Chapter 70

Chapter 70
I couldn't wrap my head around everything I'd heard. I came here to ask what that light I saw earlier was and why it seemed like only the two of us saw it.

I've got the answer. That cryptic man was one of the witches. Only someone with a healer's blood can see the abilities of another healer. Only a healer can perceive the magic of another.

"Your father, Errold, was a good witch," Elder Entiango added. "He may not have been the most level-headed among us—he was often a headache—but he would do anything to save his comrades. He was one of the strongest candidates to be a leader."

I wiped the tears that streamed down my cheeks. I nodded and forced a smile.

"I-I don't know much about him..." I said, my voice shaking. "As much as I want to ask you more about him, I know you need to rest."

"I'm sorry, Astra. You never got the chance to meet him."

"Just one more question, Elder Entiango." I took a deep breath. "Brix's borrowed ability—it's going to vanish, right? It won't hurt him, will it?"

He looked at me. "You're still thinking of him..."

"What about our child?" I asked next. "Neither of them will be in danger, right? My child will just reclaim the ability, is that it?"

"Losing the mist ability will have no effect on Brix. He just won't be able to use it anymore." He sighed, his gaze dropping to my necklace. "So, you've already met Lola."

"Y-you know the one who gave me this necklace?"

"Lola—Rold's older sister. One of her children was among those who died that day..."

"Okay." I nodded. I don't think I still want to hear what he's about to say. "Thank you for answering my questions, Elder Entiango. Please rest now."

"I know there's a rift between you and Brix. But please, think of your child, Astra. Set aside what you've just learned. You have a greater enemy to face."

"I understand. Thank you."

I turned and left that room.

I froze in place when I saw Erikson standing by the door. From his expression, I knew he'd heard everything we talked about inside.

"A-Astra..."

I walked past him. I went straight out, but he quickly caught up. He tried to face me toward him, so I bowed my head.

He suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.

It felt like that was a signal for me to break down.

I was given so many signs, but I ignored them all. Maybe I kind of hoped things would be different. Maybe I just didn’t want to accept it. Or maybe because... out of everyone... I couldn’t accept that it was him.

"Damn. I'm sorry..." Erikson whispered.

I just needed a few seconds to calm myself. I pulled away from his embrace and straightened myself up. I had no time for this.

"Was anyone hurt in the explosion?" I asked.

"A-Astra..."

"We have something new to watch out for. Not just The Cloaks. Witches will join the force, too." I couldn’t hide how anxious I was. "Brix probably knows this by now."

"Of course. He knew exactly what he did to them."

"Erikson."

"Sorry." He shook his head. "I just can’t stomach what I heard. I'm really sorry, Astra. I was so dumb—"

"We have no time for this!" I held his hand and looked him in the eye. "Side with Brix. Now that we know the mist ability might disappear, he needs you more."

"What about you?"

I shook my head. "I have the necklace of a witch. They won’t hurt me. As for The Cloaks, they’re after him too. Brix is the one trapped in the middle of this fight."

"Y-you are so brave..."

"This is all I can do." I chuckled. "Please keep what you've heard secret. Don’t tell him yet. I don’t want him worrying about how I feel."

He probably doesn’t know yet. He likely doesn’t know his ability came from my father. I don’t want this to weigh on him.

I can still handle it.

"Go on, Erikson. I'm just going to see Celeste."

"C-can I know her name?"

I smiled at that question. "Hyacinth. Her name is Hyacinth."

That seemed to ease the worry on his face.

"Goddess. I can’t wait to meet her." He took a deep breath. "For her, I will side with Brix."

"T-thank you..."

He turned away from me and left.

I stayed where I was. Bit by bit, my child’s secret was being revealed. I was afraid it would all come out before this fight was over. This needs to end. We have to win.

I found Lady Celeste in the kitchen. She was helping prepare food for our incoming allies. After the explosion, no one was left stunned. Instead, it became the signal for everyone to act.

"Astra." I turned to the one who said my name.

Albina approached me.

My eyes dropped to the weapons she was holding. She handed them to me.

"I saw your weapons were damaged. I had them fixed by someone I know. The arrows also have a different kind of poison now. It's enough to take down a vampire."

I examined the arrowheads. If they were enough to take down a vampire, they’d definitely be enough to kill a normal being.

"Brix needs his queen to live..." she said. "Please do."

"T-thank you..."

"I'm still salty about your relationship with him, but forget it. I want our leader to be happy. In the many times he’s come here, I’ve never seen him this cheerful. We all know it’s because of you. So... thank you."

I smiled at what she said.

She scowled. "Also, I just want this over with. I feel sick every time I see Nathalia’s face—"

"You are bitching again, Miss Montereal." Lady Nathalia appeared out of nowhere. She held an apple that matched the color of her nails and lips.

Albina rolled her eyes and turned to her. "You really are a curse, Lady Nathalia. Every time I say your name, you suddenly appear."

Lady Nath looked at her from head to toe. "Oh, my feels. Your skin looks dry!"

"FYI, I’m always sent out on errands! Unlike you, who does nothing in life but strut in front of lights."

"Pathetic. Survive this war so you can regenerate your skin. Do you want to die ugly?" Lady Nath gasped like that thought worried her more than the war itself.

"F you, Miss Cardinal! I am never ugly!"

Lady Nath gracefully bit the apple. "Because you have always been..."

Albina’s eyes widened. "H-how dare you—"

"Survive, and I will help you enhance your beauty. Don’t worry, my treat."

"R-really?"

Lady Nath rolled her eyes. "Even if you die, I’ll take care of your makeup."

"Hey! No take backs!" Albina laughed. "Astra heard that! You’re treating me to a makeover!"

Lady Nath chuckled. "Whatever."

Albina left smiling. I even heard her say she was going to take a bath.

"I love that bitch," Lady Nath mumbled.

I cleared my throat. "Can you treat me, too?"

"Is that an insult? Your skin looks immune to any damage."

"I just want to hang out with the most famous Hollywood model."

She paused chewing. "No."

"Please?"

"Fine."

"Yes!"

She walked over to the nearby trash bin and threw the rest of her apple. Someone quickly handed her a glass of wine. Instead of drinking it directly, she dipped a metal straw.

I looked at Lady Celeste, still busy preparing the food. Almost everyone was busy except us. Soldiers from various clans were arriving one after another.

"Can we have a walk?" Lady Nath asked me.

She didn’t wait for my answer. She turned, so I followed her and walked beside her. We walked down a tree-lined pathway.

"You must be wondering why—"

"I don't," I cut her off. I looked down at my feet. "I know he’s in good hands. And I’m not going to thank you for bringing him back."

Lady Nath stopped to look up at the tree branches, her hands clasped behind her back. The sunrays peeking through the leaves looked like tiny spotlights on her face.

"Humans are really fascinating..." she muttered, a glimpse of a smile flashing on her red lips. "That’s all I can say after spending time with one."

"What a classic thought for a modern woman," I chuckled.

"We need to win this war." That’s when she looked at me. "So I can go without thinking about this place. I’ve been living here ever since. It’s time for me to move somewhere, don’t you think?"

I slowly nodded.

"Damn. Oscar is really a leader now, as well as Brix." She shook her head as if she still couldn’t believe it. "It’s hitting different now. I can’t believe after centuries of being together, the time would come when we’d go our separate ways and live our lives."

"That must be hard for you."