suddenly tangling in her throat as she realized that she recognized the medallion that was lying in the middle of Cyra’s palm. She should. It had once belonged to her. “Javad,” she whispered.

“A friend of yours?”

A strange sensation darted down Terra’s spine as the thought of the vampire seared through her mind. With vivid detail, she could conjure the image of his lean, beautiful features, his satiny dark hair, and the fathomless black eyes that shimmered with a bronze glow when his emotions were heightened. It’d been centuries since she’d last thought of the male, but now, the memories flooded through her as if they’d broken through a barricade.

And in a way, they had. She’d built up protective layers to block out the time she’d spent in Vynom’s clutches. Including any memories of Javad.

Cyra held out her hand. “How did he come to possess your medallion?”

Instinctively, Terra reached to take the necklace. “It was a long time ago. I’d almost forgotten.”

Staring down at the medallion that was carved with an image of the tower, Terra became briefly lost in the emotions swirling through her.

“Terra?”

With a blink, she lifted her head to discover the older woman staring at her with a hint of concern.

She swallowed a sigh. She’d done her best to burrow her head in the sand and pretend that it’d all been a bad dream. Now, it was time to confront her past.

“Maybe we should sit down,” Terra suggested.

“Very well.” Cyra led them to a low sofa that had been arranged to overlook the gardens.

They settled on the woven seats together, and Terra hesitated. She had the words. She was just struggling to push them past her lips.

At last, Cyra reached to grasp her hand, giving Terra’s fingers a small squeeze.

“Take your time.”

She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. Then, stiffening her spine, she forced herself to speak.

“You probably remember when I was first brought to the temple. I wasn’t very happy.”

Cyra was polite enough not to laugh at the gross understatement. Terra had still been young and emotional and filled with arrogance. She’d been stronger than all the other healers and convinced her skill gave her some unique wisdom. She’d been wrong.

“Ah.” Understanding flared through Cyra’s eyes. “I remember now. Didn’t you disappear for a time?”

A shudder raced through Terra. “Yes. I thought I could teach the Matron that we belonged among the people. A stupid mistake that nearly cost me everything.” She reached up, touching her shoulder. Beneath the silk of her robe was an ugly brand that marred her