She heard the door click shut behind her and carefully retreating footsteps in the hallway. She listened to the footsteps until a whisper was heard and it stopped. Her heart stopped and she refused to breathe just to hear what was going on as she was under the blanket.
Had her Father caught her? Hushed tones went on for several seconds before a smack was heard making her flinch as if she was the one being hit. This wasn't her first time seeing her Father hit her mother. Obviously why she didn't bother thinking twice about following another man. Another resounding smack went through the room and this time Charlotte couldn't take it. She decided to move close to the door.
Unfortunately, she didn't hear anything again asides from the smacks and a cry of pain. She winced. Her heart squeezed a little bit at how she had treated her mother when she came in knowing full well that she deserved to be happy for once too. She made to open the door but s
By the time she would look into Alex's eyes, they were red and blazing. She was quivering down to her feet as she confessed."Your Highness." She called, holding his leg but he sprang up as if her touch disgusted him."You!" He pointed his index finger at her. "You plotted to kill me and even lied to me! I had been living with a murderer and my enemy, all my life?"Cher burst into tears, her hands clasped to her mouth as she watched him rant with pain in his eyes."You pretended to be caring and all these while I thought you were simply catching feelings. Not knowing you just wanted to manipulate me into believing that you loved me. How pathetic!"She rose and went to meet him, her shaky hands touching his arm."I didn't...I wasn't lying when I said I love you. I have loved you since I met you, Alex.""Stop it!" He snapped at her, making her flinch.
She had become conscious but still felt numb. She let out a tired sigh before opening her eyelids only to be welcomed by the wholesomeness of darkness. Where was she? What happened? As she straightened, she noticed he was tied to a pole. Her two hands were tied together behind and her ankles too."What is going on?" She managed to ask.Selena tried to untie herself by sprouting a claw but it was useless as none of her fingers reached the rope that was used. She felt sticky and wet and she knew she was sweating. Something warm and dry stuck to the back of her head and she knew that was where she had been hit."Help!"She finally screamed when all her efforts were proved futile. The room or wherever she was felt cozy and small and she didn't bother to further ask why she was sweaty. The place was as hot as an oven."Hello?"Something clicked and light flicked o
The large door kicked open and Selena was dragged in by a strong arm that gripped her collar, choking her by the throat. She couldn't see much but she knew that she was in a palace. A man sat on a tall throne with long beard and grey hair. He had on a grin.Selena still had out her fangs in defensive mode and snarled at him.Cadmus gathered his robe around him and stood up, coming to meet her. Soon, she realized he wasn't the only one in the palace. He was also with several other people like his chiefs. Yeah, it must be an achievement to be able to kidnap the Queen of Forester after several attempts."Oh my god! Look at all that blisters and wounds." He made an attempt to touch her but she spat at him."Ooh." He drawled, looking around. "She just spat at me.""Look at me, Cadmus!" Selena thundered. "You will regret standing up against Forester. I will see to that."Cadmus sighed and the
Selena Stan couldn't believe her eyes and ears. It was her Dad standing here in flesh and blood and he wasn't scared of getting killed. He waltzed in with confidence."What are you doing here, Dad? How did you find me?" Selena asked."My daughter, who treated you like this? Who the hell treated my child like this?!" He thundered, looking back at the people that stood there. "You didn't go after who you sought. You were all bunch of cowards who know nothing better than to punish the innocent and the best thing you thought of doing was kidnapping my daughter?!"Selena held the hand he placed on her cheek and slowly removed it. "How did you know I was here? Why aren't they tying you up right now?""I have to save you, Selena. Let's focus on that." Drake shouted as he waved his hands. "I...I..I received news from the King that you were nowhere to be found, and I knew you were just going back to the palac
The wind whooshed as it swept the direction of the tree branches and dry leaves were heard rattling as they walked over it, stealthily. Alex shuddered and shook his furry body to shake out the cold. It's been hours since they started looking for Selena. He had sent for Drake immediately and asked him if Selena was with him but he said no and that she left his house hours ago to come back to the palace. Cher had been right. Much as he hated to admit it.The moon was out and it managed to seep in through the spaces the tall branches gave. The light helped in finding their way through the forest apart from the burning woods that some of the guards carried. He won't give up finding her even if it means going deep into the woods or cave. He wouldn't sit back and watch Selena slip out of his hands as Amelia did."Don't you think we should head back to the palace, your Highness? We have been walking for quite some time now." Rebal asked as she walk
The iron bar gate creaked open and Alex stepped into the dark room that was filled with a stench of rotten smells and a pungent odor. He dipped his hands into his pockets as he entered, ordering one of his guards to bring in a lamp.He could see her hunched up against the wall, probably tired of life. But that was none of his business. The only thing he was bothered about was finding Selena and he hoped Cher could bring the answer to that.Her back was turned to him and even when the gate creaked, she didn't move an inch or try to turn and see who came in."Hey." He called and she moved her blonde hair to look at him, her face swollen with tears.He wasn't moved by how bad she looked but he did wish she didn't do that."I'm here to ask you a few questions which I will allure you to give me honest answers to. I hope you will be truthful this time.""What is it?" She asked, her voice surp
"Whoo!!!!!" Many of them cried out in excitement as they gathered at the arena, looking at the two foreigners and offenders tied to the poles in the middle of the wide field. The moon was out and if she was to guess correctly, it would be midnight.Selena was already tired and weak that she didn't even care anymore. She just wanted to stay here without having to work on anything anymore. Although she is afraid of Alex coming in and trying to save her, she still wished he would. And then her Father.She sighed. A lot had happened without her knowledge but she was suffering for them all. The noise died down and when Selena would lift her heavy head, she realized their King had sat down already, hence the quietness."I welcome you all to this wonderful gathering," he greeted and they responded with screams of joy. "It is in my best interest that I say, congratulations on accomplishing our first goal. Courtesy of our master, Krepe." Murmurings arose but they intensified when Cadmus sat on
Alex jumped into the arena, shifting in the process as the panic and clamor went on. When he was coming, he had been prepared for whatever is to come. Glancing back, he could see Cher helping Selena out of the place. His heart squeezed at the state he saw her that he didn't wanna see anymore. He just wanted to punish Sathanas himself. Physically this time.He could hear the screams from below as men and women and Hyenas as well, grappled in the darkness, hanging on to the iron railings of the arena. Alex looked around but Krepe was no more on his throne. Neither was Cadmus on the floor. He turned away from the balcony and edged the three feet across to the hallway that would eventually take him to the palace or back exit of the building where it was possible they might have run out from. As he walked through the hallway, the darkness was so deep, so intense that it almost smothered him and choked him. The atmosphere was chilly but all thanks to his choice of outfit. A red robe he wor
"Bagdanas?" Alex called at the tall, dark man that stood beside him with his arm outstretched and a huge line of red lightning coming out of his palms. He was gritting his teeth. "You came for me." He muttered and he looked at him gratefully. When Bagdanas would drop his arm and turn to him, Alex grabbed him and embraced him. "You did come for me!" He said excitedly. Bagdanas nodded and took a glance at Sathanas. "You have failed this time again, Father. However, this one would be different from before. You will be erased from existence and your name will no longer be in the mouth of anyone." He said, his face strong and rigid. "My treacherous son. Let's see how you'll stand up against my other children who have proven to be so loyal." Sathanas mocked but Alex huffed. "Really? Let's see what you've got to say about this then." Someone stepped up beside them both and swirled her sword. "I'm sorry Father, but I've chosen this path." "Asmodeus?!" Sathanas thundered. "Unfortun
THIS CHAPTER IS A THROWBACK TO SOME OF CHER'S CONVERSATIONS WITH HER DAD"Come in."A young lady pushed open the door at the landing, holding around her the hooded cloak. Coming to the hyena territory at this time may seem unwise but she had to be in on the plan as she now seems confused. She has heard of the unfortunate fate of many ladies who walk around the place at that time. Especially if they are not shifters. Non-Shifters are people who are purely human.As she stepped into the room, she was met with a comforting smell of burnt coffee and flowers wafting through her nostrils. A few candles burnt in the corner of the room illuminating only a few parts where a man sat wearing a hat. The moon in its half form shone through a long window that overlooked a huge part of the garden outside. The rest of the space is filled with a stool, and two empty glasses that showed a visitor had just left.
Selena opened her eyes to see fire and brimstone falling, together with screaming and crying for help. She straightened but then realized she had been tied to a pole. She was kept in a cage made of huge iron bars. There was no way she could escape. Talking of escaping, she was too weak to even try.She squinted her eyes to see clearly but the only thing she saw was rocks and stones all over with smoke emanating from every area of the place. She knew immediately that she was in hell. But how? Thinking back to when she was at the bar, she could remember a young good looking Italian guy coming over with a glass of chardonnay on a tray."Your order?" She looked from the booth where she had paid extra to sit, alone.She remembered not having ordered anything yet and she didn't want to let down her guard anytime soon. However, this vibrant-looking man was here in a black and white shirt and trousers uniform stretching a tray o
Alex was furious as he got into the room. He couldn't fight this battle alone. He had gone five blocks from Chelsea's house and asked around for Chris's parents but he was told no one around born such a name. And there hasn't been any stranger in the past two months. Chris wasn't Chris or maybe he was and was just used.But what about Selena? Where the hell was she? Even if she was upset, she should be ready to come home so as to resolve the matter. He was worked up even when almost all the bars and every other place she could go to had been shut. It indicated that Selena has been kidnapped too. He had only one way to solve this. Go down to hell. But how? By going back to Forester. He would have to find someone who could channel him there. The last time he'd tried, demons had been freed. It was at this point Alex was beginning to miss Bagdana.He breathed in and out before resolving to go back to Forester and settle this once and for all.
Dressed in a black and white striped woolen top and jeans that stuck to her body, Chelsea walked next to Chris on the street, hands locked. They could pass as couples to anyone looking at them and it made her toes curl. In as much as she was happy that her crush was here, taking her out, she still was worried about him. She had seen what these demons could do, especially to people who are unarmed. But she wouldn't let any harm come to Chris.They branched a cafe and bought two vanilla grande lattes with six pumps that are hot. They got out and walked out, heading to the restaurant."So, how are you feeling, Chels?" Chris asked, their hands still locked and she looked up at him."I'm trying. This is really hard for me but, I have no choice. It's like my destiny to tied to do this." Chelsea shrugged."Or maybe you don't have to worry yourself." Chris urged and she thought about it for a while. Eventual
Selena felt uneasy with what Chelsea told her but she needed to hear from Alex himself so as to be sure if what she heard was right. Was that what Bagdana meant by her being created for Alex? And Sathanas in Krepe's body telling her Alex is nothing without her.It was dinner time and Chelsea had just finished making hot chicken soup. Unlike the city, Edison was quite warmer but with the season, it's more reasonable to have a chicken soup that hot. In the next few hours, the temperature will drop and they will be grateful they had a hot dinner. She also made casseroles and shrimp crackers, spreading them on the dining table. After settling, she waited for Alex to finish taking his shower and join them."I read in the papers today that the number of suicide shot up since last night. About ten people hung themselves this morning." Chelsea announced as she dished out food in their bowls.Selena just nodded but her mind was a
Chelsea punched the number on the phone and Chris picked up. She was shaking all over and her face had swollen up. She raked a hand through her hair as the phone rang which he eventually picked up."What's up, Chels?"She couldn't speak, because as she opened her mouth, water streamed down her cheeks."The...the chants." She sniffled. "I think you told me the wrong one."Silence ensued and she knew he must be thinking. "Didn't you ask me to tell you the first transmission order?"Her heart jolted. "What?""Yes. That was what you told me, right?" Chris asked and her heart dropped so also did her body on the sofa nearby."No." She cried softly."Are you okay, Chels?" He asked, concern evident in his voice."We released hundreds of demons into the world." Her voice broke and she could see the horror look on his fa
Alex looked up over the candles that were lit and gathered to form a circle in the abandoned temple. He had connived together with Selena and Cher to come to the temple just down the street at 4:06 am when it was still early.The temple had ancient bricks and cement that were broken in various places. It looked like it had served as a hiding place for people during wars. Alex looked around and saw the empty place that was in turn filled with broken bricks, rocks, torn fabrics, bags, wooden materials, and so on. They had cleared a small part of the place and lighted seven candles at the center as Chris instructed."Make sure whatever you do, be careful." Alex had heard the boy tell her and she nodded before hanging up.Now they had finished the setup. The seven candles were placed in a circle, two red fabrics were tied to metal and placed in the middle. Chelsea took the olive oil she had grabbed from the store and began t
Alex woke with a start, sweating profusely and his heart thudding against his chest. He gripped the sheets tighter and something churned within him like fire. What had just happened? Sathanas had erased his mother from existence. How could he?Like a thunderbolt, he left his bed, eyes darkening. Selena stirred on the bed and turned on her other side. Good. Because he wouldn't want her to be involved. But how could he call on Sathanas, talk of fighting him? Besides, the book is now with him which he can use to destroy him. He would have read how to kill him. But he still needed to talk to Chelsea. She alone has the answers to most of their questions.He glanced at the bedside clock and saw that it was still at the wee hours of the day, 3:00 am. He grabbed a shirt and put it on, walking stealthily out of the hotel room.Alex got to the room next to his and rammed on the door, waiting for a reply. Despite his plea to Selena for Chelsea to sleep togeth