Aspects: 4-6: Aspects

By L.C. Mawson

A kingdom in need of a princess, a planet in need of protection, and a girl caught between.

3 books. Over 500 pages of battling monsters, forbidden romance, and magical girls kicking ass.

 

The last thing Claire wanted was to leave. The only thing Hate wanted was for her to stay...

Waking up to find that her girlfriend had left to claim her royal birthright on another planet sucked, though Hate wasn't sure if it sucked more or less than the fact that she was now down a leg and a pair of kidneys, her body having to make-do with cybernetic replacements as she tries to piece her life back together in Claire's absence.

As far as Claire was concerned, leaving was about the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Or at least, it was until she finds herself thrown into the shark-infested waters of Rena politics.

Claire left Earth only to find that keeping herself and her sister safe would be harder than she thought. But at least everyone back home is safe now that she's gone... Right?

This collection includes the second trilogy of books in the Aspects YA sci-fi series. If you're a fan of anime like Sailor Moon and RWBY, and love kick-ass heroines with equal parts heart and attitude, you'll love this fast-paced sci-fi adventure.

 

Buy the boxset to get your fix of fun YA sci-fi today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.C. Mawson
• Release date: Aug 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393255505

Book preview

Book Four

Chapter One

Claire didn’t know what to expect from the trip to Rena space.

It had turned out that Jia’s ship was more than large enough for her, Em and Rila to accompany her. Not that there was much in the way of luxury, with a round space beyond the cockpit, lined with one long, continuous seat along the sides and a window above, but little else.

Claire had wondered just how short that meant the trip would be - or if they would have to attempt sleeping on the awkwardly angled seat - when the stars outside the window blurred, catching her off-guard, as the ship lurched forward.

Rila gave Claire and her sister a sympathetic look at that.

The jump to hyperspace is always a little jarring at first, she explained, just before the ship lurched again and the stars disappeared.

What happened? Em asked, voicing her sister’s thoughts. Is something wrong with the ship?

Rila smiled, shaking her head. Not at all. She nodded to the window.

Claire looked over to see that there was an unrecognisable planet below. Beneath the fluffy white clouds, she could see golden islands - none of which seemed much bigger than the one humanity had built their newest city on - separated by a light pink sea.

That is the Rena homeworld. Known as Jia’karel. Heart of the Kingdom.

Wow, Em breathed as Claire found herself slightly awed, even through the fog that had descended over her mind since she had left Earth. It truly took us so little time?

Rila shook her head. Time in hyperspace is weird. For the galaxy... maybe two months have passed since we left?

Em’s eyebrows shot up into her hair. Two months?

Rila nodded. If I remember how Earth-time works correctly, that is.

They were interrupted by Jia calling back from the cockpit. I must apologise for the state of my homeworld, she said as they descended into orbit, approaching a city that appeared to be made entirely of shining white spires. The war devastated much of it, and even the capital has yet to completely recover.

As they made their way in to land, Claire had to wonder what it had looked like before the war...

The ship landed with a light thud on the landing platform.

Okay, here we are, Jia said as she shut off the engines, before getting up and walking through to the back of the ship with the others. Rila’s friends are meeting us here and then will escort us to the Palace. Since they woke me up, they’ve been granted access through me. When my time is up, that access will then be through the two of you. She nodded to Claire and Em. We’ll be staying there for the time being.

Em’s face fell. We won’t be going straight to the temple?

I’m sorry, Em, but we won’t be able to just stroll in there. Well, technically, nothing is stopping us from going as worshipers, but the priestesses will accost any of us the moment we step inside. No, I will arrange for us to meet with the High Priestess there in the morning. That will allow us some semblance of being in charge of this. After all, the priestesses were always in charge of the Aspects. This entire plan of ours could fall apart if they reject Rila’s idea to replicate the Bands.

Em sighed but nodded. It’s okay. I understand. I can wait another night.

Jia opened the ship’s door at that, to reveal the city beyond.

Up close, it was clear that the buildings weren’t just white, they had silver accents that glittered in a purplish hue in the sunset. Claire blinked up at the sky to see three moons starting to appear just to the right of the tallest spire of the city, which seemed to be built on several other spires, wound together like tentacles to support the largest as it towered over the city.

Princess Jia, a man with silver-lilac eyes and white-blonde hair that was long enough to brush his shoulders greeted. He was dressed in the same brown clothing that Jia had worn before she had acquired clothing from Earth, and Claire realised at that point that it was a uniform. But for what?

Captain Hivan, Jia greeted in turn. It has been too long.

Far too long. We suspected you had died. He looked over her shoulder to the two teenagers. But it seems your mission was a success. Your descendants?

Jia nodded. And the last two Aspects in existence. She indicated to their Bands. It seems we chose to pass them down, along with our powers. The others were all destroyed over the years, but it seems that my line managed to keep the Love and Empathy Bands safe.

Claire did her best not to react to Jia’s lies, wondering exactly what she was trying to do.

Hivan sighed, folding his arms. It is a grievous thing to hear that all but two of the Aspects are beyond us forever. Perhaps the rebels were right to say we had lost the Goddess’ favour.

Jia gave him a sympathetic smile. Don’t let the Priestesses hear you say that. You’ll be flayed for treason.

Claire tried to keep a neutral expression, as if nothing about this strange and alien world surprised her. The last thing she wanted was to arrive like a tourist. But Jia saying things like you’ll be flayed for treason in a completely deadpan way that left Claire at an utter loss as to whether or not it was sarcasm, didn’t help.

Have faith, Jia continued. Two Aspects are better than none. We may have the Goddess’ favour yet.

Hivan smiled at her response before turning to address them all. You must be exhausted from your trip. Please, follow me, I will escort you to the Palace.

He led them to a large disc that appeared to be just like the back of Jia’s ship, only where the windows had been, it was completely open.

Hivan climbed in, and Claire wondered if that was just his preference, or if there really weren’t any kind of door. Jia jumped in after, followed by Rila, telling her there was, indeed, no other way to enter the strange disc.

Em followed before Claire could, leaving her the last to get in and sit down, stuck between Em and Jia with very little space.

As soon as they were all in the disc, it shifted beneath them and started to float upwards, presumably propelled by the same technology as the Rena bikes and dropships. Claire had to clutch her hands together on her lap to stop herself from gripping the sides of the disc as it flew up, further and further.

Claire was about to ask just where the hell they were going when she realised that the disc was taking them directly to the massive spire situated above the city.

It landed a moment later, and Jia turned to her and Em, smiling. Welcome to my home. The Palace.

Claire raised an eyebrow as she looked up to the single spire. Now that they were close, it was clear that it was thicker than she had initially thought. She assumed that meant that it had plenty of room inside.

Jia offered her a hand to help her out of the disc, and Claire took it, knowing that she lacked the grace to quickly hop in and out as Jia had. In fact, as she thought about it, she realised that her earlier lack of grace had probably been why Jia had offered her the hand. Em could just absorb Jia’s dexterity, but Claire would remain clumsy.

She was left unsure whether she should be insulted or relieved, which didn’t lessen her general unease at the situation she’d found herself in.

It will be good for you to be home, Hivan said to Jia, a softness to his voice that hadn’t been there before. Everyone should come home when they...

Jia simply raised an eyebrow. I have already died, Hivan, and it was far away from here.

Still. To return, knowing that you have done your duty...

She nodded. It was all I ever wanted.

Hivan led them to the large, white doors with silver swirling in an intricate design that made the opening seam difficult to make out until the doors had already parted.

As they opened, they revealed that the floor in the middle of the tower that the disc had deposited them on was completely empty, apart from a swirling staircase that ran through the tower, from top to bottom, right at the centre, and appeared to be made of silver vines that were wrapped around each other tightly.

Claire suppressed a groan at the uneven stairs and lack of railing. It was not dyspraxia-friendly. Though she supposed, with a staircase as the only way up and down, that was the least of the accessibility issues.

She looked around again, confirming that there definitely wasn’t anything on this floor. She could spin around and see nothing but coloured glass.

She frowned. Hadn’t the spire seemed white from outside?

But as she looked, it became clear that the walls were made of glass, made of so many different colours swirling together that the inside of the palace was an intricate rainbow.

She looked down at the floor to see that it appeared white, but as she looked up at the ceiling, more coloured light filtered through, telling her that it was made of the same material.

I’ve heard it takes a while to get used to the constant visual input, Jia said apologetically. I was born within these walls, so anything else seems alarmingly quiet, but I imagine you will feel better when night falls.

I will return to my room here, Hivan said, if you don’t mind, Jia, that is. I recognise that you allowing us to use the Palace while you were gone does not mean that we are still welcome.

Jia shook her head. Of course you are. The Palace is more than large enough for all of us, and it is better if those who would oppose us see us working out of here. Let’s at least pretend we have some semblance of a working government.

Hivan smiled, shaking his head. With two new princesses - and Aspects - with us? We’ll have stability again, Jia. That much is clear.

Perhaps, but it will have to come tomorrow. For now, these princesses have come a long way. I should show them to their chambers.

Hivan nodded and bowed before heading downstairs.

Jia, however, went up to the higher levels, with Claire and Em following close behind.

Sorry, Jia said as they continued up, and Claire found herself very glad of her physical training with the Aspects. Though, even with that, she found herself running out of breath as they reached the top. The chambers of the king and queen are on the top level, and the chambers of the heirs are on the floor below.

Is there not a quicker way up? Em asked, sounding just as short-of-breath as Claire, though that might have only been because she was mimicking her.

Jia gave her a sympathetic smile. Unfortunately not. The palace is designed to make sure that those who aren’t worthy can’t rule.

Seems kind of ableist, Claire muttered.

Jia raised an eyebrow. I don’t recognise that word. Is there not a Rena equivalent?

Not that I know of, Claire admitted before turning to Em.

They thought an obstacle course was a requirement for ruling, does that really sound like a culture with a word for ‘ableism’?

Claire suppressed a groan. No, I suppose not...

They finally arrived at the penultimate level, and Jia led them through to one of the rooms. The lights shone through even brighter here, near the top of the tower, but Claire was beginning to notice less blue in the light and hoped that meant that it would be night soon.

These rooms are sealed and have no surveillance, Jia told them. We can talk freely here.

Claire folded her arms. But we can’t downstairs, around Captain Hivan?

Jia sighed, shaking her head. Hivan is nice enough, as are his superiors.

They were the ones to wake you up?

She nodded. They see how dangerous it would be to let Kivan or Rael onto the throne. Their brothers tried to kill you, and I doubt the remaining two will show restraint. And if they’re willing to kill teenage girls to gain political power... Well, that makes them exactly the kind of people that shouldn’t have power.

And Hivan’s superiors?

They won’t kill teenage girls, Jia said with a shrug. Look, they’re invested in stability and we’re in desperate need of that right now. We may no longer be fighting with the rebels, but there are fractures they caused that have yet to heal.

Like whether or not the Dishar should rule by right of blood?

Jia sighed. Partly. And something we’re going to transition out of anyway with this Council. She shook her head. My point is, Hivan and the Dishar he represents aren’t perfect. I could argue with them for days on their archaic economic policy. But I would rather have them supporting me, and this idea of ours, than out there starting up another war.

So that’s why you don’t want them overhearing us? Claire asked, folding her arms. Economic policy?

No, I don’t want them to hear us because I doubt they will be happy to learn that we left the original Aspect Bands behind. No one will, Claire. The Aspects are sacred to our people. When things were so unstable, no one thought to go to Earth to retrieve the Bands, and certainly, no one considered that the powers would have been passed down to half-Human children. They will accept you and Em because you’re my heirs, but the others? Every faction will have a different agenda, and none of them will be good for your friends on Earth.

So we just pretend that the Bands were destroyed?

Jia nodded. At best, it’s the only way the Priestesses will accept Rila’s replacement Bands. At worst, it will mean death for your friends on Earth.

Claire sighed, nodding. Okay. We’ll pretend the rest were destroyed.

It would be best if everyone here believed that the Earth was nothing but ruin because of the creatures. Give them no reason to want to investigate.

Claire nodded again as Jia made her way over to a terminal in the corner of the room. Now, if you’re going to be princesses, you should dress as such, she said as a hologram of a pale blue dress appeared next to the terminal.

We’re not princesses, Claire reminded her.

Until this Council is formed, you are. Not to mention, even when it is formed, it might be on the basis of you two keeping your titles, even if they are nothing more than honorary.

What about you? Em asked.

Jia sighed. I’m not technically alive, so I can never have a title that I didn’t have in life. I, too, will remain a princess. They might attempt to give Claire the title of ‘Queen’ once I pass, but if the Council has already been formed, I doubt that will be difficult to avoid.

The idea didn’t sit well with Claire, but she supposed that if it was only in the short term, and that the title didn’t mean anything, she could live with it for now.

Chapter Two

Hate awoke in pain .

She groaned as she forced herself to sit up, her cybernetic leg moving faster than her other one. It was still disconcerting to her. As she sat forward, the cybernetics along her sides ached, forcing her to sit up straight to avoid the skin getting too irritated.

Lights, she croaked at the tower system. Part of her was glad that the new tower didn’t have an AI, and that she had moved there instead of staying at the old tower. It felt less like she was always being watched.

Plus, she liked her new room. It was spartan, but that was far better than the room back at the old tower, filled with memories that Hate would rather forget.

It took her longer to get dressed than it used to. Bending down irritated the cybernetics around her middle, and her jeans pulled and tugged at the raw, synthetic skin around her new leg.

Still, she gritted her teeth and got on with it.

Today would be easier than yesterday, she told herself. And tomorrow would be easier again.

There was the temptation to just go back to bed. To sleep as much as she could until tomorrow came. But that relied on her actually being able to find sleep, and Hate doubted that. All that would happen was that she would be left alone with her thoughts, and she couldn’t abide that.

She made her way downstairs, determined to be around people.

If there was one thing to be said for this tower, it was that everyone was too busy with repairs or fixating on their own losses to pay Hate much mind. She could be around other people, safe in the knowledge that they would be too busy to spare any pity for her.

As she entered the common room, however, she saw that it was empty, except for Justice, leaning back against the far wall and frowning at a tablet.

Hate walked over to her before leaning back against the table next to her. What’s wrong?

Justice looked up, as if startled by her presence.

Are you okay?

Justice sighed, shaking her head and reaching for the coffee on the table next to Hate. I’m fine. Just... Just going over supplies.

Anything I can help with?

No, it’s fine.

Hate raised an eyebrow. It clearly wasn’t fine.

She didn’t expect Justice to actually tell her what was wrong - she wasn’t exactly one to confide in others - but the older woman cringed into her coffee before saying, Serenity told me that you’ve been refusing to take your painkillers.

Hate rolled her eyes. She thought that Justice would be too busy to worry about her, but she’d apparently misread her. Don’t make it sound so dramatic. They were making my head all fuzzy.

They were also helping you heal. Serenity says that being in pain causes stress that can slow down your recovery.

Justice, it’s been months. How much longer is this going to take?

Hate, your leg and both of your kidneys have been replaced by cybernetics. It’s going to take time for you to recover from that.

For how much longer? Hate repeated, not allowing Justice to evade the question.

Justice sighed, looking away. They both knew the answer. The cybernetics would never feel entirely natural to her. She would never be without this pain.

Hate gave her a reassuring smile. It’s better this way. I would rather be able to think clearly. She neglected to mention the fact that the pain made a lot of her ADHD traits worse. If she had ever been close to ‘clear-headed’, she certainly wasn’t there now. But it was still better than the painkillers. Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever been this powerful. She let black lightning crackle over her skin, causing her hair to raise with static.

Justice just sighed again at the display, folding her arms. It’s not worth the cost. You’re not supposed to be using yourself as a source of hatred.

I’m not, I’m using the pain.

Justice stuck her with a look that said she didn’t see the difference, and Hate found herself glad that she hadn’t revealed that her pain was only half the source of hate she was using.

So, is that it? Hate asked. You’re upset that I’m not taking my painkillers.

Justice pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath. I wish that’s where my problems ended.

What does that mean?

I’ve been going through the supply lists. I had been assuming you were using the painkillers you were prescribed.

So, we have more painkillers?

No, we have the exact number we’re supposed to have.

Hate frowned. So, someone is taking them unprescribed? Why?

Justice’s jaw tightened. Why does anyone take unprescribed drugs? Like you said, they made your head fuzzy.

That’s hardly much of a high. I was just... disconnected from everything.

And if that’s what someone wants?

Hate shrugged. Okay, so, do you know who it is?

Justice sighed, looking back at her pad. Well, the security footage shows nothing.

Like someone tampered with it?

No, the footage itself is fine. It just shows nothing. The pill bottles are there, and then they’re not.

Hate blinked for a moment, before remembering that there was an Aspect in the tower with the ability to turn invisible. Loneliness.

Justice’s jaw tightened even further, and Hate was sure she could hear her teeth grinding against each other.

Hate wasn’t sure what to say. Lo had been practically catatonic after the attack. She had tried to get away, with her child in her arms, but a creature had caught them. Lo had healed quickly enough, but Bao had even more cybernetics than Hate at this point, and at such a young age...

Even two months on, survival wasn’t guaranteed.

She was prescribed them for a week after the attack, Justice eventually said. When she was still healing. I thought she had stopped taking them when she ran out...

Hate shifted awkwardly, unsure of what she could do to help. I thought... She seemed to be getting better...

She was speaking now. And even seemed almost emotive at times.

I thought so too, Justice admitted. But maybe that’s just the drugs. Maybe if she wasn’t on them... Shit. I should have realised. I should have seen this coming...

You couldn’t have... Hate started awkwardly, but Justice cut her off with a shake of her head.

I should have paid closer attention. I just... I had no idea if she wanted me there or wanted to be alone... And I should have been able to see it coming. She always made cracks... I thought it was just her morbid humour, but... Did you know that I was chosen before she was?

Hate shrugged. You might have mentioned it, I guess.

I knew Lo before we were chosen. Then my brother and I were chosen as Aspects. We had been inseparable before that point. Lo and I were going to get married and... And I left her. I left and wasn’t allowed to see her ever again. She folded her arms tight across her chest. She doesn’t really talk about what happened after we left. She just made occasional cracks about how she spent most of that time too drunk to feel. Like I said, I just thought it was morbid humour, and she seemed fine after she became an Aspect... But then, it was a while after she was chosen that I saw her again, and before the restrictions were lifted, I don’t think it would have been possible for even an Aspect who could turn invisible to sneak in alcohol under Bennett’s gaze...

Justice looked away, but not quickly enough for Hate to miss the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Hate, I have no idea what to do here... I’ve tried talking to her, but she just shuts down...

Maybe someone else should talk to her. What about your brother?

He’s already tried. I think he’s too close to this as well.

I... If you want, I could talk to her.

Justice shook her head. I can’t ask you to do that, Hate. I shouldn’t have even burdened you with this, you just caught me at a bad moment. It’s fine. I’ll figure it out. She gave a weak smile that Hate didn’t buy.

Chapter Three

Claire was awoken by the sound of the door to her chambers opening.

She bolted upright, ready to defend herself, as she attempted to make out the intruding figure in the pale blue moonlight seeping through the walls.

Claire, she heard, relaxing as she recognised her sister’s voice. Or rather, her own voice, which meant that it was coming from Em.

Yeah? Is something wrong?

I... I can’t sleep. Can I... Are you awake?

Claire suppressed a sigh. Yeah, I’m awake.

Em made her way over to sit on the edge of the large bed in the centre of Claire’s room. Claire had found it suffocatingly large, continually reminding her that she was sleeping alone.

That Hate wasn’t with her.

What’s wrong? Claire asked her.

Em shrugged, her hands fidgeting in her lap. I don’t know. I think I’m just nervous for tomorrow.

For meeting the High Priestess?

Em shrugged again, her shoulders remaining hunched forward. I guess. That and... my powers being dampened again.

Claire frowned. But that’s what you wanted, isn’t it? Why you wanted to come out here?

It was, Em said quickly. It is. I’m not... It’s not that I don’t want to be me. I do. I really do. I just... She flopped back onto the bed, able to lay her torso down without touching Claire at all. I don’t know.

Claire gave her a sympathetic look, knowing that Em was probably so caught up in everyone else’s feelings that she didn’t have the greatest handle on her own. Certainly, if she was around Claire, she was probably feeling nothing but a fog of numb.

I don’t know either, Claire admitted.

I just... Claire, what if it’s not... What if we went through all of this and it’s not worth it tomorrow? I mean, I was so sure that it would be and...

She looked away, clearly unable to finish her sentence. Though she didn’t have to.

What if they had gone to all of that trouble on Earth to save the device that had ended up almost killing them and their friends, and then left those friends behind in the aftermath, only for it all to not be worth it?

Em, none of what happened on Earth was your fault.

She shook her head. Of course, it was. If I hadn’t wanted that device, you could have just destroyed it. Hate wouldn’t have been injured, and the tower wouldn’t have been vulnerable to attack...

Maybe it wouldn’t have gone down exactly as it did, but the Rena still would have attacked. There is every chance that just as many people would have been hurt regardless. You didn’t do this, Em. They did. And they’re gone now.

Em nodded in agreement and snuggled up to her sister.

Claire? she eventually asked.

Yeah?

How do you think birthdays work with hyperspace travel? Like, if the trip took two months for everyone else, but only a few moments for us, would we have missed a birthday?

Claire frowned a little, knowing that she wouldn’t have missed hers since she’d turned eighteen just before Rila had shown up, but Em...

Em never talked about her birthday, saying that it didn’t matter, since she was never her actual age.

I don’t know, Claire eventually admitted. I mean, I guess it would depend on how you wanted to count it. We could push our birthdays back two months, if you think that would be better. Though it seems confusing to me...

If we did push them back, then today would be my birthday, Em admitted as silent tears fell down her face. If not... Well, then I missed it. I guess it doesn’t matter, I’m sixteen either way, but...

Claire simply responded by tightening her arms around her. Happy birthday.

Em didn’t respond, and Claire felt her breathing slow, telling her that she had fallen back asleep.

Claire was nowhere near rest herself, so she simply watched over her sister, hoping that she had been right about coming here being the right choice.

Chapter Four

Despite Justice’s words , Hate decided to go and talk to Lo. After all, when Lo had first gotten pregnant, and she and Justice had been arguing about that, it had been Claire who had managed to solve the situation by talking to both of them.

Claire was gone and wasn’t coming back, but Hate didn’t see why she couldn’t do the same.

She wandered around the common areas to find Lo but came up with nothing. She knew that she could have asked the tower security systems where she was, but she’d usually found it quicker to find people by wandering through the tower over the past few weeks. People were generally too busy to stay in one place for too long.

But after three laps of the tower, Hate decided that it was time to consult the security systems.

Given Lo’s recent difficulties, Hate doubted she would leave the tower. It wasn’t as if they lacked space if she wanted to avoid people and the city outside was a cacophony of noise and movement that Hate suspected would quickly overload Lo.

Hate sighed as she brought up the information she wanted on the nearest terminal.

The roof.

Of course.

While searching for Lo, Hate had just been going through the common areas, which were only spread across two floors. Two floors across the middle of the tower.

Hate walked past the lift, refusing to give it more than a passing glance.

She was determined to get used to her new leg, which meant using it to get up stairs instead of just taking the damn lift.

Of course, that had seemed like great logic for the first three flights, until she misjudged the placement of her bionic leg, slipping on the stair and going over her ankle.

Motherfu- she was cut off by the wind being knocked out her lungs by her fall, taking her back to the floor below.

Hate groaned, pushing herself to a sitting-up position, leaning back against the wall as she took stock of her injuries.

Bruised, but not much else, she quickly surmised.

She cursed under her breath as she stood back up, brushing off her jeans as she glared back at the stairs.

If they thought they were going to break her, they had another thing coming.

Hate gritted her teeth as she attempted to climb the stairs once more, realising that the fall had knocked her leg out of alignment. She had to concentrate on where she put her leg, and it sent a jolt of pain through her with every step.

She continued to glare at the stairs.

I will not be beaten by a flight of fricking stairs, she growled to herself, forcing herself to continue up until her leg literally gave way beneath her.

She cried out again, managing to save herself from another fall by grabbing the bannister as she panted at the exertion, her hair stuck to her face.

She collapsed down to a sitting position, and the flood of physical relief came in a rush that brought the sting of tears to her eyes.

Bloody hell, she muttered as she wiped away the hot, liquid frustration. I’m such a mess.

She waited, leaning against the bannister, as the tears fell. They eventually ran dry, and she wiped her face again before hoisting herself up, her leg feeling stable enough to stand on but little else.

Hate glared at the stairs once more and felt a burning rush of frustration and fury. She refused to be beaten by stairs.

She made a step forward, but she could almost feel Claire’s hand on her shoulder, telling her to stop.

You don’t need to prove anything, she would say, as she always did when Hate was too stubborn for her own good.

That only fueled the anger, however, and Hate let out a yell of frustration before launching herself at the stairs.

And promptly fell back down almost immediately.

Fuck you! Hate screamed. Fuck you, you fucking shitty stairs!

You’re not going to make it, the memory of Claire taunted in her head.

No, Claire never taunted...

Tears came again at the memory and Hate suppressed a sigh as she got back up and made her way out of the staircase.

If trying to take the stairs was only going to make her think of Claire, she would rather just give up...

By the time the lift reached the roof, Hate was exhausted, but still, she pushed forward. She refused to mess this up. Not if she could help.

Thankfully, Loneliness didn’t appear to be using her powers. She was fully visible, sitting on the edge of the roof.

Can I sit here? Hate asked as she approached, pointing next to Lo. I think my leg’s going to give out...

Lo shrugged and Hate took that as an invitation, sitting down.

What do you want? Lo eventually asked, her voice monotone, as she continued to look out towards the horizon, not even so much as glancing at Hate. She seemed unnaturally still, as if carved from stone.

Huh? Hate asked, feigning ignorance.

You have no reason to be here, aside from the fact I am here, Lo continued in her monotone, her face somehow managing to stay still despite her speaking. So, what do you want?

Just to talk.

For what purpose?

Do I need a purpose?

I shall be annoyed if you have disturbed me without one.

Hate sighed, pushing her hair back, out of her face. Her fingers found that it was stiff with sweat from her earlier exertion. Apparently, my drugs are missing. As if I’ve been taking them. The problem is, I haven’t been.

Lo remained silent.

The security footage shows nothing. No one steals them, they just vanish.

The silence continued.

The only Aspect with a power that would allow them to do that is you.

Are you accusing me of something? Lo’s voice remained monotone, making it impossible for Hate to read her.

Did you steal my drugs?

Yes.

Hate blinked. She hadn’t expected Lo to admit to the crime so readily.

Why? Hate blurted out, her mind unable to come up with something more intelligent while being so caught off-guard.

Lo just shrugged.

Hate suppressed a groan. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.

She ran her hand through her hair again, wondering if Lo was being deliberately evasive, or if she just didn’t have the words to explain.

I mean, they made my head all fuzzy and stopped me from being able to think, which is why I stopped taking them...

Lo waited for so long before responding that Hate thought that she wouldn’t, but she eventually said, I need it fuzzy. I need to stop thinking.

Lo...

Don’t. Finally, there was some flicker of emotion as she cut Hate off, her voice as sharp as a razor edge, though it passed as soon as it had come. Don’t try and fix this with words, Hate. You can’t. I’ve been over it again and again and again, and I cannot solve it.

Hate frowned a little. Over what?

Everything, Lo said, as if that were an explanation. Thankfully, she continued of her own volition. "My life had always been one great big crapshoot. From day one. My parents didn’t know how to relate to me or connect with me. I was their beautiful, smart, talented daughter to be wheeled out as a trophy for everyone else to admire, but nothing else.

None of the other kids at school could relate to me either. They thought I was a snob who was looking down on them... Jay was the only one who saw past that. She was the one bright spot in my life. The one person who thought I had some kind of worth beyond just being pretty or smart... And now I’ve gone and screwed that up as well.

You haven’t screwed it up, Hate assured her. Justice loves you.

Lo snorted at that. I screwed up her life. She would have been better off if she’d just left me behind with the rest of her old life.

You didn’t screw up her life.

She didn’t even want kids, Lo reminded her, though Hate raised an eyebrow at the phrasing. As soon as she found out I was pregnant, she marched me straight down to the infirmary for an abortion.

Because she knew Bennett would force you to and she didn’t want you to go through it like that.

Lo shook her head. It doesn’t matter. That’s not the point. The point is that she was right. I pushed for this, I dragged her into it, and then five minutes into having the baby, I went and screwed it all up. I should have just listened to her in the first place, I don’t know why I thought I could do this...

You really think Justice blames you for what happened?

Of course, she does. Don’t you blame Claire?

Hate looked away. That’s different. Claire left. You’re still here.

I wasn’t talking about her leaving. Lo nodded to Hate’s leg. You only lost your leg because she messed up. Because she failed to protect you. Her leaving was the only sensible solution left to her after that. At least she could leave... Lo looked down at the street below. There’s only one way out for me, and as much as I don’t know how many days I can keep going, even with the drugs, I know that Jay would carry some blame over it. So I stay. But lucky Claire got given an opportunity to leave without hurting anyone...

Hate clenched her fists as she glared at Lo. You think her leaving really didn’t hurt anyone? You think it didn’t hurt me?

She hadn’t realised she was shouting until Lo finally turned to look at her, eyes wide with surprise.

Still, Hate continued on. I loved her. The last thing I wanted was for her to go! I don’t care that she messed up. I don’t care that I got hurt. The only thing that bothers me is that she left...

And who can blame her? the insidious part of her mind said. I was broken. Why would she stay for a broken girl?

She pushed away the thought. She didn’t have the energy to deal with it in that moment.

Look, I know that Justice feels the same way I do. She knows that you’re not responsible for what happened and she loves you. If she’s mad, it’s only because you’re drugging yourself to avoid her.

To her surprise, tears started to flow down Lo’s face, though she remained otherwise still.

You don’t know what it’s like, Lo eventually said, her voice small and cracking. "You can’t. I can’t... I can’t shut my brain off. I just keep seeing it over and over again, and I can’t stop it. I can’t stop the guilt that claws at my insides, as if trying to tear me apart from the inside out. I can’t stop it on my own. The drugs help. They keep me too numb to think or feel, and even then, they just dull it... But it’s