Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[33] Ummi

Talia Al Ghul was beyond herself with rage. Her feet stomped the ground furiously as she paced her room, features set in a lethal look. A look that clearly meant that whoever had driven her to such a dangerous state would no longer live to see another day.

Her recent decision of withdrawing Mona from her plan to keep her control over the League had resulted in chances of further rebellions, the faction that had supported her against Nyssa was likely to object to her decision of not only sparing Mona but also declaring her as her successor.

Whereas she didn't want to give Nyssa's faction any hope of standing up against her again by using Mona as an excuse.

Hence, at the moment Talia had not declared the girl as her successor to keep her safe for the time being.

She was angered at having to deal with the rebellions all over again, though she had thought it would be the last of all such issues when she had gotten rid of Nyssa.

Her robes swept around her majestically with each spin of her feet, her brow furrowing as she pondered on how to make things even.

Sensing a presence at her door, she spun around immediately to yell and threaten away whoever was foolish enough to show up while she was burning in rage. But she turned to see Mona standing timidly at the door.

The girl stepped back immediately upon seeing her enraged, fear spreading over her features that had earlier been slightly hopeful.

Talia's hand reached up to her temples which were throbbing with anger, taking in a deep breath to compose herself.

"I... I'm sorry, Mistress. I'll leave right now if it pleases you," the child stuttered, stepping back further.

But Talia strode towards the door, gripping her wrist as she pulled her inside and locked the door shortly after.

Mona was trembling in fear at the sight of the ferocious woman in front of her, thinking that she was going to be punished severely. It was no secret that Talia was most dangerous when angered and seldom kept her calm in such scenarios.

However, the woman was unbelievably silent as she continued her furious pacing, features set in a deeply thoughtful look. Mona wanted to know what had made her so angry but knew better not to ask her just yet.

In the past few weeks, the girl had grown to understand her very well, from her outward anger to her deeper concern. Mona was very observant so it was no wonder that she had started to figure out the puzzle of Talia's behavior towards her as well.

At last, the woman stopped pacing and stood in front of her, slender hands reaching out to rest upon her shoulders though the girl had flinched away, thinking that she would be punished.

"Mona, what do you think of me?"

The question was abrupt and unexpected, making her pause to think of a reasonable answer first. She didn't want to make her angrier yet she was scared that if she spoke up, it would somehow result in a punishment.

"I require an answer," the tone was firm that once and Mona looked up at her immediately, eyes flickering in fear.

"I... I respect you and think of you as a leader," she replied meekly, "I will forever stay loyal to you, Mistress. You pardoned my life even though I didn't deserve it and for that I am grateful."

Her brow furrowed as she observed her closely, "is that all?"

Mona didn't know what to say to that. Of course, she thought of her more than just the Demon Head who she was supposed to obey till her last breath. Over the past few days, her opinion regarding Talia had changed a lot but she couldn't voice it out to her just yet.