Truth Buried in Lies 2
My brow furrowed as his words sank in, confusion hardening further into frustration. “A threat? How does that even—”
“They broke the laws of both worlds, Harlyn,” Ethan interrupted. “Werewolves and sorceresses aren't meant to mingle, talk more of procreating together. You were born of an unnatural union, and the supernatural world doesn’t take kindly to new things it can’t control.”
Abigail stepped forward, her voice softer but firm. “Your father died protecting you, Harlyn. And your mother… she made a deal with Ethan.”
I snapped my head toward Ethan, my jaw tightening. “A deal with you? You said, my mom,” I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat, “made a deal with your father.“
Ethan exhaled, his shoulders stiffening. “That's where the other secret comes into play.“ He coughed before folding his hands behind his back.
“There's a peculiar trait with original werewolves born in the bloodline when they,” he stepped forward before he continued, “ when we shift.“
I didn't think my frown could grow any deeper on my forehead but it did so I reached to rub it. My mom couldn't have made a deal with a kid years ago, it didn't make any sense. Unless my thoughts pieced things together as I gently massaged my forehead.
My gaze trailer to Khalid who stood in the room, alive, and to everyone else. I gasped, dropping my palm to my mouth. “You're immortal?“
“Well that took away the point of the climax,” Tyler perked up with a playful shrug.
I scoffed, taking steps back. Immortal? They're not aging! No wonder it all felt off. Teenagers living without supervision in a new town, bossing around pilots and butlers without a single phone call from a parent. It was because they didn't need supervision, they're adults.
Lying secretive Adults who had been fooling me for far too long. I could bet my entire life savings that everything they'd told me so far had been all lies covering up something grander. From the moment we entered that plane, I fell right into their hands.
I paused my thoughts as a realization struck me. “You marked me knowing I would be bound to you?“ I jeered at Ethan, my heart pounding.
The idea felt different than his lie on the plane. He was fully conscious of the effects of his mark on me and did it regardless!
“My bite was meant to suppress your powers, not claim you,” He growled with a hint of warning in his tone. A shiver ran down my spine. “It kept you hidden. You’ve been able to live your life so far because of that mark like your mother wanted.“
“So, what? I'm supposed to feel grateful that some random person decided how My life would be before I grew old enough to decide anything for myself,” I ran my hand through my hair pulling at my roots as I laughed to myself. “What am I even saying, I don't believe any of this. It sounds like some made-up story about some poorly made decisions made for some poor girl you have been mistaking me for.“
“Denial as expected,” Tyler pitched in again.
“Shut up, Tyler,” I commanded, rolling my eyes at him.
My frustration had reached its peak except I didn't feel the need to lash out anymore. I simply wanted to leave. I wasn't buying any of it.
“Well I'm quite done with all this nonsense now, it's time for me to head back home, it has been quite a week,” I continued laughing, turning on my feet to walk out of the living room.
I refused to listen to any more. I needed to leave. All that suddenly mattered was finding my parents so they could clear up whatever misunderstanding they had tangled me in.
“Where exactly are you going?“ Ethan inquired, his heavy footsteps thumping right behind me.
I didn't care to look, the plan in my head was set in motion. I simply had two goals in mind, to get my things and to find the next bus or plane or God damn bicycle if I needed, back to Springville.
“Home, Springville” I headed for the stairs and began my ascent. “It might not be great but things make sense there. Tess isn't a magic-wielding sorceress that wants to kill me but I'd make do with her bullying anytime.“
“You can't be serious,” Khalid's surprised tone echoed through the space rather loudly.
“Watch me,” I hurried to my room.
Without saying more, I dashed through the space to where my clothes lay rumpled over a duffel bag. I could hear them mumbling downstairs and they seemed to be quite in denial themselves about me leaving.
I yanked the zipper of my duffel bag open, stuffing in the last of my clothes and miscellaneous. Footsteps thudded against the floor as someone approached.
They weren’t obviously going to let me leave. Still. I was counting on them to try.
I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder, letting it hang, and spun toward the door, but as soon as I stepped forward, a tall figure filled the doorway. Tyler. My irritation sparked up.
Arms crossed with his stance, casual, too casual if you asked me. His usual cocky smirk played on his lips, and his illumined ruby eyes whispered malevolently. He wasn't playing. “C’mon, Harlyn, don’t be dramatic. You’re not going anywhere.”
However, I didn't care. I clenched my jaw tightly. “Move.” I directed with a growl.
He didn’t. They’d forgotten too soon how drastic I was willing to get if my freedom was threatened. Knowing what I knew, I could just snap something.
“I’m serious, Tyler.” My voice was low, menacing enough to be taken seriously.
Tyler remained in my way. Listening in downstairs, I could tell where they were. They had somehow left it to Tyler to handle me, leaving the doors unattended. My hands itched at my sides.
“You don’t get it yet, but you can’t just walk away from this. From us.” He sang with a grin.
Us? My blood boiled. Like they hadn’t been lying to me for weeks? Like they weren’t still lying?
I took a step forward, but he held his ground. I didn’t think, I just acted.
One second, I was glaring at him, and the next my fingers gripped his head. The world slowed like I was watching through a warped lens, my senses sharper, my movements instinctual. Tyler’s smirk vanished as his hands flew up to grab my wrists, but I was somehow faster. Stronger.
I twisted.
A sickening crack echoed through the room.
Tyler’s body crumpled to the floor and I made my move to run.