Page 92 of Queen of Vengeance

My chest swelled with a melancholy feeling. “I hope that I made you proud. I know you wish for a different life for me, but I made do with what I was given. I helped everyone I could. Even now, I’m doing my best to save those I left behind. I hope you’re doing well wherever you are. Miss you guys so much it hurts…”

I grasped at my chest as if that would stop the aching. It hadn’t worked in all these years. I don’t know why it would start now. “I love you all with whatever is left of me!”

My eyes traced each headstone, recalling every detail until I reached mine.

I suppose I was in shock.

There was no other way to look at it.

It wasn’t very often someone got to sit in front of their own headstone and think back on their life.

Clearly whoever set up these headstones thought that I died in the prison. That meant someone was keeping tabs on me.

But the person they cared for was no longer here.

I wasn’t even the modicum of the person I used to be. In a way, Lea was dead. I am this person now… Uremma Mirth.

Am I supposed to mourn my own death as well?

My mind began to race with memories of everyone else I had lost.

Dineta, the very person who got me through all those years of torture—as hard as I tried to save her, she still ended up dying because of me, nonetheless. Miller, who took care of me and gave me strength when I didn’t have any. He even gave his life to protect me when I was pregnant. Eniko too… I’d only known him a short while, but he seemed to be a kind man. There was real good he was doing for the world. Now that burden has fallen into my lap.

I’ve lost so much… So much was taken.

My whole body shook with rage.

I know Akil told me to leave my anger and past behind me, but how can I?

My rage was what fueled me when I had nothing left.

I’m afraid that if I get rid of it, I’ll find I still have nothing. It takes up so much space that there might just be a big black hole when it’s gone.

I was so close to feeling like an empty abyss of a person.

My humanity was hanging on by a thread.

I was supposed to be focusing on taking down Diesel using Jax, but all I could think about was how badly I wanted to hurt him. I tried to take matters into my own hands… And why shouldn’t I? I was the one putting my life on the line.

Everyone else was sitting back, watching to see what I would accomplish.

I was tired of being a spectacle for everyone’s entertainment. I was no longer a tool for someone to use and discard at their leisure.

Right then and there, I decided that I wasn’t going to play everyone else’s game. I was going to flip the board and start my own. I was now in control of my own life.

No one was going to take that away from me.

I will fight tooth and nail for my freedom if I have to, and when it comes down to it, I will punish Jax and Diesel how I see fit. I will not be silenced anymore. I’m going to rise up and become their worst nightmare. After all, I am the monster they created.

I slowly brought myself to my feet.

The strength of my resolve fueled me.

The tears that ran down my face dried.

The warm wind had become chilly as it brushed through my hair.

I looked out at the horizon, taking in the spectacular view of Solare… Something I had been robbed of for a very long time. I was ready for whatever lay ahead.

My fear would remain here, in the cemetery where it belonged.

As for me? I was going to play my part for now. And when the time comes, they will see firsthand what it means to be afraid.

Vengeance will be mine.

The STORY continues in Queen of Wrath

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