RMW
Chapter Thirty
Wolves in the Woods
~SV~
Pitsville’s Graveyard, Late Afternoon, 677, 28th, October
After Rorik spent a few hours digging up graves, he then helps the Witch pull nails from the coffins, and fills bags with the dirt that was touching the caskets. Sighing, he wipes his face, “So will you open a Dark Door to the Black Forest Village now?” She laughs, “Yer not done.” Rorik glares, “Now what do you want?”
The Old Hag says, “Ya need ta put all these coffins in their holes, and pile te dirt back in. It has been makin’ me uneasy for a while now.” He looks at all of the caskets, and groans. She continues, “Me do not want ta risk anyone comin’ up here on a lark seein’ it; tey might come for me.” He is tempted to hit her in the head with the shovel and walk to the castle.
Jacque laughs darkly, “Me knows wat yer thinkin’ boy. Why do ya think me carried te shovel clear up here, instead of lettin’ ya haul it for me, huh me Precious Prince?” He groans. She cackles, “Tis yer own foul fault!” Jacque snickers, “Yer payin’ in blood if ya kill me! Me puts it in all me hexes, if ya try ta break it, not only will yer balls shrivel up, yer pecker falls right off! And ya know as sure as death, it were yer own stupid doin’ tat caused it. Right?”
Swallowing his rage Prince Rorik wants to refuse to believe her, but she did say those consequences when she hexed him. The Prince replies, “Right.” Rorik is unwilling to risk his family jewels. He starts to shove the first coffin of over twenty-four caskets back in its hole. As the coffin hits the ground it collapses, showing the skeleton that is inside. He cries out, gags, and pukes. Then he hurries to cover it with the mound of dirt piled up beside the open grave.
He realizes just what sort of trouble he is in, if anyone sees him doing this dark deed; he will do time in jail or worse. Once the grave is filled Rorik moves to the next one. No longer going slowly, he hurries before anyone can see him. The Old Hag sits, rattling on about all her plans while at the islands. He really does want to hit her with the shovel, but prefers to keep his family jewels.
Rorik grumbles to Jacque, “I hope you are as good as you think you are, because I never want to remember any of this evil doings!” The Prince is mostly referring to all he had done with the old hag in bed. He gags with fear that he will have nightmares of it and her, for the rest of his life.
~*~
Satan’s Spit Camp, Late Afternoon, 677, 28th, October
The Oracle has jerk to a stop, as she is hit with her childhood memory, of the ‘Wolves in the Woods’ as they are chasing her, causing Too shaken by it to be embarrassed, the Princess replies, “No, it is just a frightening memory.” She pushes her fears away and walks on.
The dark girl admits, “Regrettably, I had a bad experience as a child,” Eddirk pries, “What sort of memory was it?” Sidonia adds, “It was Wolves in the Woods. I re-lived it in a vision, just this morning, so the memory is very vivid.” The Oracle shudders, “It interrupted my vision is all.” Endora shakes her head, sad that they caused it by needing to ask this young girl for help.
~*~
Mountain Road, Hours to Sunset, 677, 28th, October
There are four passengers in the carriage as they travel east. Grekan introduces himself to a young-looking, single mother and her fourteen-year-old boy, as Molly says, “I am having trouble getting by, and dread being on our own this winter. My sister has asked my son, Tom, and I to come live with her.” The older man at his side just grunts his hello; then he goes back to snoring loudly, the others smile. Grekan is amazed he can sleep during such a bumpy ride.
He begins to worry he will drown as the coach crosses the river. At one point, it becomes stuck; it comes loose with a few tries. When they get to the other side of the river, the Coachman stops to check it out. The Coach Master examines the wheel seeing a crack, he says, “I have no idea where any blacksmith is in this area. There is one a few days from here. I hope it will last.” Grekan groans to himself, ‘Just my luck. Will anything go right on this trip?’
~*~
The Oracle sees where Charles went; Sidonia walks while saying, “The boy came out of the wagon as his father left your camp to go to the Hangman’s Haunt for a drink. Charles spoke to a woman who had been talking to Jonathon, and Charles followed her out here. She used the opportunity to lure him further by offering a ride on a horse his size. She led him this way.” His mum hisses, “Lured?”
Screeching, Myrtle asks, “By who?” Trying to avoid their panic, Sidonia replies, “A female is trying to get Jonathon’s help.” Myrtle demands, “What are you saying? Are you insinuating-.” The Princess realizes what the wife is thinking is worse than frightening them, and states, “I have no need to make anything up.” The girl picks up Charles’s toy horse, handing it to his mother, saying, “A Shade, Jon sees them.” Endora hushes Myrtle, “Stay quiet.”
The clan’s female leader, Endora adds, “The Oracle needs to see where your son went.” Holding Charles’s toy, Myrtle cries. Endora says, “Listen for your son; do not ask the Oracle questions, it will cause this all to take longer.” Myrtle nods, continuing anyway, “What is a shade? Is she saying a woman of the night? Is Jon seeing a bloody tart? You were in camp; surely one of you saw this woman and could have kept her from stealing my child?”
Endora sighs, “She means a ghost.” Myrtle goes pale, “They are real?” Endora adds, “Shade is another name for spirits.” Myrtle screams, “Is it going to possess my son?” Endora grabs her, “Shhh. You must keep your wits about you. The Oracle must concentrate to keep the vision. We cannot be distracting her!” Myrtle whimpers, “I cannot believe he followed a Ghost into the woods!” Sidonia says, “I doubt she intends harm.” The clan grumbles with fear of Ghosts.
Myrtle sobs, “You are saying Charles sees them too?” The Princess feels it is pointless to avoid it, adding, “I do not believe Beatrix is usually malevolent, just mourning, and seeking closure. Yet she did lead him off, I suspect to force you all into helping her.” Myrtle gasps, “Beatrix! How can you know if a ghost will harm him or not?” Eddirk says to the men, “Let us spread ourselves out on each side of the Oracle, as we walk keep each other in sight.”
Eddirk adds, “Everyone, watch and listen for Charles.” Sidonia stays focused, leading them into the dark woods. Even though she shudders having a flash of the wolves chasing her, the dark girl shakes herself and continues. Eddirk goes to his wife, “I do not like this. She mentioned me seeing Beatrix, before we even got to camp. How can she know of her?” Hearing them, Sidonia says, “Fate showed me a vision, of how Beatrix spoke to Jonathon.”
They all gasp, as she adds, “And how the Shade then led Charles into the woods. So, I knew, before you reached my Ferry. I was wondering why I had the vision, where you were located, and how I could help. I asked the Ferryman if he knew where Satan’s Spit Forest was, he did not know. When we stopped at the Old Oak Tavern, I also asked the Barman, he had not heard of this forest either.” The Oracle jerks to a stop at the Wolf snarling at her.
Sidonia’s memory causes it to seem as if she were in the tree again, and it haunts her. The Princess adds, “Then you came to my Ferry.” Taking several deep breaths, the dark girl clears her mind of ‘Wolves in the Woods’ as she whispers, “It is in the past. I am safe. Charles needs me to find him.” The Oracle reconnects to her vision and as her ethereal green mist comes, it shows her where the boy went, and she hurries on, with the clan following her.
~*~
Kolo’s Craftroom, Hours before Sunset, 677, 28th, October
As the Egyptian stands looking in the bowl again, she gives the two cousins a snide grin. They know she is just rubbing salt in their wounds, flaunting her slight bit of freedom. It is short lived, as Nepathi becomes dizzy and collapses back into her seat, and drinks more blood. The trio sit there weak and angry, as they wonder why he woke all three of them. Kolo enters, carrying blank paper and a key. They wait to find out what Kolo wants from them, this time.
Darciana looks around and wonders where Lola is; then she guesses. She asks the Egyptian, “What is in the bowl?” Nepathi sneers, “None of your business.” Queen Samala says to her cousin, “I believe the Egyptian has no clue as to what is in the glass dish.” Darciana nods in agreement, and Nepathi hisses, “I do so. In fact, I knew all about how you two caused each other’s captures and wondered which of you would finally realize it was your fault.”
The Egyptian smirks, “For I know, the hand you both played in getting the two of you here.” Samala says in a bored tone, “Oh good for you, for being an insignificant fly on the wall.” Darciana huffs, “That only makes you the inferior witch.” Nepathi is angry at this. Still, the Egyptian gives them a smug smile, until Darciana adds, “Clearly you are not the smartest or the strongest witch here.” Nepathi snorts, “Keep lying to yourself if it helps.”
Hearing them squabbling, Kolo curses, “Must I put up with you three being troublesome Witches?”
~*~
As Sidonia follows Charles, over the next hour and a half; her memories of ‘Wolves in the Woods’ happen less often, so she is able to hurry along as quickly as she can and rush toward the lost boy. The shadows of the dark forest creep forward and Sidonia’s mind worries that Kolo is creeping nearer too. Not willing to waste her strength, using her gift to see, Sidonia goes to Eddirk. Realizing, their leader calls out both ways, “Halt! Light your torches!”
The Princess gets a stick, lighting it by using Eddirk’s torch, then lights her lantern. Closing her eyes, Sidonia sees what Charles saw when walking. Opening her eyes, she looks for what he saw, Myrtle moans, “Can you go faster?” Sidonia sighs, “No. I am sorry I must find what he saw, to know where he went. The only way is if Beatrix comes and agrees to help us. She is not with us yet.”
Myrtle groans, and Endora shakes her head at her, “You must let her concentrate! I have to sit to try and I still did not see what she sees. This girl is our only hope of getting to your son before it is dark or freezing.” Sidonia identifies what he saw and she walks toward it. Eddirk yells, “We walk forward!” Myrtle whimpers, “I fear he will come to harm before we find him.” Endora calls out to the clan reminding all, “Listen for the boy! And watch for a ravine.”
~*~
The Evil One smugly taunts, “I am certain that you are all equally guilty of helping me.” They sniff and Kolo goes to stand before a locked bookshelf. He puts the key in and opens it. He now gazes at the rows of grimoires. Samala says, “I bet Nepathi was the most helpful and with the least amount of threats.” Darciana raises an eyebrow at this, yet says nothing, as she watches Kolo take one of the grimoires down. Darciana wonders how weak he is.
As Kolo finds a useful one, he sets it upon the small table near him. Darciana suspects which kind of spell he is looking for and why he raised three this time, instead of just one. Nepathi says, “I am the strongest.” Kolo gets another grimoire. Looking at the Egyptian, Darciana smirks, “He locked you in last, and gives you more freedom. So, no dear, you are the weakest.” Samala chuckles at this.
~*~
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Sidonia stops and whispers to Eddirk, “There is a fox ahead of us. It will reach Charles before we do, however it is tracking him quicker than I can. I leave it up to you; do we follow the fox assuming it stays tracking him and hope to stop it as we reach Charles, or do we kill it and travel toward the boy at a slower pace?” Eddirk asks, “Where is it?” She points. The rest wait quietly.
Eddirk creeps after the fox and sees it, right as it hears and turns, seeing him. He knows it is about to run, he throws his knife impaling the fox. Eddirk returns with the corpse tied to his belt, Sidonia nods, “It was wisest, not to risk the boy.”
~*~
The Rambler further smirks at Nepathi, “If you were the best then Kolo would have simply used you to charm and hex his foul jewelry! There would have been no reason for him to seek another, finding me to do it for him and causing him to end up taking me!” This stings Nepathi for she knows it is the truth. Samala likes that her cousin acts more furious with the Egyptian, than with her.
Darciana closes her eyes resting, as Kolo brings a few scrolls to the table near his seat. He opens a grimoire to the page he marked as he brings it to Nepathi. The Evil One points at the spell, as he says, “I think this one might be best for our situation.” Nepathi runs her finger down the list of items, nodding as she glances at the instructions. She then agrees, “Yes it will do for our first try.”
Kolo sighs with relief, getting himself a blood drink. He locks the left wrists of Darciana and Samala, clearing the empty carafes and cups. The Evil One now sits down with a relieved groan, that has Darciana’s full attention. Nepathi carries her heavy chain, slowly letting it go, as she walks to the shelves. The Egyptian gathers a medium sized caldron, an oil burner, and a stone mortar with its pestle, she now drags the heavy length of chain behind her.
The Mad Queen cringes at the loud scraping, along the stone floor, as Nepathi brings the items to the table; she then lifts the chain again to go back. Kolo sits at the head of the long table, in a chair equally as beautiful as his throne. Still, keeping his eye on them, as he writes of all Lola said of her efforts to bring him back to life.
~*~
Satan’s Spit Forest, Nearing Sunset, 677, 28th, October
Hopelessly lost, Jonathon sees a woman up ahead, he calls out to her, “Miss, have you seen my son? He is missing, lost in the woods and I fear he fell down a ravine. Have you ever seen a gully or canyon near here?” Wanting Jon to be desperate before making her bargain, she continues away from him. He is annoyed at the indifferent woman’s silence. Jon yells, “Stop, I need your help!”
She hesitates feeling anger, as he adds, “He is just a small boy, lost, and afraid!” She now whips around to face him, and he screams, “Beatrix!” The Shade is suddenly so close he could touch her, as she fumes, “I still need help, and none of you are willing to give it! Why should I tell you where to find your son, when you refuse to help me?” Jon sobs, “I should have attempted more. But you scare me! It is not my fault that I run, you are haunting me!”
He admits, “Besides, I will do no better finding your answers than Eddirk did. He did not find any way to prove that the man did not kill her, nor could he show the sheriff who did.” She bursts, “The man? William is my husband. So, I will ignore you, the way you ignored me!” Jon pleads, “I am sorry. Help my son and I will do all you ask.” She tilts her head, “You promise? Give me your solemn vow to right this wrong and I will lead your clan to your son!”
Jon agrees, “I swear on my life, to do as you ask, if you agree to save my son.” Beatrix smirks, “I accept. Go kill the owner of the Hangman’s Haunt.” He gasps, “You want me to murder Clay? If I kill anyone, it will trigger my Ramblers Blood Curse. She rages, “You think that compares to my suffering? I am certain Clay murdered his wife, blaming my William and his hanging killed me. And then, Clay mocks me, by changing the name of the tavern!”
Groaning, Jon begs, “Surely, I can tell the sheriff I saw Clay do it.” The Shade seethes, “No. I already tried, he will not listen. Kill Clay and I will show your clan where to look for your son. Fail me, and I will haunt you to death!” Jon gives in, “I will. Please go save Charles.” Beatrix points him toward camp. Jon runs there to get his axe, and then goes to town. Beatrix has an angry smile, “Lola is right, it is better.” Yet she frowns as her mist darkens again.
~*~
Kolo drinks more blood, as he watches Nepathi go to the shelves to select the needed tools. She comes slowly back to the table with the two cages and a basket Kolo had brought in. She sits for a moment getting her breath as she reviews the list. Standing back up, Nepathi takes an open basket to collect two bat wings, a live caterpillar, and then scoops out two Human eyes from a jar.
Returning back to the table, Nepathi sits down heavily onto her wooden chair. After reviewing the spell, Nepathi informs Kolo, “I do not see a knife anywhere.” He nods, and gets up slowly, going over to the cabinet, he unlocks a drawer, picking out a knife. Samala huffs, “Finally. I am certain if I had to endure that noise, of the chain dragging along the stone floor for another second, I would scream.”
The Egyptian hisses, “Imagine it around your throat, I would spend an extra year here, just to hear that scream.” Kolo hesitantly puts the knife down by her, as Nepathi stares at the grimoire. Samala sees the insect inch out of the basket and taunts, “Your maggot is about to escape.” The Egyptian reacts by bringing the knife down, spiking it into the table, as she glares at the Mad Queen.
Nepathi cruelly sneers, “It is hardly mine, when I have been collecting them from between your legs each night.” Samala is deeply offended, sniffing in her superior tone, “You are a Liar, and very crude!” Kolo scolds, “Yes, that was overly vulgar, and Samala was only being helpful.” The Egyptian just taunts, “Oh yes, defend your bloody Queen. Why do you expect me to do you a favor, and be pleasant, when I am suffering from a harsh rebirth?”
Darciana scoffs, “It is a caterpillar, not a maggot. It becomes a Rambler Moth-?” Instantly silent, the Rambler looks at the gathered items with suspicion, yet much remains missing, still she feels it is starting to confirm the reason for Lola’s absence. Kolo agrees with Nepathi, however he mocks her, “I do not expect joy. Nevertheless, I prefer that you keep your insults out of the realm of disgusting. Must you be three troublesome Witches all the time?”
In a quiet grumble the Egyptian says, “It only bothers you… because you desire the vile, mad Queen.” Samala scoffs, “I am sane! Not crazy.” Nepathi says, “Yet, he kidnapped you from a sanitarium. That is where mad people are kept. You were confined there for attempted Maternal Filicide.” Darciana was not listening, as she leans forward, as far as her bindings allow, trying to look past the items. Yet, she cannot see, which grimoire Nepathi is using.
Sighing, Kolo grins as his eyes linger over his scroll, rereading it. He reminisces about when and where Lola stole it for him, running his fingers down the parchment. It brings him a strange exhilarated excitement at having something this precious. He brags, “It is a decade long dream to have such a rare scroll that others do not have. Like being a king, who conquers new lands, pillaging their riches. I am much smarter and wiser than others, for I am a scholar.”
He smugly adds, “And, in so many interesting subjects, that I am never bored.” He sighs, “I need fewer obligations.” Darciana scoffs, “Wise and smart are defined by their deeds done for others. It is more commendable and fulfilling to create things, or earn enough to buy your own items, rather than stealing them from others.”
~*~
Blackstone Castle, Near Sunset, 677, 28th, October
Prince Viktor worries after seeing Sidonia’s room is empty, it causes him to need a nap. He is in the habit of being awake for part of the night so he can be with his father, so it is normal for him to sleep late into the day, and take regular naps when tired. After he wakes, Viktor goes into the secret passageways to the closest exit by Grekan’s room. He runs to the Clerk’s door, using his master set of keys, he opens it and sees the room is emptier than usual.
The Prince also notices that Grekan’s big bag is gone. Viktor visualizes all the places that the Clerk has told him of, as he looks at Grekan’s unusual items from foreign lands. Prince Viktor groans, “I guess I will not need Grekan’s help to get a birthday gift for Sidonia anyway, since she is gone too.” Viktor goes to the Library, it remains locked. He is more certain that Grekan has also left. He is disappointed that he will not have a special dinner with Sidonia.
However, the Prince senses the danger here, understanding why she ran away. Feeling lonely and wishing they had brought him with, Viktor reminds himself, “I am the Lord of Blackstone Castle, I needed to stay here and defend it.” He goes into the secret panel, looking in the spy holes listening, and watching everyone. However, Viktor just becomes frustrated and bored; at the lack of useful information, and dull conversations.
~*~
Suddenly a vicious brown Wolf interrupts Sidonia’s vision of Charles. She is used to seeing the gray wolves of the Black Forest; and watches as this brown Warg jumps on an old man, snarling into his face as the man yells, “Help! Kristopher the Warg Wolf has me!” The elderly man tries to hold the Warg Wolf away, as his arms are weakening and give way, the wolf bites him. Eddirk asks, “What is it, Oracle?” The dark girl realizes, feeling guilt for not preventing it.
The brown wolf is Krist and he became a Warg, hurting the older man. Yet even if she finished the first vision and immediately went there to help, she could not arrive at Lake Bled in time to stop Kristopher from being a Warg or harming anyone. She sighs, “The Lake Bled Clan are hunting one of theirs, who is a Warg.” Groaning, Eddirk nods, “We gather with them. Who is the Warg-?” Myrtle fumes, “You need to take this seriously!” Sidonia does not reply.
The Oracle is taken in a new vision, seeing Beatrix’s deal with Jon and groans. Endora scolds Myrtle, “Hush, I know you do not have the gift. Still, you need to realize that she did not ask for it.” Sidonia’s eyes glow with green mist, saying, “Jon has agreed to help Beatrix-.” Myrtle cuts in yelling, “I do not care about anyone else’s clan, nor my worthless husband, it is his fault Charles is missing! All I care about is Charles. You have to find my son faster, right now!”
Feeling nearly drained, Sidonia agrees and could use a break, “Fine, it is best; yet no one will like it. Just remember, that I did warn you.” She now yells, “Beatrix!” Myrtle gasps, “What do you think you are doing? She will harm us all!” The Princess does not reply, Myrtle yells, “Are you a bloody Mad Woman?” The dark girl’s eyes glow a bright blue, as she steps closer to Myrtle, “I am not insane.” Myrtle backs away, gasping. Sidonia is displeased.
She dislikes the reminder of Samala, adding, “I am trying to save Charles! You do want him safe, right? Or are you only pretending to care about your son?” Myrtle whimpers, “I care.” The dark girl smolders, “She was seeking us anyway. I am only bringing her faster. I hope she will keep her promise to Jon, and lead us to Charles. Be aware, she nears, Beatrix intends to frighten us.” Sidonia begins to sense this was a mistake, as she adds, “Everyone try to stay calm, I see that she is angry. Gather together and remain here.”
They grumble in fear, Sidonia says, “Still, I do not believe she can harm anyone here. I hope that she will help us get to Charles quicker than I can on my own.” Myrtle glares, “I did not ask for this!” The Dark Princess quips, “Nor did you make sure one of these women were watching your son, did you?” Sidonia regrets saying what she thought to her. As Myrtle now loudly says, “Why are we bothering to follow this girl? She is lying about bringing Beatrix.”
Myrtle fumes, “I do not believe in ghosts, nor that my son can walk this far, I doubt she is leading us to Charles. I dare not trust her!” Endora scolds Myrtle, “If I knew to wait for Beatrix, we would still be at camp until she arrives. Would you feel any safer following the Ghost out here into these woods?” Myrtle gasps, “No. But how can I believe what I cannot even see?” Eddirk says, “Endora is right, we have walked further than I felt the boy could travel.” Myrtle sobs.
Endora tries to comfort her, “We must be close. If we waited, even running we could not have gotten here before dark.” Agreeing, Eddirk says, “Not having the girl’s help; I would have spread us out, to go searching in all directions. It is possible we might never find your son without this Oracle’s assistance!” Sidonia rubs her neck and sighs. Myrtle’s reluctance gives Robert an idea, so he tells a few of the men whom he trusts to help him with his plan.
Guilt makes Myrtle nervous, knowing she offended the strange pale girl. Yet, she hates the idea of apologizing and does not trust anyone not of their cauldron. Myrtle feels the Oracle is lying about the Ghost because she no longer wants to help and it is Myrtle’s own fault. She grumbles through clenched teeth, “Sorry. I am sorry I yelled at you.” The Oracle shrugs, “I am used to it. I have learned that no one likes hearing the truth; even when they ask me for it.” Myrtle pleads, “Will you take us to him, now?”
Sidonia rubs her temples, and shakes her head, “It is best if we wait.” Sternly, Myrtle urges, “Why are we waiting? It is getting dark! I do not want a Ghost’s help; you need to lead us to him now!” Sidonia’s head is killing her from the prolonged vision. The Oracle only says, “I did warn you, now we need to wait for Beatrix.” Myrtle gets in her face, “No. You listen to me.” The Oracle is exhausted, and stressed about Kolo. Still, she is focused on the boy.
She has kept her tone mild until Myrtle grabs and shakes her, yelling, “You are crazy to wait for a ghost. Find my son, right now!” Sidonia yanks free, yet still feels the pain of her aura on her skin. Fury has the Dark Princess’s glowing blue eyes, piercing Myrtle’s, as the dark girl seethes, “Keep your hands off me and stay here; since you do not want to follow me. Just, stop blaming your bad decisions on everyone else.” Sensing the Shade, the Oracle turns.
Sidonia leaves Myrtle to face Beatrix’s direction, as she rushes in with ghostly moans. The Oracle warns the clan again, “Stay calm. Beatrix is almost here.” Endora sees Myrtle has a dazed look, and tries to speak to Myrtle, yet she just stands there in a trance and Endora cannot wake her. Beatrix is delighted, as she rushes by them, hearing their screams and continues to frighten everyone by screeching loudly, while she comes up behind them.
The angry Shade grins, feeling like she is now as strong as Lola. She laughs at their terror and enjoys hearing their frightened screams of horror. Best of all, a group of them flee from her, running for camp. The Shade then notices the unfamiliar girl is not looking frightened, she is looking angry. The girl has ghost-like pale skin, causing her green eyes, red lips, and black hair to really stand out. The Shade comes at her, yet the Dark Princess continues to glare.
Beatrix feels that this girl is somehow taking them to the boy. The Ghost comes closer, worrying this dark girl will keep the clan from doing her bidding. Beatrix huffs, “Did you call me?” Sidonia nods, giving her a wicked grin. The Shade realizes this girl is more powerful than her. If Jon failed, Beatrix had hoped to convince this clan to kill Clay, in return for her taking them to the boy. She realizes this girl can ruin it. She howls, “Why do you not fear me?”
Sickened by this Shades willingness to harm a boy, the Oracle responds with clenched teeth, seething, “I know Lola!”
~RMW~