Page 47 of Malicent (Seven Devils #1)

Arcadia

“MILLICENT, PLEASE TALK TO ME,” I say, my voice trembling as I reach out to touch her shoulder.

Millicent had been missing for two days before we found her, miles beyond the Twisted Hollows, in a small rural farming town, or what used to be a town.

She had slaughtered every living thing there: the farmers, pets, and even children.

The most disturbing part? She had devoured many of their organs and hasn’t spoken a single word.

Since then, she only stares at me with empty, lifeless eyes.

The sea-blue gaze I love is gone, the waters drained until nothing remains but the void.

Blood and guts cling to her, including bits of skin.

The skin doesn’t belong to her, stuck to her like a second layer of grotesque flesh.

She hasn’t cleaned herself. She hasn’t moved.

She hasn’t blinked. The stillness at which she has sat on this bed for two hours now is unnerving, and something I did not think was physically possible.

Something is deeply wrong.

Guilt gnaws at me for staying away so long.

I’ve been traveling constantly. If I had been here, could I have stopped this?

She had mentioned hearing voices and seeing things; were they connected?

If she was going through something while I was away, she didn’t tell me in letters.

She never willingly told me much unless I was present and spent enough time with her.

I left her here under the tight restrictions of the elders and the lack of care from our sisters. They care for her in the same way they do the elders: with obedience and no true affection.

Did she finally snap?

“Millie, please,” I beg, clasping her hand. “Come back to me.”

I won’t lose her. I refuse.

“I’m too stubborn and determined to let you go. So, snap out of this—now.” Of course, only I have come to her room. None of our sisters really help one another; after finding her the way they did, they especially don’t want to cross the threshold of her door.

Cowards.

I loosen my grip on her hand, which I didn’t realize was tightening; my emotions twist between concern, guilt, sadness, and anger.

Blood trickles from her nose. Then her entire body begins to convulse violently, shaking the entire bed. Her muscle contractions become so intense, I hear the joints in her shoulders pop from the unnatural angles they are forced to.

“Nora!” I scream, climbing onto the mattress and turning Millicent onto her side.

I smooth her hair back. “I’m here. I’ve got you. I’m right here, Millie.”

Nora never comes.

I press my weight down, draping my body over hers to try and restrain her limbs to keep her from contorting so hard she hurts herself.

Eventually, Millicent’s seizing slows. Her eyes close. Her breathing becomes so faint, I can barely detect it.

I refuse to leave her side. Over the next five days of her stasis, I only leave to eat or relieve myself.

I have you, Millie.