Tainted Wings

Chapter Sixteen

When Hekate finally arrived at her window, she was exhausted. Not only physically, but mentally as well. She still felt sick to her stomach as she thought of the poor innocent woman who was killed. And then there was the fact that she had attacked Marcia, again.

But this was worse. She was so focused on her rage, she used the fire against her, even after War had left the man's body. She knew the moment War had left Jennifer's father's body. She knew it. But she was so hungry for his blood, she continued to attack anyway.

Her mother wasn't home yet, giving her the opportunity to change out of her damaged leotard, and clean the dried blood from her healed skin. Slowly, she pulled her arms out of the leotard, wincing at her bruised shoulder. Taking her hair out was difficult, as the fight has pulled pieces out, creating a rat's nest around the hair band.

After she finished stripping, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a mess. Her entire shoulder was a mixture of purple and yellow. The bruise was much larger than the original bullet wound.

As the hot water washed the remnants of the night away, Hekate took a deep breath, attempting to release the tension built up.

Do you wish to discuss it?

"Discuss what? My inability to protect humanity? My inability to control myself?" Hekate spat.

There was nothing you could have done to change the outcome of the night.

Hekate jerked her head towards the mirror on the other side of the room, her hair spaying water all over the shower walls. Moro sat on the counter in the reflection, watching her.

"You know I could have. I know it. Had I not switched my routine at the last minute, I would have been the one shot, not her. And what about Marcia? I burned her, Moro. That's twice I've used my powers against her now. Twice," she said, her voice raising as she brought up Marcia. Tears had begun to fall down her cheeks but she barely noticed.

Very well. Then I'll ask you this: What good does it do you now to dwell on it? What's done is done. All you can do now is form a plan so it won't happen again.

Hekate turned the water off and stood there for a moment, dripping. "I talk big, but I'm honestly not even sure how to go about it."

I am aware.

Her eyes turned to glare at the white wolf's reflection as she grabbed for a towel to dry herself. "Since you're such a big shot, why don't you come up with a plan for once?"

Moro's eyes widened at Hekate's accusation. You say I have been of no use to you?

Instantly, she felt guilty again. Hekate ran her fingers through her hair, pulling the remaining tangles out. "No, I'm sorry. It just feels like I've been pushed into a corner here. I'm losing control. We thought Marcia taking some of the taint away from me and taking that brand could make the episodes stop. But this was the worst one."

Only because War was right there, influencing you directly.

"That," Hekate began as she reached for her clothes, "Only makes it worse. One way or another, we'll have to fight War directly to get him back behind that Gate. What will happen is Marcia is left to fight not just War, but me as well?"

She was quiet. It was a fear Moro had tried to keep hidden, but after tonight Hekate wondered if it had any ground to it. Their souls were connected, but Hekate still held the influence of War.

Suddenly, Moro's head jerked towards the bathroom door. Someone is here.

Not two seconds later, the doorbell rang. Hekate quickly slipped into her gray sweatpants and an over-sized black hoodie before throwing her wet hair into a messy bun. She inched closer to the door, afraid it was the police searching for her. Or worse.