Two violent knocks sounded against the door.
— BAM. BAM.
Kira jumped before heading towards the entrance. As soon as the door opened, Katrina stood there, her face closed, her eyes burning with anger.
—Where is Asher? she called out without greeting. I have to talk to him. NOW.
Kira opened her mouth to respond, hesitant, when a calm voice spoke from behind her.
"Forget it, Kira.
The two women turned around.
Miria stood in the hallway, motionless, her face surprisingly serene. No apparent anger, no agitation. Just an almost disturbing calm.
— I'll take care of it.
Kira looked at Miria for a moment, then nodded.
- All right.
She walked away, leaving the two women alone.
Katrina entered uninvited, taking a few steps forward before stopping in front of Miria.
"I didn't come to talk to you," she said dryly. I'm here for Asher.
Miria held his gaze, impassive.
- It's a shame. Today you will have to be content with me. KATRINA.
A tense silence ensued.
Katrina frowned, confused.
— Since when have you been calling me that…? Me, your mother?
A slight smile appeared on Miria's lips. A cold smile. Almost amused.
—You are not my mother.
Katrina's face drained of color.
—Wh...what...?
—You heard me very well.
Katrina took a step back, as if those words had just hit her physically.
— You have changed so much... Since you met Asher... Look what you have become, my daughter...
Miria gritted her teeth.
— Stop. Pity. Don't blame Asher.
His voice remained calm, but something vibrated underneath.
—The one and only responsible for my change... is you.
Katrina remained frozen.
- Me… ?
- Yes. You.
Miria took a step forward.
—When you didn't call me.
—When you disappeared for weeks when I needed you.
— When you hid things from me.
—When you came back just to try to take me away from the people who were there for me…
—And even the man I love.
Katrina opened her mouth… then closed it. No reply came.
Guilt was finally visible on his face.
"And let's not even talk about what you did to Asher," Miria continued, her voice trembling despite herself.
When you drugged him into your bed.
Katrina's eyes widened.
"You didn't think for a single second about how I would feel.
Nor to him.
His voice cracked.
—You say that vampires are immortal... that their hearts may not beat like ours...
But they have feelings.
Have you even thought about his people?
Tears rolled down Miria's cheeks.
— No… you never thought about it.
Katrina remained silent, unable to meet his gaze.
Miria took a deep breath, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, then raised her head.
—Now I'm going to be very clear, Katrina.
She raised her hand and pointed it straight at her.
— If...
—If you still dare to interfere in my relationship with Asher…
—If you dare to hurt us again...
A brief laugh escaped him. A joyless laugh.
Then his gaze changed.
The natural purple of his eyes slowly darkened, becoming deep, almost incandescent.
Miria looked straight at Katrina.
—…I will make you regret it.
A shiver ran through Katrina.
Without another word, Miria turned on her heel and walked away, leaving a heavy silence behind her.
Katrina remained alone, motionless, her heart beating wildly.
Only one question crossed his mind:
Was it really her daughter... or someone she no longer recognized?