Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) Read Free Page B

concern. She just wanted control over Valera’s life. Valera pulled away from her mother’s grip, mussed up her curls, and erupted.
    “Mother, I’m not leaving Theo and Julia behind! They’re my sisters…. And… I like dressing like a pirate… I am a pirate… a deviant… criminal… PIRATE! And I won’t put my hair into scalp-numbing buns ever again. I like my wild hair. It suits me, Mother. Why can’t you see who I really am?”
    Victoria’s fair-skinned face went from pink to red to purple. Her jaw clenched, and her hands fisted up. Valera had pushed her mother too far. She retreated to the back of the cell. After a few sharp, hard breaths, Victoria’s natural color returned. She adjusted the high collar around her neck and smoothed out her bun.
    “If you turn your back on your family again, I won’t help you. I’m leaving in an hour. You have until then to change your attitude, or I’ll leave you here to rot with those other two.” Victoria’s voice was cold and rigid.
    Valera opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught on her tongue. How could her mother do this to her? She knew she had made some questionable choices lately, but she never imagined her mother would abandon her.
    “Think carefully, young lady.”
    Her mother refused to look into her eyes. Victoria yanked on her black gloves until her fingers were so far into them that the fabric strained against her nails, and stormed out of the room. The reality of Valera’s situation came crashing down on her. Being free and releasing Danu became distant memories. She was in chains, unable to reach aether, and alone. Slinking down the wall to the floor, Valera curled up in a ball. The shackles around her wrist made her skin itch. The chill of the cement floor seeped through her bones. She cried.
    Valera, are you there? Theo whispered in Valera’s mind.
    A spark of hope rose within her. Valera sat up and closed her eyes. Aether was out of reach, but her friends weren’t.
    I’m here! I’m so glad to hear you.
    After all that yelling, you were so quiet that we thought your mother murdered you or something. Julia quipped.
    Valera wiped her face with the back of her hand. A twinge of embarrassment shot through her. They must have heard the argument.
    How much did you hear?
    I stopped listening after you yelled pirate. I’m not a snoop, you know, Julia laughed .
    Yeah, right. You’re hilarious, Julia, Theo added, joining in . We didn’t hear much, Valera. Is everything all right?
    Valera sighed , No, she may as well have murdered me. Then I would have been better off. She wants to take me back to Aetherland.
    Danu’s ass, how does she plan on doing that? Julia swore . Parmelia said we’re stuck in here.
    You are stuck in here. She made a deal with the Elders, but it only extends to me. I told her I’m not going.
    Are you crazy? You have to go. Both Julia and Theo’s voice screamed in her head.
    No, I don’t. I won’t leave you behind.
    Valera was growing tired of having people tell her what she had to do. She knew they meant well, but it didn’t matter. She would make her own decisions from now on. Still, having Julia and Theo with her lifted her spirits. Together, they’d find a way out of the situation. The girls grew quiet. When her mother came back in, she’d try to reason with her. Surely, she’d see the logic in keeping the girls together. Either way, Valera’s mind was set. She was staying.
    The hour passed in a blur of voices from the other two cells. Valera was too busy organizing her thoughts to listen in. When her door swung open and her mother again filled the frame, Valera stood up and faced Victoria. She crossed her arms and prepared to have a calm, adult discussion with her mother. But before Valera could open her mouth to speak, Victoria shook her head. She didn’t even ask Valera what she’d decided.
    “Your mind is made up then? So be it.”
    The door slammed shut and her mother left. Just like that, Valera