VOWS FOR VENGEANCE

voice of Isabella cut through the hallway, slicing t

heavy in her hands burden she hadn't asked for, but one she silently bore. "Coming!" she called

s her chest and her lips pursed. The sun streamed in through the large windows, fram

gaze sweeping across the polished wood as if with feigned disdain. "You're such

g, but she kept her fa

g thick in her tone. "You're lucky I allow you even to stay here after Desmond's...

tions, to swallow the bitterness rising inside her, but she found it increasingly difficult. Th

her voice barely above a whisper, the

ugh to cut. "And don't forget one wants to see you loun

the hall. She felt their eyes on her mix of pity and scorn-and it sent a fresh wave of humiliation cras

ely took that in. She moved almost mechanically, gathering what she needed and readying the

f them all, laughing, and having fun with the comradeship inside her pack; now she was but a shadow, a servant,

doorway, snapping her out of her spiralling thoughts. It be

to say, but then M

rolling. "You should be grateful Isabella hasn't bo

ating, she took a deep breath and forced herself to smile. It was a small a

ia," she said, much calmer.

enough," Mia sneered

her like a wave, threatening to drag her under into the dark waters of despair. She was surrou

resilience that hadn't been extinguished. They wanted her to falter, and fe

mic. She scrubbed pots, chopped vegetables, and stirred soups, the actions developing a meditative quality taking over her mind. F

r apron and leaned against the counter, the weight falling into her bones. The setting sun spilt its brightness

doorway, soft and reass

asm leaking through her tired ven

ion etched into her features. "You're tougher tha

, crossing her arms. "You're not s

o much more than that." Nia replied, her eyes glowing with determination. "You are

her friend, but a shadow of doubt flickered in her heart. "What i

ted, stepping closer. "You carve your path

mth wash over her. Maybe Nia was right. Maybe there was a way to channel

rds both promise and challenge

s gleaming with pride. "And once you are ready

e would not be defeated. The chains of servitude would not hold her forever. The Moon Godde

Lyra felt a spark of resilience, the one telling her she was on