Page 176 of Malicent
The circular stone slab is identical to the one from Cage’s memories. Arcadia is tied to it, surrounded by witches in black robes. Their faces are hidden behind massive antelope masks.
I rush to her side, trying to summon my magic to rip the masked figures away.
Nothing happens.
My throat ignites in pain, but I push harder still. A few tendrils lash out, just enough to fling two cloaked bodies from the altar.
Blood trickles down my neck. The collar is burrowing deeper, searing my flesh as I fight against it.
I yank on the chains at Arcadia’s wrist once I reach the altar. Her skin is covered in slices, acts of cruelty that mar what was once perfect.
“Millicent, kill me. Please.”
Her voice is so broken I can’t look into her golden eyes.
“I will not,” I snarl.
Magic ripples beneath my skin, cracking against the restraints of the collar. I force it through me, just enough to snap the cuff on her wrist.
A blow of chilling cold slams into my back.
I am launched over the altar, crashing face first into the stone floor. Pain erupts through my mouth and up into my skull. My lip splits open.
Arcadia screams again.
I look up just in time to see a figure drive a dagger into her stomach.
Rage swallows me whole. I stand, grip my jaw, and snap it back into place. Blood floods my mouth, but I spit it out.
Pain will not stop me.Nothing will stop me.
I grab the nearest witch by her antelope horns and slam her face into the altar. Her dagger clatters to the floor. I scoop it up and drive it into her back. Over and over. I bask in her screams.
I leap onto the altar, hunting the next. I grab another masked witch and impale the witch in her gut. I twist the knife until it slips in my bloodied hands. I don’t stop. Not when they scream. Not when my own palm is sliced open.
I don’t stop the massacre until there’s only one left.
She’s curled up on the floor, crawling away. I stalk her. Slam my heel into her ribs, then grind it in.
“Tender is the flesh.”
I raise my foot and crush her throat.
I rip her mask off.
It’s Arcadia.
Her eyes are rolling back. Blood spills from her mouth in a silent scream—
—a scream I finish for her.
I spin around. The altar is empty.
“Wh-what?” My voice trembles. I fall to my knees. My hands seize the moment I cup her face.
“Cadia?” I whisper. Then I scream. “Cadia!”
Her neck bends the wrong way in my hands. It’s limp from the broken bones.
