Page 78 of Mostly Shattered

My chest tightens, confusion mixing with the lingering pain of everything I’ve already faced in here. First, the physical pain that left me exhausted and emotional. Then Conrad’s betrayal, and facing my own doubts about my worth, and now…

Costin doesn’t think I’m capable of doing this. To him, I’m just a mortal. He’s like all the other supernaturals in my life. He thinks I’m some delicate creature that can’t fend for myself. Everyone always thinks I need to be protected. No one thinks I’m ever good enough, capable enough, or worthy enough to make my own decisions.

Part of me thought maybe he was different.

I’m such a fool.

I hear the plastic seal on the water bottle crack as Anthony opens it. I ignore him.

“You were protecting me, or you didn’t think I could handle it?” I ask.

He blinks, and for a moment, I see a flicker of uncertainty. “Tamara, this isn’tabout you. The labyrinth is ancient and unpredictable. You don’t understand how dangerous it is.”

“Out of the two of us, I think I’m infinitely more qualified to say how dangerous the supernatural world is to someone like me. I don’t need you to follow me.” My voice sounds more uncertain than I want it to. A million thoughts race through my mind. I clench my fists, my nails biting into my palms. “I needed you to trust me. The troll said?—”

“I don’t care what the troll said,” Costin interrupts, gliding closer. Our argument is tumbling in circles. “You don’t understand how dangerous this place is. I couldn’t just stand by and let you face it alone. You’re just a…”

I flinch at his words, the familiar pang of uncertainty creeping in. He stops himself from saying more. He doesn’t have to. I hear that same old echo reverberating through me: I’m a delicate butterfly in a world of fiery dragons.

Mere Mortal. Human. Fragile.

It can die.

I don’t care that we’re standing in a tunnel in a dark labyrinth that has already tried to kill me. I feel a long-dormant rage bubbling up inside me. I’m so tired of everyone treating me like I’m nothing. I’m tired of people telling me what I can’t do and doubting my abilities.

I just want to be normal. I just want to belong somewhere.

“Go ahead. Say it. I’m a mere mortal,” I finish for Costin with a sneer of disgust. “Just a poor, helpless, stupid human.”

“I wouldn’t say it like that, in that tone,” Costin defends. “But yes. You are a human. You are mortal. Those are the facts.”

The words sting more than I want them to. I trusted him. I thought he believed in me, too. But now, all I can feel is the weight of his disloyalty. Conrad had betrayed me because he didn’t believe in me and thought he could control my life and choices. And now, here’s Costin, doing the same thing, thinking that because I’m fragile, I need him to control me without asking me what I want.

“You don’t trust me.” My chest tightens as the words slip out before I can stop them.

“Hey, Tamara, take a breath and have something to drink,” Anthony encourages. “You’re tired and overreacting. I’m sure when this is over, Costin will explain himself, and everything will be fine.”

Anthony pushes the open water bottle into my hand. When I don’t move, my brother nudges my arm to urge me to drink. I swallow once before pulling the bottle away.

Costin’s expression softens for a moment, and he steps closer, reaching for me. “It’s not about trust.It’s about doing what’s best for you. This prophecy?—”

I throw the bottle at Costin’s head to cut him off. He easily avoids the attack by leaning to the side. The water splashes and thumps its way down the tunnel.

His words ring hollow. That’s what they always say, isn’t it? The ones who betray you. The ones who think they know what’s best regardless of what I want.

“Tamara, you’re not alone in this,” Costin says. His tone might be gentle, but I see the bloodlust swirling in his eyes. “I care about you. I wasn’t going to let you get hurt.”

“But you don’t believe in me. You don’t believe I can handle it, do you? This is my trial,” I snap. “It’s supposed to be my test, not yours. You were supposed to let me handle it. If we make it through this, and the troll decides I didn’t earn the magic needed to fix the amulet, it will be your fault the world ends.”

Costin’s expression tightens, but he says nothing more. He just watches me, his intense gaze filled with something I can’t quite read.

“Whoa, prophecy? Are we talking about a real, actual prophecy? I don’t suppose anyone would want to clue me in on what’s going on here. I’m a little bit in the dark about this whole troll amuletworld-ending thing,” Anthony says, trying to pat my shoulder.

“You’re right. We should go.” I spin around and march through the tunnel. I stay out of their reach, not wanting to be touched. Under my breath, I mutter, “So help me if I have to go through another version of this freakshow again...”

I’m tired and hurt. I didn’t ask to be a hero.

What was I thinking, taking up with a vampire? Of course, he thinks I’m incapable. He feeds on my kind. We’re snacks to him, not equals. I’m just something to slake his desires, whether it’s for blood or sex.

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