CHAPTER 4 Morgan Le’fay

I meet her in a bookstore.

Not because I like bookstores.

Because someone posted a message on the forum.

USER: MORGANLEFAY

She works behind the counter.

Dark hair.

Black dress.

Round glasses.

Her eyes are deep purple.

She looks at me like she already knows everything about me.

"You’re Adam," she says.

Not a question.

"Yeah."

"You look exactly like I expected."

I glance at the gothic novels stacked beside her.

"You too."

She smirks slightly.

"What brings the Society's rising executioner to my shop?"

I lean on the counter.

"Books."

"Obviously."

Her sarcasm is surgical.

I like that.

We talk for hours.

About philosophy.

About misanthropy.

About the Society.

Eventually she says something that sticks with me.

"They're losing their purpose."

"Who?"

"The leadership."

She adjusts her glasses.

"The Phantomthornheart Society was meant to punish humanity."

Her voice turns cold.

"But lately… it's just business."

I frown.

She looks straight into my eyes.

"And I hate hypocrites."

For the first time in a long while…

I smile.