What’s the point of having this ability if I can’t control? Come and go as I please? I’m not special like my parents. They would have figured out how to dominate this great imposition. My father would have escaped from this small slice of hell within moments of being captured.
“I’ll try.”
Letter #1,007
Skylenna
Dear Kane,
Little Niklaus was abducted. Luckily, DaiSzek and Warrose tracked him down and dealt with his captors before any of us could even act.
But it got me thinking. What if that had been Krimson or Sapphire? No one would have gotten there faster than you.
I will protect our children, but it should be you, baby.
I know you would take a nation down to protect your family.
I love you still.
Sincerely,
Your Soulmate,
Skylenna
19. Umbra Abulia
Sapphire
“You’ve upset my grandson.”
That horrible, awful, sickening voice jolts me awake. The light burns my eyes, but I can still make out her hunched posture and frizzy bun.
To my surprise and relief, Agatha is not talking to me.
“Wake up, boy!”
A hard slap to the face wakes him up. The sound of his distinct, sharp inhale is laced with violent rage. I wish it was strong enough to break through his restraints to break this woman’s neck.
“Now I have to deal with you! I thought that girl was going to be my only problem!”
Oh fuck, is she going to scrub his mouth out too?!
“What did your grandson tell you?” That controlled voice is smoke over coals.
Agatha grips his chin and digs her yellow nails into his flesh.
“Don’t talk back to me, boy.” Her crow’s feet deepen as she studies Niklaus from head to toe. “These will be your names from now on. Boy and Girl. And you’ll refer to me as Grandmother. When I address you, you’ll answer ‘Yes, Grandmother.’ Understood?”
Right when I think this experience can’t get any worse.
“I’ll drop dead first,” Niklaus says.
The back of her hand whipping across his cheek is expected.
Agatha pinches her lips into an aggravated smile. Like she was hoping there would be some defiance left before she beats it out of us.
Without warning, the old woman sticks his arm with a syringe, pressing her thumb down on the plunger until the white liquid disappears.
