Maya's POV
Maya watched Victoria raise the silver knife toward baby Hope, and something inside her snapped.
Not fear. Not fear. Something much more dangerous.
Pure, loving mother's rage.
"NO!" Maya screamed, and the sound that came out of her throat wasn't fully human.
Victoria stopped, looking surprised. "You're too weak to stop me, Maya. You just gave birth. You can barely sit up."
Maya looked down at Hope in her arms - so tiny, so helpless, so perfect. Then she looked at Emma hiding against the cave wall, and at Kai who could barely stand from the poison.
Her family needed her to be strong. And suddenly, Maya felt stronger than she'd ever felt in her life.
"Put my daughter down and step back," Victoria commanded. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to."
"No," Maya said quietly, standing up. "You won't."
Everyone stared at Maya in shock. She had just given birth minutes ago, but she was standing steady and strong, holding Hope protectively against her chest.
