Page 142 of Lourdes & the Mafia
I knew when I accepted to come with him that I wouldn’t like the favor he was going to want me to do. But I didn’t think I’d actually be… a sacrifice.
Diosito, I don’t want to fucking die today.
“Please.” He gestures at the slab. “Have a seat.”
I take a fearful step backward, holding my hands up. “Oh, no thanks. I just—”
“Come now.” His eyes glitter with madness. “Do not upset your most gracious hosts. I’ve brought friends and they are most excited to see what it is the infamous seer can do.”
Like a veil is ripped across the fabric of the landscape, images become visible. All around us, there are creatures.
An audience of monsters far more terrifying than any demon could ever be.
There is no way to describe them other than they are eyes among shadows without faces or expressions. There is nothing but a void where bodies should be, a soft glowing light of terror and teeth.
A strangled sound releases from my lips and I take a step backwards, wobbling on my heels. The urge to flee threatens to overtake every sense, but I know it doesn’t matter where I run.
I’ll be devoured by strange creatures. They converge from every side, not close, but even whatever distance lies between us feels like nothing more than an illusion.
“Come,” Thuriel all but purrs. “Sit upon the stone. Lay upon it and show us the true power of the seer.”
I want to run. Flee. Take my chances. I never should have come here. I should have stayed within the safety of the Underworld. I should have waited for Ramiel, Lorenzo, and Kane to fix the problem for me.
They have the magic for this. I don’t.
I don’t have anything—
Wait.
Clarity pierces through the fear.
I do have something.
I have the power of vision.
Of past, present, and future.
I am not helpless, even if I feel like I am in this moment. I may not have the power of shadows or shifting or strength. But I do have something that’s innately mine. Unique to me. If I’d have waited for others, then there would have been death. Blood. My loved ones harmed.
It’s them I did this for.
I am not helpless. I am not worthless, no matter who in my life has made me to believe that.
I have strength.
And I know I can fucking do this.
With renewed determination, I steel myself and walk forward. To something that could very well be my doom.
Or my awakening.
With a deep breath, I walk up the stone steps, my heels clicking against the ground. I reach the slab and sit on it.
It feels like everyone in the audience holds their breath watching me. I feel eyes on me, teeth gnashing in my direction, and the empty loneliness of the void.
“Lay down,” Thuriel commands.
My heartbeat feels erratic as I lower my body against the slab. It’s cold and bites against my bare skin. The dress pools around my ankles but it doesn’t offer warmth. My hands are at my sides, palms facing up.
