Despite the bitterness that twisted inside me like a thorn and the anger simmering just beneath the surface, I needed Maria's expertise. For Lyra, I had to put aside my pride and confront the woman who had become the unwelcome shadow in my life. The stakes were too high, and I had to do whatever it took to save my daughter, even if it meant seeking the help of my enemy.
I turned to Jacobs, my resolve hardening.
“Then I’ll speak to her."
As I prepared to face Maria, a storm of emotions brewed within me—anger, fear, determination. With a deep breath, I headed toward their Coven's quarters.
As I knocked on the door, I steeled myself for the confrontation that was sure to follow. And then, I found Maria in her private quarters, a lavish room filled with the rich scents of herbs and incense. She looked up from a table covered in vials and scrolls, her eyes narrowing as she took in my presence.
"Ah, the Luna herself," Maria said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "To what do I owe this visit?"
Her casual tone grated on me, but I forced myself to remain calm.
“My daughter... Lyra has been poisoned,” I said, my voice steady but urgent. “The Healers identified it as Shadowbane. We need the antidote, and you’re the only one who can help.”
Maria leaned back in her chair, a calculated smile playing on her lips as if she relished my desperation.
“Shadowbane? That’s a rare poison,” she said thoughtfully. “Are you sure it was Shadowbane?”
“That was what Jacobs found out,” I replied, trying to keep my frustration at bay. “I have no knowledge of poisons.”
Maria tilted her head slightly, as if weighing her words. “And I do. That’s why I’m asking if you are certain because that kind of poisoning is quite difficult to counter.”
I felt my lips tremble with anxiety, but I held her gaze. “That’s why I’m here, Maria. Toxicology is your area of expertise. Please help my daughter.”
“And why should I help you, Luna?” she asked, her tone dripping with faux innocence. “What’s in it for me?”
Her question, though expected, sent a chill down my spine. Her question hung in the air like a sharp blade, and I realized just how steep the price of my request might be. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but there was no other choice.
"I'll give you whatever you want," I replied, the words tasting bitter as they left my mouth. "Just save my daughter."