Chapter thirty seven

  Maisy

  The darkness cloaked the bloodshed between strong felines. One clothed in light, The other in darkness. Breathing heavily, I watched the clothed beast tear each other skin off. I made out human physique from within the animal skin and continued watching as they both tore their way out of the animal skin. The white wolf was Eric. The black wolf was Conrad. I could see the hate in both their faces as they charged on each other the second time to finish the job. However the light seared through the darkness. Plastic melted and the true monster was exposed. The blood brother.

"Anthony!"I squirmed.

My eyes were heavy hut I could tell I was in bed. It was just a dream. A really strange one. I remembered Conrad's face melting to reveal Anthony under a mask.

"You look tense. Is this bad timing?" Someone noted making me jerk.

I wasn't aware someone was here. It was Conrad but the instant I saw his almost transparent blue skin, I knew what the dream might have meant.

"Conrad? W-hat happened to you?" I inquired.

It was shocking to see someone I saved a day before dead. Did he know it?

"I don't know. I keep getting these flashes but... I can't be dead. I'm Conrad." He stuttered.

It must be a really frightening moment for him. I didn't know what to say but from what I knew, He could only be in the mortal realm if he had unfinished business so I had to ask.

"How did you die?"

"I remember leaving the Kingdom to escape the Chimera..."

"It's alive?"

"While you've been sleeping Maisy, a lot has happened. Emilia is dead."

"Good Lord. Were you killed by it?"

"No. Someone did. I can't just can't remember who."

"Ok but you remember why they killed you right?"

I didn't believe I could sound this insensitive but what could I do?  He was dead already. The least I could do was find out why.

"I remember... They didn't want you interfering."

Interfering? How... No! It hit me hard. Conrad died because of me. Whoever did this didn't want me for obvious reasons and since I was bound to Nodith as long as Conrad was still alive. That would also mean whoever did this was dangerous. Why would they not want me here anyway?

"You have to recall something about the murderer. Conrad, Try!"

"I can't. It just not coming."

Tatia had mentioned something about that. Apparently, there were restrictions placed on spirits to keep the mortal realm in balance. Long story short, Conrad was basically useless and he couldn't leave until his murder was avenged, At least that was what was registered in my head.

"Does it hurt knowing you're dead?" I asked, my eyes pooling with tears.

I wasn't close to him and I knew he only conversed with me to spite Eric but I was human, I felt that way.

"I don't know. No one really cares what happens to me. I'm the bastard son."

Touchè. I noticed he carried that reputation. He seemed to hate it but it had been a title he had refused to let go.

"You're no bastard. There are people who care. If you stay long enough, You just might find out."

He smiled, It wasn't the mischievous one I had usually seen plastered on his face. This looked genuine.

"Thanks. I might..." He then stopped looking at me strangely.

"Are you okay?" I asked, getting off the bed.

"I just feel weird." He answered. He stretched out his hands and as if on cue, They burst into flames. Bright blue cackling ones that burnt through his spirit.

"What's happening?" I asked, afraid and worried sick.

As the flame spread to his body, I noticed the part where they started from we're gone, erased from existence.

"I think he knows I'm here. He doesn't want me here." Conrad theorized.

"What? No! You can't go."

"It's not like I have a choice." He retorted. I saw the pain in his eyes as the fire continued to burn the cord his spirit clenched on to.

"I remember something."

"What?" I managed to say without choking.

This was difficult. I just couldn't take it.

"Something about my killer was he mentioned Valentine." Those were the last words Conrad said before he vanished.

The feeling of grief intensified and I wept. He had to be avenged. This was every form of wrong. I swore I would find his killer but to begin, I needed to know this Valentine.

***

Eric

I left Osei to the spot where the Chimera was buried and shocking, it was upheaved.

Someone did this. How else would a shovel be here? Talk about sloppy. Osei continued to use her eagle eye to scan the area but I had already gotten what I was here for. It was the same Chimera. I was lost in my thought before Osei brought my attention to something. I was known to skim the surface but It was unbelievable I missed it the first time. Right in the dirt were sigils.

"So a witch did this?"

"No. That's dumb. During the great hunt, Witches gave up their abilities to hide and those who didn't left the Kingdom. I can boldly say there isn't a single witch in Nodith. Plus these sigils aren't ancient."

"Okay. Does that help us find the culprit?"

"I hate your guts but you're right. However, I do have a clue who might have done this."

"Who?" I inquired.

"A paladin."

"What? The order?"

"God! How stupid are you? The order are retired paladins like myself who believe humanity and supernaturals can coexist as one but one has to rethink these days."

I ignored her insult and focused on the bone of our conversation.

"So why would you think a paladin would do this?"

" We were trained to kill all mystics. Vampires, werebears, werewolves, and even Witches. For better results, Some of us resorted to magic and totem. This is a sigil for blood necromancy. Used to reanimate slain soldiers if we were sure to be defeated."

Father had told me the tales against my Mother's wishes. I knew the hell mystics went through when they were up against the former killing machines.

"So the Chimera was reanimated to continue its murderous ways. Who would want that?"

" A lot of paladins were against the treaty made between the order and mystics. You have a lot of enemies your majesty."

That was the first time she had ever respected me or gave me a bit of motherly advice.

"You know I've always had the opinion you hated mystics. I've never known this part of you. You should show it more."

Her reply was a grimace and a "Say that again and I'll show you hate" look.

She looked up and said, "It's almost Dawn. You should head back to the Castle for your speech."

"I totally forgot about that," I admitted and hastily headed to the Quinn Manor.

"But your Majesty, I just want to set something straight." I heard Osei yell.

I turned back to hear what she had to say.

"...I don't hate mystics. I just think it's safer you remained in the shadows."

Osei reminded me of something my mother had said to me a night after I had my first shift. I remembered bragging about how much I wanted to world to see what I could do but she told me, "The world isn't ready for you yet."