Denounce

by Alex Dafney

  Her hand tenses on my arm, alarm on her face as she looks around us. “We have company.” Eldora says as the door that leads in the home swings open. Eri stands from the table, her entire demeanor tense as a man in a gray fitted suit strides onto the porch. I glance from him back to her, noticing her eyes beginning to glow a bright green. “I see you’ve found your way to my favorite coven of woman, brother.”

  I stand from the table as the man comes nearer, stepping next to Eri who doesn’t take her eyes off of him. Eldora pushes her chair back slowly, standing with a seductive smile on her face. “Always good to see you, Bastian.” She strides toward him. He pulls her to him as she bites her lower lip, a drop of blood rising before they kiss passionately.

  Eri places her hand in front of me, taking a step forward as she positions me behind her. Bastian lifts his head, a wicked smile on his face. “Don’t forget, Seeker, the witches have a treaty with both of us.” Eri stands directly in front of me, her body tense as we both face him. “I have no intention of going against the treaty unless you have come to harm the one I’ve claimed.”

  He throws his head back laughing deeply as Eldora runs her hand along his chest. As his laughter dies, he pins his eyes on Eri, an egotistical smile on his face. “You can not claim him. He was claimed long before you came to know him.” I knit my brows together in confusion as I take a step around Eri. She throws her hand up at her side, placing it against my chest to stop me.

  “What do you mean he’s already been claimed?” He narrows his eyes at her before shifting his gaze to me, a wicked smile cresting his lips. “He was claimed by our Mother.” I hear Eri gasp from beside me, along with Eldora who takes a step away from Bastian, her eyes wide. “That’s not possible.”

  I turn my head, looking down to Eri who keeps her eyes trained on Bastian. A disbelieving look on her face. “You’re lying.” I look between the two of them, completely confused. My mother died, and I’m an only child. Bastian takes a step toward us, his eyes glowing red. Eri’s eyes glow brightly as she takes on a fighting stance, placing herself between us.

  “Eridanus, there will be no fighting in this house. We have a treaty with both of you and if you choose to break it, we will be forced to take sides.” Eri gives a once nod to Eldora’s words, but keeps her eyes on Bastian as she drops her hands to her side. “I will respect the Coven of the Enchantresses, but he will not take the one I have claimed.”

  Eldora places her hand on Bastian’s arm, skimming her fingernails upward until she trails along his jaw, under his chin and turns his head toward her own. “You know the rules of the Coven. You will not take him unless you challenge for him. And win.” He turns his eyes away from her, looking over to me with a dark smile. “I have no need in claiming him. He’s always been one of us.”

  My head begins to ache dully, quickly turning into intense pain. I grip the sides of my head as my vision swirls. “Phase three, brother. Mother looks forward to meeting you.” I watch as he turns his back to us, walking across the porch for the door that leads into the house. I stumble to my side as spots dance before my eyes. “Fuck times five.”

  I feel Eri’s hands on my biceps as I sink to my knees on the porch as the pain in my head worsens. Her hands circle around me, pulling me toward her. I grit my teeth together, focusing on the feel of her hands on my back rather than the horrible pain. “Try to fight against it, Ashley.” I grit my teeth together, not knowing how to fight against it.

  Chapter 11

  My eyes flutter open as I feel a hand gently slapping my cheek. “Ash, open your eyes.” I slowly open my eyes to the unfamiliar voice. A woman with long, whitish hair stares down at me. Her eyes glowing bright green and concern on her face. I don’t know where I am, or who she is, but I hate her with everything in me.

  A growl escapes me as I push myself from the ground, moving quicker than I’ve ever remembered. Although, at this moment, I don’t remember much of anything. Her eyes are wide as I back away from her. A hand touches my shoulder and I spin quickly, throwing my hands out and pushing the man away.

  His back hits the wall behind him loudly as he stares at me with glowing red eyes. He gives me a wicked smile as he steps toward me, his hands out to his side. “Welcome, brother.” My lips curl up at the side. I don’t know who he is either, but I know he means me no harm. I turn back to the woman, snarling at her as she holds her hands in front of her, her palms toward me. I’m not sure why, but I know she’s the enemy here.

  “Just calm down, Ash.” I start toward her. Even though she’s half the length of the porch away, I’m in front of her within the blink of an eye. She takes a step back, looking up to me. I match her steps, my hands clenched at my side. “You don’t want to do this, Ashley.” I laugh as she steps back further, clearly frightened of me. “I want nothing more than to kill you right now.”

  I lunge for her, but she side steps me. Her speed matching my own. Her eyes seem to bore into me as she shakes her head, stepping backwards. “Don’t do anything reckless. I don’t want to hurt you.” My eyes shift slightly as a group of women in long dresses begin to come onto the porch. One in particular stares at me with lust filled eyes, and long red hair. “I see he’s changed.”

  She starts toward me, her hips swinging and a sultry smile playing on her lips. She’s not like me or the other man who called me brother, but I can tell she’s an ally. When she’s a few feet from me, she pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, biting down. I see the blood droplets on her lip as she continues toward me and I want nothing more than to lick them away.

  The white-haired woman with the glowing green eyes steps between us, turning her back to me. I take the opportunity to move behind her, waiting for the moment to strike her. “Stop, Gloriana. You know he’s been claimed.” She laughs before lifting her finger and smearing the drop of blood along her lip. “He’s been changed now. Your claim as a Seeker doesn’t mean anything to a Demon, Eridanus.”

  I close in on the white-haired woman, wrapping my arm around her neck from behind. She stiffens as I run my nose along her neck. I want to end her life, but something deep inside stops me. I open my mouth, placing it along her neck as she shudders. “Stop, Ash. You don’t want to kill me. I know you.” I close my eyes as she whispers.

  “Ian. Will you remove Ashley from the premise before he unintentionally breaks a treaty between the Enchantress and the Demons?” I keep my mouth on the woman’s neck as I stare at the dark-haired woman across from me. She narrows her eyes at me. “Release Eridanus. You may visit again when you have learned of our ways.”

  Eridanus. Why does that name seem so familiar, yet so distant. A firm hand lands on my shoulder, urging me back. I release Eridanus, her quickly spinning to look up at me. Her glowing, green eyes sad. “I’m sorry, Ashley.” I step back as Ian pulls me with him, watching this woman that I hate and don’t know why. A single tear slides down her cheek causing an emotion to roll through me that I can’t place.

  “I’ll bring him back after the last phase of transformation. He’ll understand everything then.” With that, the world around me begins to turn black.

  I blink my eyes, focusing in the dim light. “Follow me. The Mistress will want to see you at once.” I follow Ian down a dark corridor, looking around as we go. “Where are we?” He glances at me over his shoulder as we pass under a torch that hangs along the wall, a slight grin on his lips. “Home.”

  He faces back forward as we walk into a large cavern. We stand on a balcony, looking down into the great area. The room is filled with men and women sitting at long rock tables. Ian turns to the right, walking down stone steps that spiral toward the room as I follow.

  As we make the last step, I see a woman with dark hair sitting in a large throne to my right. Her eyes meet mine, her lips curving up at the corners. “My long, lost son.” The quiet chatter in the room ceases, all eyes turning toward us. Against my own will I move toward her, dropping to my knees in front of her.

  She places her hand on t
he top of my head as I bow. I feel a dull ache begin in my head. As she removes her hand from my head, I lift my eyes to hers. Her brow is drawn together, her red eyes glowing fiercely. She shifts her gaze over to Ian who has sunk to his knees on the cold, stone floor, his head bowed. “Where is Bastian?”

  Ian slowly lifts his head to look at her. “He came to the Enchantresses home but left before the transformation was complete.” She moves her eyes back to me, giving me a wicked smile. “What is stopping your transformation, my child?” She starts to push herself from the throne, dropping her eyes to me as I look up at her. “Come with me.”

  She strides by me, her long, black dress dragging along the ground behind her. I push myself to standing, following in step behind her as she walks through the rows of tables. As she passes, everyone bows their head. “When Bastian returns, I need to speak to him at once.” The room echoes with, “yes, Mistress”.

  Two large men stand at the end of the room in front of a stone door with an arched top. As the Mistress glides toward them they bow their heads, pulling the handles on the massive doors as the muscles in their arms strain. She steps through the door, me following. Stopping, she turns to me, her lip pulled up slightly as the door closes behind me. “You should’ve been here ages ago.”

  I give her a questioning look as she shakes her head, flipping a hand toward me. “No matters now. Welcome home, son.” She turns from me, walking slowly along the corridor. I step into place beside her, looking around as we casually walk. “Your Father was a Seeker. The only Seeker I was ever able to seduce.” I nod as she speaks. I can vaguely picture the man she speaks of.

  “I gave you to him after you were born.” We walk down the hallway, passing room after room. I look ahead, noticing the hallway suddenly opens to a stone bridge. “You are half Seeker, half Demon. The only one of your kind.” One word rings in my mind. “Anomaly.” We step onto the bridge, walking to the middle before she stops next to me. I look over to her, watching as she smiles up at me. “Your powers will surpass those of your siblings. With the blood of the Demon and of the Seeker, you have both sets of powers. You will be able to end the Seekers.”

  I step over to the edge of the bridge, resting my hands on the cool stone as I look outwards. As far as the eye can see is darkness. The stones are dark, the land is dark, the sparse trees are dark. I feel her step up to my side but keep my focus out. She rests her hands on the stone, looking out in the same fashion.

  “This will be your kingdom soon.” I look over to her from the corner of my eye, noticing the proud smile on her face. “Your Father was to turn you over when you reached the age of transformation. He was to teach you the ways of a Seeker.” She scoffs lightly. “Silly fool thought he could change the course of your destiny by hiding your heritages from you.” I turn to face her full on, my brows drawn together tightly. “He died.” She gives a small eye roll. “Of course he did. The woman you called Mother did as well. He broke our agreement.”

  She turns to face me, her eyes flashing red once, then returning to dark. “He decided he wanted you to take on the heritage of a Seeker instead of handing you over. No one breaks an agreement with me and lives to tell about it.” I stare at her, not knowing what to say, or why I feel conflicted. One part of me thinks he deserved it for breaking an agreement, the other part can’t believe she would kill someone over something so small.

  “I was informed you need to see me, Mistress.” I glance over my shoulder as a man approaches us. I stare at him, my brows narrowed together. I recognize him, but I don’t know why. He steps up next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing. “Glad to see you again, brother.”

  “Bastian.” I say lowly. He nods, turning his eyes to the Mistress. “Why did you not wait for his transformation before leaving?” Her eyes are fierce as she stares at him. He gives her a small shrug, a smug smile on his face. “I found him at the Enchantresses.” She raises one eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

  He steps away from us, leaning back against the stone rail of the bridge on the opposite side. The smug smile still planted on his face. “He was there with the female Seeker. Eridanus.” An image of the woman with white hair flashes through my mind. My head in her lap, her fingers running through my hair. Dream girl. I shake the thought from my mind, focusing on the Mistress.

  “Why were you with the Seeker?” I give her a shrug. “I don’t know.” She narrows her eyes at me before turning back to Bastian. “His transformation is not complete.” Bastian’s eyes widen, looking between the two of us. “I did exactly as I always have.” His eyes are fearful as she makes the few steps between them.

  She reaches one hand up, placing it on his cheek as he stares down at her. “You are fortunate this time. Something is stopping his transformation, otherwise this would be your end.” He swallows heavily as she lowers her hand, turning to face me. “What could be stopping your transformation?”

  There are no more days, just an endless amount of time. I vaguely remember sun, and wind blowing against my face, but at the same time, I don’t remember it. I’m not sure how long I’ve been at the fortress, waiting to transform. The Mistress and my siblings seem puzzled by me. Along with the other Demons that reside here. Hell, I’m puzzled as well. I only remember bits and pieces before coming here, and nothing in my prior life seems worthy of stopping my change.

  I place my hands on the stone railing of the bridge, looking out into the darkness. It’s always dark. The Mistress has told me to embrace the darkness, that it will speed up the process, but try as I might, nothing seems to trigger the final phase. “Ashley.” I turn my head to find Ian walking toward me.

  I push off the wall of the bridge, facing him fully as he stops a few feet from me. “The Mistress wishes to see you.” I give him a cursory nod before turning and walking the opposite direction. At this time of day, she’s in her chambers surrounded by men and women eager to please her.

  “She’s in the common area.” I glance at him over my shoulder as I come to a stop, my brows drawn together in question. He gives me a simple shrug as I turn back toward him, walking by him toward the common area where we all gather daily to eat and listen when she wants to speak to us as a group.

  I walk through the long hallway with numerous doors on either side. Behind the doors are more hallways that house the numerous rooms for the Demons. Upon my arrival I was given a room in the west tower. Those rooms are only for the offspring of the Mistress.

  Two large men stand at the side of the massive stone door with the arched top as I approach. They bow their heads to me as they open the door. Something I’ve come to expect being an heir to the Mistress. I expect to find the common area filled yet find it completely empty except for the Mistress who sits upon her throne.

  I cross the large room, dropping to one knee a few feet away from her with my head bowed. “Rise, my son.” I push myself to standing, staring at her head on. Her face is a mask, showing no emotions. “You’re going into the normal world tonight.” I give her a once nod in agreement. In my short time here, I’ve learned no one argues with the Mistress for fear of death.

  I watch as her face shifts, her head cocking slightly to the side as she gives me a scrutinizing stare. “What was your relationship with the female Seeker?” I draw my brows together in confusion. “Eridanus?” As her name rolls off my tongue, an image flashes through my mind. She straddles my lap as we sit in a black sports car along the side of the roadway. Her eyes are closed, a look of sheer bliss on her face.

  I shake my head slightly, pinching my eyes shut and focusing on the stone ground between us. Everything in this place is stone, dark, and cold. “I do not remember, Mistress.” I lift my eyes to hers, finding her staring at me with her eyes narrowed as if she doesn’t believe me. She flips her hand toward the large door behind me. “I’ve decided you are ready to go out into the mortal world. I think changing a few mortals could start the final phase of your transformation.”

  I bow my head to her be
fore turning and walking for the doors. “Ashley.” I look back at her over my shoulder, noticing the scowl on her face. “Stay away from the female Seeker.” I give her another nod before turning forward and walking toward the stone doors that are being held open for me.

  As I step out, I find Ian leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. He pushes off the wall, dropping his arms to his side as he gives me a devious smile. “I’m to accompany you tonight.” I roll my eyes at his suppressed enthusiasm. Of all the Demons I’ve met, he seems to be the least, dark. “Fine. Let’s get going. I’m ready to get this transformation done.”

  He chuckles lowly as he steps toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder. As quickly as he touches me, I find myself in a dark alleyway. I take in a deep breath as the wind blows lightly against my face causing my hair to move. Ian punches me in the arm, my eyes opening and shifting over to find a huge shit eating grin on his face. “Don’t get all nostalgic on me. You haven’t been at the Fortress that long, and we’ve got mortals to turn.”

  I roll my eyes as he turns away from me, walking toward the street. I fall in step next to him once we’re on the sidewalk, noticing the way he keeps cutting his eyes at me. Continuing our trek, I turn my head to face him. “What?” He turns his eyes forward, stepping to the side as a woman walks between us talking on her phone. He steps back into place next to me. “Do you remember anything before Bastian showed up at the Enchantresses that day?”

  I glance at him from the corner of my eye. More and more, images keep coming to me of my life before this, but I don’t know if I can trust him not to tell the Mistress. We stay quiet, walking next to each other down the semi busy sidewalk. “It took a while for my memory of my previous life to come back.” I stay quiet. We walk a few more blocks before Ian stops, pointing across the street to a pub. “Wanna grab a beer?”