Chapter 363 The Forgotten Enemy 2

Chapter 363: Chapter 363 The Forgotten Enemy 2

Talia’s POV

Piper smiled, as she continued to speak.

"I love it, Talia," Piper said, her voice filled with excitement. "I love being able to help. I feel like I am finally doing something that matters."

I smiled, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. "You are doing something that matters, Piper. You are helping us prepare for the battle. And you are helping us save our people."

Piper’s eyes softened, and I saw the emotion flickering in them.

I saw the memories passing behind her eyes, the same memories that haunted me: The cold storage room, the sound of Vivienne’s footsteps, and the hunger that never went away.

We had survived it together, and that bond would never break.

"I would do anything for you, Talia. You know that." Piper said, with her voice cracking from emotions.

I reached for her hand, and I squeezed it. "I know, Piper. I know." I replied.

When we finished eating, we walked together to my mother’s room.

The hallways were busy, and I could feel the energy in the air. Everyone was preparing, everyone was working, and everyone was getting ready to fight in their own way.

I reached my mother’s room, and I found her sitting at her desk. She looked up when we entered, and I saw the smile on her tired face.

"Talia, Piper," my mother said. "Come in."

I walked to her, and I sat down across from her. Piper sat beside me, and I felt her presence steadying me.

"Mother," I said, and I took a breath. "I need to talk to you about something."

My mother looked at me, and I saw the concern in her tired eyes. "What is it, Talia?"

I sat down across from them, and I felt the weight of the words pressing on my chest. "It is about Vivienne. She is still out there."

My mother’s face darkened, and I saw the shadow of pain passing over her features.

She pressed her lips together, and I saw her hands clench at her sides. Vivienne had taken so much from her: fifteen years of her life, her freedom, and her daughter.

I knew that the wound was still there, still fresh, and still waiting to be reopened.

"I know.” My mother said. “I think about her sometimes, and I wonder where she is, or what she is doing."

Piper set down her quill, and I saw the anger flashing in her eyes. "That woman? She has caused so much pain, and she is still out there, free."

I looked at them, and I felt the certainty settling in my chest.

I had spent too many years letting Vivienne control my life. I had let her define me, with her cruelty shaping the person I had become.

But that was over now, because I was not going to let her have that power anymore. I was going to take it back.

I looked up at my mother. "I am not going to look for her.” I said. “I am not going to waste time chasing her either."

My mother looked back at me, and I saw the surprise in her eyes. "Talia?"

I shook my head. "She is not the main enemy anymore, Mother. She is broken, and she is nothing. But Malachai is the threat now. He is the one we need to focus on."

Piper leaned forward, and I saw the frustration on her face. "But what if she comes back? What if she tries to hurt you again?"

I looked at Piper, and I felt the strength in my voice. "Then we will deal with her then. But I am not going to let her control my life anymore. I am not going to let her take my attention away from what matters."

My mother was quiet for a moment, and I watched her face as she processed my words. Then she reached for my hand, and I felt the warmth of her fingers against mine.

"You are right, Talia," she said, and her voice was soft. "She is not worth your time. She is a shadow, and shadows cannot hurt you unless you let them."

I squeezed her hand, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "I spent so many years running from her, hiding from her, and surviving her. I let her control my life for so long that I forgot what it felt like to be free."

Piper reached for my other hand, and I felt her fingers wrapping around mine. "You are free now, Talia. She does not have any power over you anymore."

I looked at them, at my mother and my best friend, and I felt the love swelling in my chest. "I am not afraid of her," I said. "I am not afraid of what she might do, because I am done running."

My mother smiled, and I saw the pride in her tired eyes. "That is my daughter. That is the woman I raised."

Piper grinned, and I saw the fire in her eyes. "And if she does come back, she will have to go through me first."

I laughed, and I felt the warmth spreading through my chest. "I know, Piper. I know."

My mother squeezed my hand. "What are you going to do now, Talia?"

I looked at them, and I felt the determination burning in my chest. "We have a battle to prepare for. Malachai is coming, and we need to be ready."

My mother nodded, and I saw the fire in her tired eyes. "Then we prepare."

Piper picked up her quill, and I saw the determination on her face. "Then let us get to work."

I sat with them for a while longer, watching them work. The anger toward Vivienne was still there, but it was fading, replaced by something stronger. It was replaced by purpose.

My mother looked at me, and I saw the love in her eyes. "Talia, you have come so far, and I am so proud of you."

I smiled, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "I learned from you, Mother."

She pulled me into her arms, and I felt her warmth against me. "We are going to get through this, Talia. Together."

I hugged her back, and I felt the certainty settling in my chest. "Together." I said. “I need to check on Kaelen, mother. I will be back.”

She nodded. “We will be here waiting, my dear.” My mother said.

I nodded, and gave her a comforting smile as I stood up, then I walked to the door.

I looked back at them one more time with a smile on my face, then I walked out of the room, and I felt the weight lifting from my shoulders.

Vivienne was still out there, but she did not matter anymore. She was a shadow, a ghost, and a memory of a pain that no longer had any hold on me.

Malachai was the enemy now, and I would not let him win.

Kaelen was waiting for me in the hallway, and I felt his hand on my back, immediately as soon as I stood in front of him.

He must have been standing there for a while, I could tell.

His eyes were soft, and I could see the relief in them when he saw me. He had been worried, even though he had not said anything. He was always worried, and I loved him for it.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I looked at him, and I felt the love in my chest. "I am, Kaelen. I am better than okay."