The forest is much calmer now. There isn’t a single screech to indicate there may still be any forsaken left.
We make it through the forest without incident, and to my relief, Morgana isn’t waiting for me up at the castle. Instead, she stands on a hill not far from the path’s entrance. Sin stands beside her, his arms crossedand his expression hard. Magnus and Damien wait on her other side, their eyes widening at the sight of me. At least those two look concerned.
I take in Morgana’s self-satisfied expression, and rage unfurls inside of me. She left me to possibly die in here after murdering me once already. My eyes lock on hers, and I watch with petty satisfaction as her expression morphs into shock. Behind me, a massive line of freed spirits comes into view, their glow lighting up the tree line.
I am finished with being deceived by powerful creatures.
I am not helpless, and I will fight back.
I take a step forward, now fully exiting the forest.
“I don’t know what kind of sick and twisted game you think you’re playing, but you willneverdo this to me again.” My voice shakes from the shock starting to take over, but I’m not finished.
I take another step, and without hesitation, the line of spirits behind me, who have been magically contained in the forest by Morgana for who knows how long, step out behind me.
Whatever magic she had over them is no more.
Seeing the spirits leave the forest, Sin shifts, subtly placing himself between me and Morgana. The move sends a pulse of satisfaction through me.
I amnotpowerless.
“The forsaken are no longer yours to command.” I don’t shout the phrase, but I watch as the blood drains from Morgana’s face. She heard me.
I cup my hands to my mouth, helping to project my voice. “I release you from this place! Go and be free!”
With my words, the silvery lights from the spirits blink out, one by one, as they disappear, moving on to wherever they need to be.
I never break eye contact with Morgana, who now looks terrified, as I slowly make my way towards her. Rage still simmers in my veins.
Sin doesn’t move from his protective stance, and I hear him ask, “What is she?”
Morgana swallows before answering, “I have no idea.”
I’m limping up the hill when two heavy bodies collide with me, arms tucking around me on either side. Damien and Magnus plaster themselves against me, helping me walk. I stiffen at the contact but then let myself lean on them. It helps ease the sting in my leg.
I try not to think about the arms pressing against the gashes on my back.
“Easy, little enigma,” Magnus whispers as we move together. “It seems you may have a little scratch,” he notes, making light of the blood that coats most of my body.
Sin glares at us but moves back to Morgana’s side.
I guess I don’t look like a threat anymore.
Shame.
“What did you do to them?” Morgana’s voice trembles, and she’s matching my anger now.
Good, we’re all angry.
Damien’s hand squeezes my shoulder in a comforting gesture. I try not to black out from the pain. I guess there’s a scratch there, too.
“I freed them,” I grit out.
“That – that’s not possible,” Morgana answers.
She looks devastated. Maybe she thinks I killed them. The thought immediately cools my anger.
“I’ve been doing it for years,” I answer honestly. “They’re trapped, and it sucks the humanity out of them. I release them from their ties so they can finally find peace. There are similar creatures in my realm.”
