Ben stepped forward, eyes on his toes. “Yes, Momma. Guide Rynna stretched the string too far, and it broke.”
Mira blinked, her expression unreadable as her attention returned to the ruined bow.
Rynna didn’t need to see Mira’s face to know she was doing the math. Human strength couldn’t snap that bowstring. Not that way. Not with that force. And Mira would know. She was an expert. They’d spent the last couple of weeks squaring off in weekly archery matches—her against Mira with the hand-carved compound bows.
“Mira—”
Heat surged.
Rynna barely had time to brace before Mira was there, a flicker of flame and fury, one hand wrenching her chin up, nails biting into Rynna’s jawline.
“Fuck—Mira!”
“You knew it would be me,” she hissed. “Me, who must execute you, Rynna. And you did it anyway. That was the deal. No Source. Ever.”
Flame exploded from Mira’s palm, flinging Rynna backward.
She hit the ground, shoulder slamming into rock, the damp linen of her shirt clutched even harder against her bleeding face.
“I thought you were my friend!” Mira barked. Her back was already turned, arms stiff at her sides, fire licking up her forearms. “Stupid. Never trust a Hollow-born.”
“What?!” Rynna pushed herself upright, one foot catching, forcing her to scramble back on her palms. “I didn’t use the Source! I don’t even know how!”
“Liar!” Mira turned, hair following like a whip behind her.
“Momma!” Ben’s voice, high and scared. His small hands clawed at Mira’s wrist.
She yanked free, never looking down. “Go to the Grannies, Ben.” Her voice was too calm. Controlled. Dangerous. “You shouldn’t have to see this.”
Flame pulsed in the woman’s palms, heat bleeding into the air.
“Whoa!” Rynna staggered to her feet. “Mira. Just—wait! Test me! Fucking test me before you fry me!”
“There is no need to test.” Her arm jerked to the side, and a burst of fire leapt from her hand, consuming the broken bow with a hiss. “You couldn’t have done that without Source-enhanced strength.”
“Please,” Rynna said, louder this time. “Please. I can explain—”
But her teeth were lengthening.
The shift had already started, fangs pushing down with the scent of fire in the air. Her body reacted to threat, to fear, and to the danger radiating from someone she hadn’t realized she’d trusted.
I don’t want to kill you.
Her teeth clamped shut. She swallowed it down. Fought it.
Mira’s hands were still burning. Her eyes, brighter than flame.
“What could you possibly say,” she asked, voice low and trembling, “that would justify or explain this?”
“I… I…”
Rynna cut herself off. Her voice steadied, but not by much. She prayed to the Weaving that she’d read Mira right. That she could trust her.
“I’m not entirely human.”
“What?” Mira froze mid-step, expression caught somewhere between disbelief and rising dread. Her foot hovered dangerously close to the dark patch staining the ground.
“No!” Rynna lunged forward, shoulder low, and barreled into her.
