27. A White flag stained with Blood #2
“Not only did she end his life, but your mother required a ritual sacrifice. Me.” Ethan looks away for a brief, yet forever second, recalling whatever has morphed his painless mask into a deepened tell of agony.
“However, when it came time for my end, my little sister pleaded in exchange, saying she would do anything your mother asked so long as Alex and I lived.” He scoffs, detesting the notion of a child making this sacrifice, and my heart shatters.
Oh my God. Anguish clenches every organ, squeezing and gripping. Please don’t say you lost your sister.
“A willing participant increases the potency of a ritual, so of course, your mother accepted her offer. I was forced to watch Lily’s life taken for nothing more than keeping you safe.
Her precious daughter. My sister died for you to live, Kyra,” he admits, and something dark shifts across my skin.
“So, you can understand my feelings on the matter.” And I do.
Speechless, Ethan holds my feelings captive. If he desires at this very second to finish what he started, more of me than I care to acknowledge would allow him. And I’m contemplating asking if he feels inclined.
He sits watching, and all I can do is fight back this avalanche of agony snowballing into something much larger.
My mother killed his father, his sister, and she made him watch.
How the hell did any of this happen? When did a mortal make their way into this realm, and how was she able to kill two beings stronger than her?
And Alex is his brother? The start of an endless inquiry.
I’m left with many questions, yet scanning over Ethan’s features, I hold my tongue.
His direct approach leaves little room for contesting this information, but I pray like hell it isn’t true. It means another death on my hands. Which in response, means another tally needing tattooed on my hip.
“Ethan. I–I’m…so terribly sorry.” It’s a small pebble of forgiveness in a large pond of sorrow.
“I’d rather we move on. You can ask your next question.”
“How can you expect another question after this, Ethan? From your words, I’m the reason for your sister’s demise and maybe your father’s. I need a moment.” I raise my voice at how absurd he is.
“We don’t have much longer. Soon the Academy will find out we’re missing and send a search and rescue.”
“Fine.” Caving, I ask a newly sought after question. “If Alex is your brother, why didn’t he help with rescuing and saving your family?
“A forgetful spell, ‘oblitus’ was cast upon Alex the night Lily died. At great lengths, I tried discussing it, but he told me our sister never existed, blaming my memory on trauma from the death of our father.” He huffs as though speaking about it forms fresh wounds and looks away.
It all keeps getting worse. Damn it.
“I tried different spells in hopes of bringing back his memory, but to what end? Nothing worked. This spell has God tier magic behind it, and only another God can overturn it. As it stands, I’m short on having those types of friends.”
“But…” I start, then close my mouth. I’ve asked enough questions. “I’m sorry, please continue.”
“After years of trying, we grew to a point of despising one another. We may appear cordial, but truth be told, Alex loathes me for tainting our father’s memory. He calls it a fabricated story, growing my hatred for him. I alone hold her memory, and this will never change.”
How can two beings, born in different areas, become two of the most trauma induced fays living in Valirene? “If permitted, can I save my remaining two questions for a later date? If not, I’ll understand and let it go.” I’m unable to look his way after the knowledge he gave me.
“I’ll permit it. I still require knowledge about Rosie,” he says, standing and shaking off pockets of dust.
“May I ask a favor of you, though?”
“If it’s for me not to kill you, Kyra, I can’t?—”
“Your intentions are clear; I’m not asking that.” Taking a deep breath, I prepare for his rejection. “But can you prolong it until I’ve scratched one name off my list? Afterwards, we’ll cross this bridge when we get to it.” I shake off such visions and stand.
“Are you mocking me, Kyra, or do you have an actual list?”
“Yes, but there’s one name I’m focused on. The other sixty-two…” Flashes creep back into my mind of the men who took my innocence and laughed. “It’s not important.” He remains quiet, but my peripheral finds him staring, scanning for something.
“I’ll grant this favor under one condition. On top of you divulging about Rosie, I’m permitted two questions of my own.” What the hell does he want to know from me? Thinking it over, I know it doesn’t matter. I’m in no position to refuse. Not now.
“Okay. It’s a fair exchange of information. What do you want to know?” I ask, praying he doesn’t ask about my breakdown.
“Another time, we should return. There’s another fight brewing, and I need to prepare.” Ethan gazes up, spanning his vision across the sky and taking in its beautiful tones.
I’m not surprised he’s headed to fight someone else. Insane, remember.
“Seeing you have your own sigil, it’s best you take yours. Which is another topic for discussion on how you obtained one.” He adds, “Also, never speak of what happened here. Though your abilities are impressive, they’re equally dangerous. Understood?”
Ethan acknowledges my magic, but after witnessing what he can do, those promised threats hold a little more weight. His durability, speed, and recovery will be questioned, but not now.
“I never planned on revealing tonight’s disaster to anyone.
But it’s good we’re on the same page.” Giving a smile, I wait to see how he will respond.
Nothing. “I can keep secrets, despite you thinking my magic is impressive.” My small smile broadens into a full-fledged, buy one get one free type of deal, and he chuckles.
Shock lifts my eyebrows, and I’m left in awe. He actually chuckled. Holy shit.
“You’ll never hear me say this again, but I see why the old God of Creation chose you.
” OMG acknowledgement. He is praising me, and for whatever reason, it feels damn good to hear.
“Once we get back, only a few hours will have passed. And before you waste time asking about how, do your research.” He gives me a side-eye, acting like he’s figured me out.
Out of nowhere, my spirits lift, feeling my aura full and thriving with energy, and we both summon our sigils in tandem. “Don’t forget, Kyra. Your life’s mine for the taking,” Ethan reminds me as the gold of his magic shrouds him.
I throw up a middle finger, catching a faint smile before he vanishes. Filling small gaps in my broken heart, I realize tonight we did more than destroy a temple, regardless of if he ever admits it.
With a red flash, my workout gear is no more. Rebirth’s uniform occupies the space, and I run a hand through my hair, prepping a redo of the halo braid.
“That asshole!” I notice smooth skin under the touch of my fingers. A good chunk of hair, gone. I’m reminded of his motives and the truth he speaks.
Before panic manifests, I once again test the limits of my creation and lay a palm flat against the patch of missing hair. Magic tingles as it flows over my head, regrowing red strands that match the length of my curls.
Revenge will be mine, and I plan to collect in full.