“Did you ever wonder,” I wasn’t sure why the question emerged now of all times, but it came still, “why I was just...there. Why Callum even found me in those woods that day?”
She gave a small laugh. “Oh, I wondered. Of course I did. But sometimes the reasoning comes later. Sometimes we’re meant to do something first and understand it after.”
Irritation dripped off my tongue. “That seems awfully convenient.”
Gemma smiled, warm, a little tired, but genuine. “Most things worth keeping are.” She wrapped a hand under my chin, rubbing her thumb along my jaw, looking at me like I was the most valuable thing she never expected to find.
Then that look shifted from nostalgic to unforgiving before she released me, drifting back to the counter. “Have you been taking the elixir I made you every morning?” She set the arranged plate before me with a thud, along with a chipped mug full of a bright green liquid.
My favorite.
“Um…yes?” My smile was weak, transparent.
My eyes betrayed me more, moving toward the hutch where the vials lined up like soldiers. Bitter draughts she pressed into my hand week after week.
Then lower, to the nicks in the doorframe where she had measured me, year after year, marking my survival.
The sigh she gave was the sound of someone who had mended too much of the world.She healed the pieces no one else would touch. The broken, the bleeding, even the damned, when they crawled to her door.
And gods, I was all three.
“You really don’t think things through, do you?”
I dragged a hand over my braid, bringing it forward against my chest. “Even with your profound and unmatched healing ability, Ihatehow it makes me feel. It’s like trudging through a dream that won’t let go. Like I’m struggling to exist. And I’ve been on mission after mission, Gem. I can’t risk getting killed because I’m weak.”
She clicked her tongue, the sound harsher than the simmer of her pot. “But youcanrisk getting killed because of your poison?”
I scoffed, because it was easier than admitting she was right. “A fair question. But also a stupid one. Was risking poisoning someone worth saving my own life?” The mug was warm in my palm as I brought it slowly to my lips, leaning back in the chair. “Uh, fuck yeah.”
Her stare burned hotter than the forge flames I’d just left. And for a flutter of a heartbeat, I swore I felt a hiss in agreement against my thoughts.
“I can control it now. I can feel when the rhythm stutters, when it’s rising.” My smile was cockier than it should have been. “It’s fine, I’m basically a professional at it now.”
As if that was something to be proud of.
I reached for the bread on my plate, and she batted my hand away. Not cruel, but firm enough to sting.
“You’re still so naïve, my darling girl.” Her voice broke with a sound like mourning. “Part of me wishes you could stay that way, but the rest of me knows you can’t. That you need to grow up and quickly.” Her gaze slid pastme, out the window, watching the universe sharpen its teeth. “Otherwise, this world will eat you alive. And won’t even bother to spit out your bones.”
I gulped. Well, okay then.
“Why can’t you just trust that I have it under control?”
She turned back, eyes molten honey, pinning me to the chair. “Because Callum came to me—” Her hand found her hip. “Heasked if you were still taking the elixir."
Oh fuck.
“At first, I didn’t know why he’d even ask.” Her brow arched. “Never mind asking me in public. Then he told me what he saw in your eyes when you wereon topof a guard—” My throat clamped. “And he was bleeding.”
Damn. I had left that part out for a reason. I didn’t realize anyone was around, especially Callum.
I wanted to speak. To lie. To say anything that would mute the truth honing between us. But my throat was dust, parched by what it still tasted.
Because his blood hadn’t merely spilled. It hadsung.
A note, calling to what lived under my skin—to the venom aching for release, to the hunger I had never confessed aloud. The curse had whispered, but Ihadn’tanswered. Despite the overwhelming urge.
“That look, Verena.” Gemma said it like a prayer, and I snapped out of whatever hold I had just been dragged back into. “I would bet all my coins;that’sthe look Callum saw. And if I’m right," her eyes became glassy, lost, like she was scouring memories, seeing where she could have saved me sooner, “then you need to start taking the elixir again immediately. I truly fear for once it’s really got its hold on you.” She turned, the hem of her cloak brushing the floorboards until she disappeared down the hall.
