Page 118 of Bloodlust

Like a phoenix.

As she stops a few yards away from the priest, she shines her parents a glorious smile.

A smile that could blind the world.

The sun has risen.

"Hello, Daddy," Camilla says, tilting her head. "Thanks for coming to my funeral." She glances at the floral arrangements. "I would've gone with lilies."

And then there was light.

Chapter 32

Hero

Reincarnation is an interesting concept.

To die and then to one day come back to life. Stripped of all memories, all past trauma, all knowledge, all regret.

A soul with a clean slate.

Unfortunately, my soul's far too sullied, too damaged, too tainted to be reborn into something beautiful.

For that reason, I don't believe in reincarnation. I believe in something far more powerful. Far more tangible. Far more measurable.

I believe in revenge.

And I believe in justice.

Perhaps, in time, the idea of coming back as something other than a slug will be my reality.

Until then... I'll right my wrongs.

With pleasure.

"Hi, Daddy," I say, smiling at my father, his eyes large with disbelief and confusion as my ashes sift through hisfingers onto the freshly cut grass of the cemetery. I nod at the poorly curated flower arrangements, smirking, "I would've gone with lilies."

"Ca—"My father clears his throat, glancing at my mother who's about to faint. He blinks. "You're... You're..."

"Alive?" I sigh, cocking my head. "Disappointed?"

"I don't understand," Dad says, looking around at The Council members. I wave at them, flashing a welcoming smile. "How?"

"At least they smell nice," I note, sniffing the bouquet. I glance at my mom. "Did you pick these out?" I expel a cynical laugh. "Of course not, right? Too much work?" Neither of my parents are able to form a sentence. I laugh. "Wow, you both look so shocked right now." I take a step forward, digging my hardened gaze into my father's. "How does it feel, Daddy? To be the one in the dark for once?"

"What are you talking about?" he asks, raising a quizzical brow.

"Come on now, Daddy," I sigh, trailing my fingers along the empty casket as I circle the podium. "Let's not play dumb."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Camilla," he says, watching me with a wary eye.

I snap my head up, jaw clenched as I grunt, "Daniel."

He blinks as my mother's body winces. "What about Daniel?"

"It's over, Daddy," I say. "I know."

"You know..."

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