Chapter 17 "Cover the blood that pulses within me."
"It might work," I hear Harper say, sounding as confident as I am.
I walk to the closet and open a small drawer hidden behind the clothes. My things are there, along with my dagger. I return to the room and place the book on the table. I pick up the dagger and stare at the sharp blade.
I take a deep breath and run the blade across the palm of my hand. The red liquid begins to flow, and I open the book. I clench my fist and let the blood drip onto the paper. The thick liquid falls in small drops, staining the white pages. But nothing happens.
I sigh wearily, pulling my hand away. I grab some bandages from the medicine box and cover the wound, which would soon heal. I start pacing back and forth, having no idea what to do.
I lower my head, but something catches my attention. The blood that had fallen on the book had completely disappeared. There wasn't even a stain on the white paper. I flip through the book and see that there's no sign of blood on any of the pages.
In a few seconds, outlines begin to appear on the pages. I quickly put the book down, taking a step back. Letters and symbols began to appear. The letters were different, but I could understand them. The first sentence said:
"If you can read these words, then you carry within you what the world has tried to erase."
Just below was a pyramid. Below that was the symbol of the sorcerers, a star, next to it a butterfly representing the fairies, and a circle with wings inside, representing the vampires.
Above these three were the wolves, represented by a full moon with a waning moon inside. Above that was the same symbol as on the cover. Did this mean that hybrids were superior to wolves in every way? Are we stronger?
The words gradually appear as I read them. And the next word in bold catches my attention.
Blood Eye.
Just below was a small drawing with red eyes. "The mark of the primordial hybrids. The mark of the original hybrids, who built the new species," I read aloud.
I put my hands on my sides, shocked as I read those words. The red in my eye wasn't a mere coincidence; it was a sign. An indication that I was a hybrid. That represented danger.
What if someone in the kingdom found out? We would be ruined. I would ruin Conrad. I start flipping through the book quickly, searching for a solution. I needed something, something to help me hide who I was.
I hear the doorknob turn and quickly throw the book under the bed. Conrad enters the room, confused. He looks around, trying to understand the noise the book made when it hit the floor.
"Is everything alright?" I ask, looking at myself intently.
"It is, of course," I reply quickly.
I see the doubt forming on his face and try to compose myself. It wasn't the time to talk about that. Conrad already had many unfinished business with the kingdom, not to mention he was already risking a lot to keep us together.
I glance at the ties still hanging on the headboard and realize I had the perfect excuse to cover up the whole situation. I cross my arms and harden my expression.
"In my defense, you were out of control," Conrad says with an amused smile, raising both hands in surrender.
"I was out of control?" I ask ironically, which makes him smile broadly.
"I needed to keep your hands still or I would be out of control," he explains, shrugging, still smiling.
I run towards him angrily. Conrad does a quick somersault on the bed, landing on the other side of the room. I stare at him, my eyes blazing.
"So your solution was to gag your partner to the bed?" I ask, raising my voice.
I run after him again, but he quickly flees from me.
"Calm down, my love!" Conrad says breathlessly, still running from me. "I promise I won't leave you tied up for so long again." He promises, making me stop and stare at him in disbelief.
"You promise not to tie me up for long? So you still plan to leave me tied up?" I shout. "I swear, by the goddess. I'll kill you!" I say, running after him again.
We leave the bedroom and enter the living room. Conrad and I start running in circles, with him using all the furniture as shields. Finally, he catches me in his arms and starts spinning me around. He turns me towards him and starts kissing me. Like the lovesick fool I was, I let all the anger go.
I slowly get out of bed, careful not to let Conrad notice. I bend down and pick up the book that was under the bed. I sit on the floor and observe Conrad a little longer. There were several pillows placed in the middle of the bed, positioned by Conrad. According to him, it was his protection against me.
I roll my eyes, tired of my partner's honesty and patience. I start flipping through the book until I find something resembling spells. They are in the same language as the book and look like poems or chants.
There were spells for mind control, strength, and even curses. This was black magic. I could feel the power of those words at my fingertips. Hybrids weren't pure and used black magic. Is that why they were condemned to destruction?
Black magic was strictly forbidden. No one would dare use it, since the pure ones can track them. I look at my sleeping companion in bed. His calm expression and relaxed muscles. Completely unaware of the chaos brewing inside me.
But there was no spell to hide my hybrid side. Then I remember the first sentence of the book:
"If you can read these words, then you carry within you what the world has tried to erase."
You carry within you. That magic was inside me, and I knew I could use it as I pleased. But how? Where should I begin?
I start walking to the desk, grabbing paper and pen. I sit in the chair and begin to think. The spells always resembled chants or poems. I just needed to try to do the same. I write down the words that come to my mind on a piece of paper.
Moon that sees, but does not reveal,
covers the blood that pulses within me.
May my footsteps sound ordinary,
may my howl die before the end.
May instinct sleep beneath the skin,
may form not dare to emerge.
By the name I still don't remember,
I command my being: hide yourself here.