"HOW? HOW?!" the old witch shouted, glaring at Yasha. "How come you're still alive?!"
I would also love to know the answer to that. I almost forgot how painful the wound in my wrist was and my dizziness as I stared at Yasha and waited for her response. In fact, all was forgotten when I saw Aseyana earlier.
No one talked. There was only Brittany's sobbing bothering the silence in the atmosphere.
"Well," Yasha's grin widened as she squeezed Wallis' heart into a paste. I almost gagged. Why did I even watch her do that? "I don't die."
And here I thought the answer was somewhat unimaginable. But she really did mean it when she told me she never dies. It seems there was no means of killing her. She got me fooled there when she stumbled on the ground after the bulky man took her heart.
"Impossible," the old witch mumbled, gasping. "How could such a vampire be this powerful?"
Yasha scoffed as she slowly and arrogantly walked toward the altar. "I never said I am a vampire." The old witch's curious eyes snapped to look at Yasha. "You need to stop assuming and learn to ask. How hard can it be to ask me what kind of monster I am? Though, even if you asked and got your answer, you'll only end up bewildered and asking for more." She stopped walking when she reached the stage. Then, she looked at where Aseyana and I were standing, raising the hand where Wallis' pasted heart was. I couldn't help but wince. "It would be a waste of Tatia's blood if we don't use it now, would it?"
My left eye twitched. Should I say, 'thank you'?
"What are you planning to do?!" the old witch asked, gritting her teeth.
"Nothing much," Yasha replied. "Just wanted to show you what a real ritual for a second mate looks like." Then, she gazed at us again. "Ase, can you do it?"
I looked at my companion and whispered, "You know each other?"
Aseyana gave me a look. "Sort of," she whispered too. "It's a long story." Then, looking at Yasha, she replied, "I'm capable of this spell. The ingredient is complete, and the timing's right. It's going to be perfect."
"Good."
Everything was a blur after that. Painful screams filled the area as Yasha began her massacre. There were suddenly no werewolves left; only blood scattered on the ground could be seen. As for the old witch, she didn't die. Yasha seemed earnest about showing the old witch the ritual. But the latter's feet and hands were dislocated. And based on her groaning and moaning, she also lost her tongue.
I didn't want to watch it. Really. But I didn't get the chance to close my eyes before Yasha started killing everyone and ended it in mere seconds.
And if she was this powerful, why did she end up in the dungeon? And for years at that.
Then, my gaze turned to where Brittany was. She was also alive. However, she looked like a total mess. She was hugging Wallis' body as she rocked him forth and back, muttering some gibberish.
"She was a bitch," I heard Yasha say, who was now standing beside me, wiping the blood off her hands with her dress. "I do want to kill her with my own bare hands, but I think her ending needs to be decided and done by you. I'll be giving you that joy." She winked at me.
Joy?
I stared at Brittany. I admit I hated her for involving me in this situation. After all, if not for her, this pack of werewolves and this witch would never learn of my existence. But to kill her? I didn't think I would find joy in doing so.
I didn't think torturing her, prolonging her agony, would make me happy too. But she still had to face the consequences of what she did. I was no saint. I would never forgive her. And I would never let her get away from putting me in this misery.
I suddenly missed my mother. Blind dates seemed to be such wondrous experiences now.
"I will start."
My attention moved to Aseyana. She was standing in the middle of the altar, where my blood, Wallis' heart, and the mermaid's tears and scales lay on the table.
I held my breath as she began chanting. The temperature started to change from low to high, and vice versa. The wind became strong; the breeze sounded like whispers, and the trees danced along the wind.
I looked up and saw the moon turning even more reddish, almost looking like blood. I didn't quite understand what happened afterwards. All I know was that the ritual was successful, and Yasha was finally freed from her connection with Wallis. She was so delighted that her smile turned even more sinister.
—
"I guess there's no happy ending when you fight fate through evil means," I said, feeling exhausted. I remembered Yasha's words, and I couldn't help but want to repeat them on Brittany's face.
"Kill me," she said, not looking at me. She kept on staring at her beloved Wallis. "I deserve it."
"You say it," I took a deep breath, "as if it's the common thing to do. Brittany… you might be able to do such a thing, but I can't. I can't kill you."
Brittany laughed wryly. She finally looked at me. "I'm the worst friend that you could ever have. I don't want to act like I care because my previous action told you otherwise. However," her eyes turned serious, "whether you like it or not, you'll need to toughen up. You will never survive this world without killing. I still hate to see you die."
I fell silent.
"Regardless, I can't," I said a moment later. When I was angry, I could imagine myself doing so. But once the adrenaline rush was over, I couldn't. Not even in my imagination anymore.
Brittany chuckled. Then, she wiped her tears off.
I took a good look at her face before turning around and walking toward Aseyana and Yasha. The two of them were having a deep conversation before I reached them.
"Are you sure you're letting that bitch off?" asked Yasha.
"I'm not killing her. If you want, you can do it."
Yasha smiled and shrugged. "She's just an ant. I will have no satisfaction in killing her. But," she faced me, "the bitch was right. You're already involved in this world, whether you like it or not. You need to toughen up. And killing is part of survival."
I didn't respond, but I acknowledged it.
Yasha then turned to face Aseyana, and pointing at the elderly witch, she said, "Well, what should we do with this witch?"
"Aren't you killing her?" asked Aseyana.
"My dear, I think I need to remind you of your memories. When have I ever treated someone kindly— especially someone who tortured me every day and night?" Yasha squatted down, looking directly at the elderly witch's frightened eyes. "Killing you right away is too much of a kindness. And kindness is never part of the Vates' vocabulary." She stood up, looking down at the elderly witch wickedly, and added, "I'll show you what it means to become the Vates Family's enemy."
My brows knitted in curiosity. I couldn't help but notice how the elderly's expression changed from fear to terror upon hearing about the Vates Family. Now, I am intrigued. Who is the Vates Family?