Page 35 of Venom Within Her

“I feel perfect.”

I lifted her hand to my lips again, “You are perfect.”

I couldn’t help my smirk as her eyes widened. She ripped her hand from my lips and pulled it right up to her face.

“Oh my-” she gasped, struggling to find her words. “What is? Is this-?”

“I figured since you were so open and willing with the traditions of my kind, then I would follow the customs of yours.” I pulled her hand to me again, running my thumb over the stone. “So everyone will know that you’re mine. Forever.”

“It’s perfect,” she leaned in and kissed me softly. “I love it.”

“I lo-” I was cut off by the thundering rumble of Ilona’s stomach. Her cheeks burned an adorable shade of red.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, slapping her hand over her face. “I don’t mean to ruin the moment…but I am just so hungry.”

24

Ilona

I waited patiently as the smell of hardy stew filled the small treehouse, admiring the giant rock on my finger. I couldn’t believe that in just a few short weeks, my entire life, my entire body, had completely changed. I didn’t even feel an ounce of regret or fear.

I imagined all that my life had been before, everything that I had come to Cutwood to escape. Toxic relationships, control, and everyone else knowing way too much about me. I came to Cutwood to blend in. To completely disappear. Instead, I had been found and deeply seen.

Closing my eyes, I said a small prayer to Nana. I had no doubt she had been working wonders on the other side, leading me to this place to find myself just as she did. I wondered if she could see me now, if she was proud of what I’d become.

My hair stood on end as I finished my prayer. My gaze shifted to my phone, sitting untouched on the nightstand. My curiosity had suddenly peaked, mixed with a particular need for closure. I reached over with a deep breath and opened my messages and clicked the unread message from my mother.

My darling, Ilona. I don’t know where you are, or if you even want to talk to me, but I had to get this off my chest. You have always been bigger than this whole world. Since the moment I held you in my arms, I knew you were destined for greater things. The way I treated you was wrong. I was so scared of your fire, scared it would get you in trouble. I tried to whip you into shape and in the process, I broke your spirit. I don’t expect you to ever accept my apology, but I’m sorry. I will miss you dearly, but I am so happy you got away. Wherever you are, make it worth it. Make your life big.

I love you,

-Mama.

A tightness I didn’t know I held loosened and my entire body went limp. A lifetime worth of guilt, shame and anger melted away with a single paragraph. She had apologized and I forgave her, whether I would ever tell her that was still up for debate. It felt like a full-circle moment. Now that I had completely changed from the girl she once knew, I was finally accepted.

As my final act of self-love, I opened up Maureen’s contact and finally hit the block button, then deleted her number. It was nothing against her. Deep down, I knew I would always love her, but her remorse was the last thing I needed to move on from my old life. I hoped that she felt the same peace, but it wasn’t my responsibility to make sure.

I shoved my phone in one of the nightstand drawers and eyed the full-length mirror standing in the corner of the room. Cautiously, I planted my hands on the side of the bed and pushed my new, heavier body to my feet. Balancing upright with the newly added weight on my backside would definitely be a challenge.

The first thing I noticed was how much taller I’d gotten. Not as tall as Larz, but a huge difference from my normal five-foot-two.

My curls were wild after our activities. My skin glowed with a new calm I’d never seen before. I leaned forward, blinking to make sure the blacks of my eyes were real, looking side to side in search of any white. It was all gone.

My fingers brushed my lips, thoughts of Larz’s long, dark, forked tongue and all she could do with it playing through my mind. I let my jaw fall open and a tongue matching my memories toppled out. I wiggled it around in awe.

It only took me a few minutes to get used to lifting and pinching my claws. After spending all of my childhood years being a serious, competitive dancer, I was used to working extra muscles. I tried to use them to pick up the plastic water bottle on the nightstand, only to realize just how strong they were. The flimsy material cracked and flattened under my claw’s pressure. Weapons, not second hands.

The crashing sound of shattering glass rang behind the door. I pulled on my abandoned robe and as soon as I stepped toward the noise, Larz’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Ilona, baby, stay there. Don’t come out until I tell you, okay?”

“What’s going on?”

I could feel her. Even though the mind connection was severed, I could still feel Larz on a cellular level. It wasn’t as strong as the connection was, but I could sense something was wrong.

“Nothing, just-”

Another shattering of glass and I was already halfway to the door. I trusted Larz, but whatever was happening, I knew by the fear in my bones that we were in danger.