Page 42 of Ghoul Me, Maybe
“You might not have a choice.”
The door opens behind us.
Sienna steps in, wind-bitten and flushed, curls a mess, boots muddy. Her jacket’s hanging open and there’s a fresh scrape across her knuckle.
She stops cold.
Takes one look at the space between Mira and me.
“What the hell happened?”
Mira’s voice is steel. “Ask your dead boyfriend.”
“I’m not—” I start, but Sienna’s already stepping between us.
“Stop. Both of you.”
She plants herself in the middle like she’s bracing for an explosion. Her hands go to her hips—classic defensive Sienna posture. That scar over her brow twitches like it always does when she’s barely holding it together.
“I’ve had enough of the ‘protect Sienna from herself’ committee,” she snaps. “I’m not fragile. I’m not cursed. And I’m not yours to argue over.”
“You’renotfine,” Mira says. “You’re not sleeping. You’re burning out. He’s—he’srootedin you, Sienna.”
“Ilethim in,” she fires back. “Ichosethis.”
“Then choose again.”
That lands like a slap. Even I flinch.
Sienna goes very, very still. Her voice, when it comes, is ice.
“You don’t get to ask me that.”
Mira opens her mouth. Shuts it again.
Sienna turns to me. “Elias. Say something.”
I step forward. Not quite touching. Just close enough that she feels the pull.
“You’ve kept me anchored,” I say softly. “You gave me backchoice. But if it’s hurting you—if I’m part of what’s draining you—I’ll sever it. I swear it.”
Her eyes flash. “Don’t you dare.”
I blink. “What?”
“Don’t make choicesforme, Elias. That’s not love. That’s control.” She presses a hand to her chest, right over the charm Mira gave her. “You told me I could stand beside you. I’m still standing.”
“But—”
“I decide what I carry. Not you. Not Mira.Me.”
The room quiets.
Mira breaks first, sighing like it costs her something.
“I just don’t want to lose you,” she murmurs.
“You won’t,” Sienna says. “But I’m not just yours to save anymore.”
