"The Great One. Selene. She's who's after us."
Maddox's words come out flat and even, like he isn't talking about the scariest person in his life. My heart clenches further at how he doesn't even have the freedom to be a scared child.
Granted, he's what… fifteen? Fourteen? I'm sure he doesn't want to break down in front of strangers.
But he should be able to, if he wanted.
"Echo took care of her, I think. You should be safe now." She hadn't mentioned names or any real details, but I'm assuming the sanguimancer Echo dealt with is the same as the monster Maddox and the children are hiding from.
Asher gives a slight nod. "She did. I recall the name."
Maddox shakes his head and looks back at the sleeping children. "She'll be back. She's been around for ages. Older than a witch's ti—uh." His face goes pink. "Older than your grandparents, even. Blood witches don't die easy. And she's got minions. It isn't safe."
"But Echo said she killed her," I point out. "I thought—"
