Sing, Canary - Ashley Amy Page 0,44

down then, letting the cool of the metal settle against my skin. I had felt this very barrel pressed against the back of my head a few times, so I let my finger swirl the tip of the exit.

When I got goosebumps this time, it wasn't from the fear of the bullet. It was from the power behind the bullet. I had the control they weren’t expecting.

My eyes observed what a simple mechanism could do. Men were blessed with the knowledge of science. It was sometimes used for evil purposes, but I only saw it as my ally now.

Pressing the hammer down, both captors heard it. Slowly, both villains turned my direction.

Their hands were rising as they lifted them above their head. I was in control now. I felt the rush as their fear feed my empty soul. I licked my dry lips as I thirsted for their destruction. For the first time today, my heart beat in a steady rhythm. I had forgotten what it felt like.

The door to the basement kicked in as someone shoved their way in. My eyes never left the two who gave me the nightmares I'd have forever.

"Lyra Stamos?" the stranger asked. Out of the corner of my vision, I could see him getting closer to me. I could see the surprise on his face when he saw a fourteen-year-old dressed like a toddler.

Swallowing hard, I could also see his mind working to figure out how I managed to have them at gunpoint. I didn't say anything after he asked if that's who I was. I didn't need to. I could already see he knew me from the photos my father probably gave the police.

"You're safe, Lyra. I'm going to arrest them. My name is Officer Talon Winston. I'm here to save you. Put the gun down and stay there while I do." He was a handsome man. I could see he hid tattoos with his long-sleeved shirt.

Though, his rugged looks didn't change what my soul longed to do.

My eyes locked with Dolion as he tried to act nonchalant. If only he knew how much I planned to take from him.

"God doesn't actually believe an eye for an eye," I started. My voice was hoarse from the screams and cries I had let out. "He told me two wrongs never make a right, but I don't agree with him."

Everything within me was finally silent. Not even my conscience talked me out of my plan.

"You took my favorite person from me. You damned me to a life without her at my side. I only find it fair I give you the same sentence." Without hesitating, I pulled the trigger. I fired the gun at Katrine's chest.

Hitting my mark, we all witnessed how the crimson circle spread over her white blouse. Usually, it was their victim's blood coating it. She loved when their life force splattered her clothes. She was the canvas of their brutal masterpieces.

Now, she was mine. Some of her blood had sprayed in my direction, landing on my face. I liked how the warm droplets let me feel the power of my choice.

I didn't regret it. Not for a single second.

As she fell beside my mother, I found it fitting… I just ruined Dolion's life like he had mine. A loved one for a loved one. There would never be a different option for me.

As I held the gun pointed out, a pain flared within my shoulder blade. With a sound of hurt, I spread my wings out of instinct, seeing a grey one resting among the pure.

I knew it could be my only one if I was to keep the promise I made to my mother, but I didn't feel remorseful over the contrast that made me imperfect.

It was for my mother.

I avenged her wronged death with the power I had.

I killed Katrine Garrick, wife of Dolion.

It was a sin I'd never repent for. If I could see my mother now, I prayed she'd accept my rage. I knew if it had been me who had died, neither of these two would be alive.

Though, I took great pleasure in knowing Dolion would suffer more in his solitude than in his death.

Maybe, I was more like my father than people thought.

29

Talon

Simone stayed at my side. She wrapped her arms around her body as I searched high and low for connections between the cases.

"I don't know if you're going to find anything in this place. Hell, it happened almost two years ago." She walked