From the Flames- Book Six

Ch. 12- At All Costs

My mind flashed back to my best memories. The way my mother smiled when my father entered the room. How she always managed to calm me down just by her soft voice. My father teaching me how to fight and making jokes whenever my powers were getting out of control. How he tucked me in every night when I was little. My brother, Ace, being right next to me when I had a nightmare and always making sure I was okay. That no matter where I was, he would always find me. 

I thought about these things every time Eva kicked me in the ribs, making blood come out of my mouth. I was going to die here, I thought. Get up. No, I couldn't. The pain was unbearable. If I moved an inch, I know I would not get up again. But I had to, didn't I? Yes. If not, you will not survive. 

Fine. 

I pushed my arms up, seething in pain. "They're coming for me!" I yelled at my grandmother. "If you want to die in this prison, I suggest you run before they find you and tear you into pieces." I paused, staring into her eyes like a feral animal. "Or before I do." I noticed that half of her face was burnt, leaving scars that I inflicted the last time she paid a visit. Good. She deserved it. 

I managed to get up, standing on both of my feet even when my bones cried out in pain. Eva backed away from me slightly. I was weak, yes, but I decided that I was not going to die here. I was warm. And that is all that mattered at the moment. "You will get what is coming for you, halfling." she snarled. "You are as ruthless as your mother."

"Here is the thing about me, grandmother," I breathed. "I am a Princess. I am both a Vampire and Fae. And I am a woman. You may strike me down and tell me I am nothing but an abomination, but I know who I am. I will fight to my very last breath to show you how ruthless I can be." 

Eva growled, charging toward me and pushing to the wall suddenly. Her hand was crushing my windpipe making it hard to breathe. She had the same color eyes as Margot, I realized. But hers was different. There was a darkness to it that was not the same as Margot's. She must know I was thinking about her because she replied, "It is quite amusing how in all these years, my sister still has not told her the truth. Very amusing, indeed."

Someone behind Eva snatched her by the air, pushing her back. Her hand was not on my throat anymore and I could breathe properly now. I coughed as I watched my grandmother get pushed to the opposite wall by the very woman I aspire to be someday. My mother was here. Elora was holding her mother up on the wall tightly, her jaw clenched and seething in anger. I did nothing but stare at the sight before me. "You lay one more hand on my daughter and I will turn you into dust." she said in a deadly whisper. 

Without looking at me, she said, "Go, Kala! They are outside." 

I ran as fast as I could to the stairs, not looking back. Even when I so desperately wanted to help my mother with Eva. But I knew she could handle her. I crawled up until I saw the stars and woods around me and the wind in my face. I was free. As I stood outside, I realized I did not know where I was. But I did not care. 

My eyes saw a familiar face. One I recognized so clearly, even when my eye was swollen. Aeson stood a few feet away from me, holding a sword in one hand. I saw his reddish-brown locks in the pale moonlight and it felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest. Within seconds, I saw him running toward me as my knees buckled. 

I fell to the wet ground and burst into tears. I was sobbing uncontrollably as I not only saw my brother but my father, too. They were here. Aeson's arms wrapped around me like a blanket, him trying his hardest not to let me go. "I am trying to take the cold out of you." he whispered, his head digging into my hair. "Please do not ever do that to me again."

I said nothing as I felt another body beside me. It was my father. He kissed the top of my head as I felt him shaking to his very core. With anger and worry, probably. Ace and I pulled away as Sebastian was kneeling in front of me, looking at all my injuries. The King of Ambrosia was terrified, I felt it, and I do not know how to deal with the fact that it was because of me. Because I am his powerful daughter. And our enemy inflicted pain on me.