She was locked in the tank again, drowning in warm blood.
The Phaedra strolled to her, boots squeaking. “The blood of the innocent…” He knelt and ran a delicate touch along the warmth, smearing her cheek. The softness of his fingers revolted her. “May it cleanse you of your sin.”
Sobs racked her shoulders.
“You should apologize to them. I tried so hard to save them while you stubbornly refused.”
The words wanted to spill from her lips.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.
Forever, sorry.
Not for the reasons the Phaedra claimed, but because what had she ever done to help? Those news articles she posted in the alleyways of Ciondo wouldn't even soak up the blood in this room.
What had she really done for anyone?
Useless.
Sorry.
The worst sins screamed from within her. She wasn't ready to hear that accusing voice. She couldn't survive it. But soon its cries rang through her.
Kira lived, and so these people died.
—SORRY—
While the Phaedra used her to hunt down and slaughter the Followers, she'd softened her heart to the family helping him do it. Her stare lifted to Zayne once more. To the hardness he wore. The utter lack of emotion. He risked his life fighting against the Phaedra, but still he stood in this room, boots soaked in blood. Even if the waters within him were warmer than those outside, they were still bitterly cold. He made them cold to survive in this empire and fight from within.
To play right into the Phaedra's hands while believing he made a difference.
And he stopped Kira from doing the one thing that might have saved these people.
But Kira didn't blame him.
Zayne took nothing good for himself, not a second of comfort or relief, giving all he had for his war against the Phaedra.
That made it even more tragic to see him fall into this trap over and over.
Should she hate him?
Should she hate herself?
And her mother?
Her mother had done this because of her.
The pain tugged her away from her body again.
The Phaedra's voice lowered to a growl. “Take the bitch to her other victims.”
Those hands she yearned for grabbed her, and it was the first time she didn't crave his touch. Kira relived the moment in the tank when she realized she'd have to choose to die again and again. The Phaedra expected her to bow before each person he killed and lie in pools of their blood to satisfy his lust for revenge.
But this time there was no escape. No one to rip her from the tank. No way for her to flee.
Zayne didn't save her this time. He dragged her through the blood and lowered her beside a corpse.
This was happening, and no one in the empire could stop it.
