Confusion and manipulation overwhelmed her mind no matter how hard she tried to resist. She couldn’t shake off those creeping thoughts.
“Even if Kyle did something like that, there must be a reason—a good one. Not like back then, when he denied me. This time, it was me who refused him. It should be my fault,” she muttered to herself, her voice wavering. “But still… why does it hurt so much to know he was with someone else while I was still right here?”
Her heart ached as her thoughts spiraled. Losing control, she sank to the ground in front of the closed door, knowing he was inside. Somehow, she could sense it.
His scent. His breathing. His warmth.
----------------------------------------
“Mother, you’re bleeding!” the witch cried, her voice trembling as everyone turned to stare at the Devil Mother. Her strength was fading fast.
“I’m fine. Keep going.” The Devil Mother’s voice was fractured, her head throbbing as though it was burning. “I can endure this.”
But the witch, quick and perceptive, had already figured it out. “Did you… put a spell on that fair girl? She’s trying to break it, isn’t she?”
The Devil Mother offered a faint, weary smile. “I’ll be alright, child.” Her breath grew shallower with each passing moment.
“Stop lying, Mother! We all know what happens when a manipulation spell breaks—it’ll kill you. Please, revoke it. Let her go!” Gasps echoed around the room as the truth settled over them.
But the Devil Mother’s faint smile held. “I am stronger than you think,” she whispered, looking up at the sky. “The fair child has yet to realize who she truly is. Until then, there’s still hope I can bring her under my control.” She took a deep breath, her gaze softening. “Aren’t the stars beautiful tonight?”
----------------------------------------
Ashlee felt her blood pounding through her veins, surging with an intensity she’d never felt before. She felt as though she might explode from the torment.
“Kyle.” She whispered his name, pushing open the door with an unsteady hand. Her face was pale, yet her eyes burned with anguish.
“Ashlee!” Kyle’s voice was filled with alarm as he rushed toward her. But just as he reached out, she jerked away. Her eyes held a turmoil of emotions that struck him to the core.
“Ashlee, what’s wrong? Are you unwell?” His concern only deepened her pain, the agony clawing at her.
“Why?” Her voice was barely a whisper, broken and pleading. “Why did you do it?”
“What are you talking about?” Kyle tried again to steady her, but she shoved him away with surprising force. He felt his wrist crack, but the pain was nothing compared to watching her suffer like this.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
“Why did you have to be with someone else… right before my mother’s funeral? Couldn’t you hold back, just out of respect?” Her voice was calm, yet her eyes blazed. “Then again, what would you know about respect? You’re not even human.” Her tears fell silently, pure and raw.
“Ashlee, please let me explain. That’s not what happened. I swear I—”
“Don’t make any more promises!” Her breathing grew labored, almost as if she were struggling to hold herself together.
“Was it fun, Kyle? Toying with my feelings?” Her voice was sharp, cutting, as she locked eyes with him. “I suppose it was… for you and everyone else. I’m still just a pawn to be discarded.”
With that, her body went limp, and she fainted. Kyle barely caught her before she could hit the ground. Her skin was burning with an intense fever, one even Esyn had never felt before.
“What happened to her?” Esyn muttered, rummaging through her herbs to find something to ease Ashlee’s suffering.
Kyle didn’t answer. His mind was racing, focused on whoever had fed these lies to Ashlee. He gently laid her down and stormed from the room, leaving Esyn to care for her. “Derion, find out who spoke to Ashlee before she returned to her room last night.” His voice was cold, unyielding, all traces of patience gone.
“On it,” Derion replied without hesitation, knowing Kyle was in no mood for questions. One misstep could mean a swift end, even for him.
----------------------------------------
“Would you like more water, Mother?” The witch asked, supporting her weakly as she took a few sips.
“I’m fine, child.” The Devil Mother glanced in the direction of Warbite Mansion, a ghost of a smile on her lips. “I wonder how the fair child fares. The creature within her remains obedient for now.”
“So… will you revoke the spell now?” The witch’s question was filled with uncertainty, though she knew the answer.
The Devil Mother wiped a streak of blood from her eyes. “Don’t worry, my dear. I only need that girl out of that house. Once she’s gone, my work will be done.”
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Hagatha kneeled on the ground, gasping. Her connection with Ashlee was growing strained, but she smirked through her frustration. “You can try all you want, Mother. I’ll reach my destiny soon enough.”
She closed her eyes, summoning her dark energy. “Brennus, the feast is nearly upon us. Our time is near.”
Her laughter echoed as she envisioned the future she sought—one she knew would soon come to pass.
----------------------------------------
Derion gathered his findings and returned to Kyle, who hadn’t left Ashlee’s side as Esyn tried to cool her fever.
“It was Heather and one of the maids, Ciara, who spoke with her,” Derion reported.
Kyle’s face hardened. “Bring them to the base. Now.” His voice was edged with a fury that hadn’t shown in years.
----------------------------------------
“Heather.” Kyle’s voice was calm, but it held a threat beneath the surface. “Care to explain yourself?”
“I don’t understand, Kyle. What’s this about?” Heather tried to feign innocence, but Kyle’s icy gaze was unrelenting.
“Fine. What about you, Ciara?” He turned to the maid, his stare cold and dangerous. “If this is your last chance to speak, I suggest you use it well.”
Ciara trembled, glancing at Heather, who shook her head in warning. Kyle’s expression grew darker.
“Very well. Guards—behead them both. I have no need for traitors in my house.”
“No! No, please!” Ciara cried, throwing herself at his feet, “I’ll tell you everything. Please, Alpha—spare me!”
Kyle signaled the guards to hold. He didn’t turn around. “Speak.”
“Heather… she ordered me. She threatened me to tell Luna that… that the night before her mother’s funeral, you were with me. That we… spent the night together, and that you’d abandoned her.” Ciara’s voice broke as she spoke.
Kyle’s gaze didn’t waver. “And the whole truth, Ciara. I won’t tolerate another lie.”
He left her no escape, his silent rage filling the room as the darkness of betrayal settled over them all.