Page 109 of Warlord's Plaything

His voice dips lower, there’s something raw beneath the surface trying to crawl out.

"She was hunted. Hated for what we were. For what you are."

I freeze.

"And what the fuck is that?"

Menias studies me for a long moment.

"A daughter of two worlds."

His eyes flick over me, assessing.

"I see it in you, Hira. The strength. The fire. The rage."

He raises his head.

"You always wondered why you were different, didn’t you?"

The words slam into me like a hammer.

I did.

I always fucking knew I wasn’t normal.

I was too strong, too fast, too much.

But I never had an answer.

I never fucking knew.

And now—this?

This is what I get?

"Why now?"My voice is quieter.

Menias exhales, tilting his head.

"Because now, you need me."

His gaze sharpens.

"Now, you are in a war you cannot win alone."

The words press against me, heavy and unshakable.

He’s right.

I know it.

I fucking know it.

But I don’t want to.

Menias isn’t just offering me help.

He’s offering me a leash.

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