The first thing I noticed was that one of these things was not like the other. And by that, I mean the three shapes in front of me that vaguely resembled people. They were bathed in bright light.
“Where have I seen that before?” I mumbled, shielding my eyes as the light died down.
Wyatt stood to the left, Guy in the middle and Noa on the right. I rubbed my eyes to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on me. A huge grin snuck up on me and I ran over to hug Guy as tight as I could. I locked lips with him and he wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close.
I was so excited my damn foot popped like we were in a rom-com.
“Well hey there angel, it’s nice to see you too—with my own eyes. No offense, wy-wy.”
“None—you did not just call me that.” Wyatt narrowed his eyes at Guy, then on his hands holding my waist. “And get your hands off my wife.” His words were quiet and cold but Guy just smirked at him and respectfully let go.
“Sure thing bud. Just know that I’ll always be here…just call my name, angel.” He winked at me, making my face heat up. My mind flashed back to the bedroom, crying out his name as I rained down on my husband.
“You saw that?” I whispered, heart beating against my chest.
“Saw it, heard it, felt it. Given the chance I’d have tasted it too.” Mm. The tiniest of moans broke free but I covered it with a cough. This man was dangerous and I loved it.
“Nice to see that I’m chopped liver. Hello, my name is Noa.”
Oops.
Neglecting Wyatt was punishment but neglecting Noa was thoughtless. I have to do better.
“Noa. I’m sorry, I—” He chuckled and pulled me in for a hug, patting my head. Why did a simple pat to the head make me shiver?
“It’s alright. I could see you were busy, goddess.I could hear it as well, and feel it—”
“Will you shut up!” I reached up with both hands and covered his mouth.
“Yeah—that’s my line.” Guy chimed in. I could hear the smile in his voice and I wanted to kick him.
I also wanted to kick Noa but only because he moved my hands and kissed my fingertips. Electricity raced down my body, straight to my belly. Haven’t I blushed enough today?
“Ahem.” Themis coughed into her fist politely. “If you all are done?” She gave pause.
“Yes.” I nodded, looking towards the boys. None of them disagreed although Wyatt was focused on the rooftop behind the titans, as if there was something there that only he could sense. I’d seen that face before, and it never means anything good is coming.
“Then we shall proceed.” Themis raises her hands, motioning towards Rhea. My fist clenched as the landscape around us changed in a flash of light. I hate her, I hate her stupid power. Being an adult is necessary but if I could, I would absolutely give her the middle finger.
We were no longer outside. All around us were high marble ceilings and walls, columns from top to bottom. Chairs—twelve of them—sat in a cluster to my right. In front of us, a judge's position, complete with a gavel. And in it, there was someone I hadn’t expected to see. Someone that made my blood run cold.
It was my father. Not my stepfather, the one who actually raised and loved me—no. It was the monster that had done unspeakable things to me as a child.
“Why is he here?” I choked out, knees giving out. I dropped to the floor, unable to catch my breath.
Wyatt was at my side in an instant, “easy, princess. Remember, you’re not alone.” He held my hand, Guy held the other while Noa wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to his chest.
“I’m sorry, Sapphyra, but he’s wrong.” Themis sighed, raising her hand again. “Because the first one on trial is you and only you.”
A bubble formed around me, bright and yellow but clear. I beat my fist against it as it forced my family away from me. No matter how hard they fought back, it wouldn’t pop.
Wyatt placed a hand against the bubble. I matched his with my own—so close yet so far. A million thoughts raced in my head but I couldn’t focus on them. Too paralyzed by fear.
“Breathe, baby! You can do this.” He said. Part of me believed him but the other part knew it was bullshit. Whatever bravado I had would evaporate the moment I looked into my fathers eyes again.
“Are we ready to begin the trial?” Bayani—my father asked, banging the gavel. Even now, hearing his voice nearly made me piss myself. His pitch was less…judgemental than I remembered. It was almost robotic.Maybe it wasn’t actually him!
Only one way to find out though.
“Sarah Fire Pharr,” oh god he used my whole earth name, “you have been accused of aiding and abetting a serial killer. Destruction of public property and several other crimes that will be listed under vigilantism. How do you plead?”
“What happens if I say guilty?”
His grin, malicious and sweet all at once sent chills down my spine. I wanted to run and hide.
“I get to end you like I should have, all those years ago.”
“...Not guilty.” I squeaked out, trying desperately to hold my head up high. It wasn’t fair, why of all judges did I have to get him?
Themis held two stones in her hands. The stone in her left hand grew three times as big as the right, nearly the size of a basketball.
She turned to me, frowning. “Guilty by way of prior actions. Mnemosyne, if you will.”
Mnemosyne stood in front of me, holding an old blue book. Her eyes searched mine, as if the answers were just there on the surface. I wish they were.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered so faintly I thought I hallucinated it.
She turned to Rhea and flipped open the book. Changing yet again, the landscape morphed into Cyran City, the way it used to be. 100 years ago. The words spilling from her mouth shocked me. They weren’t accusations or rules. No.
Mnemosyne was giving a play-by-play of my life like she’d been there to see the whole thing.
“Let us start,” Mnemosyne began, “with the day of your death…and of your rebirth.”
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