The voices in my head got louder, like bees trapped in glass.
Haelyn, are you serious?!
You believe her but not us?!
The betrayal!
I’m appalled!
After everything we’ve done for you!
We have supported every bad decision you’ve ever made!
That is not the point right now!
If you let her walk out of here and she rats on you, all of this will have been for nothing!
Think with your head, Haelyn, not your heart… preferably the part of your head where we live!
Think about Jace! You can’t lose him!
Yeah!
And she won’t just take him, she’ll take the baby too!
You’re right. After everything I’ve sacrificed and survived I simply cannot lose him again… not to Talia, not to Zonnique, not to nobody! I refuse to let anybody ruin this for me!
Then you know what you have to do.
I do.
“Haelyn, why are you doing this?” A tremor ran through Talia’s voice, revealing the hope she was trying desperately to hold on to.
My grip tightened around my gun as I turned around slowly.
“Talia, you really don’t understand. You’re toohumanfor a world like this. People like you still cling to the idea that love and kindness can mend everything and that honesty saves people.”
My hand trembled with uncertainty as I slowly lifted the gun toward her.
“It doesn’t. Talia, destiny brought you back into my life to reconnect me with my love but now, you’re no longer needed. Me and Jace will be better this time around. And no one will get in our way… not even you.”
Talia’s composure shattered. “Wait! Please don’t do this! Please, Haelyn! I’m begging you!”
Another voice hollered at once.
Do it now!
My hand trembled violently around the gun.
The barrel swayed between us as my heart slammed against my ribs, each beat harder than the last. Sweat gathered beneath my fingers, making the grip feel slick in my palm.
“Stop calling me fuckin’ Haelyn!” I screamed.
Talia flinched.
“That crazy bitch no longer exists! She died in Willowgate, and I left her there where she belonged! So, every time you call meHaelyn, you’re calling me by the name of a dead woman… and dead people don’t answer! I’myounow!” I jabbed a trembling finger against my chest. “I’mTalia Pippin! Yeah… that name belongs to me now! I have your identity and soon everything you’ve ever dreamed of!”
Fear slowly spread across Talia’s features, starting in her eyes and settling into every trembling inch of her face. She looked at me like I was no longer human.
