Page 91 of The Madness Within

It’s goodbye.

“Welcome back toDead Wrong, freaks and ghouls,” I purred. My voice was smooth. Controlled. Dripping with danger. “Tonight, this isn’t about death. Not really.”

I paused, eyes locking with Dorian across the room.

He’s shirtless. Blood rune on his chest still glowing faintly from the ritual. And he was watching me like he’s already undressing me with his thoughts.

It fueled me.

“There are things I’ve seen,” I said into the mic. “Things no one should. But I’m not afraid anymore.” I leaned forward, voice dropping to a sultry growl. “I’ve seen the Devil. And he wasn’t the villain. He was the cure.”

I breathed deep.

“There’s a man out there. A man who did what the system couldn’t. He delivered justice. The kind that makes you look away. But maybe—” I paused, lips curling “—maybe you should’ve been watching. I’m not giving you his name. Because you don’t deserve it. But he saved me. And I won’t let anyone touch him.”

I decided to take a few calls before I signed off for good.

Caller #1 (Female, shaky, young, terrified)

“First caller. You’re live.”

“H-hey Ember. You were right. About the defense attorney. I think I saw him. Outside the court. With… something. His eyes, weren’t normal.”

I smiled softly. Dorian met my eyes from across the room, blood magic still faintly humming under his skin.

“You didn’t see him, sweetheart. You saw the storm coming.”

Click.

Caller #2 (Male, cocky, high-energy)

“Yo, Ember. Big fan. Love the kill theories. Gotta ask though, were you ever scared you were getting too close?”

I glanced at Dorian. My thighs still sticky from earlier. My body still humming with the afterglow of violence and need.

“I wasn’t scared. I was already inside the monster’s mouth. And guess what? I bit

Back.”

Click.

Caller #3 -(Male., pause, low, deep breath)

“Third caller. Let’s make it good.”

“You shouldn’t have survived.” My blood froze. Dorian went still. “You were meant to die with your mother. That door was closed for a reason.” The voice warped. Distorted.Kreed.“But now that you’ve opened it again, we’ll burn you both down.”

Click.

Silence.

I exhaled. Slowly. The flames flickered harder.

“And that, dear listeners, is the truth. They’re real. They’re listening. And they’ve made a mistake. I’m not running. I’m not hiding. I’m not just Ember anymore. I’m what happens when you fail to finish the job.”

I smiled. Cold and bright. “This is Ember fromDead Wrong… Signing off.”

Mic: OFF.

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