Genevieve's POV
The sound of my mother calling from downstairs pulled me from the ancient text spread across my desk. I had been staring at the same page for what felt like hours, but the words kept blurring together. My concentration was shot. All I could think about was what I had done earlier today. The witch's final moments played on repeat in my mind. The way her eyes must have widened in terror when my gift activated. The explosion of blood and bone that followed.
I had seen Kaelen standing there from my hiding spot. Covered in gore that should have been mine alone to witness. The violence had been unnecessary, excessive even. If I had known he would be present, I would have chosen a cleaner method.
Standing from my chair felt like moving through thick honey. My legs had gone stiff from sitting motionless for so long. The hallway stretched endlessly before me as I made my way toward the dining room. Each footfall seemed to echo through our too-quiet house.
