Still, I manage to keep my face neutral when I turn back to Need. “Is this supposed to be a threat? Leon already told me that only broken souls can harm the living,” I note, feigning nonchalance.
One day, I might learn to stop walking into set-ups.
But the moment I catch the joy light up in Need’s eyes, I realize today is not that day.
She snaps her fingers, and immediately, two Otherworld soldiers drag someone out from the cover of the trees.
The captive kicks and screams as the guards drag her to the front lines, and I freeze as I take in her bleached-blonde hair. Even though it’s tousled and covering her face, I’d recognize her anywhere.
My mother.
Time feels as though it slows as Need snaps her fingers again. This time, it’s a ghost who steps forward,and before I can process what’s about to happen, he lifts his blade and stabs my mother in the heart.
There’s no pause for dramatic effect or bargaining. Her screams cut off, and she crumples to the ground in a lifeless heap.
I don’t scream.
I don’t rush forward to catch her.
I don’t do anything.
All I can feel is the deafening thrum of blood pulsing through my ears as her unseeing eyes remain open, as if even in death, she’s judging us.
“You see? Isn’t it remarkable what can be done with Creator power when you have certain… enhancements?” Need asks, smugly, but her voice feels like it’s coming from underwater.
I barely hear her, as my mind tries to catch up to the fact that my mother is dead.
All those years of abuse, the bruises she never apologized for, the nights I spent wishing she would stop.
And now, she has.
I expect to feel some kind of guilt or perverse satisfaction, but instead, I just feel empty.
Maybe the woman who birthed me already stole all the grief I was capable of giving her.
Or maybe, my soul has been repaired enough to quiet the dark urges that would’ve rejoiced at her death.
Whatever the reason, I only feel numb.
“Kitten,”Sin coaxes,“I’m so sor–”
“Don’t be. She wasn’t a good person,”I manageto grit back.
My instinct to retreat into my mind and dissociate pulls at me, but I shove it away.
My friends, my realms, my homes.
It takes a concentrated effort to force my expression into one of horror.
‘Don’t show your cards until the last moment!’Cassandra’s memories yell out.
“I agree with her,”Sin notes in my mind, before giving an exaggerated sigh and addressing Need. “That was too quick a death for that monster,” he drawls.
But Need ignores him, evidently finished with waiting. “Well? I showed you mine. Do show me yours.”
When no one brings down the shields, she narrows her eyes and orders, “Remove it.”
Leon’s powers flare, only to be met by a surge of Sin’s energy as he blocks the attack on Morgana’s shield.
