Deviating from the original plot

Chapter eighty-six

His gaze darkened. "Fine. You want the truth? I was one of the first mages-one of the originals. I wanted revenge for the people who murdered my parents." His eyes flickered with something that almost resembled grief. "Then I met my master. He promised that if I followed him, once the new world came, he would bring them back to life."

Victoria shook her head in disbelief. "You know that's a lie, Damien."

"It's not," he snapped. "Our master helps those who come to him. He gave me strength and purpose-and I found the people who killed my parents. When I did, I owed him everything. So, yes, I serve him. I help him reclaim his divinity."

"You kill innocent people!" she said, her voice rising.

"It's a small price to pay for ascension," he replied flatly, eyes cold.

Victoria's hands trembled slightly at her sides. "You even tried to kill me."

He met her gaze unflinchingly. "You were in the way. You had to be removed."

A sharp pain crossed her face. "We were best friends, Damien. You'd really turn on me that easily?"

"I never thought you would be chosen," he muttered, looking away. "But it doesn't matter now. I had my orders."

Her voice softened, almost breaking. "You summoned those monsters. You knew about my chickens too, didn't you?"

His silence said enough, but then, barely audible, he muttered, "...I did."

Victoria took a step back, her breath unsteady. "So it was you all along..."

He looked up at her then, his expression unreadable. "You should be grateful, Victoria. You're still alive. The next time our master rises, he won't be so merciful."

"Your 'master' is a monster," she said sharply, her eyes burning with restrained fury. "And you're lost, Damien. But I won't give up on you. Not yet."

He laughed bitterly. "Then you'll regret it."

Victoria turned toward the door, her hand pausing briefly on the handle. "Maybe. But I'll take that risk."

She stepped out of the holding cell, the door closing heavily behind her. Her uncle was waiting in the corridor, arms folded.

"How did it go?" he asked.

Victoria exhaled, the tension in her shoulders barely easing. "He's too far gone. But he talked freely about the cult. Too freely, almost."

Her uncle nodded grimly. "Then we'll keep him under watch."

"Yes," she agreed, her eyes narrowing. "For now, we just need to keep him contained."

✦ ✦ ✦

Later that afternoon, Celeste welcomed her brother into her home.

"It's still quite lovely," he said, admiring the sitting room. "Much better than the one I used to live in."

Celeste smiled faintly. "It's all thanks to my friend, Lady Evelyn," she replied, motioning for him to sit.

"I'm glad you have such good friends, sister," he began, settling into the chair. "I heard about what happened a few days ago. I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"I'm fine," she assured him. "I can handle myself, really. I'm not a damsel in distress, so you don't have to worry about me all the time."

He gave her a long look. "Is that why you sent the money back?"

Celeste hesitated, then nodded. "I can't keep taking money from a family that wants nothing to do with me."

"But I'm not like them," he said quietly.