The Matriarch's Daughter

Chapter Twelve: Sacrifice

After Gamma shared Rory's memoir with Thepa, the two agreed confronting Rory was the best course of action. They didn't have to wait long as Rory returned to the city just two days later. As usual she made her way to Thepa's study. When Rory entered the room, she was surprised to see the two of them together. Confused, she addressed them with suspicion.

"What's going on? Gamma, why are you here? I told you to stay in Wildehaven."

Thepa stood up and took a few steps toward Rory. With a slight smile, she clasped her hands together trying to be gentle, yet firm. "We love you, Rory. That's why we're here. We want to help you."

"Okay..." Rory responded while her green eyes shifted between the two of them. "Am I in some kind of trouble?"

"You're not in trouble," said Gamma, joining Thepa's side. "We're just worried you're going to do something rash."

"Rash?" Rory asked incredulously.

"We're worried you might get yourself hurt." Or killed, Thepa thought.

For the moment, Rory said nothing. Thepa could see the wheels turning in her head, but her friend continued to stare off in the distance. However, the second a look of recognition crossed her brow, she took a step back, folded her arms, and washed all emotion from her face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rory said defiantly.

Thepa and Gamma exchanged a look, both afraid of what would come next. Thepa knew they'd have to trend carefully, but as Gamma looked down at Thepa's satchel, Thepa saw no other action. After a few moments of silence, she took a deep breath then slowly reached into her bag and pulled out Rory's memoir. From there, things turned catastrophic.

Rory rounded on Gamma. Her voice rose in anger while her face flushed with indignation. "What's the meaning of this? Why do you have my book? This is an invasion of my privacy!"

To her credit, Gamma stayed calm. She grabbed Rory's book from Thepa and held it up as a peace offering as she repented of her inequality. "You're right, Ms. Rory. I do not excuse my actions and I will serve my penitence for them. However, that does not change the fact we know what you're going to do."

"You know nothing!" Rory boiled ignoring the book. Instead, she stormed towards the door, trying to leave, but Gamma moved in front of her, effectively blocking her path. Rory's face contorted as she glared at Gamma, her eyes blazing with anger. "Move," she spat.

"Not until we talk," Gamma said refusing to budge. The two women faced each other, neither willing to back down.

"Perhaps some tea," Thepa suggested. She moved towards the teapot, but Rory ignored her. Instead, she made a second attempt to leave, but as Gamma blocked her a second time, Rory shoved her into the door post. The sound of Gamma's body smacking against the frame echoed across the room, causing Thepa to drop the teapot and send it crashing into the floor.

"Rory!" she shouted in shock.

Gamma winced in pain but still held her position. Hurt radiated off her face, desperate to maintain composure. "That...hurt Ms. Rory. You should apologize."

For the briefest of seconds, Rory looked like she might. Her face betrayed her, softening into empathic concern. However, just as quickly, it faded returning the old Rory with a vengeance.

"No," Rory refused.

When she did, Gamma's frustration boiled over and she threw Rory's book on the floor. "Coward," she said.

Rory gritted her teeth. Thepa saw her subconsciously reach for her weapon and knew the situation was almost beyond the point of no return. She knew she had to stop it, but was powerless to do so. All she could do is watch as Rory issued a final ultimatum.