Page 64 of Hair, She Bears
“It’s too late.” Mother laughed, his gruff voice sent ice sliding down her spine. “You can’t save him now.”
“I spared your life,” she gasped, her eyes locked on the red stain forming on Malik’s shirt.
“I told you, sympathy has no place in my business.” Leaning forward, Mother grabbed Zenna’s wrist and dragged her toward him. “We’ll have no more of these foolish romantic notions, we’re going back into business.”
“No.” Malik forced the word through his lips. His fingers closed around Zenna’s ankle as Mother yanked her through the thicket.
Mother jerked Zenna free of Malik’s feeble grasp and snarled, “Tell your mother, I’ll see her in hell.”
The thicket exploded, shooting brambles twenty feet into the air. Zenna covered her head with her arms as thorns rained down, encompassing the clearing. A wall of spikes blocked Mother’s path.
“Tell me yourself.”
The air beside Mother shimmered as Moira appeared. Before Mother could react, she bent over, ripped the knife from the stone, and smashed it into his heart. Releasing Zenna, Mother glanced down at his chest, paling. He grabbed the knife handle and slumped over, exhaling one final breath.
Zenna scrambled over to Malik. Blood leaked from his abdomen, pooling beneath his body. She pressed her hands against his side. Malik lifted his arm, his fingers closing around her wrist. Zenna lifted her gaze to Moira.
“Can you help him?”
“Of course, child.” She smiled. Kneeling beside Zenna, she placed one hand on Zenna’s shoulder and one on Malik’s.
The air vibrated, the thicket blurring until it became a whirling cyclone of tan. Zenna felt as though she had been jerked from the ground and flung through the air. Malik’s hand tightened around hers as they spun faster. Zenna squeezed her eyes shut, bile rising into her throat. They stopped suddenly and collapsed onto something soft.
Zenna peeled one eye open and stared at the ceiling of a cavern. Light flickered across the smooth grey rocks, lit by iron torches lining the walls.
“Where are we?” she asked, her soft voice echoing as she sat up.
“In the northern mountain range,” Moira replied. She glided past the bed, heading for a giant fireplace carved into the side of the cave. She lifted a ladle from a giant cauldron swinging over a fire. After pouring the steaming liquid into a silver goblet, she returned to the bed and held out the cup. “He needs to drink all of it.”
Zenna nodded, accepting the goblet. “When can I see my parents?”
“I have one more errand to attend before I reunite you with them.” Moira placed a hand on Zenna’s arm, and squeezed. “They are overjoyed to meet you, dear child. Your mother has been pacing her chamber since she transformed back into her human self. I just need a bit more time to ensure we are all safe.”
“What are you going to do?” Zenna asked.
“I’m going to burn Mac’s compound to the ground.” Moira’s face darkened. She waved her arm and vanished.
Malik groaned, his eyes fluttered open. “Did we make it?”
“Almost. Drink this.” Zenna lifted his head, placed the goblet to his lips, and poured the liquid down his throat.
“It takes like hair.” He coughed, choking on the liquid.
“Your mother made it.”
“Then it’s definitely hair.” He grinned as horror crossed Zenna’s face.
“I thought I was the only one who…”
“You are.” Malik took her hand and brought it to his lips. “She has a small stock of the dried flower that originally created Votras Alute, enough to heal those my father injured.”
“Will you be alright?” Zenna’s gaze dropped to his abdomen.
“Would you like to inspect the wound?” Malik lifted the blood-stained shirt, revealing a fading scar. She reached out and touched his stomach, trailing her fingers lightly over his skin. He trembled and sucked in a quick breath. His hand closed around hers, desire pooled in his eyes. “When will my mother return?”
“As soon as she burns down the compound.” Zenna glanced down at her hand, where his thumb traced a light pattern over the back of her skin. “I can’t believe it’s over.”
“He’s never coming back for you.”
