Page 113 of Ruin of Revenants

My heart refused to accept what my mind knew instantly: Mama was gone, an undead creature whose soul was trapped in her own body. There was no recognition lighting her eyes as they met mine. No glow of warmth to her cheeks. No sunshine smile.

Though there was no outward sign of injury, it was obvious there was no life in her, that the curse of her lost magic that had made her ill had finally claimed her completely.

Instead of opening her arms, she bared her teeth and summoned shadowy wings that sprouted from her back in a mockery of the magic she’d once wielded in life.

I bargained with you, Vithenna. You said you’d save them.

A memory snapped into place. The cost of my bargain. Something horrible and ice-cold filled my bones. You’ll never again return home.

Hatred like I’d never felt before, not even for King Wystan and all his phoenix hunters, seized me in a searing grip, igniting every vein, every tendon, until it felt like my entire body was ablaze. I was no killer, but suddenly, in that moment, I wished that deities could be slain. Curse you, Vithenna. The cost was meant to be paid by me. Not by Mama. Mama doesn’t deserve this. She was only peaceful and loving, the gentlest person I’ve ever known.

With an ear-splitting cry, the creature that had once been my mother leapt into the air, her wings pumping her toward me. In her hand sprouted something like fire, but each dancing, smoking flame was as black as a void with no flicker of light. She hurled a ball of it toward me. Unprepared for an attack from a creature bearing Mama’s face, I failed to dodge in time and it slammed into my chest.

Rather than heat, searing cold flooded me, so deep it seemed to burn. When I glanced down, there were no noticeable injuries, but when I tried to call on my own magic, it was…gone.

Dread flooded my bones. I had no fire to fend off her attacks, no wings to keep up with her. But I’d have to reach Mama somehow and use Mortius’ power to send her to the afterlife.

Tears burned my eyes as I walked closer, holding up my hands as if in surrender. Could I still reach her, with her soul trapped in her body?

“Mama?” I asked tentatively, my voice breaking so I wasn’t sure if she could hear me over the muffled cries of battle, the beating of her own wings, and the thundering of my aching heart. “It’s me, Izzy. Please.” My vision swam, and I had to pause to blink. She floated overhead, her complexion pale and grey and lifeless, those dark wings so unnatural they hurt to look at.

There was no recognition in her gaze—no feeling at all. Whatever controlled her actions now, there was no spark of her left. I choked on a sob, the effort to try to hold it back racking my body.

I failed you. I failed you. I’m so sorry that I failed you. The thought kept repeating relentlessly in my mind, taunting me. I could still see Vithenna’s smug expression as she’d proclaimed that I could save my people if I paid the price. She’d known I’d already lost the battle for one of the most important people in my world.

How had I not known Mama was that close to death’s door when I’d seen her last? I should have held her closer. Repeated how I loved her a few more times. I should have fought harder, stayed longer, researched more, bargained with every god under the sun until I’d found a cure sooner, done something, anything more—

But there wasn’t time to grieve properly, not when another ball of that black fire whirled toward me. I dropped to the cobblestones and rolled out of its path.

I had to get closer. Mama—or what had once been my mother—dropped back to the street, her wings fluttering behind her and folding inward. My heart gave a tremor, half-hope and half-pain, as she approached.

Lifting my chin, I stared at her from my position kneeling on the ground. Shadows and black fire enveloped her, the antithesis of all she’d been to me my whole life.

Mortius, help me.

His shadows coalesced around my fingertips when I lifted them. I could scarcely breathe as I reached out with death’s power, ignoring the bone-chilling pain that gripped me as soon as I stretched my arm out, pushing through the deathly shadows, and touched Mama’s hand.

Her body froze, twitching as her corrupted magic vanished before it crumpled to the ground. My stomach lurched as her spirit formed in front of me, her familiar gaze alight with the warmth and love I’d been aching to see again.

“Mama,” I whispered hoarsely.

“My sweet Izzy, you saved me.”

Tears fell freely down my cheeks. “No, I didn’t. I’m too late. I bargained with Vithenna to return your magic, but you were already dead. You—you—”

“It was my time, deemed by the gods.”

Again I thought of Vithenna and her cruel expression, the mental image punctuated by another stab of anger. You’ll never go home again. “They’re wrong.” My voice broke. “You can’t go.”

“Look at how brave you are. You’ve freed my soul so I can rest. I’ll find your father in the afterlife and tell him about the incredible fae you and Brenton have become.”

“But I need you, Mama. Please don’t leave me.” My throat ached with sobs I wouldn’t release, not when I clung so desperately to a hope that was impossible. Not when I needed to convince Mama’s soul to stay.

“You’ve seen what happens when souls aren’t allowed to travel to the afterlife.” Her words were firm yet gentle. “I’ll wait for you there.”

I trembled, not daring to say the words I needed to. How could I let go, when there were a thousand words left unsaid? How could I let her move on, when I could not? I needed her—her wisdom, her strength, her love, her guidance. There was so much I had yet to learn. So many things I had yet to share with her.

“You are strong, Izzy,” Mama murmured, her adoring smile something I wanted to bask in for eternity. “You and Bren have one another, and I know you will save the other phoenix shifters. It’s your destiny, foretold by Maris herself.”