𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧

Forty- Nine

Liana Kade stood by the doorway of the bunker, trying not to show her fear. Her pale hands shook in Iris's, who gave her a gentle squeeze. Liana squeezed back and gave her auburn- haired friend a small smile, thankful for the distraction.

You can do this, she told herself. You are strong. You are ready.

But part of her still told her that it was red blood trailing down her forehead and not sweat. She reached up to wipe off the perspiration with her sleeve, closing her eyes. 

They had all been trapped in the bunker for days while Liana was recovering- she still had trouble breathing and swallowing, and she would never forget the wounds that Allie had given her, emotional or physical. Her death would scar Liana forever, just as everyone else she'd killed would.

She's gone now. She can't hurt you. And you can't hurt her.

Liana inhaled deeply, focusing on the door that both saved them and imprisoned them. She still had nightmares of when it flew off its hinges and fog choked her vision.

 What if I can't do it? She glanced in Jerik's direction, studying his face for any sign of doubt.

There were none.

Jerik's voice echoed in her head as he smiled at her, Don't doubt yourself.

Iris walked forward, coiling her hand around the knob. "Ready?"

Liana turned to look at Taylor behind her, who stepped towards her and took her hands in his. She traced her thumbs along his palms, but he withdrew his hands and brought them up to her chin, lifting her head gently up to look at him. Her breath caught.

"Don't forget us little people when you save the world."

She chuckled and tried to look away, but he caught her. "You got this."

Liana smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek before turning to Iris, who had one eyebrow raised and a stupid smile dancing across her lips. "What?"

"Nothing," she said with a flick of her brows. "Can I open the door?"

Liana glanced at her feet, clasping and unclasping her hands. Pushing all the negative thoughts out of her mind, she stared back up at Iris. "I'm ready."

The door swung open, and tendrils of blood red fog curled in. For a terrifying second, Liana was frozen, but she quickly shook her head and caught them, leeching the fog into two spheres in her hands. The tug in her gut begged for more, and she let it take over, let her energy warm her body and numb the pain in her collarbone. The fog didn't stop, but it lessened, trailing in slower and slower, until Liana could see the light outside the bunker.

You're doing it.

She smiled as Jerik reassured her, trying not to think about what would've happened if she was to fail. "I'm going in," she whispered, stepping through the doorway and onto the first stair. Slowly, she ascended, sucking the fog into her waiting fingertips as she made her way up. The Bluebloods eagerly followed her, waiting to get their first breath of fresh air in days. Their chatter lifted her spirits and she took the steps two at a time.

They climbed for minutes that lapsed into hours, and Liana held her breath, closing her eyes, as she walked through the doorway.

Warmth tickled her face, and she dared to open her eyes. She was swathed with the brilliant light of the Outcast Island sun for the first time in days.

Bluebloods leaked out of the bunker around her, inhaling deep gulps of salty breeze. A girly laugh escaped her mouth, and she ran towards the edge of the cliff, grabbing Taylor's hand and pulling him along with her. The wind teased her hair, bringing the wonderful scents she'd missed so much. She glanced over at Taylor, who was staring at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

This is what she fought for. This was who she was.

I'm not vermin. I'm not a witch. I'm not a murderer.

I'm an Outcast.