The Blessed and the Pure┃🖋

Chapter Θ

Hallie lay curled up in a ball at the foot of Nikas's door, ignoring the sharp pains coming from her stomach.

She overused her power; that much was clear. And in full honesty, maybe more than she had to. After all, the Taktikós never chased after her. So running at full speed when she didn't have to wasn't the smartest thing she could have done.

But could you blame her? Anyone would be terrified.

Hallie reached out a hand to flex her knuckles through their full range of motion. She winced. The concentration of energy in her joints and muscles exceeded what they were used to. She'd have to practice in case this ever happened again.

"Curse those 'Blessings'. I swear-"

Hallie looked up to see Nikas's aghast face.

"Hallie- I- Are you okay?"

Hallie shrugged. Was she okay? Physically? In that definition, yes. She wasn't stabbed. But mentally? Not likely.

Nikas walked past her and went inside his apartment.

Hallie watched him go, feeling a part of her heart shrivel up and die.

He left, but that was to be expected. They always left. She just... thought maybe he'd stay a little longer.

That's why she was beyond shocked when Nikas came back outside, sat down next to her, and handed her an apple.

Was he staying? That was nice. It would help her forget about the inevitable for the time being.

"What happened?"

Hallie blinked at the question, not quite sure what he meant.

Oh, yeah.

She pushed herself up into a seated position and bit into the apple. Her stomach rejoiced. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They sat in silence, Nikas watching the wall in front of them as Hallie ate the apple. He even went inside again to grab them both a slide of bread.

Hallie knew she was ignoring the question, and she appreciated Nikas not asking again. She'll answer. But not right this second.

Her hand wandered up to her neck to rest on the bronze chain hanging around her neck.

If the Taktikós killed her, would anyone mind? She was just an anepithýmitos, an unwanted. Studies have shown again and again that if all anepithýmitos were to drop dead, everyone and everything would benefit. Fewer mouths to feed. Fewer bodies for diseases to contaminate. More jobs. Happier mortals.

Happier.

Hallie looked at Nikas.

He was an anepithýmitos too. Did that make him different? Did that mean he would mind if the Taktikós stabbed her? She hoped so. After all, he came back. And with fruit. It was nice knowing someone cared.

"What happened after that Sóma dragged you away?"

Nikas turned to look at her. "Nothing much. I think they thought it would be easier to get me to join their cult if I wasn't within earshot of someone else."

"I knew it was a cult."

Nikas laughed. Hallie liked it. It sounded better than metal cutting through the air.

"A Taktikós came at me with a knife."

Nikas stopped laughing.

Hallie didn't look at him. She wished he would continue laughing. Then she could convince herself she was overreacting. It was always easier to calm down when you thought your feelings were invalid.