The Half-Giant's Guide to Seeing the Future

The Day I Talked To A Mad Woman

If by chance you have a homicidal and murderous mother with a crew of cult-like rebel followers, I do not recommend following my plan. At this point, I still harbored delusions that my mother might listen to reason. I probably should have done the smart thing—run.

Ellenora Nikone's plan was clever. Right at sunset, her followers poured out of three nearby tunnels. They didn't attack, though. Instead, they surrounded the compound and waited. My mother walked out last beside Finn. She wore golden armor and her lavender hair whipped around her like a flag. She glared at the compound and narrowed her blue and gold eyes.

Then she waited.

I looked out the window at her and bit my lip. There was a sinking feeling in my gut that knew exactly what she was doing. She still wanted me and she'd already given me her demands.

Moreno took my hand, and I tried to look like I meant business. Then, with a shaky breath, I walked out of the halfant compound with a guard on my heels and went to attempt to barter with the most powerful woman in Jontun.

"Theresa," my mother seemed to savor my birth name as the syllables rolled off her tongue. "Hello, sweetlove."

"Ellenora," her name was cold on my lips and I stepped forward.

This woman was no maternal figure in my life. The last time we'd met face to face, she'd almost killed me. Just being this close to her was dangerous. I could feel Moreno by my side reaching for his weapons, but he didn't draw for fear of the giants firing at us.

"No hug for Mommy?" Ellenora cocked her head. "I'm disappointed, Terri. I thought we were getting along so splendidly. After all, you're finally embracing doing what you're told. That's exactly what a daughter should do."

"If that's what you think a mother-daughter relationship is like, you're sorely mistaken," I said. "I'm here on behalf of a halfants. If you don't leave peacefully, they have the right to protect their border."

Ellenora laughed. "You're wearing their uniform when you should wear golden armor. You're above these silly patrols and guards, Theresa. Accept your destiny as a princess. You're my daughter. That makes you special."

It did, but as much as Moreno teased me about being a princessa, it didn't define me. I was Terri Oakeley. My legacy was to protect the human realm from giants as much as it was a right to the throne. I didn't want Ellenora's legacy. It was nothing but hurt and pain because she felt unwanted.

The halfants had taken me in without question. They were a family, and they'd welcomed me more than my own mother. The Nikones didn't want me and I didn't need them. I belonged right here with my body between a giant and a portal.

"You're wrong about so many things, Ellenora," I said. "Wrong to want to seize power. Wrong to use these giants to hurt halfants. You're angry with your father. There's no need to attack the portals. We aren't your enemy. You and I both know these giants are just a means to an end. You don't want to break out of Jontun. You just want Tytan's throne."

My declaration seemed to take Ellenora aback. She glared at me with ice and molten gold in her eyes. Then Finn set his hand on top of hers as if to soothe her. Her body stiffened, and she seemed to regain her resolve.

"You don't know what I want, you ungrateful little child," she said. "And you're going to tell me what Tytan did with your brother or I'll pull your spine from your body."

Moreno shoved me behind him and drew his weapon. "Just try it, you evil little witch."

"The boyfriend," Ellenora laughed. "I'll give it to you, Theresa. Lord Jordan Ethesis is a good match for a princess. I almost considered dating his daddy once or twice or trying to let him give me an heir."