Chapter 24 24

Chapter 24 24
Chloe’s POV

“Now, tell me, who are you?” I asked, sitting across from the little girl who wouldn’t meet my gaze.

She stared at the floor, her fingers trembling and her eyes wet with tears.

She hasn't stopped crying since her mother died.

I let out a heavy sigh as I crouched to meet her gaze. " You don’t have to be scared. As long as you tell me the truth, I promise not to hurt you,” I snickered.

She lifted her head a little to meet my gaze and she cleared her throat before she finally spoke.
“You killed my mother,” she said in an impeccable Irish accent.

I can see the bruises on her left eye clearly now, she seemed a little troubled, it was as if she had never known peace since the day she was born.

Yet I remained calm, after all she was nothing but a child.

“Your mother disrespected me, she said so many evil things, is that how she usually is?”
She went quiet again and in her gaze I could see the fright in them.
She looked away then sniffed before returning her gaze to me.

“She always says strange and evil things to me, I’m used to it!” The girl muttered under her breath.
“So…your mother was evil towards you?” I questioned leaning forward in curiosity.

She nods, and I smile, “You are safe now, what’s your name?” I asked. I had no idea why I was so nice to her but for some reason, she reminded me so much of myself when I was a little girl. Nothing I did ever pleased my parents.
“My name is… Desdemona.” She said her lips quivered as she spoke.

“Desdemona,” I repeated, trying to make out the meaning, “ it means unlucky, doesn’t it? Why would your mother name you that?”
“It’s because she thought I was unlucky, she hates me so much,”
“And why is that?” I asked.
“She thinks I’m responsible for the death of her husband, she loved him so much.”

“And were you responsible for it?”
“No, I was just a child, besides, he was also my father.”

“So, what killed him?”
She went quiet, her lips pressed in a thin line, “ My mother did, she killed him but she refused to admit it, she claims she doesn't remember."
“Hmmm… it sounds like your mother is suffering from dementia.” I chortled.
“My mother was evil to me, she sees things that aren’t there, she says I’m unlucky and I deserve death!” Desdemona said as tears threatened to spill, for some unknown reason I believed her instantly, I could see the innocence written all over her expression, except she was a psychopath then no one can pull this.

I rested my hands on hers squeezing them softly.
“She is gone now, can you tell me why you and your mother are here? What was she doing in the Blue Blood pack territory?”
“She had a mission!” She retorted.

“What mission?”I questioned.

“She was a messenger, she said she had information for a princess in this kingdom, it’s the voice in her head that tells her that!” Desdemona says quietly sobbing.
“Tell me more,”

“That’s all, she wouldn’t tell me more.”
I rose to my feet and stared down at her, “Desdemona, you are in the enemy's territory, this is your only chance at vindicating yourself, if you tell me everything I can protect you, but first I need to know everything.”
Desdemona shivered, “She calls herself a special kind of witch that breaks the promise, one that can end an important person.”
“And?”
Her lips parted but no words came forth. She just stared at the blank space.

I pat her shoulder, “Well done, Desdeomona, that’s all for today, we will try again tomorrow.”

She didn't respond, she still kept staring into the blank space.
I strode towards the door. I stared back at her one last time. She still hasn’t moved. There was something about her that frightened me but I couldn’t figure it out.

Antonio was slouched just outside the wall, he turned up as he sighted me.
“Any new information?” He asked as I shut the door behind me.
“Just a little, not enough, but she is cooperating, that’s the important thing,” I said, faking a smile.

“Did she say anything about her mother's words?”
“She only said her mother is evil, aren’t all witches evil, though?”
“Yeah, they are.”

I let out a deep breath, “she said her mother was a messenger sent to deliver a promise.”

“You’ve been questioning her for hours, you need to get some sleep,” Antonio said, patting my shoulders softly.

I smiled and nodded as I walked back to my chambers, it was on the second floor.
As soon as I stepped into my Cozy room, the smell of scented candles and flowers wafted into my nostrils. I sank onto the bed letting sleep take me into its dreamland.

But quiet was never truly possible, I still replayed the evil witch's words. ‘Your end is near,’
Could she be right?
Was my end really near?

I took off my flowing gown letting some air into my skin.
I was already getting tense and sweaty from the thoughts of my dying soon.

“She’s saying nonsense, that’s all!” I muttered to myself as I closed my eyes for a few minutes, I was almost deep in slumber when I heard a sharp tapping at the window, I sat upright immediately.
Instantly, my candlelight flickered, like a spirit was present with me, then a powerful wind blew, throwing a black bird-shaped bird against my glass. I watched as it struggled, its feathers and wings flapping.

It was a terrible sight to behold.
I rose down to my fight, my jaw clenched as the breeze moaned as I approached the window.
Before I could tap the window, the crow cawed loudly and fell to the ground.
I moved closer and looked out the window but saw nothing but the shadow of the old witch I’d shot earlier.