It’s not.
Why do I feel his feathers in my hands?
Hot, sticky black replaces the weight of his body as he fades into the starless sky as a vapor of white.
My fingers curl together and the liquid painted in my palms covers my whole hand. It doesn’t matter how much I shake them or wipe them on my shorts, the evidence that’s really blood is undeniable.
My gut-wrenching sobs cut through the stillness as tears drench my cheeks. The harsh thunder falling from my mouth leaves my throat in a shredded, raw mess.
“There was only one, but now there is none.”
I silence my sniffles as my eyes skim the darkness for that boisterous laugh and slow clap. Everything within me trembles with the force of a deadly storm.
“You.”
Kirabaddon emerges from the shadows with a victorious smile across his face. I want nothing more than to stab daggers through the dimples in his cheeks.
“Hello, Thayla. I’m delighted you got to witness my long-earned victory.”
A shrill of rage burst out of me as I jump to my feet and call my power forward.
His black ropes slink around my body, killing my command before my power could process a move. The tight coils constrict me the more I attempt to fight free. My thrashing doesn’t stop until he steps in front of me and snatches my face toward him so fast I see stars.
“Give up this tiring resistance, Thayla. You’re too special to fight life like this. My sons are far too special. I created the commanders of Duality, Death, Knowledge, and Time. The pillars of society.”
He runs his fingers through my tear streaks, jerking me back to face him the second I snatch away.
“Choose our side, bring me back that Binding you’re hiding, and life becomes easier, freer. No rules, societal norms, or provisions over your power will hold you back any longer.”
“I will never choose you.Theywill never choose you.”
He chuckles low and pats my cheek. That condescending tap has my nostrils flaring.
“Poor, desperate girl. They already have. They need more power to protect you and I’m the only one willing to give it to them freely. With conditions, of course.”
He throws his head back, laughing. The satisfied sound sinks into my bones.
“This isn’t real. You aren’t real.”
I gasp as his rope of power sucks all the breath from my lungs.
“Isn’t it?”
He whispers close to my face and his hot breath fans across my earlobe. The sensation of his wet lips touching my cheek has me writhing in his grip.
“Fuck you.”
The curse blares from deep within my soul. The humor evaporates from his face when he wipes my spittle off his cheek with his thumb.
He sneers in disgust.
His backhand cracks across my face faster than I can blink. He shouts something my muddled mind can’t make out as his power releases me and pain ricochets through every cell in my body when I slam into the ground.
The realm grows fussy and pitiful whimpers escape me while black spots dance across my vision.
The dizziness sends me spiraling, and I lurch to all fours, gagging on the blood pooling in my mouth.
Arms wrap around my stomach and I shriek. My legs kick behind me while I try with all my might to crawl away.
