CHAPTER TEN
Stephania practically floated back from the pit on a tide of her own triumph. She’d enjoyed watching Ceres beaten the way she’d enjoyed few other things. It wasn’t just watching her hurt; it was having the power to do it. Before, Ceres had been something untouchable thanks to the blood of the Ancient Ones.
Now, Stephania could prove to everyone who watched that she was more powerful. And it meant that she had a way to keep her followers distracted. That was important too.
Her mind flowed through all the possibilities there were for breaking Ceres, judging them one by one as she tried to balance what would prove entertaining with what would leave too many marks when the time came to give her away.
“I’ll think of something,” Stephania said, but Ceres couldn’t occupy her thoug
