Previously

“Have you done it?”

“What?”

“Have you. . .Have you tried to get her out of your body?” I asked with bated breaths, afraid that my question might be stepping on her tail. I was ready to apologize when I saw her hands tightening into fists.

“Have I?” Ivanka’s tone was drawn with anger. “I’ve done everything I can—I’ve drank a phoenix’s blood in hopes of reincarnating without her but the curse pulls me back. I’ve eaten a piece of the World’s Tree, in hopes that my body would be cleansed of her but all it did was make my spirit stronger, fusing it and me even closer together.”

She gave a defeated sigh, relaxing her fists. “I’ve even brought my accursed mother back from the nether realm but she only laughed as my chalikars tore her soul essence apart.” She traced a veiny, red tattoo slithering across her toned stomach.

“She brings nothing but destruction and carnage,” Ivanka whispered. “And I had hoped that keeping you inside the house would protect you from her but that was