by Martha Woods
“Oh,” Iggy said, “Ew, can we not?”
“Oh, shit.” Liam blushed, running a hand down his face. “I’m sorry, I forgot that- Fuck!”
He slammed his foot down onto the brake pedal, the wheels locking up and skidding against the asphalt, a dark plume of smoke coming from the burning rubber as the car dragged itself down the road. They rocked in their seats, bracing themselves and Abigail in her seat to stop everyone from flying around helplessly, just managing to make themselves safe before the car shuddered to a halt. The two cars behind them followed suit, coming inches within slamming into their back before stopping just in time.
“Liam! What the hell!” Skylar looked at him with wild eyes. “Why did you stop?”
“There...” He pointed forward through the windshield, a lone figure standing in the middle of the road without a care in the world. Their eyes widened in shock once they recognized him, half his face disfigured and his clothes disheveled, but it was undeniably the man they were seeking, the man who had caused them so much grief and misery.
Christian waved a hand in greeting, his smile turning vicious once he saw Claire, but his composure not faltering for a second. Without a second thought, their group exited the cars, guns drawn and claws extended, Liam looking like he was two seconds away from leaping towards him and tearing his throat out. A hand on his arm was the only thing that stopped him from doing so but to his immense surprise it didn’t belong to Skylar.
It belonged to Leila.
She stepped in front of the car, arms out as she made herself known to Christian, his face morphing from one of mocking joy to complete confusion once he recognized her. “Leila?” He said, shocking everyone, “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m here with my daughter.” She looked back at Skylar, swallowing regretfully before saying the words that she had gone years dreading having to say. “Our daughter.”
Skylar’s heart plummeted, the earth feeling unsteady beneath her feet and her blood running cold, so certain that it had to be a bad joke that she almost started laughing. Everyone else’s reactions were no better, ranging from complete shock to bordering on betrayal, but all of them were concerned for Skylar, who could do nothing but stand there and look weakly at her mother.
“But… But how?” She said, “You said that my father was a paranormal!”
“He is. How do you think he can get people to follow him so easily? How do you think he can convince people to damn their souls so easily by giving themselves into depravity and violence?” She looked back at him, a mixture of disgust and sorrow clear on her face. “He’s a siren.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Christian laughed, narrowing his eyes at the women before snarling when he noticed the pity in her eyes. “Bullshit! I’m nothing like you, I’m not one of you freaks!” He pointed at Skylar, the fury of his gesture making her flinch. “And that thing isn’t my daughter! It never will be!”
“Christian…” Leila took a step forward, clenching her fists. “Don’t do this…”
He put his arms out, stepping back along the road. “It’s already done, you just didn’t know it yet.”
Behind them, Cassandra gasped in horror, hand flying to her mouth and her eyes widening in shock. “No, no no no not now…”
From behind Christian, seemingly from out of nowhere, her brother stepped into view, his face twisted with malicious glee and his hand raised in greeting. “It’s been a long-time sister. I have so been looking forward to this reunion.”
“Aidan, please…” She froze when he snapped his fingers, creatures shambling out of the trees alongside him, all of them in pain and clearly not under their own will. If she was right in what his plans were for them, they likely would never have their own free will ever again.
“I think we’re a little too late for requests, don’t you think sister?” He cracked his neck, hands pulsing with energy at his side. “It’s time that I show you what I’ve been working on all these years!”
The two sides squared themselves, knuckles white and mouths foaming with anger. Guns cocking and fingers swimming with anticipating power. Skylar looked between the two sides, dread growing in her chest and her hands beginning to shake.
“Oh my god…” She whispered, “It’s begun.”
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