Page 75 of Wild Ivy
Our friendship is real.
And this time, nothing—not Life, not Death, not all the power in the universe—will take it away from us again.
39
TORIN
The teleportationback to Thornfield feels like descending into a tomb. It’s fitting, given what awaits us there. My mother’s presence lingers at the edges of my awareness—a cold, ancient malevolence that’s haunted me since birth. She’s waiting, I can feel it.
But we need to be back here for all our stuff and to say our goodbyes, and she needs to deal with it. The last thing I need or want is for her to arrive at MistHallow’s doorstep for this confrontation.
“You okay?” Ivy asks as we walk across campus, slowly, not eager to confront this for various reasons.
“Peachy,” I grunt.
Bram and Tate follow behind us. We’re stronger together now, our roles as Ivy’s anchors have evolved into something deeper, more fundamental. But even that knowledge doesn’t completely quiet the unease churning in my gut.
“We don’t have to do this,” Ivy says softly. “We could ignore her.”
I shake my head. “She’ll just keep coming. Better to end it now.”
The truth hangs between us, unspoken but understood. My mother won’t stop. She’s had centuries to perfect her cruelty, to hone her obsession with power. Even Life’s defeat won’t change that, but I’m interested to see what’s changed.
As we approach the townhouse, I see the Rolls Royce parked up and inhale deeply.
“Well, well,” her voice carries across the night sky as she climbs out of the back seat. “The prodigal son returns.”
“Mum,” I say flatly. “Still alive, I see. Pity.”
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. It never has. “Such disrespect. After everything I’ve done for you.”
“You mean after everything you’ve done to me?” I counter as Ivy, Bram, and Tate hang back to let me do this… whatever this is. “The years of manipulation? The attempts to turn me into your perfect little soldier?”
“I tried to make you strong to lead the coven. Instead, you chose weakness. Chose them.”
I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. “Weakness? Oh, you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. But that’s always been your problem. You never understood the difference between cruelty and strength.”
Her facade cracks slightly, ancient vampire power leaking through like poison. “I understood enough to survive this long. To build our family’s legacy?—”
“Legacy?” I cut her off. “You mean the trail of bodies? The enemies you’ve made? The allies you’ve betrayed?” I step forward, letting my own power rise. “What you did to Dad, not that he didn’t deserve it, but still.”
“Your father was weak,” she hisses, her perfect composure slipping further. “Just like you’ve become.”
“No,” Ivy says quietly, moving forward. “He’s become something you can’t comprehend. Something beyond your petty games and power plays.”
My mother’s laugh is like breaking glass. “You think because you’ve become Death that you understand power? Life showed me things beyond your comprehension.”
“Life showed you what you wanted to see,” Bram says. “She used your ambition, your fear of irrelevance, against you.”
“She promised me true immortality!”
“She lied,” I say simply. “And now she is gone. In her place is Ivy. If you really want to throw down with her, be my guest, although I wouldn’t recommend it. She will kick your arse all the way to the grave. You’ve been lying to yourself for centuries. Pretending your cruelty makes you strong. Your manipulation makes you clever. Your betrayals make you powerful.”
Her power lashes out, fast as a striking snake. But I’m faster now, my enhanced abilities letting me sidestep easily. Her attack leaves scorch marks on the pavement where I stood.
“I am your mother,” she snarls, her perfect mask finally cracking completely. Beneath it, I see what she truly is—an ancient, desperate thing, clinging to power and control like a drowning person clutches driftwood. “Everything I did was to prepare you!”
“To be just like you?” I cut her off again. “A bitter, lonely creature who betrays everyone foolish enough to trust her? Who aligned herself with a cosmic force she didn’t understand because she’s so terrified of losing control?”
