Epilogue
The Vulture
Morana descended the dark steps of the prison. The air was thick with the scent of must and decay. She held her head up high, still adjusting to wearing the crown that was rightfully hers. After an adjustment period, it was time to finally resume her plans and start on her first order of business.
Morana walked by her mother’s cell. She heard her mother cry out to her, begging her to be released. “I can make things right!” she said to her, "I can get you the help you need!”
Morana would never free her. Her mother was the reason her lover was killed. The one who married her off to that rapist of a Duke at the age of fourteen. When Morana fell pregnant with the child after all those years, she knew she had to act. She would make the world a better place.
She needed to create a world where no one would sell off her daughter as a child bride, like her mother did to her.
No, Melanth would never be free.
Morana would make her suffer, as she had for four years.
She passed another cell, this one entrapping a beast Morana had only heard stories about.
A nasty beast that dwelled within The Twins–all grey flesh, black eyes and claws.
It snarled and thrashed in its cage. That is, until it saw her.
The beast calmed when Morana neared, holding its head low in submission.
“Silence,” she commanded. It obeyed.
She turned down the hall to visit her special prisoner, holding her lantern up to peer down at the female in rags on the floor.
Gods, she really did look just like her.
The Elven female was no older than forty, her long pearly hair falling in tangled sheets after almost a decade of not being cut.
She was barefoot, her dress ripped and dirty as she sat against the wall.
Morana extended her sixth sense, feeling for the female’s energy–but found her null of anything. No emotion at all.
The prisoner’s eyes were milky white, her eyes void of anyone inhabiting the body, as if nobody were home.
“After all this time, you still live,” Morana said, voice echoing out into the cavernous prison. The Elve did not stir, sitting motionless. Morana began to wonder if her mind was truly lost–the woman now just a shell of a person.
Morana set the lantern down and gripped the bars. “I must say, my mother has done a great disservice keeping you locked in this cell. You certainly have far greater potential, if you can mirror anything close to the level of power your daughter has achieved.”
The prisoner inhaled a deep breath, her body remaining still as those gray, milky eyes shifted to look at Morana.
Morana’s red lips curved upwards in a sinister smile.
“Hello, Aesira.”