SIX YEARS AGO…
DELSANRA
"Don’t just stand there, you stupid little bitch!"
A sharp slap snapped my face to the left as my stepmother Elinai looked at me with resentment in her eyes, wiping her hand on her dress as if she had just touched something filthy.
"Sorry." I replied quietly, it was the norm for me.
I dropped to my knees and picked up the cloth that I had been wiping the floor with.
"Don’t speak back! You filth!" She sounded disgusted, kicking me sharply in the ribs before she walked away.
I clenched my teeth, biting back the hiss of pain, gingerly touching my ribs with my free hand. It still hurt from the last beating at the hands of my stepbrother, Dawson.
Just do your chores, stay out of sight, and it will be ok.
It was all that kept me going. My hands were purple from the cold, they felt itchy and raw thanks to the detergent in the washing water; I wasn’t allowed gloves after all.
I looked at the dark grey floors as I continued scrubbing. What did I do to deserve this? I had never been a rowdy child, I’ve done nothing to cause trouble, but did anyone need a reason to hurt me? No, they didn’t.
No one cared about me. Nobody loved me.
I stood up and cast a glance through the large window.
It was cold and bitter outside, I could hear the rain hitting the glass relentlessly. The howling of the wind penetrated through the panes and filled the large room. The large trees that moved viciously in the heavy gust seemed to be on the verge of being ripped from their roots.
In the distance, looming against the darkness, was the dark, sinister castle that belonged to the Coven. The windows were glowing with light, yet there was nothing welcoming about them.
The Coven and its people hated me because I was born from darkness.
I shivered at the sight of the ominous castle. From the moment we moved to England from Salem, America, five years ago, things had just gotten worse. With father put into a high position as one of the elders in the coven of England, he held more power, and no one would oppose his treatment of me.
There were even talks he may become a high elder, which meant even more power. I dreaded that day, for it surely would be my end.
I pressed my hand against the windowpane. My sickly fingers were extremely bony and skeletal, lacking vital nutrition that I needed. I looked past the castle to the moon that shone down upon us, peeping through the heavy clouds. I knew that beyond those hills were more dangers, in the form of werewolves and vampires. But I didn’t care how dangerous it was out there. Anything was better than being in this house. In this place of torture… in this hell…
"Well, well… It looks like someone’s having a lot of fun wasting time."
My heart sank at the sound of my half-sister’s voice.
"Someone needs to be taught a lesson, don’t you agree, Amoria?" Dawson said, making my stomach twist.
I turned and looked at them. Dawson was watching me with unmasked hatred burning in his brown eyes, whilst Amoria stood there glaring at me contemptuously; her blonde hair curled with precision, her blue eyes held so much disgust and resentment as she looked down at me as if I was worse than scum. I guess for them, I was.
"I’ll get back to work." I said quietly turning back to the bucket.
Please not today. My entire body was covered in bruises and ached from the last beating.
"Oh? You think you have a choice?" Amoria laughed. "Urgh, look at her filthy, shitty hair."
I didn’t look up, trying not to shake, my brown hair curtained my face. It was dull and lifeless, lacking nourishment and a wash.
Please go away…
There was nothing I could do against them. My abilities were suppressed. I looked at the faint runes along my wrists. The shackles that cut off my powers as a witch.
I was ripped from my thoughts when Dawson yanked me back by my hair. The sudden move sent a jarring pain through my head before he threw my small body against the wall below the window.
I cried out, as pain shot through me.
"Oh, she wants to cause a scene." Amoria hissed, whispering a spell. The blue haze of her power wrap around me and suddenly I couldn’t breathe, suffocated by the spell that was enveloping my mouth and nose. I struggled against it, as she laughed. "Go on, Dawson, remind her of her status."
I tried to calm myself down, knowing that if I panicked it wouldn’t make matters better. No matter how much I fought it… nothing got better, I felt… numb.
How long was I going to have to put up with this? I was thirteen... But I just wanted to die... My eyes stung with unshed tears as Dawson began beating me, not caring whether he was kicking my face, chest or ribs. He laughed manically as Amoria giggled. Her soft, melodious voice sounded poisonous.
She yanked me up by my hair, as Dawson delivered another brutal kick to my stomach.
From as far back as I could remember, we were taught that werewolves were our greatest enemy, that they were vile, ruthless monsters… but then... What about these monsters that hide behind handsome faces?
I tried to stop his leg from hitting my face, but my hands did nothing to stop the taller, stronger man.
Please stop!
I couldn’t breathe anymore. My vision was darkening. The lack of oxygen was finally getting to me, but just before I could give way to the blessing of unconsciousness, Amoria’s spell was lifted. I gasped as I sucked in air, the taste of blood in my mouth. Blood trickled down my nose and I wiped it away shakily. My entire body was crying in pain.
"What are you two doing?" Father’s cold voice came.
"Sorry, father, but she was being disrespectful." Amoria whined.
Father sighed,
"Well, you will both be glad to know that we’re finally getting rid of this thing. I can finally make a name for myself, a proper one without the foreshadows of this curse!" He spat.
His words hurt the most, I looked up at him. I had been able to hold back my tears, but now seeing the unbridled rage emanating from him seemed to destroy everything within me.
"Father." I croaked.
He yanked me up by my elbow and dragged me towards the door.
"Where are we going?!" I cried, whimpering at the pain in my body.
"Father! Wh-what are you doing?" My nine-year-old brother Ames cried fearfully from where he stood on the winding staircase.
If anyone in this house cared for me, it was him. Four years younger than me, but with a heart full of compassion.
"I’m finally getting rid of this omen." Father spat harshly, shoving me out the front door.
I hit the wet ground, my tears stinging my cheeks as I looked back at father, who was stepping out into the cold after grabbing a cloak. He yanked me up and dragged me towards the forest.
"Father, where are you taking me? Please!" I cried out, the smooth floor changing to sharp stones and gravel the closer we got to the forest, digging into my feet painfully.
He didn’t even bother replying as he made his way faster into the forest. It was freezing and my tattered, oversized, thin shirt hung off my shoulder. The pair of worn-out leggings that I wore did nothing to protect me from the cold.
Father suddenly stopped and threw me to the ground. I wasn’t expecting it, going face forward, my cheek scraping against the roots of a tree. My heart was racing with frustration and agony. What did I do to deserve this?
"As promised, she’s all yours." Father spoke.
I tensely looked up and around, only to notice the cloaked figure that stood a few feet away, the hood covering his face.
"Perfect. As promised." He tossed a bag towards father, who picked it up and looked through it.
"Perfect." He replied.
Any hope I had that deep down he still had an ounce of compassion for me, vanished when I saw the bundles of money. But it was his next words that destroyed me completely. "When you’re done with her, don’t bring her back here."
I couldn’t breathe, my vision blurring with tears as he turned and walked away. I raised a trembling hand, reaching out for him.
"Father! Please don’t!" I screamed.
"Shut it." The man who had bought me muttered, dragging me by my arm.
"No! Father please! Don’t let him take me! Father!" I screamed with everything I had, my fear and panic consuming me as I struggled to free myself. "No father please! Please… I’m sorry, I’m sorry for not doing better…"
Deep down, I knew it wasn’t me... But it was futile as I was dragged away, clawing at the man’s hand to release me, I screamed for forgiveness and one more chance. Deep within something snapped. The howling wind suddenly stilled, and I glared into the darkness behind me.
I felt this blistering rage swell inside. My wrists burned as the runes glowed, my eyes stinging.
"I won’t forget this." I whispered; my words so cold that I myself felt the ominous shiver run down my spine.
"Shit!" The man muttered before something struck me on the back of my skull, extreme pain erupted in my head and then my world went black…
A/N: THIS BOOK WILL CONTAIN SOME DARKER THEMES AND MENTION PAST PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE. UNLESS THE TRIGGER IS EXTREME I WONT INCLUDE A WARNING. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND. THANK YOU!
CURRENT DAY DELSANRA "Please Horace, can’t you fit me in for a few more hours?" I asked pleadingly, glancing towards the open door to the diner. The warm glow and chatter of people having a good time on a Friday night created a pleasant buzz. He looked down at me, his beefy body bulging in his poorly fitted suit and his pale blue eyes running over my body. I felt repulsed but kept my face emotionless. "You know, doll, there are other ways to earn well... I’m willing to pay a good number." He rasped. I pursed my lip. Yeah right, as if I’d ever let this beef burger and his sausage anywhere near me. "Horace, aren’t you married?" I asked, trying not to glare at the man before me. He’s your boss, Del. Remember that. "Jill doesn’t need to know anything." He murmured, brushing a strand of my white hair off my face. I tried not to cringe when his stale, smoky breath hit my face. "You’re a pretty little thing, Ana, I’m sure anyo
RAYHANThe sound of women laughing filled the room. All I could see was white mist and dazzling golden light.Where was I?"I agreed to your condition years ago when I created that bond. At least you are able to admit that your children are going down a dark path." A voice so deep and melodious spoke. It sounded soothing, majestic and something about it made me want to yield to it."Yours are not all innocents. This condition will do us both good. Let us see if they are able to pass this test." This voice was more… magical. It felt like a whisper in the wind, yet held something alluring beneath…"It is done, under the power of the blood moon… Will they unite their kind or break this sacred bond? Only time will tell, my children love deeply."Another melodious laugh followed, then suddenly everything was dark.I was on that cliff edge once again. It was darker than the last time.I knew this was a dream, a d
RAYHANTen minutes later, I was out in the cold, wet streets. As a werewolf I didn’t really feel the chill, we were pretty hot-blooded. Lost in thought, I let my feet carry me and soon I realised I was in a quieter area. I saw a group of men standing against the wall, sniffing drugs and smoking. The smell made me want to wrinkle my nose. "Pretty boy looks loaded… Shall we rough him up?" One of them muttered. "Too stupid to be out here… Those clothes are fucking branded mate, I swear…" "His boots alone are fucking gold mines." Oh, you better not pick a fight with me… I might look like a rich dude, but I could take them all with one hand tied behind my back. I really didn’t want to. I frowned, actually I did want to have some fun. A smirk crossed my face as I carried on walking, hands in my pocket. They really were asking for it… They b
DELSANRA "Hidden in plain sight… You have done well to stay under the radar. To think, we were passing through here by accident." I turned to look at the witch, who had black hair and piercing green eyes, wearing a black cloak. The man wore a leather jacket, with a badge on his left upper arm that consisted of a black six-pointed star on a blood-red background. I knew who he was. A high knight of the coven, a son of a powerful witch. Something Dawson had been training to become years ago. I didn’t recognise either of the two, but they were both strong. When the knight project was established, I knew they were laying the groundwork for the formation of a powerful army. I stepped back. It was too late to play dumb. They somehow knew who I was… How though? "You can drop the dumb act. She's rather pretty for a cursed one, don't you think?" Muttered the man. He took something out of his pocket, and I frowned at what looked like papers with
RAYHAN I awoke to the sound of running water, I sat up feeling the pain in my body. What the fuck had happened? Where was she? Was she ok? I calmed down when I smelt her scent, it surrounded me strongly. This was her place; I don’t know how, but she had brought me here. I smiled slightly. That was sweet of her. Why were witches after her? And after witnessing all that, why did she bring me here? I wasn’t sure what it was, but there was more to her. I looked around her place, it was tiny. The small bed took up a quarter of the room. To one side were some boxes and a faded suitcase. There was a small kitchen cupboard with a sink fitted. A table next to it held a portable cooker and a kettle. Under the table was a box of cereal, a loaf of bread and a few other tins. There was a small mini-fridge on the floor next to the table. On the opposite wall was a chair that was holding a few ironed items of clothing, and I saw that just underneath it stood an iron.
DELSANRA He was confusing me. Why did I feel like my words had hurt him? The guilt and regret in those eyes… I looked away to keep myself composed. Maybe if I just told him, he’d leave. "Ok... back up a little." I said, placing my hands on his arms. He really was built… I firmly pushed him back, feeling the muscle under my fingers. His stormy grey eyes met mine and I didn’t miss how his gaze dipped to my lips. That was confusing me too. Surely someone as handsome as him had a line of women waiting for him, not to mention that he stated that earlier. He finally stepped back but it looked like it had been hard for him to do so. I took a deep breath, "How about you go clean up? I’ll make some coffee…" I said. I just needed a moment. I was relieved when he nodded and walked to the bathroom. I opened the fridge and prayed I had enough milk for two mugs of coffee. I really needed it after how tonight went. Nope… Oh we
RAYHAN Her eyes widened, and I knew she was having a hard time believing that. "When you ran into me, I felt it. Your scent… You’re made for me." Ok, maybe throwing that bomb was not the smartest thing to do, but I didn’t want to leave her. Not in this small apartment that wasn’t safe at all. Not to mention, my bathroom was three times bigger than her place. She laughed nervously. Goddess, that sound. It was a breathy, sexy laugh that sent my heart racing. "Yeah, good joke. You’re damn delusional. Now, get out." "I’m not lying. Why else do you think I’m not losing my cool when you insult me?" Shit. Wrong remark. I saw the flash of worry in her eyes, the way her heart hammered and how she balled her fist. "Oh yeah... Apart from your mates, you treat everyone else like trash that you can beat and abuse as and when you wish, right? Yeah, I’ve experienced it all. Now leave before I force you to." She replied coldly.
RAYHAN I’m seriously beginning to wonder if I’m speaking a different language or something. I had just explained to the three of them how I met her. Yeah, Chris went and got the girls too, so here we were sitting as I impatiently kept glancing at the time. I needed to go to her. "So let me sum this up. You went for a walk, your mate ran into your arms, and then you killed some witches. Then she took you home, took care of you, and then told you to get out?" Lola asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why would she do that…?" Rose asked, frowning slightly. "Wait, she’s a human, isn't she?!" Ok, time to tell them… But… I looked at Chris. Both his parents had died in Endora’s attack. I still remember the day he was told, the pain and denial in his eyes before he looked at Dad and asked what duties he wanted him to do first. Taking the spot as Delta first and mourning the loss of his parents second. I suddenly realised, with a cold rush of clarity, that I ne