SapphiraI didn't know what to say to mother and was suddenly awkward. I already told her before that I didn't know anything about that. But now, she seems convinced that I might be of shaman blood.There was no one I could ask as my aunt definitely wasn't willing to talk about my parents. As a matter of fact, the very few times she had mentioned my mother in front of me as a child, I had quickly realized she used a tone that sounded like she was addressing a traitor.I often suspect she and my mother might have been at odds with each other but if she wasn't willing to say anything, there was nothing I could do or who I could ask."Say Sapphira, why don't you ask your aunt? She might know something and Elisa seems like such a sweet soul. She might have been worried the absence of your parents will get to you, which is why she didn't say anything before," mother's words disrupted my thoughts and I looked at her speechlessly.I forced a smile to hide my anger. Aunt Elisa has gotten to h
RafaelWhen I narrated what had transpired between mother and Sapphira to father, his eyes widened and the shock was evident on his face."How did Sapphira describe the witch again?"I repeated my description and added, "She appeared to me too but didn't cause me any harm. I don't understand her relations with Sapphira but although we are not well acquainted with the witches, I know their important leaders and don't recognize this witch at all.""Say no more, Rafael."I noticed my father's voice had turned sharp and his chest was heaving heavily."Father, are you—""It's the old hag of Willow Creek! No one has heard from her for years. I expect her to be dead. Why would she suddenly appear now?"My brows knitted in confusion as I watched my father pace to and fro thoughtfully. "Father, do you know this witch?""Yes," His head snapped up and I could see his face was reddened with anger. "No one else matches your description except Vespera. What I don't get is why Lucia reacted that way
Sapphira"What do you want?" I screamed and tried to get away but like before, I couldn't move and the witch was stalking towards me. I was trembling with so much fear.Her eyes were the most terrifying. They looked like they had gone to a darker shade of yellow. "Who are you? Stay away from me!" Tears were now streaming down my face.But all of a sudden, she stopped one inch away from me. Her wide smile disappeared as she groaned and curled in pain. She already had an ugly hunchback and now was in a terrible posture. It was a horrible sight to behold. Then she lifted a finger at me and I gasped at the sight of her long and dirty nail. "How dare you try to lift the curse?" She spoke for the first time since I started seeing her in my dreams. "Whose daughter are you?" Her voice thundered in the cave and she tried to get to me which made me shrink back in fear.She screamed in pain and took a step back. Then I realized she couldn't get to me. There seemed to be something around me p
Luna Lucia"Hmm," He looked up and dropped the book. Then he came to sit by my side and asked calmly, "Do you need something?"I held his palms and noticed his reluctance. I knew my suspicions were right at that moment. "Santino, did I do something wrong?""No."There he goes again with the curt reply. I forced myself to remain calm and tried again."Why do I feel like you have been acting strange lately then? If I did anything wrong, let me know. I'll apologize to you. Just—""Lucia," He dropped my hands gently. "You are overthinking things. Get some rest. I'll be over there. Call me when you need me."I grabbed his wrist, refusing to let him go. "You are doing it again!" I yelled, not caring how my lungs hammered at my action. "Lucia," His brows knitted with worry and he returned to my side. "Why are you getting so worked up? Did you forget the doctor asked you not to stress yourself?""But I can't help it when you won't talk to me," I didn't mean to burst into tears but I did. "I
Sapphira'Dante has been suspended for the meantime for not exposing his sister when he discovered her plans.' 'Oh.'We remained in silence for some minutes, lost in our thoughts. When Romeo suddenly turned to me, 'Sister-in-law, do you want to see something fun?' I arched a brow at him and he grinned. 'Come with me and I'll show you where I usually spend most of my time.''I don't know—'Although Rafael told me I could leave the packhouse as long as I get someone to accompany me, I didn't feel like going out of the house for some reason.Romeo tried a few more times to persuade me and I eventually accepted but not without a warning, 'We'll have to return home soon.''Hmm mhm,' he nodded. 'You'll love it I promise.'Thus, I allowed myself to be cajoled.________SophiaAfter days of waiting for a sign... something that will give me the go ahead to carry on with what I planned, I finally got one today.I heard Rafael is out of town. He has been going on trips a bit too frequently but
SapphiraJust as we were about to leave, some men suddenly blocked our path. I could recognize the rascal from earlier and there was now a well-dressed man behind him.That must be the boss he mentioned. They were all looking so fierce and the boss in particular was staring at me lewdly. I didn't like it.'Romeo, don't argue with them. Just have the race. Isn't it just one race? I know you can beat him.'I know Romeo could easily take on all of them and defeat them but that will attract a lot of attention and Romeo already told me earlier when he disguised himself that he was racing under a fake alias.So as not to attract attention to his identity. If a fight breaks out between him and these rascals, he will get into trouble for it."Mute, just listen to what the beauty says and have a race with us," the boss taunted. It seems they all already know that Romeo can't talk. I was slightly irked and wondered what chances I would have to escape if I shove my fist up his jaw now."Great,
RaphaelThe first thing I wanted to do when I returned was to go to Sapphira. Even though I was only away for a few days, I thought of her everyday and wondered what she was doing.But I knew if I called her, she would probably not want to talk to me. After the misunderstanding had been cleared between us, I felt like my heart had grown fonder towards her and I was scared.I might have to tell her sooner or later why I can't mark her and I dread her reaction.However, when I walked in, I didn't expect Ricardo to meet me midway or the solemn expression on the faces of others.Before I could inquire what was going on, he spoke, "Brother... Sapphira is missing.""What?" The exhaustion from the long trip disappeared instantly. "How? When did this happen?"Ricardo sighed and narrated everything that had happened to me. Furious was an understatement. I turned to Romeo and snapped, "Why were you hanging around an illegal race arena? Why did I never know there was a place of sorts? And last
SophiaI looked at her silently before bursting into laughter like I had just heard the funniest joke of the century. "How do you know that?" I grabbed her hair and pulled it aside. She winced in but I wasn't scared. "Look, he has left you unmarked for so long. Doesn't that show just how little your worth to him is? Rafael is only blinded by your beauty now. Once you disappear, he won't even think of you again and I'll win his heart."I crouched so I could look at her directly. "Do you know what I will do first?"She didn't respond but I spoke anyway, "I'll have that little bastard of yours kicked out of the street and then I'll bear Rafael's children. My children will continue his bloodline."I expected her to get mad at my words but instead she looked at me like I was a clown and smiled. I was peeved."Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?"She winced when I brought the silver laced knife to the other cheek, leaving a similar mark on it. She shook her head and her smile