The Prey That Returned of Its Own Accord

Almost instinctively, Tracy paused.

Like sharp nails scraping a blackboard, a piercing sound stirred her spirituality. Tracy instinctively searched for it, but failed to find the source of that discordant feeling.

She could only turn her gaze to that gentle, beautiful, pale-wait, pale?

Tracy's brow twitched as a memory surfaced. She suddenly remembered that the last time she had spoken with her mother through a mirror, her mother's face had been just as pale. She had even asked about it then, and her mother had apparently said-

"That is none of your concern."

The cold reply surfaced in her mind. Tracy breathed a sigh of relief and looked at that pale, beautiful face again. She tugged at the corners of her mouth, producing a decidedly strained smile.

"Mother."

Her mother nodded gently, casually dropped the book in her hand, and rose with a young girl's grace. Her tone was light.

"I've looked over the situation on your ship-yes, there's no need to worry. Whatever you were planning to do, go ahead."

Those words did not put Tracy at ease. She watched her mother hop down from the chair, the hem of her white robe fluttering to reveal a pair of low-heeled boots of the same color.

She approached with light steps. Tracy raised her gaze, letting it pass over the loose robe before settling on the girl's face.

She was beautiful.

With misty, cool-gray hair, softly sculpted features, and a pair of strange eyes that changed color, she was beautiful even without the allure inherent to a Demoness.

But-

Tracy closed her eyes briefly, her memories returning to a few days earlier.

The girl in the mirror had been lying in an armchair with her legs crossed, turning her head to look at her. As far as Tracy remembered, that