Page 77 of Unmasked Prophecy

I’ve been alone most of my life, but this is different. This is another kind of alone, and it’s unbearable. I close my eyes, hoping to shut it all out—the pain, the noise of machines, the world pressing down on me. I wanted to see Lily, to know she was safe, and now I’m drowning in a loss I never expected.

The door clicks shut, leaving me in silence. I count my breaths, each one a struggle. My hand rests on my stomach, a reflex I can’t stop, and the emptiness there feels like a betrayal. This hurt me in a way I can’t explain and I don’t want to feel like this anymore.

A tear rolls down my cheek.

Ten or so minutes later, the sound of booted footsteps, quick and determined, echoes through the room. Then, Talon is there, eyes searching, his face masked with something I can’t read. He moves quickly toward the bed, and when he reaches me, he takes my face in his hands and presses his forehead to mine.

I can’t hold it back anymore.

A sob rips from my throat.

“I lost it,” I say, the words breaking. “I lost the baby.”

He pulls me to him, careful of the wires and machines, and I let myself fold into him, the dam inside me shattering. The tears fall hard, a release and a surrender, and I grip his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me from disappearing.

“I didn’t know how much I wanted it,” I sob, the truth raw. “I didn’t know until now.”

He holds me tighter, his breath warm against my cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so fuckin’ sorry.”

“I didn’t even think of it,” I whisper. “I only wanted to get Lily out, to bring that cult down, that I didn’t stop and think about my own baby.”

“Hey,” Talon rasps, pulling back and looking at me. “Ain’t no way that you did this on purpose. If it wasn’t for you, that littlegirl down there,” he jabs a finger at the door, “would be dead. Do you know how close she was to death?”

My chest tightens.

“You lost a life, and for that, I’m fuckin’ sorry, but you saved one and you ought to know how much that means.”

I bite my lip, the tears falling hard.

“I didn’t get it, not until I met her. Bein’ by her side this last week, while you have been in and out of consciousness, made me realize why you did what you did. She’s a fuckin’ special little girl. You gotta know, I’m sorry for treatin’ you the way I did.”

I shake my head, bringing my tear-soaked lips to his for a long moment, before pulling back. “No. I hurt you. I’m the one who should be sorry. But, it’s over with now. We’re all here, and we’re all safe. How we got here doesn’t matter.”

Talon runs his thumb over my bottom lip.

“Seein’ him drive that knife into you, over and over, fuck, Nia...I have never felt a pain like it.”

My eyes burn. “It’s over now, right?”

I look up at him, desperately searching his face for an answer. I need to know it wasn’t all for nothing. I need to know our plan worked.

“It’s over, darlin’. The police arrested them, your father is dead, and the cult is no more. Lily’s parents will agree to sign her over, we’re makin’ sure of it, and as for the rest of them, who cares.”

“Am I going to prison?”

Talon shakes his head. “No way. Everyone saw it, he fell on that knife. Nobody is questionin’ that after what they saw. You’re good, trust me on that.”

“Cyrus?” I whisper, eyes wide.

“Dead. He tried to run when the cops told him to stop, the stupid fucker charged right at them at they shot him. Don’t have to worry, baby. He’ll never bother you again.”

I let out a long, slow breath. A relief washing over me I didn’t know I needed.

“How many people did the livestream reach?”

Talon grunts. “Let’s just say you’re a TikTok sensation and you have so many people waiting to hear how you are. That livestream went viral. It did its job.”

We did it.

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