Chapter 10: The lies Gates Tell
The healing hut reeked of blood and burning herbs. Annie moved between cots, her boots sticking slightly to the blood-soaked floorboards. Each witch she tended to stared at her with the same hollow gaze—not just from pain, but betrayal.
"They blame me"
Her fingers trembled as she pressed a vial to a young witch's lips. The girl had third-degree burns crawling up her arms like twisted vines.
"Drink," Annie murmured. Mira obeyed, but her eyes screamed accusations.
Behind them, a sudden commotion. Two witches nearly came to blows over the last pain tonic. "My sister needs this more!" one snarled.
Annie intervened with a sharp click of her tongue. The sound froze them mid-grab. Without a word, she split the vial in two.
"This is what's left of us."
Dawn painted the wreckage in gold, making the devastation almost beautiful. Annie hauled a collapsed beam aside, her muscles screaming. Nearby, Lunara whispered to a group of children, distracting them with floating wisps of violet light.
Then came the voice that cut deeper than any blade:
"You let this happen."
Elara stood framed by the ruins of her home, her face a mask of soot and fury. The gash on her cheek wept fresh blood.