A Ballad of Sacrifice

Absinth’s lips curled into a sneer at his comment. “Fucked up doesn’t even begin to cover it. Or what else he’s capable of. But we knew this.” She agreed, her voice steady and low, careful not to disturb the small hoard of pups. Her eyes narrowed further, a flash of anger igniting within her. She could sense the struggle in Aresenn’s voice, the discomfort as he cleared his throat. The truth was harsh, bitter and vile, but the reality of the situation. ‘He beat her to death.’ Aresenn’s voice was low, filled with a mix of rage and disgust. She didn’t like or even care for Aurelia, but there was something about having children that made her feel for these motherless pups now.

Absinth’s jaw tightened, her gaze hard and unyielding. “Fucking figures,” She muttered under her breath, her voice a low growl. She had always known Sephiran was a ticking time bomb, a psychotic breakdown waiting to happen. Her own father was a recurrent nightmare of the very same behavior.

‘He beheaded one of them, Absinth. He cut off the head of his own pup… What kind of sick fuck would do that? To his—his own.’ The world was sick, and she’d almost forgotten about it here within this den, with these small new, innocent lives. Absinth’s eyes blazed with a fierce, controlled anger. “Of course, Sephiran.”The fae spat with a humorless laugh, her voice icy with knowing. “But we don't have the luxury of dwelling on his madness. We deal with what’s in front of us.” She glanced down at the fragile pups nestled against her, their tiny bodies seeking warmth and sustenance. “I’ll call for Rhazien. Motherfucker should handle this, politician and all. It’s his blood.” She hissed the words, her eyes rolling before they flicked to a raven at the entrance of the den. The bird immediately alighted into the sky to carry out her order.

wormwood