HERA'S POV
“Hera?”
I raised my head slowly; wondering if this was just another illusion. My eyes widened, and I almost smiled. With the last bit of willpower left in me, I turned that smile into a look of disdain. “Why are you here, Justin?”
His eyes brimmed with emotions and he rushed over, panting, “I found out the entire truth, Hera….”
“Truth? And what is that?”
“You didn’t kill my mother.”
“So?” I shrugged with nonchalance. “Does it matter if I have killed ninety-nine people instead of a hundred?”
“I don’t think you are a mindless killing machine, Hera. You must have your reason for killing Alpha Azarel and the others. If you tell me your story, I can help you gather evidence. Together, we can prove your innocence and you will be free again.”
“Who said I want to be free, Justin?” Looking around the cell, I added, “I am quite content here.”
“Hera, please….” Justin insisted. “You have to tell me everything. The guards can come any moment.”
“Quit it, Justin. Don’t waste your time gathering evidence. It is utterly useless. If they want to kill me, they will, even if you give them the most fail-proof evidence. If they don’t want to kill me, they won’t; not even when they have the blood flower and the hellfire.”
“But, Hera….”
“You don’t need to feel guilty for anything that happened, Justin. This is my fate. Don’t ruin your life because of me. It is time for you to forget me and move on….” With those words, I turned away from him. I didn’t have the energy or the will to continue.
There was a shuffling of footsteps and I heard the guards speak, “The Lycan King has ordered us to take away your jade token, Master Justin.”
“This day forth, you cannot enter the palace freely. Please come with us, sir.”
“Miraya?” Justin called out suddenly. That name struck the deepest part of my soul. I spun around with a gasp, but before I could say anything, the guards dragged him out of the special cell.
I staggered, hitting my back against the icy wall. A rueful sigh left my lips as I slid to the floor.
‘Miraya’ It had been so long since I heard that name. This name wasn’t given to me when I was born. My foster father, who considered me his professional miracle, gave it to me.
Daniel Robinson was a righteous doctor; dedicated to his profession while my foster mother, Emma, composed songs. She shared my father’s love and compassion.
They were alike; differing only in the way they expressed kindness. Daniel spent his time freeing his patients from physical pain while Emma composed songs that could heal one’s heart and soul.
When Daniel found me near the bank of a river, I was in a battered condition; barely a few breaths were left in my haggard body.
Daniel didn’t give up. With sheer grit and perseverance, he managed to save me. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he gave me a new life: one that was free from the bondage of the past.
I had lost my memories. So, Daniel brought me home.
I sometimes wish I could go back to those carefree days; the days I spend recovering in the little cottage beyond the grasslands of Lauretta.
Though I was confined to my bed; I was at peace with myself. I especially loved the cool mornings in summer. The bright rays of the sun streamed through the French windows; soft breeze blew in the freshness of roses and magnolias. It seemed nothing short of heaven.
My foster parents treated me like their own daughter. Daniel spent the days with me, talking about his medical achievements, telling crazy stories about patients. Whenever he talked about any invention, his eyes would light up passionately; mirroring the deep love he possessed for humanity.
During the nights, Emma kept me company. She would often take me to the porch at night and sing me a song or sometimes played a guitar. Those sweet melodies filled with hope and inspired me to seek a better future.
I got so addicted to the warmth shown by this family that I wanted it to last forever. You can imagine my joy when Daniel proposed to become my legal guardian.
Soon, I became an inseparable part of the Robinson family. They started including me in their plans and dreams. The downside to this was that they ended up enrolling me in an University.
Yes, you read it right. This wereheretic, this killing machine once attended a human college. She was as nervous on the first day of her college as any normal human will be. It all seemed so surreal now.
The sweet memories buried under layers of hatred and anguish resurfaced as my mind veered to the day I entered the campus of Trinity University.