You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 46

The hours bled into one another, marked only by the shifting shadows in the corner of her cell. No one came back down to update Mira on the plan. She sat in the silence, her mind racing with the names of the two men she had mourned for months. Evan and Regulus. She felt a wave of foolishness wash over her for ever believing they were truly gone. They were too clever, too resilient to be snuffed out so easily. Yet, the questions bit at her. Why had they stayed hidden for so long? Why wait until now to strike?

The heavy thud of boots on the stone stairs broke her train of thought. She straightened her back, expecting the kind face of Theo or the quiet grace of Narcissa. Instead, she saw Barty.

Mira looked at him with a coldness she didn't know she possessed. She had tried to forgive the small slights of their youth, the bad decisions made in the heat of youthful mistakes . But abduction was a different beast. He had handed her over like a piece of luggage.

"Mira, listen. I know you have no reason to trust me" Barty said, his hands fumbling with a heavy ring of keys. He wouldn't meet her eyes. He looked frayed, his movements jerky and hurried. "But I need you to come with me. Upstairs. Now."

"Why?" Mira asked, her voice cracking. "Is he bored of waiting? Does he want to finish it himself?"

Barty didn't answer. He finally found the right key and turned it in the lock with a loud, metallic click. He stepped back as the door swung open, gesturing for her to leave. Mira tried to push herself up, but her legs were like water. She collapsed back onto the straw-covered floor, her breath hitching in her chest.

Out of pure habit, Barty rushed forward to help. He reached out a hand, but Mira glared at him with such white-hot anger that he froze. He saw the pride still burning in her eyes despite the hunger and the dirt. He slowly withdrew his hand and stepped back, allowing her to struggle to her feet on her own.

It was the most grueling walk of her life. Every step up the stairs felt like pulling her feet through thick mud. She gripped the wooden railing until her knuckles turned white, her heart hammering against her ribs. When she finally reached the top, she emerged into the drawing room. It was just as dull and oppressive as it had been a week ago, but the air felt charged with static.

In the center of the room stood Voldemort. He was alone, his back turned to the door. It was the first time Mira had ever seen him without a crowd of followers flanking him like shadows.

"I was feeling charitable today" he said. He didn't turn around, but his voice cold and high, filled the room.

Mira wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the word "charitable" coming from his mouth, but she kept her lips pressed thin. She walked a few steps closer, feeling Barty settle into place behind her like a guard. Nagini, the massive snake, slithered down the grand staircase and coiled herself beside her master.

"Regulus Black and Evan Rosier are alive" Voldemort stated. "I thought seeing them might lift your spirits."

On cue, Evan and Regulus appeared at the top of the stairs. Mira's knees nearly gave out again. Seeing them was unreal. They looked older, harder, but they were breathing. Her entire body seemed to relax for the first time in months.

"We lost track of them for a while" Voldemort continued, finally turning to face her. His red eyes were flat and pitiless. "But they are back on track now. And for the mistakes they made during their absence, I think it is only right that you are the one to pay."

As he spoke, Mira caught a flicker of movement. Theo was hiding behind a heavy wooden door to her left, his eyes fixed on the scene. He was waiting. Mira didn't know what the signal was, but she knew the air was about to explode.