The God & The Shadow

Chapter 43

VERONICA

"What?"

"I know you're in shock right now-"

"No, no. That's impossible." I willed my body to stand, but it didn't listen.

The woman was delusional. First, she calls me her child. Then suddenly my name is Persephone and she's Demeter, the Goddess of Harvest and Agriculture. A goddess I'd only read in books.

"It isn't impossible. You're my daughter, Persephone." She answered with conviction and rush. Her red-rimmed eyes started crying.

I shook my head. "My mother is dead."

"That impostor is not your mother. She stole you from me."

"No."

"Yes, Persephone." Demeter held my head in her hands with great gentleness. "That witch was my handmaiden and she took you from me when she realized your potential. She wanted to steal your powers, use it for her own. That woman was never your mother."

My entire body was shaking and I couldn't stop the endless streaming of tears no matter how hard I tried.

I refused to believe what she said. My mother was not a fake. She was the woman that raised me, taught me, loved me. She was a good person, and an even better parent.

"No, she isn't." I said once more.

Demeter looked defeated when I denied it once more, but she persisted. "You were born on the first of November. Demitricus blessed your existence and wished you well when he first visited you. Your powers first manifested when you turned two, then you were taken the day after.

"You are the Goddess of spring. You are my daughter."

She pressed a kiss on my forehead and held my hands stained with blood. "I know it is difficult for you, but I'm begging you to please believe me."

I stared at the goddess. Her violet eyes were exactly like mine, her blonde hair like golden threads. She looked beautiful and exactly as the pictures I'd seen of her, but it still wasn't enough. Not enough.

"You aren't my mother."

Her face grew impatient and she sighed in frustration. Demeter stood, my body still too weak to move, and looked at Brie and nodded once.

Brie kept her head low as she flicked her fingers behind her and Olivia appeared in front of her.

She went wide-eyed when Azura grabbed her arm and pressed the dagger I threw at her earlier against her neck.

"Here's what's going to happen, goddess." The angel started. "You come with us, and no one gets hurt."

Olivia shook her head vehemently. "Veronica, don't! It's okay!"

"Be quiet, little witch." She chastised. Olivia whimpered when the dagger started digging in her skin, her eyes rimming with tears.

But even when she started crying, she kept on shaking her head. Please, don't, she mouthed to me.

"Don't hurt her!" I said out loud with whatever energy I had left.