Page 16 of Hero of Havoc

He's dead.

He's dead.

My father is dead.

I stood there, I watched, I did nothing.

And now something tells me I owe a great debt to Leonardo; one I have no intention of paying. But for the first time in what feels like forever, the uncertainty, panic, and distress that swarms through me burns to ash in my mind at the hands of my phoenix.

My mind dwindles to nothing all over again, leaving me to acknowledge the way my stomach grumbles the second I stand up straight. It’s a stark reminder that I haven't eaten.

“Damn it,” I grumble, flicking my braid over my shoulder.

Ember is nowhere to be seen, diminishing any hopes that she might help, making it clear I need to get over myself and stop running from my problems.

Maybe those around me should stop making me feel like I need to flee, but all I know how to do is protect myself with old skills that worked. Unfortunately, they’re not working now.

I’ve only taken a single step toward my bed when a knock comes from the door behind me, pausing me in my tracks.

My nostrils flare as tension returns to my body, and I consider ignoring it, but another sharp knock is accompanied by a familiar scent. Before I can second-guess myself, I reach for the handle, swinging it wide in one swift motion to reveal the source of the smell.

Three pizza boxes are stacked high in my brother's hands, with his wide eyes, filled with pain and despair, peeking over them.

I can't tell if he's using them as a shield or a peace offering.

“Vee,” he rasps, and I clear my throat.

“Huey.”

He exhales at the sound of his nickname on my tongue. “I was worried I was never going to hear you say that again,” he admits, and I give him a pointed look.

“Don't tempt me.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind him catches my attention, and I peer past my brother to find Baron standing with his arms folded over his chest as he glares at me.

My brother follows my line of sight as Baron speaks. “You can hate me; you can hate all of us. Fuck knows we deserve it, but don't keep running away. You might despise us, but we've all seen what that man has done in a very short span of time. I can't bear to think about you being in his vicinity.”

I drag my tongue along my bottom lip. “He won't hurt me,” I blurt. Why? I don't know, but regardless, Baron scoffs.

“I don't give a fuck. I don't plan on him getting the chance.”

Without another word, he storms off, taking a piece of my soul with him as I'm left staring off with my brother, who clears his throat.

“That was… intense,” Hugo murmurs, and I roll my eyes.

“That was Baron,” I admit, rubbing my lips together, fighting with the instinct to chase after him. I can’t lose myself in appeasing him, I remind myself as I return my attention to the pizza boxes in his hands. “So, is the pizza a peace offering?”

“Oh yes, but you have to come outside with me,” he states, and my stomach chooses that moment to grumble again, making me roll my eyes as I reluctantly head out into the hallway.

Relief visibly washes over my brother as he guides us outside, and to his word, the second the midday sun hits my skin, he offers me pizza.

I wave him off, taking the whole top box and flipping the lid open to reveal a margherita pizza with thinly sliced tomato nestled on top. I inhale the first bite, joy blasting along my tongue as I devour it. Two more bites, and I fall into step at his side.

With every step I take, munching on my pizza, I can't help but envision my mother complaining about how unladylike it might be. If anything, it makes me do it more, pushing back against a system that once controlled me.

It seems that in the past twenty-four hours, I’ve come to terms with reshaping myself.

My brother takes a bite of his pizza before he clears his throat. “I was told about Father,” he states, and I hum. “Are you okay?” he asks, and I shrug.