Inception

Hecate left me to contemplate her directive. Ignore it and face the consequences. Obey it and supernaturals would be safe. But how many hunters would die? Obliteration also meant demolishing the Charles Family and their bloodline.

What Hecate advised came with a high price, but could I pay it? Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked for her counsel.

Understatement, witch.

I looked up and saw a semblance of myself—washed-out hair and dull eyes—standing on the far side of the room. Her jeans were ripped and faded, and so was her blouse.

“What do you want?”

To talk some sense into you. My moral compass—for lack of a better term—leaned against the wall and folded her arms. You can’t seriously consider annihilating hunters and that family.

“Why not? They’re planning on doing the same to all of us.”

Doesn’t make it right.

“Do you have a better idea?” I couldn’t believe I was trying to reach a sane decision by talking to myself.

I thought you’d never ask! Remember what happened when you called upon evil before?

“The Black Death.”

Right. And you made a major mistake. Death didn’t discriminate because you didn’t tell it to. If you’re going to enact a deadly curse, you have to make sure that only those who should be punished receive it.

“That was why Dame Mother died.” The memory of finding her assaulted my mind. It was the first time in my life I’d lost someone precious to me.

Remember that she wasn’t the only one. Countless innocents died because of your recklessness. Same thing with your retribution against the settlers. You punished children, witch. That’s unspeakable.

Judgment from my psyche? What was next?

I only speak the truth. Only you can prevent it from happening again.

Rubbing my brow, I sighed deeply. “So, what should I do?”

Get the names of those responsible and punish accordingly.