Page 94 of These Eternal Bones
And I delivered it.
I stumble, smashing into the ground again, my eyes finding the back left wing of our home collapsed. Pain fizzles my mind, but the worst of it comes from my soul as I force myself back to my feet. I try to call out to her, but only a gurgling sound leaves me. My eyes snap down, finding more blackened blood pouring from my neck. I stretch it, finding it moves very little, some kind of deep wound there.
A groan leaves me as I shift my tendrils, upsetting the rubble that covers them, but even that comes sluggishly. I shift them again as I lose my footing, slamming to my knees. I don’t stay there, ensuring the form underneath was safe from being crushed before dismissing the protective barrier they’d formed around her. The fox’s body falls back from where he’d thrown himself in front of her. He thuds to the ground, and already it parts to pull him home. Molly’s crumpled body is broken, but untouched by the blast. My dominion sinks inside in weak, fluttering pulses. I feel my venom racing through her blood, changing it. The sensation is both sickening and beautiful.
I allow just a tendril of relief to fill my chest as I turn toward Tien, my feet dragging before I collapse to my knees beside him. The Chimera’s slitted eyes flutter open, weak but unwavering. “Forgive–”
I nod stiffly, pain flaring from my neck. Something pops at the action, a tendon on its last leg. My palm shakes as I brace my remaining hand on what’s left of his bicep. A grunt leaves him as he lifts his claws, dragging my skin as he grips me back. “You saved her.” The accusation comes out in a rasp, the sound barely a whisper. It only serves to make blood spurt harder from my neck.
“She was a baby…” His words garble together between pained, unintelligible breaths. I reach out with my dominion, despite how quickly it drains me, I seize his blood. I can’t stop his bleeding in my current state, but I can slow it. For a moment, I let my body sag against his. “There had been enough death.”
I wait for that familiar vindictive rage, but it doesn’t come. His eyes never leave mine, although I cannot fathom the strength it takes for him to keep them open. “Yes, far too much.”
I allow my fangs to fill with venom, although I haven’t a clue what turning him will do to his fae form, after years the act having been forbidden it feels… uncomfortable to think of now. My balance slips, making me pivot a little harder. I release him to avoid falling atop the battered man.
His renewed grip on my arm makes me pause, my eyes landing on his slitted ones.
“I am tired, Elric.” He releases his clawed grip to pat it there. “Let me rest.”
Something lances through my chest, understanding what he’s asking, a trickle of a new pain.
We stare at each other for a few more beats of his heart before it jumps and sputters. His next breath ragged and wet. “Tell Molly goodbye for me, yes? You paid your penance, Elric, it’s over.”
I nod, stealing myself as I use more power than I have to give as I stop his heart. Ending its pained, labored beating.
I take too long to reach her, my eyes following the network of veins that now spider onto her breasts. My movements are uncoordinated and limp as I grunt, gritting my teeth as I maneuver her off the ground, hoisting her over my shoulder, using what mangled bits are left of my right atm to heave her into a more comfortable position. My entire body thumps in agony as I stumble toward what’s left of our home.
My boot catches on the top step, sending me slamming into the ground with a sickening, wet thud. Sharp fangs dig into my bottom lip to keep my agonized roar inside as I check on Molly, ensuring she didn’t knock against the ground. I struggle to get us back up, the steps slick from my blood and water. I’m not quick to give up, but my body is. My eyes flutter as I push her into the entryway, hating the way her soft hair snags on the stone. My muscles scream as I push harder, ensuring she’s not out in the cold; she’ll be safer inside.
“You’re okay, syringa. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” I force out, my fist knotting in her dress as my vision goes black, my mind following swiftly.
44
Brand New Pretty Purple Flower
Die with a Smile - Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Molly
When the world opens to me again, I fear its greeting. My body hums, sensitive and demanding. Demanding, but what? I’m unsure. The fabric on my skin is chafing, the voices around me too sharp, too loud, like a battering ram against my skull. I am disjointed, my body quiet…too quiet but screaming. Everything seems at odds with something else inside of me. My thoughts included.
A deep voice finds me in my panic, it assures me I’m okay. It’s soothing, like a hug, as it guides me. My hearing soon gives way to something else, something far more pressing. The scent of it makes my parchedmouth water.
“Here, my syringa,” the voice says, offering me something, but my eyes won’t open. It’s too soon, I’m not ready to go back. I-I was scared…I was sorry for something. Oh, and I was sad, so sad. I turn my head away from the voice as my stomach lets out an unholy hunger pang.
That makes sense, I’m hungry.
Starving.
I need to eat.
I can do that, but not if I have to go back.
The voice decides for me, the owner moving and adjusting me, and I hate it. I want to stay here in the grating sheets that are too much for my skin. The voice coos and hums a song. The song I like, I hope it doesn’t end. Just everything else. My stomach nags me again and I can’t recall ever being this hungry. But that’s not right, is it? I feel like I was once, but the memory is far away. That’s fine.
I need something to eat.
Is that what the voice is offering?
