"Finish it."
The words echoed through the hall, ringing in Adina's ears. The beasts in the hall began to chant even louder at his words.
Khaos gestured at the crying boy behind her, clutching to his mother's dead body.
"Prove yourself, Adina."
Adina nodded once, turning to face the boy now. She couldn't let even a hint of emotion slip past—she had to pretend to be strong, to not care… to not feel.
But how could she? The boy's cries filled the hall, his eyes red and puffy, his body stained with his mother's blood. Adina's heart nearly ripped out at the sight.
Her fingers tightened around the blade. She had to do this… she had to prove herself to Khaos, but at the cost of this boy and his mother…
Would the Goddess even forgive her? Because Adina was sure she wouldn't forgive herself.
She could hear the crowd waiting. The beasts growled impatiently, and above them all, she could feel Khaos's gaze fixed on her.
He was testing her. No—this was the final test.
