What was I trying to accomplish?

The glaive was frozen to my hands, slicing through the air and snow. The Echoes all around me growled, steam hissing from their bodies with each breath.

My limbs were sluggish. Of course, we were cold-blooded, but the human part of me provided just enough heat to keep my muscles moving in the cold. I dragged the edge of my blade through an Echo’s side, piercing the black rocky skin and feeling the molten ichor escape from within. The others scattered. I couldn’t even imagine having the strength to chase after them. Thankfully, they weren’t what I was after.

It was the people, trapped inside.

I kicked away the body, clearing the snow away from the door as best I could. The people inside were pressed against the frosted glass. Those who went out would have to brave the storm, but hey, it was probably better than spending the night in a supermarket without heat or power. Or maybe not. Maybe they didn’t have any food waiting at home. Because who would have prepared for something like this?

The automatic doors slid open. A blast of warm air rushed out... as the cold air swirling all around hurried to take its place. The lingering heat was welcome, though. I felt my metabolism increase instantly. My wings fluttered in anticipation. Perhaps this would be enough to let me take flight before my wings froze shut again.

As I stepped inside, the people screamed. Of course. Of course they were afraid. I wasn’t human. Not really. Not anymore. They probably thought I was the cause of all this. I’d seen the rumours all over the internet. Insect people were causing the end of the world. Yeah right. I flew down the aisles, basking in the residual heat as the people fled before me, hurrying to whatever place they thought was safe. I sat alone in the storm for a while, letting myself recharge. I was a bit hungry as well. I found a bottle of honey and immediately felt myself craving it. Stupid body. I wasn’t a bee. Still... whatever. I popped open a bottle and started drinking it straight. It wasn’t as gross as I’d thought it would be. Very sweet.

“Hornets drink nectar as well, you know.”

“Vespa.”

The horned landed on the rim of the bottle, sipping drops of honey. “You ran out suddenly. It’s been hard finding you.”

“Maybe I didn’t want to be found. And you told the Demons where I was? Where I lived? Why would you ever do that?”

For once, the hornet landed on my shoulder and spoke clearly. Seriously. “I did exactly what needed to be done to ensure you got exactly where you needed to be at the appropriate time. I am not human. I will not pretend to be so. And because of that I could make a decision that none of you would have made otherwise.”

I sighed. I didn’t have time for this. Why was I still out here? Trying to atone for what I’d done? Trying to stop Ecto all on my own? A few times, I’d seen him fleetingly, riding atop the mammoth, its footsteps scattering clouds of powder snow as it passed. But who was I kidding? I’d never actually fight him, especially not with the cold biting at my arms and legs, the ice locking my wings in place.

The honey was helpful. Sweet. The energy that I needed. To do what I needed to do.

Because that was my purpose. Nothing else, nothing more.

I stepped out into the cold night. The streets were mostly empty now. Above, Echoes circled: birds and bats and other things, dripping boiling ichor as they passed overhead. The cars were gone, or unusable, glass and metal crumpled like paper.

“Lost in thought?” No. Not this voice. Not now.

“Thea.”

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The demon stood before me, in a purple suit again. She looked older. Her face was gaunt, skin stretched tight over bones, like a skeleton. But as she locked eyes with me, she became youthful again, the person I’d known for these weeks now. Or thought I’d known. Before she’d betrayed me.

In one second, the glaive was in my hands. In the second, I was lunging for her.

“Wait. Let me explain.”

No. I didn’t want to hear it. No more lies. No more foolishness.

“You only have your purpose left.”

“Of course.”

“And you hate it.”

“I...” On one hand, I knew that it was right. That it was my responsibility to stop this. On the other hand... who were they to thrust this upon me? I was just a kid. I never asked for this, and everything they’d done had only pushed me further, deeper into this mess. “I don’t know how to feel, Thea. But I need to put an end to this.”

Thea looked down at her feet. “I don’t want anyone to—”

“How many times are you going to repeat that, Thea? You ate Angelina.”

“She’s still alive! Just out of commission.”

“As if that makes it better? You don’t just eat people!”

“Quinn, I—”

“Cut it. You don’t understand—”

“That’s enough.” Her voice deepened, a dull volcanic roar echoing behind her words. “You think you’re the only one who’s torn? You think you’re the only one who’s forced to do... Quinn, I’m a Demon. Just like Angels, we have a purpose. A destiny. And our destiny is to subjugate the Earth. To take control over it. That’s my destiny. And I thought, I really thought, that what we were doing could be done peacefully. That there was a way... that I could take control of his Echo and thwart him, and bring peace to everyone. Quinn, Ecto lied to me too. But just like you, my hand is forced. I must fight to ‘liberate’ people from their mortal bodies. And I... I just wish there was another way.” By the end her shouts had faded to a whimper. Tears were streaming down her face. “Because if I’d taken control of it, I’d just have become the monster that he was.”

“I’m sorry, Thea. I didn’t know.”

“And now we’re enemies,” she said. “And I really didn’t want this to happen. I’m scared. I thought I could control myself, but I... I enjoyed defeating Angelina. Just like she relished in the destruction of my echoes. My majestic E-1 Taurus. My lovely little bird. My loyal friend. She shattered them all. And I was no different.”

I really didn’t know what to say. “But Ecto... he’s going to kill everyone in the city, isn’t he?”

Thea wiped away her tears on my shell. Or at least, she tried to. It didn’t really work. “He is... if nothing is done. Don’t you see why I’ve come here? Or do I have to spell it out?”

“Go ahead,” said Vespa. What was with her change of attitude? “I already see your decision.”

“You’re....”

“I don’t want anyone to die. But Ecto... it’s too late for me to usurp him. Too late for me to stop him. But I’ve heard, oh I’ve heard... that a certain someone is destined to kill him. And I can take you to him. I told him that I... that I would get you. Bring you to him as prisoner.”

“And will you do that?”

“I will bring you to him under that pretense. What happens after...”

“You can kill him.” Vespa flew down to my shoulder and turned to address Thea directly. “And you would let her.”

“If... If you choose that, Quinn. If you want to become lost in the bloodlust. Become a killer. A true killer. Because I know, oh I know that, once you kill him, there will be no going back.” She held out her hand, quivering.

I took it.

“Damn it,” Thea muttered. “Fine. Let’s go.”