Chapter 76 Chapter Seventy-Six
Chapter Seventy-Six
🪯🪯🪯
Mirah
I was about to swing the sword, when a deep voice interrupted.
“Starting the party without me?” The voice was deep, ancient. The chills I felt were the same as the one Zeke's father always induced in me.
We all turned towards the intruder. He looked so familiar, but I was pretty sure I hadn't seen the man before.
“What-” I heard Xavier whisper, and I turned towards him sharply.
His face was ashen, like he'd seen a ghost.
Roanna and the others bowed as the man stopped beside us.
”Hello, Prince Zeke. Or should I say, dear nephew?”
⚓️⚓️⚓️
Zeke
I was convinced that Mirah's sword had something on it. Why else was I seeing my uncle who wasn't supposed to be in existence anymore?
And why was Xavier bowing to him?
My head ached. Of course. I should've known.
“Uncle Xavier?” I whispered.
“Beautiful reunion, I should say.” He spread out his arms, and laughed.
“You were behind all these?” The disbelief in my voice was evident. From the corner of my eye, I could see Qyle looking at my uncle as if he wanted him to drop dead at that moment.
“As you can see. You know, you've always been too smart for your age. I noticed it centuries ago, and I loved it then. But after being thrown out by your father-”
“He didn't throw you out. You killed Mother.” I hissed, my hand tightening on the sword hanging on my waist.
“Is that what they made you believe?” His lips curled, and I was taken aback.
“It’s the truth.” I argued.
“The truth they made you believe, rather.” He scoffed.
I was about to speak, when he cut me off. “The Circle. Bunch of egoistical, power-hungry vampires. Your father knows the truth. But that's not why we are here today.” His face graduated into a nonchalant expression.
“What’s your aim?” Qyle asked.
“Easy, Halfling. I was about to get there.” My uncle said, his eyes flashing with power.
He looked scarier than I'd ever seen him. And taller too. But there was something more to him.
A powerful aura. A dangerous one.
“You have no idea that the Circle has been tailing you, do you? They see you as a threat, which needs to be taken down. This wasn't my plan from the onset.” He paused, and flicked his finger.
“My plan was to get back at your father, kill you, and all others who stand in my way. Return the Source, and assume my position as the rightful king of Weasels.” With each word, his face turned more maniacal.
I glanced at Mirah who was shivering uncontrollably, tears brimming in those pretty eyes of hers.
I knew she hated herself at that moment. Hated herself for being allowed to be used by these inhuman fools.
Hated herself for trying to kill me twice. I could see the raw emotions in her eyes, as she tightened her hold on her sword.
“But I had a beautiful change of plan, when Xavier reported your growing interest in a human girl.” He snorted.
“And I don't understand how you gained the loyalty of a Rogue-brid, and the Evens.” I flashed a brief look at Kaleb, who smirked when his gaze met mine.
I was going to make the bastard pay for his betrayal. Xavier too.
My uncle would be last.
“It was quite simple, you see. They wanted something which I also wanted. And I had more than enough power to take down the Circle. But I wanted to make do with their extra powers.” He shrugged.
“The Circle were behind Mirah trying to stab you with a dagger. Xavier merely used the situation to his advantage.” He said, and my eyes widened.
A part of me wanted to tell him off. Challenge his words, and wave it off as lies. But another part of me knew it could be true.
I'd seen the look in my great-grandfather's eyes that day.
My head felt heavy. I'd always known that the Circle was vicious. I just didn't know to what extent they could go.
“Your human girlfriend here is going to play such a huge role in feeding the Source.” At his words, my heart skipped a beat.
An ominous feeling enveloped me, making sweat trickle down my back.
“What are you talking about?” Kai asked.
“From the look on your face, I can tell you truly don't know what happened centuries ago. Let me break it down to you in a simple form, dear Nephew. I'm going to feed your girlfriend here-” He pointed at a pale-faced Mirah.
“-to the Source, just like they did with my lover centuries ago.” His eyes narrowed into slits.
I froze. There was only one lover of his that I knew about.
The only person who made him fall out with my father, and start a war even.
Cora.
My mother.
But that wasn't true. He had to be lying. My mother died when a rogue pierced a sword through her heart while on the battle ground.
But when I met my uncle's gaze, my stomach churned. The look on his face was that of someone set for retribution.
“The Circle killed my mother?” My voice barely made it out as a whisper.
“He could be lying, Zeke.” Natasha said, next to me.
My breath turned raspy. I had an encounter with my mother sometime ago.
She'd said something like, ‘I shouldn't trust anyone.’
Was this what she'd meant? Was she truly killed by the Circle?
Was my whole life a lie, then?
“The Source is missing. No one knows where it is.” Kai put in.
As they spoke, I tried tampering down my power. I couldn't erupt yet.
“Missing? Is that the lie you've been told?” My uncle turned to Natasha.
“Your mother knows the truth. A pity she refused to accept my offer to join my side. A decision she'd pay for with her life.” Another maniacal laugh.
“You’d do no such thing!” Natasha spat, her aura pouring off her lithe body, as she took a defensive stance.
“And do you think a bunch of Amazon princesses can stop me? Nice try.” My uncle retorted.
I looked at his face closely, then at Xavier who had a nonchalant expression on his face. A thought occurred to me at once.
“Shit, the castle. We have to get back to Weasels now.” I said with an anxious look.