Chapter 23

KHLOE GILES

“She basically confirmed everything you said.” Keith stalked out of the back room of the club. Dad and I sat in the club part. Scotty had agreed to help Keith. Being a weapons master meant that he knew all of the forms of torture possible.

“Does she have any idea what Hades is up to?”

“Was that really necessary?” My father asked. I glanced over at him. He’s pale faced.

“What, you want to buy her flowers?” Keith asked, laying down his knife.

“No, but isn’t there…another way to get information?”

“How does your military get information from terrorist? Don’t lie. I served in the American Military ten years before I was accused of witchcraft and had to run.” Keith smirked. “Back when it was America and no Provincials.”

“I guess you have a point.” My father mumbled.

“I do. And that thing in there is a demon. Abaasy to be exact. Teeth of iron, those little bastards. Had to pull a couple out before we could begin the real torture.” Keith threw a couple long shark-like teeth on the bar to prove a point. “It’s killed more people than your military can comprehend. Innocent people that were destined to do great things. What we put it through is only an inkling of the pain it caused people. Don’t feel bad for it. It isn’t human.”

“Are you?” I asked.

“Maybe.” He gave me a wink.

“So what now?” My father asked, unamused. “What’s our next step?”” Keith and I exchanged looks, but before either of us could answer, an explosion sent people screaming. There was a flash and Wes appeared. His body slammed into the bar and rolled to the floor.

“Wes!” I ran over to help pick him up and he stumbled a little.

“Khloe.” He gripped my hand, nails almost digging into the skin, “Khloe I’m sorry.”

“Woah, take it is easy.” I eased him into a chair, Keith helped me carry him.

“Is he okay? He looks like he’s in shock.” My father said. A crowd gathered around us once again.

“Wes, what happened?” I questioned, running a hand over his forehead. He was warm to the touch.

“You were right. Tara’s a demon. So is Chris.” He gasped softly. “I…I killed Tara.”

“He’s transition into his powers to quickly. He’s not prepared enough!” Keith began shouting orders and I could hear people running behind me.

“I didn’t want to believe it. I’m sorry.” He breathed heavily. “I killed her, I killed Tara. But you were right, Khloe. She’s TC. The other initial from the book.”

“Oh Wes. I’m so sorry.” I hung on to him tightly as Keith continued to shout orders. My father found a blanket and wrapped him in it.

“Have him drink this, it’ll help with the fever and the transition.” Keith passed me a glass. I lifted it to Wes’s lips, and he drank the entire glass before relaxing and falling into a sleep.

“How long until the transition is over?” I asked, looking up at Keith.

Keith shook his head. “He’s progressing quickly. There’s no telling. Let’s get him to a back room. Seth, seal the cabin 2 and guard it. No one is allowed in or out. Find Elona and have her manage him. Have Carl take your place at the guard post.”

“Yes sir.” Seth nodded and hurried off.

“Keith, is Wes going to die?” I asked worriedly.

Keith frowned, looking down at Wes. He didn’t answer right away.

“Keith!”

“I don’t know Khloe. I honestly don’t know, but you need to go home. Get your sisters and your mother and bring them here. Hades is going after everyone close to you.””

“Doesn’t that put us in danger?” Someone from the crowd asked. Keith looked up at them. It was a face that I didn’t recognize.

“We’re always in danger. It’s part of the job. We should be lucky for the days we don’t die.” Keith said somberly.

“Great pep talk. Really Keith.” I mumbled, frowning. He just shrugged.

"Come on Khloe, let's go get the girls. I'll get your mother. You get your sisters." Dad told me. I nodded in agreement.

"Later. Take care of him." I frowned looking down at Wes. Keith nodded.

"Scouts honors." He agreed. I rolled my eyes and followed my dad out of the night club.

"What're you going to tell her?" I asked curiously. Dad shrugged.

"I have no idea." Dad laughed. “This all sounds pretty insane if you ask me."

"I know. Imagine How I felt when I found about. I was thirteen." My dad paused and looked at me.

"Why didn't you tell us?" He asked curiously.

"Because Abbey made us promise not to tell.” I explained.

"Of course." He sighed. “Why am I not surprised?"

"Besides, what would you have done?" I asked

"Probably would've put you into therapy honestly." He mused. I laughed.

“Did you go through that?” Dad asked after a minute. “What was is going through?”

"A transition period? Yeah. Mine wasn't as bad. Abbey barely went through one and Sara’s was a little worse."

"When did you go through it?" He asked curiously.

"Remember when you thought that we all had the flu,?"

"Yeah. That was about three years ago. We were surprised because you girls never get sick. Mom kept begging me to take you to the hospital."

"That was it." I nodded. "We basically were all transitioning at the same time."

"Why is Wes's so bad?" Dad asks.

"Because he hasn't been taking the proper nutrition’s that he needs. Having magical abilities is just like...owning a car or being a baseball player. You have to take care of it. You have to us it, drive it, practice it and after you use it, you have to clean it up a little, buffer it so you can use it again. Using magic drains a witch. They need to stay strong in order to keep working magic." I explained.

"What happens if they don’t?" He asked curiously.

"It depends on the case." I mumbled quietly. "Sometimes if they don't get the proper nutrients. If they ignore it long enough, they die."

"And other times?" He asked quietly.

"Other times, they turn into monsters. Creatures in capable of controlling themselves.” I hear my father’s breathe as it hitched slightly.

"How often does that happen?" He asked quietly.

"To often to count." I admitted, "The Burnings keep it impossible for some to get what they need. Others, simply choose not to believe it and damn the consequences. Abbey almost did."

"Abbey almost died?" My father asked, surprised.

I nodded. "We had to force feed her the proper potions she needed to survive. Thankfully, she passed out, so it wasn’t too much of a struggle."

"Why would she do that to herself?" He asked, frowning.

"You know how she is. She worries about image. About what people will think. Rules." I rolled my eyes. “It’s amazing the things she'd do to protect this family."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked, frowning. I sigh.

"Remember the night I was in the hospital?" I asked.

he nodded. “Of course."

"I wasn't working. I was looking for witches to rescue.” I explained, "Abbey knew it. She knew where I'd been. She threatened to turn everyone at the club in if I went back.”

"She what?" My father asked, face falling in shock.

"I know, I was surprised to." I chuckled. "Turns out she does have some back bone after all. Of course. She didn't go through with it. Instead, she locked my window the next time I went out." I rolled my eyes, still annoyed that she would do something like that.

"How did I not know about any of this?" My father asked in shock.

"In all fairness, we were trying to keep it from you." I replied, feeling only slightly guilty. "We didn't want you to get wrapped up in what we were doing. We knew how dangerous it would be, especially with your jobs." I mumbled.

"When did I raise such amazing girls?" He asked quietly.

"You’re not mad?" I asked in surprise.

"Of course I'm not mad. Why would I be? You girls are doing the right thing. You are saving innocent lives. How could that be wrong?"

"Thanks dad." I mumbled quietly.

Finally, we reached the street level. Together, we found the SUV he took to get there and hop in the car. "I'll bring Sara and Abbey back on my bike. You get mom.” I suggested and nodded in agreement. The drive was quiet, and I assumed that dad was taking in everything from today. I felt bad that he was having to take in all so quickly. The drive only lasted about five minutes though. However, when he pulled up to the house, we noticed things were office immediately. Inquisition SUV's were everywhere.

"What the hell is going on?" I ask, sitting up and looking out.

"Oh no, please no." My father groans.