Page 48 of Deathless
The ex-gladiator looked at her. “Do nicely for what? Who are you?”
“I shot him through the shoulder and bandaged the wound, so his damage is minimal. He should last a while through the ritual.”
The fighter’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re the one that shot me? And dragged me off the bike? What the hell is going on?”
I screamed the whole time and was ignored like I was in a soundproof cage. My anger became panicky and I was begging, even bargaining for the man’s life. I screamed at him to run, to fight, save himself. But no one heard a word.
Why don’t I remember him?I wondered.I remember the other guy she shot, but I don’t remember this one.
Because I wanted to surprise you,the Dark Mother deigned to answer me.You thought all but one of your men escaped, so I just allowed you to keep thinking that. But don’t worry, you’ll watch the entire ritual too.
Please let him go.If I had control of my face muscles, I would have been sobbing.I’ll...I’ll get the others not to attack you, just don’t kill him.
I won’t. My followers will, in devotion to me. And they will make sure it lasts the whole night.
Please,I begged.Just stop all of this. I saved these men. Please, I’ll do anything you want.
You’re already doing just that,the deity said gleefully.
I’d never felt such hopelessness before. Not even when Santos and Torr were captured. At least I was in control of my actions then. But now? This cult would find my men, kill andabuse them, while I could do nothing to stop it. Even worse, their fucked-up goddess would make me watch.
We left the basement as the man cried out and called for help. The house was filled with women now, moving in and out of bedrooms, poking through the kitchen, and rearranging things like a bee colony taking over a new hive.
You can’t do this,I protested weakly.None of this is yours. You and your fucking cult have no right to be here!
The houses will be well-maintained and taken care of,the Dark Mother replied with false reassurance.They would have looked like landfills in another month if you’d continue to let men live here. Consider our occupation a favor.
These are safe houses for people who need refuge!I screamed.My family built these so people could escape from things like you.
And now they’ll provide refuge for the victims of those you housed here. Poetic justice, isn’t it?
You’re insane. How can you be so powerful and have your logic so twisted? My men wereyourvictims!
Your human perspective is so limited. Of course you don’t understand.
She had walked my body outside again to help with some of the unloading. A woman with a modest baby bump, probably early in her second trimester, was carrying in a basket of laundry when we approached her.
“Dear daughter, let me take that from you,” my mouth cooed, taking the basket from the stunned young woman.
“Oh no! Dark Mother, please! It’s no trouble. You shouldn’t bother yourself with things like this.”
“And you shouldn’t be carrying things when you have back pain,” the deity chided gently, taking the basket. “Get off your feet, dear one. Take some time to connect with your daughter.”
The woman’s face lit up with joy as her hands fell to the gentle rounding of her stomach. “It’s a girl? Oh, thank you, Dark Mother! I’ve been praying.”
“I can’t reveal what is not meant to be known.” My lips curved with a smile that felt like someone sticking their fingers in my mouth and pulling my lips apart. “But all things are either a blessing or a lesson. I know you will be ready for what comes.”
My feet turned away, walking back up the porch with the laundry basket, when I came to a realization.
You don’t actually know, do you?I said.Being a god doesn’t make you a fucking ultrasound machine. You don’t know if she’s having a girl or boy, and you can’t control if that happens because even you can’t fuck with how biology works.
It’s just as I told her.The Dark Mother set the laundry basket down in an armchair.She will be blessed or she will be tested.
You’re really gonna make her kill her infant if it’s a boy? And you don’t see how fucked up that is?
I allow some males to live. The smugness in her voice returned.Like your father. Like Torrance. Really, you should be thanking me. Neither of them would have been in your life if I hadn’t allowed them to live.
The confirmation that Shadow had been a victim of her cult was heartbreaking enough. But Torr’s name was the last thing I’d expected to hear.
