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Court Métrage
Enjoy addictive short dramas packed with romance, betrayal, revenge, emotional moments, and shocking plot twists.
From billionaire love stories to hidden identities and dramatic relationships, Drama Royale delivers nonstop entertainment with fast-paced storytelling and unforgettable characters.
🔥 Viral Shorts Drama
💔 Romance & Heartbreak
⚡ Unexpected Plot Twists
🎭 Emotional Drama Series
New episodes uploaded regularly. Subscribe and enjoy the world of short drama entertainment with Drama Royale
#ShortDrama #DramaSeries
Catégorie
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Court Métrage
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TVTranscription
00:02At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close,
00:08and give me a taunting smile.
00:09I tried out for husband in the wedding bed for the last night. It was absolutely amazing.
00:15Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
00:17The next second, Dorian, my fianco, as well as the most reputed lichen lord in the Ironspire kingdom, gave me
00:23six hard lashes in front of everyone.
00:25I heard a cold voice, coarse from ancient.
00:27It is done. The suffering ordained for this form has run its course. Not one lash unearned, not one sorrow
00:33unspent.
00:34Death will not be an ending. It will be a door.
00:37Dear traveler, once this body dies, you may return to your original world.
00:41Hearing those words, I suddenly stopped wailing.
00:44My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
00:49At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close,
00:54and give me a taunting smile.
00:56Congratulations on your marriage.
00:57I tried out your husband in your wedding bed for you last night.
01:02It was absolutely amazing.
01:05Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
01:08The next second, Dorian, my fianco, as well as the most reputed lichen lord in the Ironspire kingdom, gave me
01:14six hard lashes in front of everyone.
01:18Isabelle has never offended you.
01:20She gave you everything, yet you still can't stand her.
01:27Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
01:30You slave mongrel.
01:32If it weren't for your brothers, I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
01:36At his command.
01:38He threw me into a deep, remote forest and tossed me into a snake den, teeming with venomous snakes to
01:44reflect on my actions.
01:49After seven days of torment, my three older brothers of Ashevale's house came to me.
01:57I thought I'd be saved finally, but I was wrong.
02:04My eldest brother, the alpha king in the Ironspire kingdom.
02:09The most valiant commander, yet also the most ruthless woman, who slaughtered the inhabitants of two cities to bring the
02:15north under his control.
02:17Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
02:23Isabelle cried all night.
02:24I've already decided to name her as the heiress of the kingdom.
02:29My second brother, the dragon justiciar, cold as he was sculpted from a marble stone,
02:33once burned spinifeachers accused of treason and witchcraft at the stake without batting an eye.
02:38He didn't even take a glance at my battered body, just said coldly.
02:41From now on, only Isabelle's name will be recorded in the royal family registry.
02:46As for you, don't even think about being recognized as a member of this family for the rest of your
02:50life.
02:51My third brother, the renowned vampire healer.
02:57Was even more ruthless.
02:59His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
03:03Isabelle has suffered from scurvius since childhood.
03:08To compensate her, you must keep giving out your blood to save her.
03:14I heard a cold voice, coarse from ancient.
03:16It is done.
03:17The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
03:20Not one lash unearned, not one sorrow unspend.
03:23Death will not be an ending.
03:25It will be a door.
03:27Dear traveler, once this body dies, you may return to your original world.
03:34Hearing those words, I suddenly stopped wailing.
03:36My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
03:41My eldest and second brothers had already left with my blood in a large, exquisite bottle.
03:45In the chilly, snake-infested den, only my third brother, Mortimer, and I remain.
03:51Blood was still gushing from the incision, and Mortimer frowned in exasperation as he sutured the wound on my neck.
03:57If you'd cooperated sooner, we wouldn't have had to do this under such primitive conditions.
04:02It's taking me so much effort.
04:05It's a real hassle.
04:06Just last week, while Isabella was feeding the puppy which the eldest brother gave to her,
04:11she was scratched by it and got a nearly invisible cut.
04:14Mortimer reacted as if the sky had fallen.
04:16He summoned all his assistants from the court to take care of Isabella,
04:19applying the most precious ointment,
04:21and he checked the progress of her wound recovery every three hours.
04:24But now, facing me...
04:26Who had almost lost one's life.
04:28With nothing but a ball of thread I'd torn from my tattered dress,
04:31and a thorn from a bramble bush.
04:33He was still complaining about the hassle of the most basic suturing.
04:37Perhaps seeing that I hadn't moved for a while, he leaned down, patted my face.
04:41Stop pretending.
04:43I know you're in great shape.
04:48Aren't you just trying to play the victim to make me feel guilty?
04:51So you can steal my affection for Isabelle?
04:55You're so dark.
04:56And petty.
04:58Since you've been a member of us, put those petty schemes away.
05:01In the past, faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
05:04I would have defended myself with tear-filled eyes,
05:06crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
05:09But at the time, I felt only numb-kong.
05:11Closing my eyes, I said hoarsely.
05:13You should leave too.
05:15I can wait here alone to die.
05:19Serafina, you?
05:20Just let me die so that I can return to my original world.
05:28For me, the quickest way to find relief right now was to die immediately.
05:32But to Mortimer, those words clearly carried a different meaning.
05:37Serafina, what do you mean?
05:38Are you deliberately saying these depressing things to disgust me?
05:42He deliberately yanked hard on the stitches.
05:44The fragile edges of the wound instantly tightened, and foul blood gushed out,
05:48bringing excruciating pain that no normal person could bear.
05:51Seeing me gasp in pain, my head drenched in cold sweat,
05:55a flicker of pity crossed his eyes, and he softened his tone.
05:58Don't speak nonsense.
06:00You are not going to die.
06:02At the end of the day, if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
06:05refusing to accept Isabel, and even hitting her,
06:08you wouldn't be suffering like this.
06:10As long as you promise not to give Isabel a hard time once we get back,
06:13and sincerely apologize to her,
06:15I can take you back to the court and get you the best treatment.
06:19You won't have to suffer here anymore.
06:21Hearing the condescending tone in his voice,
06:22I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
06:25Although I am a time traveler,
06:26I had been reincarnated into the body of Serafina in this world starting from the age of six.
06:31Poor, parentless, and nearly being sold as a slave.
06:34Before being sold, the only chance lain before me was to get adopted.
06:38I was lucky.
06:40That night, the administrator of the orphanage with twinklings in her eyes,
06:43said to me,
06:44Lucky sweetie, there were three anonymous gentlemen who claimed to be your biological brothers.
06:54At the wedding banquet,
06:56Isabella, the one they called my sister,
06:58took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close,
07:00and give me a taunting smile.
07:02I tried out your husband in the wedding bed for her last night.
07:05It was absolutely amazing.
07:07Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
07:10The next second,
07:11Dorian, my fianco,
07:12as well as the most reputed Lycan lord in the Ironspire kingdom,
07:15gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
07:17I heard a cold voice,
07:19coarse from ancient.
07:20It is done.
07:21The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
07:23Not one lash unearned.
07:25Not one sorrow unspent.
07:26Death will not be an ending.
07:28It will be a door.
07:29Dear traveler,
07:30once this body dies,
07:31you may return to your original world.
07:34Hearing those words,
07:35I suddenly stopped wailing.
07:36My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago
07:39to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
07:41At the wedding banquet,
07:42Isabella,
07:43the one they called my sister,
07:44took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close,
07:46and gave me a taunting smile.
07:48Congratulations on your marriage.
07:50I tried out your husband in your wedding bed for you last night.
07:55It was absolutely amazing.
07:58Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
08:00The next second,
08:01Dorian, my fianco,
08:03as well as the most reputed Lycan lord in the Ironspire kingdom,
08:06gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
08:11Isabel has never offended you.
08:12She gave you everything,
08:14yet you still can't stand her.
08:20Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
08:23You slave mongrel.
08:24If it weren't for your brothers,
08:26I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
08:28At his command,
08:31he threw me into a deep, remote forest,
08:33and tossed me into a snake den,
08:35teeming with venomous snakes to reflect on my actions.
08:42After seven days of torment,
08:44my three older brothers of Ashvale's house came to me.
08:49I thought I'd be saved finally,
08:51but I was wrong.
08:57My eldest brother,
08:58the Alpha King in the Ironspire kingdom,
09:01the most valiant commander,
09:03yet also the most ruthless woman,
09:05who slaughtered the inhabitants of two cities
09:07to bring the North under his control.
09:10Without hesitation,
09:11he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
09:15Isabel cried all night.
09:17I've already decided to name her
09:19as the heiress of the kingdom.
09:21My second brother, the Draven Justiciar,
09:24cold as he was sculpted from a marble stone,
09:26once burned spin-a-features accused of treason and witchcraft
09:28at the stake without batting an eye.
09:30He didn't even take a glance at my battered body,
09:33just said coldly,
09:34From now on,
09:35only Isabel's name will be recorded
09:36in the royal family registry.
09:38As for you,
09:40don't even think about being recognized
09:41as a member of this family for the rest of your life.
09:43My third brother,
09:44the renowned vampire healer,
09:49was even more ruthless.
09:51His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
09:56Isabel has suffered from scurvius since childhood.
10:01To compensate her,
10:03you must keep giving out your blood to save her.
10:06I heard a cold voice,
10:08coarse from ancient.
10:09It is done.
10:10The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
10:13Not one lash unearned,
10:14not one sorrow unspend.
10:16Death will not be an ending.
10:17It will be a door.
10:19Dear traveler,
10:20once this body dies,
10:22you may return to your original world.
10:26Hearing those words,
10:27I suddenly stopped wailing.
10:29My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago
10:32to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
10:34My eldest and second brothers had already left with my blood
10:36in a large exquisite bottle.
10:38In the chilly,
10:39snake-infested den,
10:40only my third brother,
10:42Mortimer,
10:42and I remained.
10:43Blood was still gushing from the incision,
10:45and Mortimer frowned in exasperation
10:47as he sutured the wound on my neck.
10:49If you'd cooperated sooner,
10:51we wouldn't have had to do this
10:52under such primitive conditions.
10:54It's taking me so much effort.
10:57It's a real hassle.
10:59Just last week,
11:00while Isabella was feeding the puppy
11:01which the eldest brother gave to her,
11:03she was scratched by it
11:04and got a nearly invisible cut.
11:06Mortimer reacted as if the sky had fallen.
11:08He summoned all his assistants from the court
11:10to take care of Isabella,
11:11applying the most precious ointment,
11:13and he checked the progress of her wound recovery
11:15every three hours.
11:17But now, facing me,
11:18who had almost lost one's life,
11:20with nothing but a ball of thread
11:22I'd torn from my tattered dress
11:24and a thorn from a bramble bush,
11:26he was still complaining about the hassle
11:28of the most basic suturing.
11:30Perhaps seeing that I hadn't moved for a while,
11:32he leaned down,
11:33patted my face.
11:34Stop pretending.
11:36I know you're in great shape.
11:40Aren't you just trying to play the victim
11:42to make me feel guilty
11:44so you can steal my affection for Isabelle?
11:47You're so dark
11:49and petty.
11:50Since you've been a member of us,
11:52put those petty schemes away.
11:54In the past,
11:55faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
11:56I would have defended myself
11:58with tear-filled eyes,
11:59crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
12:01But at the time,
12:02I felt only Numkong,
12:03closing my eyes,
12:05I said hoarsely.
12:06You should leave too.
12:07I can wait here alone to die.
12:12Serafina, you?
12:13Just let me die
12:14so that I can return to my original world.
12:20For me,
12:21the quickest way to find relief right now
12:23was to die immediately.
12:24But to Mortimer,
12:25those words clearly carried a different meaning.
12:29Serafina,
12:30what do you mean?
12:31Are you deliberately saying
12:32these depressing things to disgust me?
12:34He deliberately yanked hard on the stitches.
12:36The fragile edges of the wound
12:38instantly tightened
12:39and foul blood gushed out,
12:41bringing excruciating pain
12:42that no normal person could bear.
12:44Seeing me gasp in pain,
12:45my head drenched in cold sweat,
12:47a flicker of pity crossed his eyes,
12:49and he softened his tone.
12:50Don't speak nonsense.
12:52You are not going to die.
12:54At the end of the day,
12:55if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
12:57refusing to accept Isabelle,
12:59and even hitting her,
13:01you wouldn't be suffering like this.
13:03As long as you promise
13:04not to give Isabelle a hard time
13:05once we get back
13:06and sincerely apologize to her,
13:08I can take you back to the court
13:09and get you the best treatment.
13:11You won't have to suffer here anymore.
13:13Hearing the condescending tone in his voice,
13:15I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
13:18Although I am a time traveler,
13:19I had been reincarnated
13:20into the body of Serafina
13:21in this world
13:22starting from the age of six.
13:24Poor, parentless,
13:25and nearly being sold as a slave.
13:27Before being sold,
13:28the only chance lain before me
13:30was to get adopted.
13:31I was lucky.
13:32That night,
13:33the administrator of the orphanage
13:34with twinklings in her eyes
13:35said to me,
13:36Lucky, sweetie,
13:37there were three anonymous gentlemen
13:39who claimed to be
13:40your biological brothers.
13:44Term's palace reeked of blood.
13:46Elf had a sculpture
13:47in her royal bedchamber
13:48and she adored it obsessively.
13:50The statue fell dead
13:51and silent again.
13:52Princess's temper blackened by the day.
13:54The head handmaiden
13:54stepped forward.
13:55Enchanted things
13:56can only be roused
13:57by blood sacrifice.
13:58The statue, however,
13:59still did not move.
14:00Princess's patience
14:01finally snapped
14:02until it landed on me.
14:03Dara lunged at me
14:04like I was a lifeline.
14:06She slashed at my wrist again
14:07and again in a frenzy.
14:08This bitch must not a virgin.
14:10She has defiled the ritual.
14:11And then the impossible happened.
14:13The statue,
14:13motionless for so long,
14:15moved
14:15and drew the small wound
14:16on her fingertip to its lips.
14:18He has surely mistaken me for you.
14:20Then it crawled to her feet
14:20and knelt before her.
14:22A bucket of ice-cold water
14:23came down over my head.
14:24Dara stood over me
14:25with a triumphant smile.
14:27Princess of the Sun
14:28elf hid a sculpture
14:28in her royal bedchamber,
14:30broad-shouldered,
14:31narrow-waisted
14:31and unnervingly perfect
14:32and she adored it obsessively,
14:34spending every waking hour
14:36entwined with it.
14:36Term's palace reeked of blood.
14:38The smell had settled here
14:39for a full three months,
14:40creeping from a ghost
14:41of a scent
14:41to something so thick
14:42and sharp it felt like
14:43the very walls
14:44had been soaked in it.
14:45I knelt on the cold stone floor.
14:46No one knew
14:47where the statue had come from.
14:48One sweltering summer night,
14:49it had simply appeared
14:50that night's wind was hot,
14:52thick with night blooms,
14:53but not enough to cut
14:54through Term's palace's
14:55atmosphere of decadence.
14:56Princess had just dismissed
14:57a rotation of ballots
14:58and lay alone
14:59across her wide canopied bed,
15:00idly picking at the lacquer
15:02on her nails.
15:02Then she saw him,
15:03a man cold as winter stone,
15:05or rather,
15:06a statue carved
15:07in the shape of a man.
15:08He lay bare beside her,
15:09his torso long and strong,
15:11every line of muscle flowing
15:12as though sculpted
15:13by a god's own hand,
15:14every inch of pale skin
15:15flawlessly rendered.
15:16The summer heat parched
15:17everything it touched,
15:18yet he was cold
15:19as ice pressed
15:20against her skin,
15:20producing a sensation
15:21both strange
15:22and irresistible.
15:23Princess could not
15:24put him down.
15:25She clung to him
15:26all night like
15:26someone who had found
15:27a priceless relic,
15:28running her hands
15:29over his powerful frame,
15:31whispering shameless
15:31endearments
15:32into his carved ear.
15:33You are extraordinary,
15:34better than any
15:35of those valets combined.
15:37If only you could wake up,
15:38I would name you
15:39the greatest night
15:40beneath the stars.
15:41Be still,
15:42let me look at you properly.
15:44Yet after that night,
15:45the statue fell dead
15:46and silent again.
15:47Princess's temper
15:48blackened by the day.
15:49She smashed objects
15:50of incalculable work.
15:52All of you are useless!
15:53You cannot even
15:54rouse a dead thing!
15:55Princess kicked over
15:56the side table beside her.
15:57That servant threw
15:57herself to the floor.
15:58My princess Mercy!
15:59Please, Mercy!
16:01Drag her out.
16:02Twenty strokes.
16:03It was then that Dara,
16:04the head handmaiden,
16:05stepped forward.
16:06My princess,
16:08I have heard that
16:09certain enchanted things
16:10can only be roused
16:11by blood sacrifice.
16:12Shall we try?
16:13Princess's eyes
16:14sharpened at once.
16:14Oh?
16:15Is that true?
16:18Absolutely true.
16:19My grandmother told me
16:20as a child
16:21that some statuary,
16:23once they drink
16:24living blood,
16:25can take mortal form.
16:26Princess was delighted
16:27and immediately summoned
16:28several young servants.
16:29Sharp blades
16:30opened their wrists.
16:31Crimson blood poured
16:32down over the statue's crown.
16:33It's working!
16:34It's actually working!
16:36Dara,
16:37you are invaluable to me!
16:38Ask for whatever you wish!
16:39Serving you is all the reward
16:41I need,
16:41my princess.
16:42The statue,
16:43however,
16:44still did not move.
16:45No matter how much blood
16:46was poured over it,
16:47it held its vacant,
16:48lifeless posture.
16:49Princess's patience
16:50finally snapped,
16:51jabbed her finger
16:51at Dara's face.
16:52You told me blood
16:54would wake it,
16:54so why is it still
16:55not moving?
16:56Dara hit the floor
16:57in a terrified cowdow,
16:58and her frantic gaze
16:59swept the hall
17:00until it landed on me,
17:01standing in the corner.
17:02I was nobody then,
17:03just a night elf,
17:04the lowest servant
17:05in the spire,
17:05tasked with the dirtiest work,
17:07never daring to raise
17:08my eyes to anyone.
17:09Dara lunged at me
17:10like I was a lifeline,
17:11seized my wrist
17:12in both hands.
17:13This trickle won't
17:14fill a cup,
17:14let alone feed a statue.
17:16The cut burned,
17:17and I locked my teeth shut,
17:18terrified of making
17:19a single sound
17:20that might irritate her further.
17:21But Dara was not satisfied.
17:23She slashed at my wrist again,
17:24and again in a frenzy.
17:25Sir,
17:26more blood!
17:27If that statue doesn't wake,
17:28I will flay you alive!
17:30At last,
17:31darkness swallowed me,
17:32and I felt nothing.
17:33In the final instant
17:34before I lost consciousness,
17:35I felt Dara's boot
17:37connect with my ribs.
17:37My princess,
17:39I have heard that
17:40only the blood of the unbond
17:41carries true power.
17:43This bitch
17:44must not a virgin,
17:45she has defiled the ritual.
17:48Then drag her out,
17:49kill her.
17:50The guard stepped forward
17:51to take me,
17:51and then the impossible happened.
17:53The statue,
17:54motionless for so long,
17:55moved.
17:56It raised its head slowly,
17:57then crawled on hands
17:58and knees to Dara's feet.
18:00It extended one pale,
18:01long-fingered hand,
18:02lifted hers as though
18:03cradling something precious,
18:04and drew the small wound
18:06on her fingertip
18:06to its lips,
18:07tasting it with reverent care.
18:08She yanked at her hand.
18:10What are you doing?
18:11Let go of me!
18:12Congratulations,
18:13my princess.
18:15Felicitations.
18:16He has surely sensed
18:18your devotion.
18:18That is why he has awakened.
18:20It even pressed its lips
18:22to the air near her skin.
18:23Princess laughed.
18:24Her smile was beautiful,
18:25and deeply.
18:26It seems he prefers you.
18:29I have served you
18:30since childhood,
18:30my princess.
18:31I carry your scent.
18:33He has surely mistaken me for you.
18:35Princess's gaze dropped
18:36to the small cut Dara noticed.
18:38She took up the blade
18:39and opened a cut
18:40across her own wrist.
18:41The blood that welled up
18:42was licked clean
18:42before a second had passed.
18:43I ate from your table
18:44this morning, my princess.
18:45Your essence has touched me.
18:46He is a discerning thing,
18:47is he not?
18:48The minutes stretched.
18:49The hall held the silence
18:50of a held breath.
18:51Dara's color drained
18:52steadily from her face.
18:53She had lost too much blood,
18:54settled docilely
18:55against Dara's side
18:56like a tamed animal.
18:57Dara glanced at Princess's expression
18:58and murmured carefully,
19:01Now that you have eaten your fill,
19:03go and attend your mistress.
19:04The statue's gaze moved
19:06slowly around the hall
19:06and it came to rest
19:08on Princess's face.
19:09A flash of something like wonder
19:10crossed its eyes.
19:11Then it crawled to her feet
19:12and knelt before her.
19:13Dara dragged me along with her.
19:15A bucket of ice-cold water
19:17came down over my head,
19:18blinking slowly open.
19:20Dara stood over me
19:21with a triumphant smile,
19:22looking down from what felt
19:23like a great height.
19:25I didn't expect your idea
19:26to actually work.
19:27Dara rolled her eyes
19:28and kicked me.
19:29Unluck.
19:29The statue bleeds for life
19:31and yet your blood did nothing.
19:33You're not a virgin anymore,
19:35are you, you useless?
19:37Sister, please don't tell anyone.
19:38If the princess finds out,
19:40I'm finished.
19:41Dara's brow furrowed.
19:42Of everyone in Princess's estate,
19:44only one person
19:44would have dared
19:45do such a thing,
19:46her fiancé,
19:47the vile and lecherous
19:48Lord Karis.
19:48He had begun
19:49as a failed scholar,
19:50but his face was made
19:51for deception
19:51and his tongue
19:52was made for flattery.
19:53He had imagined
19:54a glittering future,
19:55titles, power,
19:56a dynasty,
19:57but Princess was not a woman
19:58who kept her attentions long.
19:59Term's palace housed
20:00over a hundred ballots,
20:02every one of them beautiful,
20:03gifted, extraordinary.
20:04Karis was not remarkable
20:05among them.
20:06To stay close to her,
20:07he debased himself
20:08in every way imaginable.
20:09He crawled on his hands
20:10and knees
20:11so she could use his back
20:12as a mounting step.
20:13Eventually his patience
20:14was rewarded.
20:15On a whim,
20:16Princess made him
20:17her fiancé,
20:17yet she remained cold
20:18to him as ever.
20:19She spent her days
20:20as she always had.
20:21And Karis,
20:22for all his title,
20:23was nothing more
20:24than furniture.
20:24Resentment and bitterness
20:25filled him by degrees.
20:27During one drunken night,
20:28he forced himself
20:29on a young
20:29and beautiful servant.
20:30In the aftermath,
20:31he was gripped by terror
20:32that Princess
20:33would have him killed.
20:34My princess,
20:34it was all that creature's doing.
20:36She seduced me.
20:37I beg you to forgive me
20:38just this once.
20:39Princess reclined lazily
20:40on her chaise,
20:41watching him flounder.
20:42Why are you so frightened?
20:44She was only a servant.
20:45If you wanted one,
20:46I would have given you more.
20:47None of those creatures
20:48are worth a toe ring of yours,
20:49my princess.
20:50You haven't summoned me
20:51in so long.
20:52I have been dying without you.
20:53One hundred and eight
20:54lustrous pearls scattered
20:55across the floor.
20:56A few rolled
20:56through the open archway.
20:57Then I'll give you
20:58the bracelet from my own wrist.
21:00Why?
21:00The man I spent six years
21:02paying off in blood
21:02and humiliation.
21:03He murdered his own family
21:05and framed my brother for it.
21:06My brother Jack
21:07was behind the wheel
21:08the night eight members
21:09of the Pierce family died.
21:10The only survivor
21:11was Liam Pierce
21:12and he made us pay
21:13for all of it.
21:14The pressure was too much
21:15for my parents.
21:16They jumped from the roof
21:17of the company building.
21:18Then he sold me
21:19to his creditors
21:19to settle the debt.
21:21Six years.
21:21I stared at her stomach.
21:23She wasn't showing yet
21:24but the word landed
21:25like a punch.
21:26Baby.
21:27Your brother wiped out
21:28my entire family.
21:29Isn't that enough?
21:30Why are you-
21:31At the auction
21:32I was locked in a cage.
21:33I bid one hundred thousand dollars.
21:35Two hundred thousand.
21:36This bitch is mine tonight.
21:38Five hundred thousand.
21:39Poffer,
21:40if you have no money
21:41don't even think
21:42about wanting a woman.
21:43My emotions
21:44were on the verge
21:44of collapse.
21:45I never could have imagined
21:46that the man who vowed
21:47to marry no one but me
21:48would plot to destroy
21:49my entire family.
21:52I swear I will exact
21:53my revenge.
21:54My brother Jack
21:55was behind the wheel
21:55the night eight members
21:56of the Pierce family died.
21:58The only survivor
21:58was Liam Pierce
21:59and he made us pay
22:01for all of it.
22:06That same day
22:07he called off
22:08our engagement.
22:09One week later
22:10my family's company
22:11was bankrupt.
22:12Nine hundred million dollars
22:13in debt.
22:14Jack got 15 years.
22:17The pressure was too much
22:18for my parents.
22:19They jumped from the roof
22:20of the company building
22:21and died on the fact.
22:23On the day of their funeral
22:24Liam forced Jack's wife
22:25to marry him.
22:26This is what your family owes me.
22:28You'll be paying it back
22:29for the rest of your lives.
22:31Then he sold me
22:32to his creditors
22:32to settle the debt.
22:33Six years.
22:36All because I believed
22:37we owed him.
22:38I truly thought
22:38this was justice.
22:39The day I paid off
22:40the last cent
22:41I went straight to his office.
22:42Not to fight.
22:43To beg.
22:45I just wanted him
22:46to show mercy
22:47and set Sarah free.
22:48My hand was on the door
22:49when I heard his voice inside.
22:51He was on the phone
22:52with his oldest friend.
22:53You rigged Jack's car.
22:54You used him
22:55to wipe out your own family
22:56so you could take the empire.
22:58You got everything you wanted.
22:59The company.
23:00The woman you always loved.
23:01So why won't you
23:02just let Olivia go?
23:03You grew up together.
23:05How can you be this cold?
23:06If it weren't for her
23:07Sarah and I
23:08would have been together
23:08years ago.
23:09She forced her way
23:10into my life.
23:11Everything she's going
23:12through now
23:13she brought it on herself.
23:14The man I spent
23:15six years paying off
23:16in blood and humiliation.
23:17He murdered his own family
23:19and framed my brother for it.
23:20I turned to run.
23:22Who's out there?
23:23The door flew open
23:24before I could move.
23:25Liam scanned the hallway.
23:27Cold.
23:28Methodical.
23:28When he didn't see anyone
23:29he slammed it shut dot.
23:31I stayed pressed
23:32against the wall.
23:33Hand over my mouth.
23:34Not breathing.
23:35We grew up together.
23:36Liam and I.
23:37He remembered every birthday.
23:39Every gift was exactly
23:40what I'd wanted.
23:40He used to protect me
23:42like it was his only job
23:43in the world.
23:43If I hadn't heard it myself
23:45I never would have believed it.
23:47That the boy I grew up with
23:48had murdered his own family.
23:49To get revenge on me.
23:50To seize the family empire.
23:52Thought I owed him.
23:53I was paying off a debt
23:54that never existed.
23:55I dug my nails into my palms
23:57until I felt blood.
23:58I didn't let myself cry.
24:00I just walked.
24:01I was almost at the exit
24:02when I heard my name.
24:03Olivia?
24:04Olivia?
24:05Is that really you?
24:07Sarah.
24:07My sister-in-law.
24:09Designer clothes.
24:10Flawless.
24:11Six years hadn't touched her at all.
24:13Her eyes looked warm
24:14but when she reached for my hand
24:15I caught it.
24:16Just for a second.
24:18Sarah frowned.
24:20Why didn't you tell me
24:20you were back?
24:21Liam said you've been abroad
24:23this whole time.
24:24Recovering.
24:25Are you feeling better?
24:27Recovering?
24:28Six years of being treated
24:29like I wasn't a person.
24:31And that's the story
24:32he gave her.
24:33It's been so hard, hasn't it?
24:35When everything happened
24:36Liam told me the only way
24:38to clear your family's debt
24:39was if I married him.
24:40I didn't have a choice.
24:42You don't still blame me.
24:44Do you?
24:45She was just a woman
24:47caught in the same storm.
24:48Even if she knew the truth
24:49what could she have done
24:50against him?
24:51I was about to let her
24:52keep the lie.
24:53Then a voice came from behind me
24:54like a blade.
24:56Who gave you permission
24:57to be here?
24:58The look he gave me
24:59pure contempt.
25:00I'm leaving.
25:01Right now.
25:02Stay.
25:03Six years of fear
25:04doesn't just disappear.
25:05I couldn't even meet his eyes.
25:07He turned to Sarah
25:08his voice dropping soft.
25:10You look pale.
25:11What did she say to you?
25:12Sarah's face shifted.
25:14A small wince.
25:16It's not Olivia's fault.
25:17It's just that it reminded me
25:19of something unpleasant
25:20and then
25:21the baby in my welly
25:22kicked me.
25:23I stared at her stomach.
25:25She wasn't showing yet.
25:26But the word landed
25:27like a punch.
25:28Baby.
25:30Your brother wiped out
25:31my entire family.
25:32Isn't that enough?
25:33Why are you still here
25:34making things worse for Sarah?
25:35What, do you still think
25:36you'll take Sarah's place?
25:39Let me make this clear.
25:41That will never happen.
25:42Not in this life.
25:44It should have hurt.
25:45But I'd been in so much pain
25:46for so long
25:47that I barely felt it.
25:49That's not why I'm here.
25:50He stepped closer.
25:52Then why are you here?
25:55I'm warning you.
25:56If anything happens
25:57to Sarah or this baby,
25:59I will hold you responsible
26:00with your life.
26:07At the auction,
26:08I was locked in a cage.
26:09I bid $100,000.
26:11$200,000.
26:12This bitch is mine tonight.
26:14$500,000.
26:15Poffer,
26:16if you have no money,
26:17don't even think about
26:18wanting a woman.
26:19My emotions were
26:20on the verge of collapse.
26:21I never could have imagined
26:22that the man who vowed
26:23to marry no one but me
26:24would plot to destroy
26:25my entire family.
26:28I swear I will exact
26:29my revenge.
26:30My brother Jack
26:31was behind the wheel
26:31the night eight members
26:32of the Pierce family died.
26:33The only survivor
26:34was Liam Pierce.
26:35And he made us pay
26:36for all of it.
26:42That same day,
26:43he called off our engagement.
26:44One week later,
26:46my family's company
26:46was bankrupt.
26:48$900,000,000 in debt.
26:50Jack got 15 years.
26:53The pressure was too much
26:54for my parents.
26:55They jumped from the roof
26:56of the company building
26:57and died on the fact.
26:58On the day of their funeral,
27:00Liam forced Jack's wife
27:01to marry him.
27:02This is what your family owes me.
27:04You'll be paying it back
27:05for the rest of your lives.
27:06Then he sold me
27:07to his creditors
27:08to settle the debt.
27:09Six years.
27:11All because I believed
27:13we owed him.
27:13I truly thought
27:14this was justice.
27:15The day I paid off
27:16the last cent,
27:17I went straight to his office.
27:18Not to fight.
27:19To beg.
27:21I just wanted him
27:22to show mercy
27:23and set Sarah free.
27:24My hand was on the door
27:25when I heard his voice inside.
27:27He was on the phone
27:28with his oldest friend.
27:29You rigged Jack's car.
27:30You used him
27:31to wipe out your own family
27:32so you could take the empire.
27:34You got everything you wanted.
27:35The company.
27:35The woman you always loved.
27:37So why won't you
27:38just let Olivia go?
27:39You grew up together.
27:41How can you be this cold?
27:42If it weren't for her,
27:43Sarah and I
27:43would have been together
27:44years ago.
27:45She forced her way
27:46into my life.
27:47Everything she's going through now,
27:49she brought it on herself.
27:50The man I spent six years
27:51paying off in blood
27:52and humiliation.
27:53He murdered his own family
27:54and framed my brother for it.
27:56I turned to run.
27:57Who's out there?
27:58The door flew open
28:00before I could move.
28:01Liam scanned the hallway.
28:02Cold.
28:03Methodical.
28:04When he didn't see anyone,
28:05he slammed it shut dot.
28:07I stayed pressed against the wall,
28:09hand over my mouth,
28:10not breathing.
28:10We grew up together,
28:12Liam and I.
28:13He remembered every birthday.
28:14Every gift was exactly
28:15what I'd wanted.
28:16He used to protect me
28:17like it was his only job
28:19in the world.
28:19If I hadn't heard it myself,
28:21I never would have believed it.
28:22That the boy I grew up with
28:24had murdered his own family.
28:25To get revenge on me.
28:26To seize the family empire.
28:28Thought I owed him.
28:29I was paying off a debt
28:30that never existed.
28:31I dug my nails into my palms
28:33until I felt blood.
28:34I didn't let myself cry.
28:35I just walked.
28:37I was almost at the exit
28:38when I heard my name.
28:39Olivia?
28:40Olivia?
28:41Is that really you?
28:42Sarah.
28:43My sister-in-law.
28:45Designer clothes.
28:46Flawless.
28:47Six years hadn't touched her at all.
28:49Her eyes looked warm,
28:50but when she reached for my hand,
28:52I caught it.
28:52Just for a second,
28:54Sarah frowned.
28:56Why didn't you tell me
28:56you were back?
28:57Liam said you've been abroad
28:59this whole time.
29:00Recovering.
29:01Are you feeling better?
29:03Recovering?
29:04Six years of being treated
29:05like I wasn't a person.
29:07And that's the story
29:08he gave her.
29:09It's been so hard, hasn't it?
29:11When everything happened,
29:13Liam told me the only way
29:14to clear your family's debt
29:15was if I married him.
29:16I didn't have a choice.
29:18You don't still blame me,
29:20do you?
29:21She was just a woman
29:22caught in the same storm.
29:24Even if she knew the truth,
29:25what could she have done
29:26against him?
29:27I was about to let her
29:28keep the lie.
29:29Then a voice came from behind me,
29:31like a blade.
29:32Who gave you permission
29:33to be here?
29:34The look he gave me,
29:35pure contempt.
29:36I'm leaving.
29:37Right now.
29:38Stay.
29:39Six years of fear
29:40doesn't just disappear.
29:41I couldn't even meet his eyes.
29:43He turned to Sarah,
29:44his voice dropping soft.
29:45You look pale.
29:47What did she say to you?
29:48Sarah's face shifted,
29:50a small wince.
29:52It's not Olivia's fault.
29:53It's just that it reminded me
29:55of something unpleasant,
29:56and then the baby
29:58in my welly kicked me.
29:59I stared at her stomach.
30:01She wasn't showing yet,
30:02but the word landed
30:03like a punch.
30:04Baby.
30:05Your brother wiped out
30:07my entire family.
30:08Isn't that enough?
30:09Why are you still here
30:10making things worse for Sarah?
30:11What, do you still think
30:12you'll take Sarah's place?
30:15Let me make this clear.
30:17That will never happen.
30:18Not in this life.
30:20It should have hurt,
30:21but I'd been in so much pain
30:22for so long
30:23that I barely felt it.
30:25That's not why I'm here.
30:26He stepped closer.
30:28Then why are you here?
30:31I'm warning you.
30:32If anything happens
30:33to Sarah or this baby,
30:34I will hold you responsible
30:36with your life.
30:39When I opened my eyes again,
30:41I was standing under
30:41the blazing Louisiana sun,
30:42my chest beating
30:43with a second chance.
30:44The day before
30:44my freshman orientation,
30:45I stood in an underground clinic,
30:47asked a person in scrubs
30:48to remove my uterus.
30:50Memories of my past life
30:51surged in like a swamp tide.
30:52I remember those 18 pregnancies
30:54and pushed me down the stairs.
30:55I smiled.
30:56Without a uterus,
30:56no womb-binding curse
30:57can find anywhere to attach.
30:58That night at the freshman bonfire,
30:59I took a sip
31:00and immediately knew
31:00something was wrong.
31:01I spit it out,
31:01but too late.
31:02Erin LaFontaine
31:02was a woman in her 40s.
31:03The womb-binding curse
31:04is an ancient bio-magic,
31:05but without a womb
31:06to attach to,
31:06the curse is adrift in your blood.
31:07My body began to gain weight
31:08uncontrollably.
31:09I gained a-
31:09His throat moving with a low sigh.
31:11Deep in his pupils
31:11flashed a silver-blue light.
31:13At the same time,
31:14in the dorm,
31:14I slept soundly,
31:15completely unaware
31:16of the approaching danger.
31:17Suddenly,
31:17a silver-blue light materialized.
31:19It was searching for something.
31:20Something had burrowed inside.
31:22I didn't know yet.
31:23The day before
31:24my freshman orientation,
31:25I stood in an underground clinic
31:26on the edge of the French Quarter,
31:28asked a person in scrubs
31:29to remove my uterus.
31:31In the last moment
31:32before anesthesia took effect,
31:34memories of my past life
31:35surged in like a swamp
31:36tide.
31:37I remember those 18 pregnancies.
31:39Each time,
31:40the swelling came without reason.
31:42Each time,
31:42my body was nurturing a life
31:43that could never be mine.
31:45I remember the black smoke
31:46from those miscarriages,
31:47thick as tar,
31:48stinking of swamp muck.
31:50I remember my parents' faces
31:51at the hospital door.
31:52I have no daughter
31:54as shameless as you.
31:55I remember Caleb's voice,
31:56his well-rehearsed disgust.
31:57Why don't you just die,
31:58you shameless whore?
31:59I remembered losing my scholarship,
32:01every whisper in the hallway.
32:02I remembered kneeling before Moira,
32:03begging her to tell the truth.
32:04Begging her to tell the truth.
32:05She lowered her eyes,
32:06the hint of a smile on her lips.
32:07I remember at the end,
32:07she put her hands on my chest
32:08and pushed me down the stairs.
32:09My postpartum body
32:10didn't even have time to cry out.
32:11Blood spread from the back of my head
32:12and drowned out all sound.
32:13When I opened my eyes again,
32:14I was standing under the blazing
32:15Louisiana sun in late August,
32:16clutching my orientation form,
32:17my chest beating
32:18with a second chance.
32:19Miss Holloway,
32:20your cervix shows mild lesions,
32:21but not nearly enough
32:22to warrant removing
32:22your entire uterus.
32:23At your age,
32:23this surgery is unnecessary.
32:24I understand.
32:25It would be permanent.
32:25I won't have it any, Dren.
32:26Ever.
32:27There are some things in this world
32:28I would rather never take root
32:28inside my body.
32:29Her expression flickered for a moment.
32:31Some kind of understanding.
32:3272 hours later,
32:33I woke from anesthesia.
32:34There was a new scar below my belly
32:36and inside me,
32:36a silence I had never known before.
32:38Right before the anesthesia
32:38pulled me back into darkness,
32:39I smiled.
32:40Without a uterus,
32:41no wound-binding curse
32:41can find anywhere to attach.
32:42Let Moira Vance
32:43try to transfer her next monster
32:44into my body.
32:45Let her try.
32:46Less than three hours
32:47after returning to the dorm,
32:48Moira Vance took my arm
32:49and said those words.
32:50In the other life,
32:50those words began my slow death.
32:52I pulled my arm back.
32:53I have a boyfriend, Moira.
32:54Caleb?
32:54Caleb doesn't count.
32:55I'm talking about experiences
32:56that can change you.
32:57Another roommate, Daphne,
32:58a straightforward girl from Baton Rouge,
32:59looked up from her textbook.
33:00Such outdated fear.
33:00We're college students now.
33:01We should learn to embrace new worlds,
33:02not tremble at old rules.
33:03Take these.
33:04Call it my apology,
33:04ancestral to swamp recipe.
33:05Made with coral powder,
33:06and other ingredients my grandmother
33:08taught me to harvest from the swamp.
33:09I've drank a cup before bed.
33:10Was there long before
33:10or Louisiana weed won't touch your skin?
33:11Daphne and the other two roommates
33:12couldn't wait to brew the tea.
33:14A smell filled the room.
33:15Floral, mineral,
33:16and something deeper,
33:16like wet earth
33:17after floodwaters receipt,
33:18like something kept too long
33:19in the dark.
33:20I stared at the rising steam,
33:22turning over the word
33:22Moila had used.
33:23Harvest.
33:24In my past life,
33:25I would have thought
33:25she meant herbs.
33:26Now I knew she meant something else.
33:27Now I knew she meant something else.
33:28Mira,
33:29you're the only one
33:30who hasn't had any.
33:31I can't drink herbal tea.
33:32I'm allergic.
33:33When did you become allergic?
33:34Six weeks ago,
33:35I saw you pour something
33:35into a water bottle.
33:36After that,
33:37my body began to change.
33:38I'm not allergic,
33:38I just don't like it.
33:39Her lower lip trembled.
33:41A perfect performance.
33:42I brought these all the way from home.
33:43Just take one sip, okay?
33:44Mira,
33:45it's just a cup of tea.
33:45Don't be so dramatic.
33:46I met Moila's sex spectate
33:47glycerine gaze into the sink,
33:48then poured that moment.
33:48A crack appeared in her mask.
33:50Deep in her eyes,
33:50I saw something far older than 18,
33:51something that had traded pieces of itself
33:52in darkness for countless years.
33:53My grandmother would be sad.
33:55I'll write her an apology letter.
33:56I grabbed my bag and turned away.
33:59Behind me,
34:00Moila's gaze pressed between
34:01my shoulder blades like a knife.
34:05I'm not allergic.
34:09That night at the freshman bonfire,
34:10someone handed me
34:11an ice-cold bottle of water.
34:12I took a sip
34:12and immediately knew
34:13something was wrong.
34:13That damp, earthy taste.
34:14That mineral smell.
34:15I spit it out,
34:16but too late.
34:16A big mouthful had already gone down.
34:17Across the fair,
34:18Moira raised her own bottle
34:19and a toast toward me.
34:19For the next day,
34:20in the bathroom,
34:20trying to expel what I had swallowed
34:21along with the fear in my memory.
34:34Moira didn't come back
34:35to the dorm that night.
34:36I lay in my narrow bed,
34:37listening to Daphne's steady feet
34:38on the floor.
34:38I kept my breathing steady,
34:39my eyes closed.
34:40Through my lashes,
34:40I saw Moira emerge from the darkness.
34:42Then Biswina bought her shoulders,
34:43the skin tightened,
34:44smoothed,
34:44erased every pore and flaw.
34:45She was growing more beautiful,
34:46more unworldly,
34:47less human.
34:48Suddenly, I understood everything.
34:49The thing I died
34:49without knowing in my past life.
34:50What the loop Gargi really wanted
34:51wasn't Moira's body,
34:52it wanted the act itself.
34:52Without his shell,
34:53she put with it
34:53in a bokeh degree of degree
34:54human warmth.
34:54In return,
34:54it gave her beauty,
34:55power,
34:55and when she needed to repay
34:56a debt for feeding child,
34:56a mutant feudist
34:57that would destroy a normal womb,
34:58a child transferred into my body
34:59in my past life.
34:59Come on, Moira,
34:59try to plant your next monster
35:00inside my body.
35:01Let's see where you can put it this time.
35:02Her gaze left the mirror
35:02and fixed directly on my bed.
35:04My breathing stayed steady,
35:05my eyes stayed closed.
35:06After a moment,
35:07I heard her climb into her own bed.
35:08The springs creaked,
35:09the room fell silent.
35:11Outside the dorm window,
35:11deep in this voice,
35:12sounded like hunger,
35:13like a contract,
35:14like an unquenchable desire.
35:15The day after orientation week ended,
35:17I didn't go to class.
35:17I went to the university hospital's
35:18pathology department
35:19and asked for a full blood workup.
35:20Six visils of blood.
35:21As I walked out of the hospital,
35:22the sun was setting along the Mississippi,
35:23but under blood in my picture
35:24in the Tech New Orleans
35:24found something unusual.
35:25I asked to see the slices myself.
35:27Under the microscope,
35:27not bacteria,
35:28not viruses.
35:29They were curled,
35:30pointed at both ends
35:30like rolled dead leaves.
35:31Each shell was carved
35:32with a barely visible pattern,
35:33curse residue.
35:34I sent the photos to someone
35:35I'd been in contact with online
35:36for a month.
35:36Erin Lafont,
35:37a special case consultant
35:38for the New Orleans Police Department,
35:39whose badge number
35:39was marked veil related.
35:40The email reply was just one word,
35:42meet.
35:43Erin Lafont was a woman in her 40s.
35:44She was sitting in an old cafe
35:45in the French Quarter
35:46in plain clothes.
35:46The silver amulet around her neck
35:47was the same style
35:48as the one the underground clinic doctor wore.
35:50She flipped through the copies
35:50of my lab reports
35:51without speaking for a long time.
35:52What else have you been exposed to?
35:53I told her everything.
35:54Moira's bone tea,
35:55the tampered water bottle,
35:55and the marks on her shoulders that night.
35:56Lafont was silent for a moment
35:57then slid her phone across to me.
35:58On the screen was a scan
35:59of an old engraving.
36:00A woman lay on a bed,
36:00her belly swollen,
36:01surrounded by robed pimples.
36:08Her gaze fell on the oldest defenses
36:09and stayed there for several seconds.
36:10This is one of the oldest defenses
36:11and the most brutal.
36:12But guess what, Miss Holloway?
36:13It worked.
36:14The womb-binding curse
36:15is an ancient bio-magic
36:16so old that it recognizes only a womb.
36:17Once it can't find one,
36:18it's like a key without a lock.
36:19It can't complete the transfer
36:20and within three weeks
36:21it will degrade in your body.
36:22What if it finds another way to attach?
36:24Lafontaine stared into my eyes
36:26and slowly smiled.
36:28So from today,
36:29I'll teach you how to make sure
36:30the curse never finds its footing again.
36:37Over the next month,
36:38my body began to gain weight uncontrollably.
36:40I gained over 10 pounds in a month,
36:41my belly clearly swollen.
36:43I could hear the whispers
36:43from classmates as I walked by.
36:45Mira, have you seen Caleb's lately?
36:46No, we've been busy with competitions
36:48and haven't been in touch.
36:49Daphne's gaze flicked over my belly,
36:50hesitating to speak.
36:51That afternoon,
36:52in the library stairwell,
36:53I suddenly smelled a swampy odor.
36:54The nausea hit my throat.
36:55I rushed into the bathroom
36:56and vomited for five minutes.
36:57When I came out,
36:58several girls were watching me
36:59from the end of the hall.
36:59I knew those looks too well.
37:00In my past life,
37:01they followed me until death.
37:02Back in my dorm,
37:02there was a note on my bed,
37:03scrubbled but very recognizable.
37:05Now I knew she meant something else.
37:06Mira,
37:07you're the only one who hasn't had any.
37:09I can't drink herbal tea.
37:10I'm allergic.
37:11When did you become allergic?
37:12Six weeks ago,
37:13I saw you pour something
37:13into a water bottle.
37:14After that,
37:14my body began to change.
37:15I'm not allergic,
37:16I just don't like it.
37:17Her lower lip trembled.
37:18A perfect performance.
37:19I brought these all the way from home.
37:21Just take one sip, okay?
37:22Mira, it's just a cup of tea.
37:23Don't be so dramatic.
37:24I met Moila's sex-spect
37:24at glycering gaze into the sink.
37:25Then poured that moment.
37:26A crack appeared in her mask.
37:27Deep in her eyes,
37:28I saw something far older than 18.
37:29Something that had traded pieces of itself
37:30in darkness for countless years.
37:31My grandmother would be sad.
37:32I'll write her an apology letter.
37:34I grabbed my bag and turned away.
37:37Behind me,
37:38Moira's gaze pressed
37:39between my shoulder blades
37:40like a knife.
37:47That night at the freshman bonfire,
37:48someone handed me
37:49an ice-cold bottle of water.
37:49I took a sip
37:50and immediately knew
37:50something was wrong.
37:51That damp, earthy taste.
37:52That mineral smell.
37:53I spit it out, but too late.
37:54A big mouthful had already gone down.
37:55Across the fair,
37:55Moira raised her own bottle
37:56in a toast toward me.
37:57For the next day,
37:57in the bathroom,
37:58trying to expel
37:58what I had swallowed
37:59along with the fear in my memory.
38:00Oh.
38:12Moira didn't come back
38:13to the dorm that night.
38:13I lay in my narrow bed,
38:14listening to Daphne's
38:15steady feet on the floor.
38:16I kept my breathing steady,
38:17my eyes closed.
38:17Through my lashes,
38:18I saw Moira emerge
38:19from the darkness.
38:20Then Biswina bought her shoulders,
38:21the skin tightened,
38:21smoothed,
38:22erased every pore and flaw.
38:23She was growing more beautiful,
38:24more unworldly,
38:25less human.
38:25Suddenly I understood everything.
38:26The thing I'd died
38:27without knowing in my past life.
38:28What the Luke Gargi really wanted
38:29wasn't Moira's body,
38:29it wanted the act itself.
38:30Without his exaltry,
38:30she puffed with it
38:31in a bokeh degree of degree
38:31of human warmth.
38:32In return,
38:32it gave her beauty,
38:33power,
38:33and when she needed
38:33to repay a debt
38:34for feeding child.
38:34A mutant feudist
38:35that would destroy
38:35a normal womb.
38:36A child transferred
38:36into my body
38:36in my past life.
38:37Come on Moira,
38:37try to plant your next monster
38:38inside my body.
38:38Let's see where you can put it this time.
38:39Her gaze left the mirror
38:40and fixed directly on my bed.
38:41My breathing stayed steady,
38:42my eyes stayed closed.
38:44After a moment,
38:44I heard her climb
38:45into her own bed.
38:46The springs creaked,
38:47the room fell silent.
38:48Outside the dorm window,
38:49deep in the cell,
38:50voice sounded like hunger,
38:51like a contract,
38:52like an unquenchable desire.
38:53The day after orientation week ended,
38:54I didn't go to class.
38:55I went to the university hospital's
38:56pathology department
38:57and asked for a full blood workup.
38:58Six visils of blood.
38:58As I walked out of the hospital,
39:00the sun was setting
39:00along the Mississippi,
39:01but under blood in the mic
39:01which in the tech New Orleans
39:02found something unusual.
39:03I asked to see the slices myself.
39:04Under the microscope,
39:05not bacteria,
39:06not viruses.
39:07They were curled,
39:07pointed at both ends
39:08like rolled dead leaves.
39:09Each shell was carved
39:10with a barely visible pattern,
39:11curse residue.
39:12I sent the photos to someone
39:12I'd been in contact with
39:13online for a month,
39:14Erin LaFont,
39:15a special case consultant
39:15for the New Orleans Police Department,
39:17whose badge number
39:17was marked Vale related.
39:18The email reply was just one word,
39:20meet.
39:20Erin LaFontaine was a woman
39:21in her forties.
39:22She was sitting in an old cafe
39:23in the French Quarter
39:23in plain clothes.
39:24The silver amulet around her neck
39:25was the same style
39:26as the one the underground
39:26clinic doctor wore.
39:27She flipped through the copies
39:28of my lab reports
39:29without speaking for a long time.
39:30What else have you been exposed to?
39:31I told her everything.
39:31Moira's bone tea,
39:32the tampered water bottle,
39:33and the marks on her shoulders
39:34that night.
39:34LaFontaine was silent for a moment
39:35then slid her phone across to me.
39:36On the screen was a scan
39:37of an old engraving.
39:37A woman lay on a bed,
39:38her belly swollen,
39:38surrounded by robed pimples.
39:39Through the gaps,
39:39you could see things moving
39:40under...
39:40She pointed to the engravings.
39:41Someone used it on you,
39:42but without a womb
39:43to attach to,
39:43the curse is adrift in your blood.
39:44No uterus.
39:45I had it removed.
39:46Her gaze fell on the oldest defenses
39:47and stayed there for several seconds.
39:48This is one of the oldest defenses
39:49and the most brutal.
39:50But guess what,
39:50Miss Holloway?
39:51It worked.
39:52The womb-binding curse
39:52is an ancient bio-magic
39:53so old that it recognizes
39:54only a womb.
39:55Once it can't find one,
39:56it's like a key without a lock.
39:57It can't complete the transfer
39:58and within three weeks
39:58it will degrade in your body.
40:00What if it finds another way
40:01to attach?
40:02LaFontaine stared into my eyes
40:03and slowly smiled.
40:05So from today,
40:07I'll teach you how to make sure
40:08the curse never finds
40:09its footing again.
40:15Over the next month,
40:16my body began to gain weight
40:17uncontrollably.
40:18I gained over 10 pounds
40:18in a month,
40:19my belly clearly swollen.
40:20I could hear the whispers
40:21from classmates as I walked by.
40:22Mira, have you seen Caleb's lately?
40:24No.
40:24We've been busy with competitions
40:25and haven't been in touch.
40:26Daphne's gaze flicked over my belly,
40:28hesitating to speak.
40:29That afternoon,
40:29in the library stair hill,
40:30I suddenly smelled a swampy odor.
40:32The nausea hit my throat.
40:33I rushed into the bathroom
40:34and vomited for five minutes.
40:35When I came out,
40:35several girls were watching me
40:36from the end of the hall.
40:37I knew those looks too well.
40:38In my past life,
40:39they followed me until death.
40:40Back in my dorm,
40:40there was a note on my bed,
40:42unrecognizable.