Chapter 72.

Asteria POV.

I swim for hours to clear my head, but I can still hear the screams of the dead. The wails of their children. I can’t keep running. I need to face my crimes. Being made a human was not enough. They need their justice. They need their retribution for what I have done.

I find myself in the water outside Carter’s mansion. I look up and the mansion is dark. I move to the beach and drag myself up and allow the shift to take hold. I sit in the sand and look out over the horizon as the sun begins to rise. I bring my knees to my chest and hug myself.

I sigh, not knowing what to do with this. Am I justified in what I have done? I always thought I was, but now I don’t think I was.

“Hey, how long have you been out here?” I turn and see Carter approach from the balcony and I offer him a small smile as I turn and face the rising sun again.

“Not long. I hope I didn’t disturb you?” I say as I watch the sky change colour from black, dark blue to pale sky blue with reds, oranges, and pink