26. SHE DESERVED DEATH

CASSANDRA

I gathered my dress as I made my way to Freya's room, my excitement bubbling and threatening to spill over. I had always instructed the maids to bring some chicken soup and grape juice to Freya's quarters.

I rapped my knuckles against the door and shortly after she opened it. Her face twisted into a weary look.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, stepping backwards to give me access to her room.

As soon as I stepped in I shut the door behind me. “Haven't you heard? That pesky witch has been locked up”

Freya's face beamed, “I'm glad that they finally saw her for who she truly was”

I sat down on the chair in front of her dresser as I stared at my reflection, my smile was beaming from ear to ear.

Just then the door clicked open and a maid walked in holding a tray of food and drinks. Freya immediately frowned. “Don't you know how to knock? She barked, her voice sharp.

The maid curtsied, lowering her gaze. “My apologies” she muttered.

I squeezed Freya's hands, “It's okay, calm down don't let a dumb maid ruin your mood” I said to her in a soothing voice.

I dismissed the maid with a nonchalant flick of my wrists. Freya loosened her shoulders. “It's just annoying how they act sometimes, what if I was getting dressed or having a private moment”

I patted the spot beside me for her to take a seat. She reached for her own plate and we started to have some chicken.

“I wonder what my father is going to do to her,” Freya started.

“I'm shocked he didn't order for her execution, I know the pack rules, and the punishment for witches is usually death, by hanging or beheading”

Freya shrugged, “Maybe he's lenient with her because she was healing people in the pack you know”

“Nonsense, the law is the law, she deserves to be killed. There are a thousand more healers out there to pick from, non witch healers.”

“Fair point” Freya pointed out.

I leaned back against the bed, “I will not rest until that woman is killed, even if it's the last thing I do. I knew that she was bad luck the very first day I set my eyes on her. Finding out she was a witch only reinforced my suspicion”

Freya who was midway in gulping down her drink paused, raising an eyebrow.

“Wait, you knew she was a witch?” She asked, her voice carrying a glint of doubt.

“Something like that” I stated.

“Hmmm” Freya hummed, taking the final gulp of the juice before she set her cup down with a thud.

She turned to face me, ready to listen to all the details. “When did you find out?” She asked inquisitively.

“Not too long after she arrived, I was surprised when I confirmed it.”

“How exactly did you find out-” her eyes widened. “Did you like, catch her casting a spell?”

I shook my head slightly, “she had a cut and I could smell it, witch blood” I explained.

“Oh, that makes sense. But why didn't you tell the Alpha sooner?”

Her question caught me off guard, I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't come up with any excuse that quickly, so I ended up shutting it.

She stared deep into my eyes in anticipation, and I instantly felt uncomfortable. I couldn't tell her the reason why I was scared to expose Jayda.

I couldn't expose Jayda because I was having an affair with Axel, and she found out about it and made me keep about hers because she kept shit about my own secret. That's no excuse.

I let out a nervous laugh, subtly rubbing the back of my head. “Well actually, I wasn't so sure about whether or not she was actually a witch”

“But you said it yourself, you smelt witch blood.”

“You know how smelly it can be sometimes , it can be tricky. Plus, how would I prove that I was saying the truth? Her wound would have healed up and I can't possibly attack her to prove a point”

Freya nodded slowly, buying my reasoning. “Also your brother was bent on defending her at the time if I said anything he'd immediately discredit i,” I added.

She gasped, “I just thought I'd something, what if she bewitched him at the time, like for real”

A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. “I wouldn't be surprised” I took a swig of grape juice.

“Can you believe that he was still defending that witch just this morning in front of me and mom? He even said he was the one that made dad not to kill her”

I clenched my fists instinctively immediately as the words left her mouth. “Maybe she actually did bewitch him because what is wrong with him?”

Remembering how he stood by her in the throne room built up another surge of anger within me.

I sprang up on my feet. “Where is he?”

She looked up at me with a concerned look, “He’s in his room, but calm down Cassandra” she said.

“Oh don't worry, I'm pretty calm. I just want to have a word with him” I replied before storming out of her bedroom.

It didn't take long for me to reach his chamber, I didn't bother to knock before I pushed open the door.

He raised his head and looked over his shoulders at me. “What happened to knocking Cassandra?”

“I can't believe you defended that witch!” I yelled, stepping closer to him.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping as he continued stacking up report papers.

“Oh, now you're ignoring me?” I scoffed.

Still there was no response. “She beat me up, she's a witch and somehow you're still defending her, you could not even defend your mate when she was beat up”

“So? You tried to kill her, with a knife. I don't see anyone bringing that up and you destroyed her resident goodness sake, you are not any better” he spoke lazily.

I blinked a few times, taken aback by his words.

“Please leave, close the door on your way, I do not have the patience nor the energy for this conversation" he said in a calm collected manner which still somehow managed to send a spear through my chest.

I tightened my jaw and spun around, banging the door shut.

Jayda’s POV

I sat on the floor, knees cradled against my chest. The cell was dimly lit, with only a faint beam of light that managed to penetrate the dark from a tiny window above.

My mouth was still muzzled and my hands were bound by a tightly secured straightjacket to impair my ability to use magic.

Some of the best witches could conjure up magical spells with their minds, but those weren't feats for a hybrid like myself.

My eyes followed a small tiny figure as it moved across the cell.

Pesky rats.

I swallowed my saliva but it did nothing to soothe the dryness in my throat. For how long would they keep me down here with no food or water.

I rested my head against the wall, letting out a tired sigh. The rats weren't the only thing that reeked in this cell. I was also stinking.

My stomach rumbled and I grimaced as the sensation of weakness rippled through me. Time seemed to have slowed as I sat there, I wasn't sure how many minutes had passed because honestly, I had lost track of time, all I wanted was something to eat and be far away from this pack.

A rat came out to the middle of the room, smelling something there. My eyes narrowed on it as my muscles tensed up.

I lunged forward but immediately regretted that decision when then the chains that bound me snagged me back.

I instantly regretted the decision as air was forced out of my chest. My eyes were pickled with tears.

There was no way for me to escape, I'd be here like a sitting duck when they came to kill me.

Suddenly I heard footsteps. The trudging of shoes. I inched backwards until my back was against the wall and there was no where left for me to go.

The shadow cast against the wall was growing nearer. Finally, the figure stepped out.

He set his lamp down and looked me in the eyes.

It was Asher, I was stunned because he was the last person I expected to see. With his other hand he was holding a tray, which he set down.

“Jayda, come” he whispered. I reluctantly moved forward and he removed the muzzle on my face.

I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling relieved. “What are you doing here?”

“You need food and water, that's why I'm here” he stated. “I'm sorry about what happened last time we met” he trailed off.

He removed the tray lid, revealing the rice and sauce with a cup of water. “Sorry, that's all I could get from the kitchen” he explained.

He darted his eyes both ways and then back to me. “Your hands" he observed.

I nodded, “they're afraid I'll cast a spell, aren't you afraid of me?” I questioned him, only getting a chuckle out of my question.

He grabbed the spoon and fetched some rice and sauce. I eyed it skeptically, but my instincts took the better of me. He started to spoon feed me.

“Where's Daemon?” I asked in-between chewing.

“He can't risk coming here”

“But you can?” I retorted, he didn't respond, he just averted my gaze.

He offered me a glass of water to drink and I gulped it down. When I was done eating, he packed up the utensils.

He paused, looking between my muzzle and me. “You understand, I have to put it back” he said softly.

“Why? What's the worst they'll do to me?”

“If they see the muzzle off, they'll know someone came here and they won't stop until they find out who it is. If anyone finds out that I was here, I'll be killed.”

I nodded and let him fix the muzzle back on. “I'll get you out of here soon” he said.

I watched as he grabbed his lamp and left.

I stared into space for so long that I didn’t even realize when my vision became blurry with tears.

My life has just been one big mess to another. Ever since I lost my parents, I've been all alone in this world.

The tears began to stream, hot. I sniffed, resting my head against the wall. Even after I found my mate and thought that things would get better, I lost him to Arya.

Now I was being imprisoned and treated like an animal simply because of who I was, even after saving the entire pack from the plague that threatened to consume them.

I saved the elders. They just simply didn't care. Even Daemon refused to look me in the eye, he spoke as though I was only useful for my powers, like I was a tool.