Chapter 20 Breaking Point #3
“And you believe her disappearance is connected to this investigation?”
“Yes! She found evidence that they’re conducting illegal trials, that they’re—” I stopped myself. How did I explain metaphysical binding and soul extraction to people who dealt in evidence and facts?
“That they’re what, Ms. Blumenthal?”
“Hurting people,” I said instead. “My friend is in the hospital because of their supplements. Another student had a seizure. They’re doing something wrong, and my mother was getting too close to proving it.”
The officers exchanged a glance.
“We are not interested in conspiracy theories, Ms. Blumenthal,” one said in that careful tone. “We need to focus on your mother’s last known whereabouts and activities.”
My stomach twisted. They weren’t going to believe me, no matter what I said.
They asked questions. I answered mechanically.
When did I last see her? Did she seem distressed?
Did she mention any threats? I told them about our fight, about the file she’d given me, about her not answering her phone for two days.
I didn’t tell them about divine bloodlines or immortal shepherds or coins that kept returning, no matter how many times you threw them away. What would be the point? They’d just see a sick, traumatized girl spiraling into delusion.
“We’ll be in touch if we learn anything,” Officer Ramirez said finally, standing.
“But what about my friend—” I started.
“He’s been detained for questioning and has called a lawyer.” Officer Greene said dismissively. “You’re free to go.”
“Can I see him?” I tried to say, but the officer shot me an irritated look.
“Not at this time, Ms. Blumenthal,” he insisted. “Go home now.”
Their expressions allowed for no further questions. I left the station in a daze, stepping out into the afternoon light that felt too bright. People walked past with shopping bags and coffee cups. The world kept turning, unaware that mine was falling apart.
I started walking because I didn’t know what else to do. The hospital was a few blocks away. I knew I should check on Amy and be with Luz. Should be doing something useful. But my legs felt heavy, my head thick with fever.
I walked, arms wrapped tight around myself, as though I could hold myself together.
“Rough day?”
The voice was smooth, almost kind. There was an almost musical quality to the way he shaped the words, each syllable weighted with practiced gentleness, the cadence rising and falling like someone following a score. It sounded like someone reciting sympathy. I stopped walking.
A man stood at the mouth of an alley, leaning against the brick casually.
Dressed in a charcoal suit, expensive but understated.
His pale skin looked wrong in afternoon sunlight, appearing almost as if he belonged to shadows and candlelight instead.
His silver hair was slicked back, his pale eyes catching the light wrong.
He wore a slight smile that promised nothing good.
The coin in my pocket suddenly felt like lead.
“You,” I whispered.
“Me,” he agreed. He didn’t move from his casual lean, but his attention was absolute. “Though we’ve never been properly introduced. I’m Cyrus.”
“You’re the Shepherd,” I said, voice shaking.
“Among other things.” His smile deepened. “I’ve been watching you, Melanie. You’re becoming more and more interesting.”
“You gave me—”
“A token,” he said. “A marker for the day you ascend. Debts made in old worlds follow you into every new one.”
The way he said “debts” made my skin crawl.
He pushed off the wall with fluid grace, not coming closer but shifting his weight in a way that made the space between us feel smaller. “You’re beginning to remember. You’re getting closer, Melanie. And soon you’ll be ready.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I murmured.
“Don’t you?” His expression was almost fond.
I tightened my grip on my phone. “What do you want?”
“Want?” He smiled, and it was gentle, almost sad. “I don’t want, Melanie. I take—there’s a difference.” He moved closer. “But first, I prepare, piece by piece, starting with those you love.”
My throat went dry. “What?”
He grinned. “She’s already slipping, isn’t she? In the hospital.”
Ice knifed through me.
“When you remember who you are,” he continued, “you’ll have a choice to make. Between the life you think you’re living and the one you’ve always been meant for. And I want you to understand exactly what you’ve already lost.”
My phone rang. Luz’s name flashed.
I answered, daring to glance away. “Luz?”
“Mel—” Her voice was wrecked. “You need to get here. Amy’s not waking up. The doctors don’t know why. She was just talking to us, and then her eyes closed and she won’t—” A sob broke through. “She won’t wake up.”
I looked back to where Cyrus stood.
The alley was empty, leaving only shadows and brick and the faint scent of sulfur or scorched metal.
He was gone, as though he’d never been there at all.
I stood there feeling like the world was tilting around me. My stomach turned. I stumbled into the alley and fell to my knees, retching until my lungs burned.