He raised his eyebrows. 'What bonus?'
'You remember what I told you, about you gaining power each time you respired if you accept the Versatile gene?'
'Yes..?'
'It's because of the potion. Not only would you gain that ability but if you mastered the gene you would be able to heal worn-out tissues and repair lost and damaged limbs.'
'How fast?'
'Wounds and bruises would take seconds but limbs…probably months.'
'But your son…you said he mastered the gene at the age of four…'
'Pernicious,' she said before staring blankly into her cauldron. 'He surprised me too. He wouldn't tell me how he did it because he was angry with me.'
'And why was he angry with you?'
'I murdered his father.'
'Are there any brakes to your train of wickedness?!'
She chuckled, 'Their father was human. He found out that I was a sorceress one day…freaked him out with my "blood sacrifices" and he called the police.'
'And what did you do?'
'I stabbed him. Don't bother asking me how many times, I lost count after thirty-seven.'
His mouth was wide in horror and shock. 'And how did Pernicious find out?'
'They were both watching, I didn't know. We had to move here but his anger towards me kept growing worse so I sent them away to Jacquino to be trained by Girols for three years.'
'How did you send him there?' His expression had relaxed a bit.
'That's a secret you will probably never find out about, my love.'
A stiff silence succeeded for a moment before Brendan broke it. 'So who's the unlucky bastard to taste your new potion?'
'Anyone who shows up.'
'You do know that the police are looking for you, right?'
She smiled, 'I know, and what better way not to get caught than to move your home somewhere else where you can always keep the sun up in the sky?' Her smile suddenly turned into a frown, 'Mark my words; I shall have my vengeance upon this people. As we speak, the mayor is organizing people to bring down the Forest. In three days, each tree will be flattened.'
'Tear down the forest..? How do you know that?'
'I can see things now, my love. My short time in a prison cell somehow enhanced my prophetic powers. Surprised? I also know that you read that book about Supremes. My powers aren't perfect yet but they're making progress and so is my telepathy.'
'Back to your son and daughter. Is Pernicious just a nickname or..?'
'It's his real name. So is Gecko, my daughter.'
'What kind of a sick person would call their children that?'
She laughed, 'They're just names. It's no big deal.'
He watched her sprinkle some more of the green herbs into the cauldron. 'And how is it that you have natural powers and I don't?' he asked her.
'Maybe you do but you just hadn't discovered them yet. You should have been a little more patient. In some instances, two kinds of Races can bring forth something truly gifted, but as for two humans…The Versatile wouldn't be that lucky.' She moved away from her cauldron and closer to him. 'I can still bear children…For you…For us. Our children would be like no other.'
He chuckled rudely, 'Me, have a child with you? How desperate would I be?' He chuckled some more.
'Face it; there's no beauty on this earth that surpasses mine.'
'I hate to admit it but you are mouthwateringly beautiful but…I don't go for the shell but the core and yours is pure rotten. You're as deceptive as the devil himself!'
'My offer still stands. Join me and let us start a revolt on our own and wipe out the entire human race.'