I walked inside the room, Vincent going behind me like an ever-looming presence, preventing me from escaping. My knees felt weak and unsteady, and my heart thumped in my chest like a jackhammer. A nauseating sensation churned inside me as I tried to keep calm.

Ari's office was a sight to behold. The walls were adorned with richly-colored art pieces, and the ceiling had intricate designs carved into it. An impressive table of wood sat in the center of the room, and a long row of bookshelves along the wall held a wide selection of books. Everything seemed to exude a sense of history and age like the office had been taken straight out of a European museum.

If I wasn't scared out of my skin, I would be glad to get the chance to see Ari's office. "For what purpose have you brought the boy here, and why is he steeped in terror?" Ari asked, snapping my attention back to him. "Sit here, don't think about escaping. We will be onto you in less than a second." Vincent said coldly.

I did as I was told. Feeling the truth in his words. They would catch me in less than a second. Running wasn't optional. Vincent walked toward Ari, and they started to talk in low voices. I couldn't make out what they were saying. The conversation was long and seemed to get heated. Ari getting angrier by the minute. I hoped his anger won't be directed at me.

Ari snapped his gaze and caught my eyes. "Approach, halt at the table-top, attempt any action, and I shall not be withheld in your destruction." I nodded and walked toward the table. Trying to make myself look as cooperative as I could. "Put your hands behind your back, try casting any spell, and it will be over," Vincent added once I reached the table.

With a small voice, I said, "I can't do any spells. I just-"

"Silence!" Ari roared. I nodded and held my tongue. The situation seemed dire for me. "Vincent, call Jahha. We'll need her expertise." Vincent nodded and stepped out to make the call. Leaving me alone with Ari.

"A cunning serpent lurks within the confines of my home, looking so innocent no one could imagine he was able to wreak any damage. Who is the wendigo you're working with? The council would have no mercy upon you for being a witch. It's a great offense to aid one of them. And killing a vampire belonging to my court on top of that." Ari's eyes bore into mine.

With a shaky voice, I tried to speak. "May... may I talk, sir?" Ari seemed a little taken aback by my question. As if he didn't believe I was truly afraid. In reality, terror filled my veins to the point of overflowing. And my mind raced, desperately searching for an escape plan. Ari nodded.

"I don't know what's happening. Anything I said to Vincent was the entire truth. I'm just here because I needed a job. Has Vincent told you everything?" I wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

"Yes, he told me about the conversation you had. It arouses suspicion that the murder occurred immediately after you started working here. You were also the first to find the body. Your ability is unheard of. Thinking of you as an innocent witch unaware of his powers is just... unimaginable."

I ran through the details in my mind, searching for the right way to explain. "I don't know how to make you believe me. I always had this ability. I didn't think I was a witch. I didn't know anyone like me existed. I just thought I had a weird power. My entire family is human. I never met my father, so maybe I got it from him. I don't know. All that matters is that an innocent woman lost her life, and the one who took it isn't being held accountable. That's something I can't accept."

Ari seemed to ponder at that. No longer looking angry. "I'll ask you a few questions. Tell me if I'm lying or telling the truth."

"Okay, I can do that," I said quickly. Willing to do anything for him to believe me. "Vincent is a half-vampire." No buzz. "True," I immediately said. Wait, vampire? Not giving me any time to recover, Ari asked me another Question.

"The club is overseen by the council." Again, there was no buzz. "True," I replied. Vincent seemed startled by my answers. I had no idea most of the time what he was asking about. "I was born in 1872." The buzz went through my head this time. "False." Ari spat out different years of his birth, all of which have been lies. Until finally, one of them was true. "1592," Ari said. "True," I replied with some shock. How could he be that... old? Could it be-

"Incredible, you seem to at least tell the truth about your ability. I have never met anyone with your gift. It's a valuable one. What if I think something is true while in reality, it's not?" Ari asked. "I'll still feel it as a lie," I said, fear still laced inside my voice. "You have a powerful gift. Tell me, is Sam betraying me?"

"You have to say it as a statement. Maybe try saying, 'Sam is loyal to me.'" I replied, scared that he'll get angry at my correction. Ari just nodded. "Sam is loyal to me." He said. The buzz went through my head. Stronger than before, Sam seemed to bring a strong reaction out of me. "False," I said. Ari just nodded. "What is your name, boy?" Ari caught himself for a second, his eyes wandering along my body. "Correct me if my terminology is incorrect. Do you consider yourself to be a boy?"

My checks heated. The five-hundred-year-old vampire threatening to end me wanted to respect my pronouns. Really? "My name is Julian, and yes, I'm a guy," I told him. "Forgive me. I just wanted to make sure. Just know that you shouldn't hide or be embarrassed. Everybody here will respect you. Unless they want to feel my wrath."

What was going on? Ari seems to be looking at me with... respect? His whole demeanor seemed to change. Maybe he finally believes me? "Ari, do you believe me? Why are you suddenly nice to me?" Ari's eyes looked softer right now. "If what you're telling me is true, I have a valuable witch in my office. An innocent one that doesn't even know what he is. If everything you told Vincent is true, our behavior is inexcusable. No one dares to speak to a witch with such insolence. I want us to be on good terms." I nodded. Anything that would help me in this situation.

Vincent stepped back inside the office, and Ari's eyes landed on him. "Vincent, go down and bring Sam here. Has Jahha arrived already?" Vincent looked at me before answering. "Yes, she just arrived."

"Good, bring them both up. I want her to observe Julian while Sam and I are going to have a little chat." Vincent's eyes got big as he caught a glimpse of me again. "Was he telling the truth?" Vincent asked.

"That is yet to be determined, but he's honest regarding to his ability. So I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until our conversation with Sam has concluded." Vincent nodded and stepped out of the room.

"Here," Ari offered me a handkerchief. I stared at the object in my hands, only now realizing I was crying. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I hastily wiped them away with shaking hands. I could feel a blush spreading across my face from embarrassment. I hadn't intended for him to see me like this. Taking a deep breath, I thanked him quietly and made an effort to compose myself.

It took Vincent a few minutes to bring Sam and Jahha here. I suddenly found the floor to be very interesting. Counting the lines of the elegant hardwood, refusing to make eye contact with Ari. To scared for him to find something he might not like inside my eyes. Even though I wasn't hiding anything.

The door opened, Vincent and Sam stepped inside, accompanied by a woman. She looked to be in her forties. She had Asian features and looked stunning. With a slender frame, almond-shaped eyes, and long, silky black hair. Her eyes were dark and piercing, giving off an intelligence aura. She had a dignified yet graceful demeanor about her. Her eyes immediately snapped to me, calculating. I presumed this was Jahha.

"Thank you for coming here on such short notice, Jahha. I'm going to explain shortly why you are here. Trust me, It'll be worth your time." Ari said, his voice laced with respect while talking to Jahha. Was she a witch? It seemed to be true if so. The respect witches receive from those people. Jahha nodded, her eyes still focusing on me. I felt uncomfortable by her attention. Something about her made me want to stay away from her shit list.

"But before we discuss anything further, one pressing matter needs attending. Sam, what can you tell me about yesterday's events?" Ari's voice was laced with venom. I would probably crumble into the floor if he talked to me like that. Sam snapped his gaze to Ari. His eyes narrowed. "We're still looking into the matter-" Ari stopped Sam. "Let me be more specific in my questions. Did you let that wendigo enter the club?"

Sam looked shocked. "Of course not. How could you even ask me that? I've been loyal to you for years." Ari looked in my direction, a question on his face. "He's lying," I said in a quiet but determined voice. Sam looked at me. Anger was written over his face. "Who do you even think you are? What is that to you-" Ari snapped his fingers. In a second, Sam's mouth was shut.

Sam looked around, his eyes going wild with fear now. "Jahha, can you sense anything about Julian? We may have stumbled upon a young witch unknowingly walking through our shadows. Is he a fixture of the witches' lineage or a stranger to our world?" Jahha shook her head no. "I do not know him or of him. But the level of power he exhibited just now is concerning. I haven't seen anyone with that much power in over a decade."

Power? I just felt the buzz and told Ari about it. What can she see? Ari nodded. He walked toward Sam and was standing in front of him. "You may speak now," He said. But Sam didn't make a sound. Ari moved faster than I could track, his hand snaking forward as if in slow motion. There was a crack and then a scream that filled the air, followed by Sam doubling over in pain, clutching his wrist where Ari had struck.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I felt sick. I realized that Ari had broken Sam's fingers just now. "Let us attempt this again. And this time, you better tell only the truth. Julian will inform me otherwise. Let me spell it out for you. I'll shatter every bone in your body, and if that doesn't suffice, I'll rip off each limb one by one until there's nothing left of you. My imagination conjures up plenty of excruciating ways to break you down. Do you understand me?" Sam looked terrified now. He didn't nod, just stared.

"How did the wendigo enter the club?"

"I told you, I had nothing to do with that. I don't know how that creature got past our wards." Ari looked my way. "He's lying," I said in a quiet voice. Snap. Scream. Ari just broke another finger. I realized it was my fault. Every time I told Ari Sam was lying, he got hurt.

Everything suddenly felt like it was spinning out of control. I collapsed to my knees and vomited all over the pristine hardwood floor I had been admiring mere moments ago. Hot tears stung my face as a wave of guilt crashed over me. Sam was getting hurt because of me. In an instant, Vincent was crutching down my side. Holding my hair and offering me a towel. I don't know how he got the towel, but I was grateful nonetheless.

Jahha suddenly spook. "Ari, that's enough. You're causing Julian distress. He doesn't owe you anything. He's not pledged to you. The abuse of a witch is a serious crime. And one who doesn't know what he is on top of that. Get your men in line and check the people who are supposed to be loyal to you without using him." She was defending me, I realized. But why? She doesn't even know me.

Ari looked at me. "My apologies. I allowed my rage to consume me. I meant no harm. We still can't be sure Julian is as innocent as he seems. Therefore, I will require his help at this point. Julian, I shall reward you greatly if you can prove your words to be true. After that, we may discuss what comes next. Do you agree to continue?"

Vincent was petting my back, trying to comfort me. He meant no harm? He just broke Sam's fingers. Still, I understand what Ari was saying. They can't be sure I had nothing to do with the murder. And to clean my name, I'll have to prove that Sam is in the wrong. "I agree," I finally told Ari.

The questions continued. Did Sam let the wendigo inside? Was he helping other wendigos? To all of those, Sam said no. He was lying each time. Bone after bone snapped. Scream after scream came out of his mouth. If I had anything left inside my stomach, I would have thrown it up. "Why did you do it? Why have you betrayed me?" Ari asked. Sam stayed quiet. He probably realized it wasn't good for him to speak.

Ari grabbed his right hand. He twisted and yanked it, tearing it off with a sickening crack. For a moment, there was nothing, and then Sam screamed so loud I thought my ears would bleed. "I can't tell you. He'll kill my girl. He took my little girl. He promised me that he would release her if I gave him access to the club. He said if I wouldn't do it, he'll eat her piece by piece. Not letting her die until there was nothing left of her." Sam was sobbing now.

"I didn't know he was going to eat Heather. They never eat other supernaturals, only humans." Ari looked my way once again. "He's telling the truth," I told him. Ari nodded. "I didn't know you had a daughter. Is she a hybrid?" Ari asked. Sam looked at him. He looked like a man who had nothing to lose. The pain probably being too much for him. "She's not my daughter. She's a hybrid I bought as a baby to..." He was unable to finish the sentence.

"To do what Sam?" Ari roared, his eyes filled with fury. "She was born from a rough vampire. She would die by the time she'll be twelve. It doesn't matter. She'll be dead anyway. I used her to satisfy my urges. It's better than doing it with real children."

The room got quiet. Was he implying that he abused her... sexually? Fuck, that's sick. I didn't feel so bad for him anymore. Maybe Ari could rip another limb from him. "You sick fuck, what do you mean real children? Is she fucking Pinocchio? How dare you? A lot of hybrids from rough vampires survive to adulthood. It doesn't give you a right to kidnap and rape a child." Vincent screamed at him.

"I bought her from her mother. I didn't kidnap her." Sam said. Ari slapped him so hard that a few of his teeth fell out. "What a disgusting excuse for a vampire under my court. How I haven't seen that before about you is beyond me. Leave us. All of you. Vincent, take care of Julian. Jahha, you're welcome to stay and explain to Julian what you can. But, both of you, be careful. He looks overwhelmed."

I did feel dizzy. The world around me still spinning. I didn't want to pass out. I didn't want to put myself at the mercy of those creatures. Vincent helped me to my feet. He kept a steady arm around me as he walked me out of the room. We entered a smaller room, and Vincent put me down on the sofa. Bringing me a glass of water. Jahha followed us and now sat in front of me.

Vincent looked very miserable seeing me like that. "I'm sorry about how I acted, Julian. I was sure you had something to do with what happened to Heather. I would have never believed Sam is such a depraved person." I looked into his eyes. Seeing only sincerity inside them. "That's okay. You didn't know. Is Heather the woman that was killed yesterday?" I asked.

Vincent nodded. "She was a vampire under Ari's court. Heather was young and joined recently. She hadn't the best human life. She used to sell her body for money as a human. She thought the worst was behind her when she became a vampire. But, unfortunately, her second chance at life also was ripped away from her." I nodded at his explanation.

"So you're vampires? I have so many questions." I said. Vincent nodded. "Ask whatever you want. Jahha and I will answer to the best of our ability. You're one of us. You deserve to know."

Jahha and Vincent went into detail, their words tripping over each other in a race to explain the supernatural world. Every word sent shockwaves through my body as I pieced together how enormous this world was. A bustling network of creatures running alongside the humans, just as alive and vibrant. I felt overwhelmed, suddenly aware that there were more like me out there than I ever imagined.

Four main kinds of creatures categorize the world. Vampires, werewolves, witches, and wendigos. In between them, there are hybrids of different species, plus folks with magical abilities who don't quite fit in the witch category. By the end of the hour, I had a head full of more unanswered questions than I had when we began.

"So, am I one of the humans with a magical ability?" I asked Jahha. She shook her head no. "It seems to me that you're a witch. When you were feeling the words and determining their truth, you exhibited a lot of power. It makes me believe you are a witch unaware of his powers."

I thought about that. I didn't really feel magical most days. Aside from my lie detector, I never did anything else. "I never could do anything besides what you saw. Are you sure?" I asked Jahha. "We can never be sure until you try and do some minor spells. I'm willing to teach you. And only on your twenty-third birthday can you pledge yourself to a vampire court or a wolf pack. Just to be clear, you don't have to pledge to anyone." She looked significantly in Vincent's direction.

"How old are you right now? I don't know if we'll have enough time to train you if you decide to pledge yourself." I wasn't really getting half of the things Jahha said. "I'm sixteen. I'll be seventeen in May." I told her. Her eyes snapped with anger at Vincent. "Sixteen? You're hiring human minors now? Should I worry about any more vampires under Ari's court to have Sam's sickness?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I just really needed a job. The club was willing to take me. It's my fault as much as it's theirs." I quickly said. Jahha rolled her eyes. "I could care less about human laws, but to put you through what Ari just did at your age is terrible. Vincent, how could you let this stand?" She asked him.

"I didn't know you were only sixteen. I thought you were young, but not this young." Vincent said quietly. God, he sounded so sad. I didn't want him to feel that way. I decided to change the subject. "Jahha, why do courts and packs need a witch? Why would you want to be pledged to one? And what does being pledged exactly mean?" Jahha looked at me intensively.

"You really are young and clueless. I don't know how it happened. Witch's bloodlines are usually so meticulous and well thought out. To answer your questions, we don't need them, but they really need us. A pack or a court can barely function without a witch. Protection, wards, and positions are only a fraction of what we can provide. So everybody came to depend on our skills in order to survive." It was Vincent's turn to roll his eyes. Lucky for him, Jahha didn't see that.

Jahha continued. "Being pledged to someone involves forming a special connection with them. You provide only them with the magical assistance they require. You don't have to be completely loyal to them like other members do. It's mostly for financial benefits, and the person you are pledged to will protect you most of the time. Some witches prefer not to make any pledges at all. In short, pledging is not mandatory but has some advantages." Jahha concluded her explanation.

It seemed to me she held a lot of power over the club. I presumed she was pledged to them. To Ari's court. The entire time she spoke, an aura of arrogance surrounded her. Vincent held his head down most of the time, not making eye contact with Jahha. As if he wasn't good enough to be a part of the conversation regarding witches. It made me angry. Seeing Vincent like that.

"I'll pay you to study under Jahha." I spun around and saw Ari standing at the entrance to the room. His clothes were completely covered in blood. I didn't want to know what he did to Sam. Not right now. Maybe I'll ask Vincent later. "I don't understand," I told Ari.

"You'll keep coming here at night. Four times a week. You'll study magic with Jahha and better understand our world. You'll also sit with Vincent and me to understand everything better." Jahha looked at him suspiciously. "Trying to replace me, Aristotle?"

Was I using the nickname of a five-hundred-year-old vampire this entire time? "Of course not. I want to help Julian. He came here for a job. If you're going to teach him, you can do that from here. And he will be paid. Much more than a cleaning crew member." Ari explained himself.

To be honest, I was thrilled at the thought of being able to do more with my powers. It felt nice to have someone actually want me for once. Addictive even. But it was like making a deal with the devil. I wasn't sure how much I could trust any of them besides Vincent. Then again, I could just walk away from everything. I felt a pang of sadness at the thought of not seeing Vincent again, though I couldn't explain why. After all, we hadn't known each other for very long.

"Of course, you want to help him now you know his a witch. You know the wolves would want to meet him as well, right? The local pack was looking for a witch for a long time." Jahha said. A tick went through Ari's eyes. He didn't like she said that. "And they will in time. But, as you said, it will ultimately be Julian's choice. So what do you say? Will you accept my offer?" Ari asked me.

I looked at Vincent. He was still holding his head down while all of us spoke. I wondered why. "Vincent, would you like me to learn magic here? It won't bother you?" His gaze snapped to me. Surprise clearly showed in his eyes. "Yes, of course. It would be our honor." He answered almost immediately.

I wasn't ready to let go of all the information I gathered today. Finally, after spending my whole life looking for people like me, I was faced with those who had the answers I sought. But I didn't feel safe with everything that happened to Heather and what Sam did. And still, I didn't want to leave. I won't lie. The money also played a factor in my decision.

I had so many questions. Foronce, I wanted to be selfish and learn what I could do. Once again, I washoping I was making the right decision. "Okay, I would like to learn with Jahhahere. If it's okay with you." I said and looked at Jahha. "If that's yourdecision, I'll respect it. I'll teach you here." I nodded and saw Vincent smileat me. His smile managed to warm me up despite everything that transpired tonight.