Chapter 2 Monster gods
“Grandma.” I moved my eyes because it was impossible to turn my head without help. “Do something, Grandma. Please do something.”
It had been an hour since the doctor left, and my parents followed without a single word to me.
My grandmother, the elder of her coven and the most powerful witch since three generations, shook her head sadly now.
“I cannot help you, Lys.” She clutched the hand I couldn't feel. “You know I would give my life for you, but there’s nothing I can do about this.”
My eyes moved to stare at the ceiling, my mind feeling zero control over the same body that up until last night could move anyway I wanted, contort in any shape I deemed fit.
“Is there really a problem without solution?” Tears, hot and in torrent streamed down my cheeks.
“Sweet Lys.” Her warm, weathered hands wiped my face gently. “Who did this to you, who did this to you sweet girl?”
Sweet Lys, that was what I was to everyone till last night. The role model, perfect daughter, sister, possible wife, ballet student, and country’s representative.
But in one second I became a reject. Was this how Gianna felt all these years? Did that justify doing something so vile to me, her own sister?
“Mom and Dad wouldn’t even look at me.” My voice shook with tears, and Grandma’s mouth twisted in harnessed rage.
“You’re coming with me as soon as you’re discharged.” She walked around my bed to the water dispenser.
“It would be too much for you.” My eyes followed her. “There are maids who’d continue to wait on me at the mansion.”
“While your parents make everyday unbearable for you?” She spun around, eyes furious. “I will not allow that. I should never have let you children grow up in that mansion.” She slammed the glass of water back down without a single sip. “They ruined Authur, and Gianna, and you? You have walked on a tight rope all your life.”
She inhaled deeply, her chest swollen with unsaid words. “You’re coming with me. We will learn together, and discover new passions that can bring you joy.”
I cried harder. This couldn't be it. This could not be the end.
“Sweet Lys,” Dad burst in through the door at that moment. “Dad has a surprise for you.”
He pulled the door wider, studiously avoiding the hateful glare of his mother-in-law. A nurse guided in a smart wheelchair, padded with lush cushions.
“This here, my girl is a science miracle. The smartest piece these engineers have made. You can do just about anything with its voice control.”
He was smiling, chatty, and it was almost like old times again. “What’s the correct command for nerve healing?”
He stopped, his head jerking to seriously look at me for the first time where I lay like some lifeless eggplant, and his eyes were unable to mask his disgust for a half second. Then he laughed warmly, just as Mom walked in.
“You’ve still got the humor.” He walked over to my bed, and pressed a button that moved me into a sitting position, more air instantly rushed to my lungs.
Mom stopped at the foot of the bed, staring down at my toes peaking out from beneath the covers.
“That chair cannot give you your body back, but there is someone willing to.” He sat down beside me.
Coming from my father, I knew this was not the good news it was supposed to be, but still, I could not control the leap in my heart. Even Rhea stirred within me, shifting just beneath my ribcage.
My father glanced at the spot, and carefully placed his hand against it.
“You can go on to complete the Grand Ascension and make Dad and Mom very proud.” He nodded in affirmative as my eyes widened. “Rhea is a strong girl,” his hand moved over my ribcage and I knew he could almost feel her. “She will help you heal faster than any other young woman has.”
“What’s this about, Jonas?” Grandma cut in.
“Let him finish, mom.”
Grandma flashed Mom a death stare, and she jerked her head away. But Dad took her hand and placed it on her shoulder, caressing as he turned back to me.
“We love you and want the best for you. The heartthrown Alphas made a request for you, and your mother and I consented.”
“What?” Grandma walked towards him as the door burst open, and Arthur stormed in reeking of alcohol, unsteady on his feet as his loose necktie dangled.
“You’ll not sell my sister as a whore!” He roared, and everyone turned to him in surprise.
Authur and I had never been friends, not because I treated him with disdain like the rest of my family, but because Authur did not spare me in his hate for our family.
“Did you miss your way to the bar?” Mom turned hard eyes to him. He squinted as if trying to concentrate on her face, and then he started laughing, laughing at her.
My brother was beautiful in that moment, red-rimmed eyes and staggering but laughing at our aristocratic mother in her 2-piece tweed suit that could pay many people’s annual rent.
“I never knew y’all had it in you.” Authur moved closer. “You know what those monster gods are famous for, right? They only fuck a woman if they can do it together. They’ll not touch a chic they couldn't press their cocks into at the same time.”
“Enough!” My father rose to his full height, red in the face and more outraged than I’d ever seen him. A sudden gust of wind rushed in through the window, knocking a wooden vase down and blowing my hair in my face.
I blinked repeatedly, spitting hair out of my mouth, my hands useless beside me.
“How much lower can you get, speaking such filth in the presence of your sisters?”
I looked towards the door and found Gianna standing quietly with folded arms.
“Filth?” Authur bellowed. “You’d rather keep her in the dark? How’s my saying the words worse than your plans?”
“Authur, stay out of this.” Mom called a warning. He snatched a bottle of red wine from the pile of gifts people had sent to my ward, and she shrieked as Dad jumped in front to shield her with his body.
But Authur spun around and sent the bottle flying at a wall.
“I’ll not let y'all destroy Lys the way you did Gianna. She’s the remaining good thing in this family.” He growled, and the hospital seemed to hum under his wolf's strength.
Rhea stirred inside me.
“Want to sell her out to your sex gods, you’ll have to kill me!”
“She’s a grown woman.” Gianna’s quiet voice cut through the room. “You should ask her what she wants, before making a fool of yourself.”
Everyone turned to look at me.