Chapter 4: The Betrayal Spell

Ezemmuo's Continued His Testimony

The dim, cramped room was thick with tension as Emmanuel and his men grouped together around Chief Ezemmuo, bound to a chair in the middle of the room. The smell of fear and sweat hung in the air, and the flickering shadow of a single lantern spread its fingers across the walls. Emmanuel stood before Ezemmuo, arms folded and face stern. Adebayo and Jonas, behind him, watched intently, their faces unyielding.

"Continue talking my friend!" Emmanuel bawled, his voice high and threatening. "Tell me everything about Leo and what he did to my mother." 

Ezemmuo's face was pale, his earlier bravado now tempered with a hint of fear. He knew he was cornered, and Emmanuel's glare and the sight of the two soldiers were enough to break him. He swallowed a lump and began speaking.

"Leo… he is not human," Ezemmuo breathed, his voice trembling. "He is a master of dark magic. He employs it to control people, to get them to do his bidding. Your mother, Elsie… she was one of his victims."

Emmanuel's jaw tightened, but he did not say a word, allowing Ezemmuo to continue.

"Leo wanted Elsie because she was innocent and beautiful," Ezemmuo explained. "He wanted her as a trophy, something he could possess and control. But she resisted him at first. She was stubborn, like you. So Leo came to me."

Ezemmuo's gaze drifted about the room, as if he could still see the contours of his previous deeds. "I performed the rituals for him. I created black magic that bound Elsie to him, forced her to obey him. It wasn't easy—it took weeks of incantations, sacrifices, and spells. But it succeeded. Elsie was his."

Emmanuel's fists were clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. The thought of his mother being manipulated in such a way infuriated him, but he restrained himself. "Go on," he said grittily.

Ezemmuo swallowed hard. "Leo was content for a while. He had Elsie in his power, and he used her to do his own bidding. But eventually, he grew tired of her. He treated her like garbage. By then, the magic had taken its course with her. Elsie was broken, both body and soul."

The room was silent as the gravity of Ezemmuo's words hit home. Emmanuel's thoughts were filled with visions of his mother—her agony, her suffering, the haunted expression in her eyes. All because of Leo. Because of this man who sat across from him.

Emmanuel's Reaction

Emmanuel took a step closer to Ezemmuo, his anger blazing in his eyes. "You helped him," he growled, shaking with fury. "You used your knowledge of dark magic to destroy my mother's life. How could you do that?"

Ezemmuo flinched, his eyes darting away. "I had no choice," he muttered. "Leo threatened me. He said he would kill me if I did not obey his commands."

"You had a choice," Emmanuel snapped. "You could have refused. You could have fought back. But you didn't. You chose to betray innocent people for your own gain. Did you call my father to tell him? My father was powerful. He could have protected you."

Ezemmuo said nothing, his head bowed. The room was tense with only the heavy breathing of Emmanuel as he struggled to contain his rage. Finally, he turned away, pacing the room as he tried to take in everything that he had just heard.

Adebayo advanced, resting his hand on Emmanuel's shoulder. "We'll make him pay," he hissed. "Leo and Ezemmuo, too. But we have to be careful. We can't let emotions blind us."

Emmanuel nodded, though his heart was still pounding with rage. He glared at Ezemmuo once more, his expression unyielding. "You're going to assist us in bringing Leo out wherever he is. You're going to provide us with everything you know of his business, his weaknesses, his plans. And if you attempt to deceive us, you'll be sorry."

Ezemmuo nodded frantically. "I'll tell you everything. Just please, don't kill me."

Emmanuel's brows furrowed. "Your fate is beyond my control. But if you cooperate, maybe you'll live long enough to be held accountable."

A Mother's Pain

Later in the night, Emmanuel sat by himself on his roof terrace, looking out into the moonlit village. His mind was a whirlpool of feelings—anger, sorrow, and a deep desire for justice. He couldn't help but recall his mother, Elsie, and all she had endured at the hands of Leo and Ezemmuo.

He pulled out his phone and dialed her number. A few rings, and her voice came on, weary and soft. "Emmanuel? Is something wrong?"

"I'm okay, Mama," Emmanuel said, his voice thick with emotion. "I just… I needed to hear your voice."

There was a pause on the other end, and then Elsie's voice came through, trembling. "What's wrong, my son? You sound upset."

Emmanuel took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "I heard more about what had been done to you, Mama. About Leo and the things he'd done. I just… I don't think I can believe you went through all of that alone."

There was a pause as Elsie's breath came in short, sharp gasps. Then, still whispering, she said, "Emmanuel, what did you find out. I didn't want you to open any can of warms about my past relationship with Leo. But it's unfortunately inevitable."

"It's all right, Mama," Emmanuel said resolutely. "It's my responsibility. Leo hurt you, and he hurt Papa. I'm going to make him pay for what he did. I promise you. Did you know you were living under Ezemmuo's spell all the time you were with Leo?"

Elsie's voice broke. "What? Leo cast a spell on me? I knew it! I suspected that some forces beyond my control were manipulating me. A thousand times I would make up my mind to get away from Leo and his men. The next moment I was craving him uncontrollably! Leo is a menace. Please, be careful. I don't want to lose you too."

You won't lose me, Mama," Emmanuel declared, determination in his tone. "I'll come back to you. And when I come back, Leo will be finished."