Circe felt a chill crawl down her spine.
"You will replace your mother," Dena continued, extending one hand toward her in invitation. "That is what you were born to do. It is your destiny. You were meant for greatness, Circe. None of it involves being shackled to one of those blood-sucking leeches."
Her outstretched hand remained suspended between them.
"You do not belong in this realm," Dena murmured. "Take my hand and come with me. Once we reclaim our power, the three of us will rule together."
Circe lowered her gaze slowly to the offered hand. For a moment, she hesitated. Every instinct inside her screamed that this was a trap. But the images of Ragnar, her brother, and the others alone somewhere within this cave flashed through her mind. She had no other choice.
Slowly, she slipped her hand into Dena's. The moment their skin touched, Circe struck. She tore the lid off her power.
