Page 103 of Vendetta Vows

But did any of that ever really exist?

Or did I do it because I was so desperate to hide from my own monster?

"I don't want more blood spilled because of me," I whisper.

Mikayla's smile is sad and knowing. "Then you'd better learn to become a monster yourself," she says. "Before it's too late."

Excited shouting voices rise up down the hallway, and Mikayla's entire demeanor changes in an instant.

She straightens her spine and quickly wipes away the last traces of tears with trembling fingers.

"Please don't say anything," she whispers urgently. "I don't want Stella and Sofia to know that I was crying."

I nod, understanding completely. She's not just their big sister anymore. She's their protector.

Their shield against the horrors of this world.

And shields don't cry.

Her face transforms with remarkable speed, vulnerability replaced by practiced composure.

If I hadn't witnessed her breakdown seconds ago, I'd never know it happened. The skill with which she hides her pain makes my heart ache even more.

"Thank you," she says, her voice steady now. "For listening. Nobody ever..." She swallows hard. "Nobody has ever listened to me before."

This girl has been carrying the weight of her entire family. Their secrets, their pain, and their future. Yet no one has ever taken the time to simply listen to her?

"Mikayla," I say softly, "if you ever need someone to listen again, you can always come to me. I mean that."

Something flickers in her eyes. Hope, maybe, or disbelief. She gives me a small nod before I return to my seat.

A few seconds later, Stella and Sofia burst into the dining room, ice cream smeared across their faces.

Ruslan follows behind with a bemused expression.

I watch as the younger girls excitedly show off their desserts to their older sister. Mikayla plays her part perfectly, smiling and asking questions about their ice cream adventures as if her world hadn't crumbled moments before.

Across the table, Ruslan catches my eye. His gold gaze is questioning, noticing something different in my expression.

I force a smile, but my mind is racing.

The Garza girl. His childhood sweetheart. The one whose death was caused by Tamara somehow.

I need to know what happened. I need to understand exactly what kind of monsters I'll be dealing with.

And what kind of monster I might need to become if I want to survive.

27

AURORA

Exhaustion hitsme as I climb into bed, my body sinking into the mattress that feels both too soft and somehow not soft enough. I stare at the ceiling, wondering how I'll ever fall asleep with so many questions swirling in my mind.

But somehow, darkness claims me anyway.

And with it comes a familiar nightmare.

In my nightmare, I'm home again. Not Aurora's apartment in L.A., but Jamie's house in Kansas City. The wallpaper Mom picked out. Dad's recliner. The family photos lining the staircase.

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