My lips tightened into a thin line, my cheeks burned as I gritted my teeth, struggling to remain calm.
"You're lying." I whispered, my every breath dripping with venom. I could feel the bile rising in my throat, I swallowed.
"No! I swear I'm not, Rhea! Why would...How could I LIE about something like this?" He cried, taking a few shaking steps toward me, reaching with both hands to rub away the angry tears falling down my face.
Our eyes connected. He slunk back to where he had been, looking as if he had been stabbed.
My focus switched to the impostor.
"You!" I spat. She stuttered useless letters, struggling to make a coherent sentence.
"Me...I... No! I..." She took an unsteady breath, and seemed to make gagging noises behind her tense throat.
"You dare... when did you come here? ANSWER!" I roared, spittle flying from my mouth to spatter her in the face. I don't know how...but I was close to her, almost a foot away in a matter of seconds. My black wings were spread in an eerie display of power, and my hair hung about my burning face like an omen. I knew I was not a happy sight.
"I....three..."
"Three months to the day? I'll bet. The day I died. While I ran from the most powerful vampire in the world, while I dodged flaming arrows...put good friends at risk to help me escape... for the LOVE of one PATHETIC MAN." I stood taller and took one heaving gasp, struggling to remain calm. "I was sacrificed because I would not betray the man I love. As I lay dying in the dirt, you came along. YOU came here. And stole my heart. STOLE IT. I WAS FORGOTTEN BECAUSE YOU SPREAD YOUR FILTHY LEGS!"
"NO! I WOULD NEVER..." She screamed, pale hands reaching up to cover her trembling mouth, eyes wide and red-rimmed as water spilled along their brink. Her knees shook and she seemed to be on the edge of collapsing. Good. I turned back to Shadow, who seemed to be shocked at my furious display. He seemed numb. Mouth hanging slightly ajar, chest heaving as he struggled to breath, veins pulsing beneath his skin in quick bursts.
"And you. Poor, pathetic Shadow. What more can I expect? A man can only think with one head at a time after all...I big busty girl wearing a short skirt is a...very...big...temptation. Why should it stop you? Hasn't before. I should know. I WAS ONE! One slip of the loincloth and you dove for it...like the horn dog you are." I slapped him. Hard. Across the face. Then turned. And shoved past the would be friends I thought would have protected my interests, my ONE time allies. Farewell to those memories. Their looks scorched me. Disgust, betrayal, surprise, hurt. Irony.