“Is it just me, or was it really weird for my ex and his mate to show up here?” Lilly finally said when she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
“Yeah, thatwascrazy,” Peri said. She walked over to the couch and slumped down onto it. “I totally told them it was a bad idea, but St. Tanya was determined.”
Lilly sat down next to her and tilted her head. “Why do I have a very strong suspicion that you said nothing of the sort?”
Peri touched her nose. “Because you’re a queen, and queens can smell lies.”
“No, that’s moms. And I’m most definitely a mom.”
“I told you, Lil, they’re one in the same. And you’ve made one hell of a mom. I’ve no doubt you’re going to make one hell of a queen.”
Chapter 8
“I’ve learned many lessons in the human realm. First, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, every realm should have cotton candy. Its mere presence would likely cease all wars and hostilities within a matter of days. Second, after you’ve stolen the magic of another, you can’t expect it to be as loyal to you as it was to its first owner. Third, kidnapping prisoners out of a human prison, when accompanied by a fae with mind-control abilities, is not even a little fun. I didn’t get to blow anything up, knock anyone out, or cause the slightest bit of mayhem.” ~Myanin
“If we can snag ten more prisoners here, that will make an even hundred,” Tenia said. She and Myanin stood outside of yet another human prison. The djinn was nauseous. The evil that permeated the air of these buildings disgusted her.Why do you find it so offensive?asked the soft voice that seemed ever-present and had been nagging her continually—asleep or awake, it didn’t matter.If you were human, this is where you would be for the crime you have committed.Myanin took a slow deep breath and then let it out just as slowly. She was losing her damn mind. She’d thought there’d been a hole inside of her when Thad had rejected her. But she was beginning to realize that was simply the tiny end of a needle. The void growing in her since she’d left her realm seemed to be the size of her fist, and it was getting larger every second.
What surprised her was that as Lyra’s power continually bombarded her with the reminder that it didn’t belong to her, she was also realizing that their djinn power wasn’t just to keep history. It also served as a moral compass. Or at least that seemed to be how it was affecting her. Maybe it was because she’d used magic that had been intended for good for her own gain?All beings, supernatural or not, are capable of evil. Our race is no different, but because we preserve history and we see what corruption does, we have been able to keep from repeating others’ mistakes,Lyra’s voice explained. For once it wasn’t condemning or questioning. Why? Why was the woman she’d killed speaking to her kindly, as if she were simply a pupil and not a murderer?
Do you not see the grace you received from us?Lyra asked.You stand before the human prison and yet you lived in my home, despite the century of pain you caused two people. Was your anger righteous in its wrath?
She didn’t want to answer the question. The answer would only confirm her deserved condemnation. Myanin didn’t want that. She wanted—she needed—something.
“Myanin?” Tenia’s voice reached out to her.
“I’m sorry, what?” Myanin said, shaking herself out of her own mind.
“You ready?”
Myanin nodded. “Let’s get this over with. These places make me sick.”
“They’re like black holes,” Tenia said, not realizing her words were an adequate description of what was currently growing inside of Myanin.
Nine prisoners had been walked,quite effortlessly thanks to Tenia’s unique ability, out of their cells and been told to follow, single file, until they received further instruction. The djinn and Tenia picked out a tenth and directed the guard to unlock his cell. The prisoner rose and followed Tenia, unblinking. As he stepped out of his cell, he turned and looked straight into Myanin’s eyes. His irises were solid black—no color where there should have been green, or blue, or brown like other humans. His penetrating gaze sent a chill down her spine.
“I see you,” he said. The prisoner’s voice made her think of a talking serpent. “I know what you’ve done. You belong here, with us. You’d like it in here. We’re like you. You wouldn’t feel so alone.”
“I am nothing like you,” Myanin spat at the man, if that’s what he was. The evil radiating from him made her wonder if she was actually parlaying with a demon.
He chuckled and leaned closer. “Keep telling yourself that. Maybe you’ll actually believe it. But I doubt it. They won’t let you forget.”
“Who?” Myanin asked before she could remind herself she shouldn’t talk to lunatics.
“Your victims. They stay with you. They have no peace.” He didn’t sound like the idea bothered him. He actually sounded gleeful about it. “They all want to know the same thing.Why?”
Myanin took a step back, and her lungs tightened.Why, Myanin?Lyra’s voice returned.Why did you do this?She noticed again that the tone of Lyra’s voice had changed. It was less condemning and more understanding which only gutted Myanin more.
“What do you tell them?” Myanin asked the prisoner.Why the hell can’t I keep my mouth shut?
Impossibly, his eyes seemed to grow even darker. “Because I could. Because they were weak, and I was not. Because I wanted to. Because, because, because,” he said, spittle flying from his lips. “Does the reason even matter?” Madness danced in his eyes as he laughed. His chuckle was gone in a flash, and he moved quickly, standing nose to nose with her. “Why didyoudo it?” he whispered. “Did someone make you feel weak? Did someone think they were better than you? Or did you just like the way it felt to know you had that power? The power to take life from another.”
Myanin pushed the repulsive man away. He stumbled back, the smile returning to his face. Tenia stepped in front of him. “Join the others in line. You want to come with us.”
“Idowant to come with you,” he said, his voice rising a bit higher as he danced from foot to foot. “We’re going to have fun.” It wasn’t expressionless or monotone as the others had been.
Tenia narrowed her eyes on him, but when he fell in line with the others, she turned to Myanin. “You okay?”
Myanin swallowed down the bile. “Yes. Let’s just get these back to the Order and be done with it. I need some sleep.” She couldn’t help but wonder if she would find any rest in sleep. Maybe if she would just answer Lyra, if she’d just be honest with herself, then rest would come. The problem was being honest meant accepting what she truly was: a murderer.
