Page 32 of The Demon's Tongue

Once inside, I weave through the familiar streets, keeping my head down. The orphanage looms before me, a grim reminder of where this all began. Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door.

It swings open, revealing Miss Pickett's pinched face. Her eyes widen in recognition, then narrow with fury.

"Geneva! You insolent child!" she hisses, grabbing my arm and yanking me inside. She then slams the door behind us. "How dare you run away from your master?"

I stumble, caught off guard by her strength. "Miss Pickett, I?—"

"Silence!" she snaps, her bony fingers digging into my skin. "Do you have any idea of the trouble you've caused? Lord Sylas will be furious!"

A dry laugh escapes me as I shake my head. Miss Pickett narrows her eyes at me before gritting her teeth.

"What are you laughing about, girl? This isserious. Once Sylas knows you fled, he will search far and wide until he finds you. You're his property now!" Miss Pickett clicks her tongue, crossing her arms over her chest. "You don't understand it, do you? You'renothingbut a slave."

"You're the one who doesn't understand a thing," I retort. "Sylas isdead."

Miss Pickett blinks slowly. "…What? But how?"

I swallow down the knot in my throat, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my body. It's nice to see the fear in her eyes, the confusion etching its way along her features. I relish in it.

"I killed him," I whisper, reaching into my pocket, making sure the crystal is still there. My last one.

Miss Pickett gasps, before raising her hand and striking Geneva across the face. "You foolish girl! You stupid little thing! Do you have any idea what kind of horrors await you once the dark elves realize what you've done?"

The old woman begins pacing the floor, ruffling her pink dress as she goes. She smells of rotten fruit and dust. She must have changed her horrendous perfume to an even more unsavory one.

Miss Pickett's face contorts with fury as she launches into a tirade. "The dark elves don't tolerate human insolence. They'll hunt you down like a rabid batlaz!"

I stand there, silent and unmoving, watching her pace back and forth. She wrings her hands, clearly distraught by the news. Holding back a smile, I want to wait for her to finish her dramatics.

"They have eyes and ears everywhere," she hisses, her bony finger jabbing the air. "You think you can just waltz back here and everything will be fine? You've signed your own death warrant!"

Miss Pickett's words wash over me like water off my back. I've faced far worse than her empty threats.

She whirls around, her beady eyes narrowing as she takes in my lack of reaction. "What's wrong with you? Don't you understand the gravity of the situation?"

I shrug, my voice steady. "I understand perfectly, Miss Pickett. I just don't care."

Her nostrils flare, and for a moment, I think she might explode. Instead, she lunges forward, her cold hands gripping my shoulders. She shakes me violently, her face inches from mine.

"You stupid, ungrateful brat!" she shrieks, spittle flying from her lips. "I gave you everything! A roof over your head, foodin your belly, and this is how you repay me? By ruining everything?"

I don't flinch, even as her nails dig into my skin. "You gave me nothing but misery and servitude," I reply, my voice cold. "You sold me like I was a piece of meat, Miss Pickett. I'm sure you still view me as such, even now. You don't get to play the victim."

Her eyes widen in shock, then narrow with renewed anger. "You've ruined your pathetic little life, you know that? You had a chance at something, and you threw it all away!"

I can't help but laugh, the sound bitter and hollow. "A chance at what? Being a plaything for the dark elves? No, Miss Pickett. I've chosen my own path now."

Her grip on my shoulders tightens, her knuckles turning white. "You thankless little?—"

I sigh, cutting off Miss Pickett's tirade. "Don't you want to know why I'm here?"

Her eyes narrow, suspicion replacing some of the anger. "What are you talking about? You came crawling back because you have nowhere else to go."

I can't help but smirk. "Is that what you think? You're more delusional than I remembered."

Miss Pickett's face flushes an ugly shade of red. "Watch your tongue, girl. You may think you're clever, but you have no idea what's coming for you. Once Sylas's associates realize what happened?—"

"No one will find Sylas's body," I interrupt, my voice cold and steady. "And no one will find yours either, when I'm done with you."

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