"They've outdone themselves this time," Kasia muttered, her hazel eyes darting around the space, searching for any flaw in the illusion. Her heart raced, the sound thundering in her ears as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.
Deva's voice, a low growl in the back of her mind, broke through her spiraling thoughts. "We need to find a way out of here, Kasia. Focus."
Kasia let out a bitter laugh, running her hands over her face. "What's the point, Deva? We both know how this ends." She could feel the weight of her guilt pressing down on her chest. "I killed them. My parents. I deserve whatever they have planned for me."
"I'm a monster," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Just like the ones I've hunted all these years."
"Are you still on this? They weren't monsters and you aren't a monster," Deva countered.
"But…"
Deva's presence in her mind grew stronger. "No buts. You're a victim of circumstances beyond your control."
Kasia shook her head violently, pacing the length of the room. Her eyes landed on a framed photo of her family, their smiling faces a painful reminder of everything she had lost. Deva scoffed and said, "They are a piece of work. It's like they are trying to torture you."
"How can you say that I am a victim? You saw my memories. You saw what I did," Kasia argued.
She could feel Deva's frustration mirroring her own tumultuous emotions. The wolf within her was restless, eager for action, but Kasia felt paralyzed by her guilt and fear.
"This isn't you, Kasia," Deva insisted. "Even when you were a cocky asshole that was a proud Hunter, you never acted like this. Buck up, dammit."
Kasia sank onto the edge of the bed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Maybe this is exactly what I deserve. To be trapped here, reliving my worst nightmare over and over again."
Deva's voice cut through Kasia's dark thoughts. "Enough! I won't sit here and listen to this self-pity. You keep this up I'll bring down this block and let Kenneth talk to you."
Kasia's head snapped up, her hazel eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and confusion. "How can you be so nonchallent about this? You said you hated me when we first met. You…"
"I know what I said and I know that this isn't your fault. I know you weren't the one who killed me," Deva interrupted, her tone fierce. "I've been right here along with you for the ride. You're a victim. That is nothing to be ashamed of."
"But my parents-" Kasia started and Deva snarled, interrupting Kasia.
"Listen to me," Deva pressed. "If you submit now, you're giving the Hunters exactly what they want. How does that honor your parents' memory? How does that bring justice? How does that protect any other innocents?"
"I... I never thought of it that way," Kasia whispered.
"Of course you didn't. You're prone to hysterics like a damsel in distress," Deva huffed.
Kasia couldn't help but chuckle at Deva's words.
"There we go, just take a breath. All is not screwed," Deva continued. As the truth of Deva's words sank in, Kasia's breathing steadied.
"You're right," Kasia admitted. "I don't want anyone to go through this."
"Now you're talking. Trust me, bringing down the Hunters would bring me immense joy," Deva added.
A thought suddenly struck Kasia. "Wait, earlier you mentioned trying to contact me. What did you mean by that?"
There was a pause before Deva responded. "When you were poisoned with wolfsbane, I was.. sent somewhere else. I couldn't reach you."
Kasia's brow furrowed. "Sent somewhere else? What does that even mean?"
"I... I can't really explain it. It's not something I fully understand myself," Deva respon.ded.
A sharp knock on the door jolted Kasia from her thoughts. Her body tensed, muscles coiling as if ready to spring.
"Kasia? Kasia, it's me Austin. I'm coming in, Kasia," a familiar male voice called out. Kasia's stomach churned, her lips curling in disgust. She could feel Deva's confusion and concern rippling through her consciousness.
"Who is that?" Deva's voice echoed in her mind.
"You said you went through my memories, right? You should know that voice," Kasia answered.
After a long pause, Deva growled defensively. "Yes, the same backstabbing coward who ratted me out when I left to find Lana," Kasia spat with disgust.
"Your worm of an ex…why would he even come to see you?" Deva questioned.
"To rub it in my face that he was right," Kasia answered.
"Play along. We can use him to get out," Deva suggested. "Remember you can't let them know I'm here. They'll poison you again."
As the door handle turned, Kasia kept her face blank as she watched the door open and Austin enter the room. Seeing the smug satisfaction in his eyes as he trying to fake his concern made Kasia want to slap him.
"Kasia, have you been crying? Are you okay?" he asked as he stepped into the room, his familiar scent – once comforting, now revolting. His scent was smothered in cologne. Kasia didn't understand how she hadn't noticed before.
"I'm fine. How can I help you?" Kasia responded.
Austin looked at her in surprise. He expected Kasia to respond in anger at seeing him, but she was eerily calm. "I needed to see you. I heard about everything that happened to you."
"I'm sure you did. I'm sure Nadia kept you updated," Kasia stated as she sat down on the edge of her bed. She motioned for Austin to take a seat at the chair at the small desk in the corner.
Austin had the audacity to look hurt, his handsome features twisting into a pained expression that Kasia now recognized as completely fabricated. "Don't be like that Kasia. I did it to protect you. I thought Nadia and her team would have gotten to you before you even crossed over into the lycan's territory," he insisted.
"Is that the lie you tell yourself to keep from feeling guilty?" Kasia scoffed.
"Kasia, look, I'm serious. I did it for us. If you had just listened to me, then none of this wouldn't have happened to you," Austin argued.
'And there it is,' Kasia thought, her eye twitching slightly.
"It's okay now because we can be together again," Austin continued.
"Excuse me? What do you mean together again?" Kasia snapped. She could feel herself getting angry and wanting to choke him, but Deva spoke softly within her, "Don't let him get under your skin. He is just trying to get a response."
"You are still considered a Hunter. Victor reinstated you, but you'll need a handler. I'll be your handler," Austin explained. He reached for her and Kasia jerked away. What did he think she was? A pet to be kept?
"You don't get to touch me," Kasia warned. "I didn't agree to any of this."
"Well, you don't have a choice. It's that or death. Victor was very clear on that," Austin pleaded. His false sincerity made Kasia want to vomit. She had to play along for now.
"This is a lot to…take in…I need some time to process," Kasia said.
"Of course, you need your rest. Testing starts early tomorrow morning. I'll come back in the afternoon to get you fitted for your collar," Austin stated before leaving.