Chapter Twenty-Six: The Woman Returned by Death
Rain softened to silver mist.
The ruined tower stood behind them like the skeleton of an old war.
No one moved.
No one trusted what they were seeing.
Because the woman stepping from the shadows was dead.
*****
Cassandra
Her heart stopped before it started again.
No.
No.
That face had been buried in memory and grief.
That voice had faded beneath nights of mourning.
That body had fallen saving Jay.
She had watched it happen.
She had screamed until her throat bled.
And now, the impossible walked toward her.
“Mother…?”
The word came out broken.
*****
Bosco
Bosco had faced executions with steadier hands.
He had held Cicilia’s lifeless body himself.
He had kissed her cold forehead.
He had sworn vengeance over her grave.
So
