Page 45 of Moth to a Flame

The ugliness that lived beneath his handsome mask emerged. “Get your cryptid slut on a leash, sister. You can’t seriously be considering walking away⁠—”

Lucia drew her hand back to punch him, but I got there first. My knuckles collided with his perfect jaw and laid him out flat, despite the fact that I definitely could have hit him harder.

He sputtered, clutching his reddening cheek. “You’re done! I’ll ruin you! I’ll sue you, I’ll⁠—”

He cut himself off, but I knew the truth. “What? Curse me? Just like you did her?”

The air went still, the only sound the distant, angry yowl of Mugen, who had caught one of Deimos’ ravens.

Deimos’s voice dropped to a whisper. “She couldn’t have told you that. I made sure⁠—”

“She didn’t have to. A good brother would do everything in his power to protect his siblings. You’re a fucking disgrace. I could smell the rot in your words from a mile away. You cursed her because you were weak and afraid, and it was the only way you could control her.”

“Deimos, what is he talking about?” Lucia’s mother stepped forward, frowning.

“Nothing, Mother. She has him enchanted. It’s the bond—it’s corrupted his mind, made him spew her lies.”

Was this guy looking for me to lift him by his ankles and drop him into a power line?

Because I was about to.

But before I could move, Lucia put her hand on my shoulder.

I glanced back, and she was radiant. The fire within her was more alluring than any light I had ever seen before, and I never wanted to escape.

She’d stopped hiding.

She stepped around me and crouched to meet her brother at eye level. “Deimos, I know you’re going to hear what I’m about to say because the curse couldn’t possibly twist it to be worse. You were my brother, and I loved you more than anyone else. I admired you. I idolized you. I wanted to be just like you.

“When you cursed me, it hurt so badly I didn’t think I would live through it. Not the curse itself, but knowing that you had never loved me the same way. I was a fool. I should have known. Your curse was so effective because even after everything, I still trusted you. I still loved you. My big brother.”

She stood, tears in her eyes, fists clenched.

But she stood.

Every plant in her garden turned its leaves and petals toward Deimos, and the man went paler than a full moon. Her vines crawled forward and licked at his shiny griffon-leather shoes until he scrambled back.

“But if you ever say a word against Hawk again, if you ever threaten him again, I promise I will make sure they are the last words you ever say. And I will make sure it’s permanent. I’m not a coward like you.”

Deimos screamed as a belladonna vine wrapped around his throat and a flower blossomed in front of his face, dropping its petals and revealing the succulent, aubergine berries beneath.

“Leave. Now.”

“You bitch. You’re nothing! This company is mine, I’ll⁠—”

A weathered hand landed on his shoulder.

“Deimos Apollo Atropa, I think it’s time to go home.”

His mother stood tall, and Lucia rose to meet her. The older woman reached out and wiped a tear from Lucia’s cheek, giving her a sad smile. No words were exchanged, but Lucia leaned into the touch, and a little of that binding darkness disappeared from her heart.

Then she turned on her shiny stilettos and waved a hand. Invisible hands dragged Deimos across the gravel and tossed him into the car. She followed, and in the next heartbeat, the lawyer rushed in after them. The door shut with a thunk, and they were gone.

Lucia let out a long exhale, and the plants returned to their natural order, but I knew I would never be the same again.

No one had ever defended me before.

That had been my job. My responsibility.