Chapter thirty five

Father Nicholas

Finding a dead body in the middle of nowhere would a hurdle on normal days but with the fire that burned inside, This was no normal night.  The hurricane lamp flickered as the strength of the wind intensified threatening to leave me in darkness if I didn't put an end to this insanity.

The gods didn't even put an effort, not with their grandmaster by my side. The smell of fresh dirt hit home. I dropped the lamp to inspect the disheveled earth.

This had to be the spot.

Using every fiber of my being, I hit the earth with the shovel, continuing to upheave the wet dirt until I finally struck flesh.

"That has to hurt."

With caution, I used the shovel's tip to carve a sigil to the earth. The symbol glowed, giving a dull purple glow. It meant her spirit was still bound to the mundane realm. That done, I cut my palm to draw blood and spilled droplets of the crimson red liquid on the crooked body.

"Blood of my blood, Vengeful spirit, I summon thee..." I paused and waited for the usual impiccio. Necromancy was unnatural so nature was sure to put up a fight.

Strange! No lack of air or strange weather. Maybe nature wanted this.

"...Hear my beckoning and step into the light."

This time nature fought back. The greens surrounding me turned black. Nature was snuffing life out of its creation. Being a creature of the divine mother herself, I dropped to the floor literally feeling the life in need gradually draining. It became a huge task to breathe and it worsened. Nature wasn't going to let the abominable repeat itself.  Just when I thought it was over for me, Nature gave up the fight.

"Father." A whisper called out to me.

The earth trembled as she hovered over me.

"Did you do it?" I queried, remaining on the ground trying to gather my strength.

"Yes."

"Good. Happy birthday Valentine."

***

Eric

The guards joined with some female servant escorted the still unconscious Maisy to her room. I headed to the study room to get my thoughts together.

Your brother is not a murderer. You literally grew up with him. Why then would you do this to him?

"My Lord, My lady is awake." A maid informed.

"Thanks. You may leave."

She bowed and excused herself.

I was really in no mood to see anyone but I still needed answers. I got my sorry ass together and headed to Maisy's chambers. In my distress, I forgot to knock which was unusual for me.

"Maisy, we need to talk."

"About what?"

She looked pale and extremely tired but I carried on,

"Did you mean what you said? Is Anthony a murderer?"

Her lips trembled and I could tell she was shocked hearing my question. She, however, masked the truth and tried to mislead me.

"What are you talking about?"

It was a valiant attempt but my wolf senses weren't that shallow.

"Nice try Maisy. I get you want to help but trust me if you want to help this family, the best thing to do is to tell the truth."

"I... Tatia said the spirits could be deceptive. Maybe the spirit just wanted me to make try wrong choice." Maisy said in a breathless whisper, putting her hands on mine before awkwardly withdrawing them.

I wish it was that easy for me to believe but why would the spirit choose Anthony.

Maybe because your suspicions are not far fetched.

Maybe. There was once a time Anthony was reckless Royal. He had someone he actually loved and everyone knows what happened to her. Raped, brutally murdered and set on fire. Everyone knew the gruesome end of Valentine Flament. The question was Did Anthony kill valentine?

"What's on your mind?" Maisy questioned noticing I was wrapped in my own world.

"Nothing." I retorted, "I should leave you to rest now and before I forget, Thank you Maisy."

"If it was you to me. I wouldn't be here." She scoffed.

I expected a smile or a nod. I was being nice after all but she just wouldn't let her walls down.

"Well, I should thank the spirits. You're stuck here Maisy. Get used to the new normal."

"Is that a dare? I can walk out of here at the cost of your step brother's life and it's not my problem."

Her stubbornness put a smirk on my face and made me forget my mental battles for a moment.

"Well, you're forgetting three things Maisy. One is, I'm about to crowned Prince and I basically rule here. Two is, My stepbrother is a maniac who would do anything to survive and if that means you not stepping out of this Kingdom, He'll take a go and trust me you don't want to mess with that bad wolf."

"And three?" She inquired, definitely enjoying our stupid conversation.

I leaned in and said,

"I know you Maisy. You're a lover, not a murderer."

My senses caught the tingling sensation my voice sent to her body. The scent, the faster heartbeat, The Sweet discomfort. This moment could last forever. My head played all the dirty ways this encounter could end up too arousing the inner beast. At least, we agreed on something for the first time. With time, her heartbeat slowed down and she replied,

"You should be saying that to your new wife to be. So, leave a girl to rest. She has a had a long weird and disturbing night. So if you don't mind, I suggest you try to find out what terrible things your brother might have done."

"She's lying.", My wolf growled. "Take her now!"

Tempting offer but I had something called self-control and that last part was definitely put in to hurt me. Sadly, He did not. It only proved no matter the crazy shit happening, Maisy just couldn't seem to hate me. So she did the only sane thing she could muster, push me away.

An enigma indeed.

***

Anthony

Unbelievable! I couldn't believe Eric would abandon me. Now I had to be in the same carriage with the visibly angry sisters. We got into the vehicle, shielding inside with the leather curtains.

"Where is your brother by the way? Did you have to whisk us out of there just when the Duchess of Withall arrived?" They continued to grumble in the carriage.

"It's late. You know this place isn't safe at night." I retorted.

"Didn't you say inside that the chimera is dead?"

"True." I admitted, "But can you just agree on something with me. You are my wife and you should be supportive."

"Okay." Emilia shot back just as I heard a sharp scream from outside.

"What was that?" Sara questioned.

"Aaron! Why isn't this thing moving?" I yelled at the rider.

Silence!

I angrily flipped the curtain blocking the outside world and was caught by the gruesome sight. Aaron was a bloody mess of blood and bone. The horses were unusually calm but my senses said otherwise. I looked into the distance and cloaked into the darkness was a pair of blazing orange irises and crimson-stained canines.

I immediately regretted my decision. The girls trembled at the sight and almost immediately, Emilia jolted out.

"Emilia!"

The chimera got it's sight on her and immediately went for the prey. I tried to shift but it just wasn't working so I did the most stupid thing that popped into my head at that moment. I joined the chase.

My eyes burnt with liquid as I tried to catch up with every strength I could sum up. It was useless. I watched the beast get closer to Emilia with each leap and Emilia an inch closer to meeting her maker.

Useless! She'll die just like the rest of them. You couldn't save the one you loved. Why would she be an exemption?, The voices rang into my head and they were right. Emilia's screams for help as she clenched to life hung in the air and I could do nothing but watch. When her screams subsided, The creature snapped her neck off. I watched the detached member roll then it occurred to me that I was next.

I didn't budge. It wasn't the fear. I wanted this, I wanted death. I saw my life flash before my eyes as the chimera crept towards me.

  This was it. I deserved death. For Valentine's death, For Emilia's death. I closed my eyes and waited to meet the feared grim reaper.

I heard scratching but felt no pain. The strangeness of the situation made me open my eyes. The creature wasn't harming me. Instead, It was inscribing something on the floor. I hesitantly looked to see what this mindless creature could be doing. Tears escaped as I read the words, "I, Valentine."