Page 112 of Scorned
“Hello. We need to speak. May I have a seat?”
“Uh, sure. Give me one second.” I put the lid on the pitcher and quickly washed my hands.
“That tea smells delicious,” Winnie said, strolling into the kitchen like he didn’t just bring a witch into my house. “Can I have some?”
“What is she doing here?” I whispered, drying my hands on a towel.
Winnie shrugged, grabbing a glass from the cabinet. “I don’t know. I hate witches.”
I glared at him before tossing the hand towel on the counter and flipping him the bird, then headed into the living room.
Shayla had taken a seat next to Lyric on the couch and Erik had scooted himself to the edge of the recliner across from her, ready to bolt.
“I’m going to take off,” he said, standing. “Kimber is upset, so I want to check on her.”
He said his goodbyes and quickly left the cabin.
“How have you been?” I asked, awkwardly standing in the middle of the room, crossing my arms over myself.
“Faring well. And you?” Shayla clasped her hands together, settling them on her lap and it reminded me of my mother.
“I’m good. Would you like a glass of iced tea?”
“Although it sounds pleasing, I tend to stay away from sugary substances.” Shayla wrinkled her freckled nose, then glanced around as if she looked for something specific. “I see everyone made it out alive. I’m glad the loose-tongue one made the right decision. The prophecy is right on track.”
I tightened my lips to suppress laughter, yet a slight tinge of concern gathered in the depths of my stomach since I had yet to have a private conversation with Marcus.
“Do not worry, my silver,” Shayla said, bringing my attention back to her from staring at the wood floor—I hadn’t even noticed my mind had wandered off. “The strong one loves and forgives. He is the trifecta, unlike anyone else. His new eyes will see the beauty this world has to offer. As yours will soon.”
I snickered, my face contorting of its own accord.
“Is something funny?” Shayla’s facial expression remained refined and polished.
Unlike mine.
“It’s just . . .” I looked upward, shaking my head as if attempting to pull thoughts from my mind. “You say the ‘beauty of the world’ like it’s just everywhere, yet all I’ve seen for months is hate, and lies, and blood, and tears, and . . . and . . .” I took a deep breath, blowing it out through pursed lips, attempting to control my emotions. “And everything evil. People I love have died, endured torture, or been forced to turn into a vampire. There’s no beauty there.”
“The stars guide us along treacherous pathways, my silver. The choice to walk or stumble upon those paths is entirely yours to make.”
I threw my hands up. “Then why did they choose to have Marcus get killed in the first place?”
“While the stars may offer guidance, our choices harbor the capacity to alter the predetermined trajectory of destiny. At times, it may be challenging, and occasionally, it is effortless.”
That did not answer my question.
I rolled my eyes, a jagged breath leaving me as I suppressed a laugh. “If fate controls everything, why doesn’t it just prevent evil, then?”
“There must be wicked things in order for people to learn and adapt. If true evil ceased, time would halt and the earth would no longer exist.” Shayla raised her hand, waving it slightly. “The absence of moisture is dry. The absence of anger is calm.”
I blinked, awaiting more of an answer, but she said nothing. “I kind of understand, but without evil the world would be perfect.”
“Nothing is perfect, my silver. Some flowers are big and stunning, while others struggle to bloom.”
I drew a long, heavy breath before releasing it in a sigh. “I understand the concept, but it doesn’t make sense. The reasoning behind it all just baffles me.”
“The lack of carnivores would lead to an imbalanced ecosystem, with herbivores prevailing and overpopulating the world. Earth would not be able to regenerate quickly enough to meet the demand for the amount of plant matter consumed. Then comes the extinction of flowers, bees, trees, and eventually life.”
“But the magic—”
