Page 72 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘Now, girly, to the circle.’

I take a step but then falter again. ‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper. ‘I can’t. I … it’s … I just can’t,’ I finish lamely.

‘Do you have scars?’ she asks very quietly.

I look at her sharply and then at myself, but I don’t see anything, and I can feel the conjure working still.

‘No, child, I can’t see them. But they are there, yes?’

I nod.

‘You’re going to need to show me them.’

I swallow hard. ‘They’re not a pretty sight,’ I say.

‘I’d imagine not if they’re what I think … ifyou’rewhat I think.’

She doesn't elaborate on her cryptic words, and I let out a breath as I take down the conjure.

Gigi doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t look upset or pitying. ‘I’ll need to see them all,’ she says matter-of-factly, taking off the goggles and putting on some glasses.

I glance at Iron.

‘It’s okay,’ he says. ‘Gigi knows about this stuff.’

I laugh, and it sounds hysterical even to my own ears. ‘It’s not okay.Nothingis okay, Iron.’

Except that the demons aren’t going to take Jellybean.

That thought cuts through everything else in my head like nothing else could. Jellybean will be okay. I won’t be locked out of her life. I’ll be able to keep her safe.

But a more terrifying thought takes root.

But what if I’m a monster? What if Tamadrielle made me into something awful and dangerous? What if my baby girl will need protectingfrom me?

I slip off my clothes, toeing them away from me, and I stand still as Gigi looks at the brands, the ones they left whole, the ones they sliced through. She doesn’t make a sound, but I see her brow furrowing as she mouths the words embedded into my flesh.

She finally steps back and takes off her glasses, letting them hang down around her neck on a golden chain.

She still doesn’t say anything.

‘So?’ Iron asks impatiently.

She waves him away and shakes her head at him absently. Then, she goes to a bookshelf, picks up a huge tome that she can hardly lift, and plonks it down on the nearest table. She flicks through the pages, muttering words I don’t know in a language I can’t understand.

Finally, she makes a sound of triumph and closes the book with a thump.

‘Fools,’ she mutters, shaking her head again. ‘Empty-headed idiots.’

‘What?’ I ask. ‘What is it? What did they do to me?’ Tears run down my cheeks. ‘Did they make me into a monster? Can you fix me?’

I curl my arms around my abdomen.

‘Hush,’ she says. ‘Put your clothes back on and let me speak.’

I take a breath and do as she says, trying not to assume the worst.

‘They made you stand in a circle like that one?’ she asks, pointing at the one on the other side of the room.