COLD STEEL, BLEEDING HEARTS
The metal burned her skin.
“We have her,” someone said.
They dragged Maya toward a black van. Her head swam. She felt human again—weak, powerless.
As they shoved her inside, she saw her father’s face. He looked ordinary now, standing beside the Chairwoman.
“You did well, Maya,” her father said, voice cold. “The machine stopped your power so we could catch you. Now we’ll take the magic from your body.”
The Chairwoman nodded. “The world doesn’t need a goddess, Maya. It needs a product. You’ll be our best one.”