Chapter 87

“Where are you going?”

Oh shit!!! I can’t have anyone follow me else their life would be in danger.

I turn around slowly, my rage simmering down a little when I see Z’s lifeless eyes burning a hole in my head.

“Just a run, nothing unusual.” I lie through my teeth.

I cant have anyone know or follow me. It’s risky, and i want to do this by myself.

“Lying now, are we?” her voice isn’t smooth or free like normal.

This isn’t a Zara that I recognise, she looks different.

I haven’t seen her since Macho died. I take my time to study her.

She looks ragged, her hair spreading out in a wild mane like she hasn’t tried to tame them recently.

Her shoulders is tensed, jaw clenches and unclenches. Her eyes looks deeper than the normal brown, they look cold, lifeless.

They held hate, vengeance, and rage.

She isn’t okay. Macho had died trying to save her, she feels she is at fault.

“I am not lying.” I tilt my head, refusing to admit it.

“You were going to their place right?” she implies, her eyes already knows the answer, but I dont want to accept it.

“No.” my voice comes out firm, and stern.

“Liar. You already crossed their border, I purposely didn’t stop you because I knew you would lie.”

Shit!!!

“Fine. They will all die, I promised them death. So I have to fulfil it.”

This has nothing to do with promise. I promised myself, and I have to do it.

“I am coming along with you,—”

“HELL NO!!!” I boom.

Over my dead body will I allow her to take herself to the lion's den.

They hate her, they want to kill her, and here she is wanting to march into their home.

“You don't have a say in this.” her voice is calm, and heavy.

I know how furious she is. Her eyes brewing storm, she pulls her palm into a tight fist.

So tight that it draws blood.

“It's not safe. They want to kill you—”

“SO WHAT!!! I will rip every single one of them apart. They will plead yet I will watch in utter satisfaction as life drains out of their eyes.” she growls, her eyes glowing bright blue.

These days she is using more of her jaguar side that arcindian side. I would say it's from suppressing the jaguar for so long, but I know it's more than that.

“I can do that for you. You have to go back, I need to keep you all safe—”

“The hell you do. You. Are. Not. My. Mother.” she grits, her teeth clamping down so hard I wonder how it isn’t shattering right now.

“I know that, but—-”

“Bullshit, you don't know shit!! MY OWN GRANDFATHER WANTS ME DEAD AFTER KILLING MY MOTHER. I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND I APPRECIATE BUT I DON’T WANT IT. YOU CAN’T PROTECT EVERYONE.” she screams, fling her hand in the air.

Trees goes flying about, a heavy wind sweeps past, shaking the forest.

“I WANT TO PROTECT YOU BECAUSE IT’S MY FAULT. HUGO TOLD ME TO JOIN THE FIGHT YET I DIDN’T LISTEN—”

“OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE SHUT UP. YOU JUST CAME BACK FROM HELL AND YOU EXPECT TO FIGHT?” her yells increases, veins popping out.

When I think she is done, she continues, “LET’S FACE IT MEL. YOU ARE CURSED!!!!! YOU NEED TO START WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF, AND HOW TO MAKE YOUR BREAK IT OR ELSE THE SAME PEOPLE YOU ARE PROTECTING WILL DIE BY YOUR HANDS!!”

The truth slaps me hard in the face. She is right.

“You can’t try to save everyone, and forget yourself. You are the one who needs saving the most.” her voice drops barely above a whisper.

“I know.”

“Do you? I can’t lose you too Mel. I can't.” her resolve falls away.

She looks tired. I stretch my hands open, she rushes into me. Her arms going around me in a much needed embrace.

I already hugged Bion, but this feels different because somehow in our own fucked up way we understand each other better.

“I am still coming with you though. Those fuckers deserves to die.” she murmurs into my neck.

I chuckle.

“Of course, let’s go burn that place to the ground.” I affirm, the rage back in me.

We pull away, staring each other in the eye. With a nod from each party.

We dash off.

Watch out slimy bastard, you won’t know what hit you.

Today is about to burn.

\~~~~

Bion

The King called me for a meeting. I shouldnt have gone because that bastard wants me to….

Fuck, I can’t even think about it. My mind flashes to our conversation.

“What are you saying? You want me to—-” I push my hands into my hair, tugging at it hard.

My eyes burn bright and, claws coming out without my will.

How dare he say such to me?

“It is a necessity, it has to be done I can’t take anymore risk. They will be back—-”

“No, I can’t.” I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.

“Take the knife just incase.” he presses the dagger in my palms then walks away.

That bastard has some nerves telling me this shit.

My anger boils deeper than never before, my foot stamb hard in the tiles as I march pass.

“She is a danger to us all. Her being alive isn’t what we need. Kill her for peace to reign.”

I push his words to the back of my mind, that bastard didn’t deserve me thinking about what rubbish spewed out of his mouth.

I can’t believe he would want to do this to her. I know he is cold, and heartless, but this is too far.

My feet automatically carries me to a place that is calming.

I stand watching the water ripple pass, climbing over the rock only to fall back down into the glowing stream.

The place I brought Melanie for a date. It feels like ages ago when we came here when it's only been about two months plus.

They feel like forever ago. I can’t wait to take her to more dates.

Speaking of the said Melanie, I haven't seen her since I left to go speak with the king.

My heart aches just thinking about macho, my friend, brother.

He had always been the smart one among us, never stopped working until he got what he wanted.

My friend who was a wizard, but firmly believed in working for things instead of just making them appear because he has the power.

My eyes water, but I force them back. I have to look out for everyone, I can’t start crying at least not yet.

He shouldn’t have died. Those bastard creatures, just thinking it's okay to start a war without even thinking.

All because the Kukukan desnt’t like rules broken.

My heart breaks all over again just thinking of Tios. He has refuse to come out of his room since that day.

Since the day he lost his only blood related family because we are his family too.

I miss Macho so much.

Who is going to fight with Origen over every little thing? Who is going to want to hurdle the TV all to himself?

Or chase everyone out of the living room so they can practice their spells?

I haven’t cried for him since he died, couldn’t bring myself to.

But, now here all alone the tears comes crashing down. I feel the salty taste on my lips but I don’t dare check.

My body shakes with sobs, thinking about how empty the how would feel without him there to initiate our weekly games.

Games that keeps us bonded.

Macho brought that tradition, but now he is gone. The tears pours faster.

A chill runs down my spine.

Something is wrong.

I straighten up, quickly dash the back of my palm against my cheek to clean my tears.

The steps gets louder, I turn around with the aim of killing the intruder.

I relax once I see it's just Origen running towards me.

Why is he running? He looks scared his eyes keeps darting around.

“What’s wrong?” my concern evident in my face.

“It’s the girls. Zara, and Melanie went to fight the arcindians.”

“WHAT!!!!”