Chapter 8 - Nora Learns the Truth
Nora did not scream.
That was worse.
She sat on the floor opposite Ava while Madame Voss explained the ledger.
The mirror.
The Second Swan.
Nora listened without interrupting.
When Voss finished, Nora asked Ava one question.
“You asked for my talent?”
Ava looked down.
“Yes.”
“All of it?”
“Yes.”
Nora inhaled slowly.
“Did you know it would hurt me?”
“No.”
“Would you have done it if you knew?”
Ava wanted to say no immediately.
But Nora deserved more than a beautiful lie.
“I don’t know.”
Madame Voss said:
“Nora—”
“Don’t.”
Her voice cracked.
She looked at Ava.
“I spent two weeks wondering if my body had failed me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I thought I was weak.”
“Nora—”
“I apologized to you for being worried.”
“I know.”
“You let me.”
“I know.”
Nora walked toward the door.
Madame Voss said:
“We need you.”
Nora laughed without humor.
“Of course you do.”
“The thing inside Ava—”
“Is not my responsibility.”
Some pain should land.
That evening Ava rehearsed alone.
She was better than ever.
Every step felt disgusting.
Students gathered at the glass to watch.
Madame Voss entered.
“You can cancel the gala.”
“No.”
“You should.”
“If I stop now, the academy asks why.”
“Let them.”
Ava touched her stomach.
“It feeds on applause.”
“Yes.”
“So if I disappear, maybe it follows Nora.”
“You don’t know that.”
“The demon said when it starves, it looks for someone else.”
“Demons lie.”
“They also tell truths badly.”
Voss could not argue.
Then Nora’s name appeared on Ava’s phone.
Meet me at the old theater. 11 PM.
Ava’s heart jumped.
Madame Voss said:
“Don’t go alone.”
Ava did anyway.
At eleven, the abandoned academy theater was dark except for one work light.
Nora stood on stage.
“You said the mirror gave you my talent.”
“Yes.”
“Then give me something back.”
“Anything.”
Nora looked directly at her.
“Tell me the worst thing you ever thought about me.”
Ava froze.
May you like
Nora’s eyes were wet.
“If I’m going to save you, I want to know exactly who I’m saving.”
