Chapter: 9
The next evening, around 9:40, I sat beside my mother, wiping the sweat from her feverish face. She had pushed herself too hard in the fields today, working past exhaustion until her body gave out. She fell asleep early, trying to hide her illness from the overseers. If they had noticed her weakness, there would've been trouble. I sighed, glancing around the room, making sure no one was watching.
Leaning closer, I placed my hand gently on her forehead, and a soft green glow emitted from my palm as I channeled healing Mana into her body. The energy flowed through her, soothing the aches and burning away the sickness. After a few minutes, the glow faded, and I pulled my hand back, satisfied that she was stable.
"Phew, alright, finished."
I felt her stir beneath me, and when I looked down, her tired brown eyes met mine. Her gaze held a quiet knowing, as if she had felt the magic coursing through her. A weak but tender smile spread across her lips.
I smiled back. "Are you feeling better, Mama?"
She blinked twice, still groggy, but nodded slowly, the exhaustion still lingering.
"That's good," I whispered. "Get some sleep, okay?"
She nodded again, turning over and closing her eyes, her breathing soon steadying into a peaceful rhythm. My smile quickly faded as I recalled what I had seen while healing her. Beyond the fever, there were deeper injuries—bruises, cuts, and wounds she had hidden. Ones that told a story I didn't want to hear.
But I knew exactly who had caused them.
Silently, I stood up, my jaw clenched with barely suppressed rage. I walked over to Abeni, who immediately noticed the shift in my energy. She opened her mouth to speak, but something in my expression made her stop short.
"Follow," I said quietly, my voice cold and low, meant only for her ears.
Without a word, she got up and followed me outside. Once we were out of earshot from the others, Abeni grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
"Kael, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice cautious.
I turned to her, barely keeping my killing intent in check. Abeni instinctively stepped back, sensing the darkness swirling around me. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, though the fire burning inside me refused to be fully extinguished.
"I need a favor, Abeni," I said, my voice softer but no less serious.
"What is it?"
"I need you to stall Alex for me tonight. Keep him occupied."
She frowned, confused. "Why? What are you planning?"
"That's not your concern right now," I replied, my tone firm.
Abeni hesitated, clearly torn, but she knew me well enough not to push. With a reluctant nod, she said, "Just be careful, alright?"
"I will," I said, turning away as she headed off to meet Alex for their usual training.
Later that night, I perched on top of the slave quarters, my body shrouded in shadows, my mind focused on the task ahead. Abeni was keeping Alex busy, giving me the time I needed. I jumped down silently, landing with barely a sound on the damp grass, and slipped into the darkness. Mana enhanced my movements, allowing me to move unseen and unheard.
I had a suspicion about who was responsible for my mother's hidden injuries. It wasn't Edward—he was too high and mighty for that. No, it was one of the guards. A man I'd seen leering at my mother more than once, his filthy eyes following her every movement. His name didn't matter. After tonight, there'd be no point in remembering it.
I made my way to the edge of the plantation, climbing onto the roof of the master's house. From my vantage point, I could see three guards standing below, chatting idly as they kept watch. They wore the typical blue coats, similar to the red British military uniforms, and each one had a musket slung over their shoulder. My target was in the middle, his blonde hair and green eyes unmistakable.
I crouched, watching him for a few minutes, waiting for my opportunity. Eventually, he broke off from the group, heading toward the servants' quarters. Perfect. I followed him from the rooftops, moving silently through the night. When he was far enough from the others, out of sight of any witnesses, I dropped down into his path.
The guard jerked to a stop, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of me. He quickly raised his musket, aiming it squarely at my chest. "What the hell are you doing out here, boy?" he barked, his voice laced with venom.
I didn't move, my expression cold and unflinching.
The guard sneered, recognizing me. "Ah, it's you. Get back to the slave quarters before I put a bullet in you." though anyone with common sense could tell he was going to shot regardless.
I said nothing, but I could feel the Mana building within me. Sparks of electricity began to dance along my skin, flickering in the darkness.
The guard's sneer faltered, fear creeping into his eyes. "What the—?"
Before he could pull the trigger, I vanished in a flash of lightning. I reappeared in front of him, grabbing his face with one hand as we disappeared again, streaking through the night in a burst of electric energy. The world blurred around us as I dragged him deep into the woods, far from the plantation.
I stopped when I was satisfied we were far enough away, dropping him unceremoniously onto the muddy ground. He scrambled back, fear etched into his features as he reached for his musket. But I wasn't giving him a chance.
Lightning surged around me as I approached, my eyes glowing with cold fury. "You made a mistake," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
The guard raised his musket, his hands trembling, but before he could fire, I blasted the weapon out of his hands with a bolt of lightning. He screamed, clutching his scorched fingers as he scrambled backward, terror written all over his face.
"Please! Don't kill me!" he begged, his voice high-pitched with fear.
I stepped closer, raising my hand, electricity crackling in the air. "You hurt her," I said, my voice cold and even.
He opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. His body was frozen in fear, his eyes wide as the realization hit him.
With a flick of my wrist, I sent a surge of lightning through his body. He convulsed, his muscles spasming uncontrollably as the electricity coursed through him. I watched, expressionless, as his body twitched and jerked, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air.
When I was done, there was nothing left but a charred, smoking corpse. I stared at the lifeless body for a moment, then raised my hand, summoning a final bolt of lightning. The flash of light consumed his remains, disintegrating the body completely, leaving nothing behind.
I picked up the musket he had dropped, along with the small pouch of ammo he had strapped to his waist. I inspected the weapon, nodding to myself in satisfaction. It was a decent enough weapon, though it would take time to learn how to use it properly.
With the guard's musket slung over my shoulder, I disappeared back into the night, leaving nothing but the distant rumble of thunder in my wake.
Chapter 9: End