Cassius paused, looking at her for a long moment, then gave her the most innocent look imaginable.
"Huh? Did he say that? I didn't catch anything. He was babbling a lot before he, uh...lost his head."
Julie's eyes narrowed even further. "Cassius…"
He held up his hands defensively, grinning.
"What? I'm serious! He was mumbling nonsense! I could barely make out a word. You know how cult leaders get near the end, lots of weird chanting, not much coherence."
But Julie didn't look convinced. She opened her mouth to press him further—only to stop when a weak groan came from Skadi's arms.
"Ah! She's waking up!" Aisha said quickly, stepping closer.
Carmela stirred, her eyelashes fluttering before her crimson eyes slowly opened. She blinked in confusion, her gaze darting between them all before she stiffened.
The memories came flooding back—the ritual, the blood, the screams, her loss of control.
Her breathing quickened.
