The air changed, and the hair along her nape rose.
Terror filled her as she swung into the alley. Safety was so close.
A huge weight slammed her into the stone wall of her home. Her ribs screamed at the rough treatment, and her cheek burned. Her attacker flipped Lia around and pinned her in place, legs dangling in the air. A scream lodged in her throat as the terribly familiar face stared down at her.
Olwen.
He yanked the hood from her head, his expression turning into something ugly.
“I knew it,” he growled, the words hardly intelligible. His whole body shook, muscles seeming to swell. “Reilleve.”
Dahlia stared into his horrible face. The bared fangs. The hatred in his pitch gaze. A glowing white light along the edges.
Her death had finally come for her.
“Commander.” Her voice did not shake. She did not scream or plead. Her brother and Loshika were only a few feet away from the Loriian’s beast that they liked to occasionally release to instill fear in Asterans. “I wondered when you would recognize me.”
He glared down at her, his teeth snapping in her face. “I should tear out your throat where you stand.”
“Then do it.” Dahlia turned her neck and stared at the door. At least the window did not have a view of the alley. Cosmos would not have her death imprinted on his mind if he was still waiting for her.
Time stretched. The pain didn’t come.
Only Olwen’s harsh pants in her ears.
Lia slowly turned to him. He was still glaring at her, but it was not as violent—almost accusing.
“You don’t smell of fear,” he spat as if it was offensive, “But resignation.” He inhaled again, and his mouth went slack. “Like you want it.”
Her eyes slammed shut against the ugly truth he had blurted out. The secret sin she harbored and wished to hide forever. Part of her knew her death would scar her brother, but she was so tired of living with the fear for her family and friends.
She did not want to die.
Just for the pain to stop.
For the fear to stop.
Dahlia wanted to be safe and free.
“Look at me!”
It was impossible to open her eyes and face what he had seen in her gaze. Olwen shook her hard, the back of her head hitting the stone wall.
“Look at me, coward.”
Her eyes snapped open, and Lia gazed at the monster who would take her life. She had made mistakes in her life and had been called many things before, but a coward was not one of them.
See this through.
Licking her chapped lips, she whispered, “Do what you must, Olwen. Know that I do not bear you any ill will. This is fair. This is just.”
It was not a lie. Life was a cruel mistress, and sometimes you did not have a choice. You had to protect those you loved. And Dahlia had hurt Olwen’s family.
Her pulse slowed as she slid her fingers up his shaking forearm and laid her hand over his that was wrapped around her neck. “It’s okay. Please make it quick and...” she swallowed hard, feeling his grip tighten. “Please don’t leave my body here. I beg of you.”
They stared at each other for a long time.
He was the first to break.
