Day 14: Ghost (Kate and Santanico, post-season 1)
I originally had an idea for Seth and Kate, a sort of fusion with the novel 'Sparrow Hill Road', by Seanan McGuire (one of the most interesting novels I've read in 2014), but since I've fallen behind again, I was pressed for time. So I decided to go with the more metaphorical meaning instead. A slightly different version of this scene will probably pop up in my forthcoming Kate-centric fic.
"I frighten you," Santanico chuckled. "The dreaded gringa Hunter. Is it simply because you know how easily I could kill you?"
Kate shook her head. "When I was in the labyrinth under the Twister, Sex Machine – Professor Tanner - told me that Carlos brought me there on purpose, same as he did Richie and Seth. Said it was because sacrificing me to the Gods would appease them for losing you."
Santanico's lazy expression vanished in less than an eyeblink, and she stared at Kate in something like horror.
"I read Tanner's notes, and I've been studying since, and I paid a lot of attention to what the stories say about the Mistress of the Night. Especially the bits about how you got that way.
"I'm terrified of you... because I think that a very long time ago, you were a lot like me."
"Yes," the culebras queen said slowly. "I think I was."
So, I was sort of aiming for 'ghost of your past'. I firmly believe that Tanner-Carlos deal to sacrifice Kate (and probably those other women) to appease the Lords for losing Santanico was something Carlos came up with on his own; given how much Santanico hates what's been done to her, even now I can't see her being okay with the same thing being done to another young girl.