Forty one

OLAMIDE

"You are going to do it, right?" Candice Blossom whispered from behind me causing a shiver to rush down my spine. This was not normal, I reminded myself as I turned to face the ghostly figure. The cracked red lips of the porcelain woman seemed to widen when we made eye contact.

Do what?"

"Olamide, we share the same body. You don't have to keep secrets from me as you do with your mate."

I gulped, hating that my body was not mine. It was weird acknowledging that no matter what I did, someone knew what I intended to do beforehand. "I don't owe you my honesty. Does this even seem normal to you? This is my body. Not yours. You had a chance at life and you wasted it murdering people to get what you want. That second chance you are furiously chasing after will not come from me, Candice."

Candice retracted, carouselling across the bed until she was in front of me. She looked in front of the mirror and ran a finger on the glass. I wasn't sure if she was hurt by my words or if she was just looking for ways to hit me twice as hard. "This is normal girl. Just because you have chosen to be blind to it all your life doesn't change a thing." Her head tilted back and her mouth twisted into a frown. "Or perhaps, it has been hidden so well from you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Your life is anything but normal. You are a walking magnet. This life has always been made for you. It didn't matter who got hurt in the process, as long as you survived."

My throat burned and my hand shook in nauseating rage. Was Candice by chance implying that I had a hand in what happened to my brother? I couldn't let that slide.

"How dare you!" I shrieked and immediately the door flung open. Axel jumped in with eyes tinted crimson and claws tearing out his fingernails. He looked around for a few seconds before realizing that nothing was wrong. I looked back in the direction where Candice had been standing. She was gone.

"Are you alright?" Axel questioned, his predatory instincts still on high alert.

"I'm fine!" I barked even when Axel was just being kind and considerate. The room felt hot. Beyond hot even. My heartbeat intensified and I felt the room threaten to fall on me. I stood up and wobbled towards the mirror. My breathing came in shallow.

You don't look fine." Axel retorted, rushing over to my side.

"I want to go out," I said, pushing his hands away. "Wentworth Mausoleum."

"Why would we do that?"

"Because I want to see my brother!" I yelled.

"Okay, Okay," Axel said, releasing his grip and stalking his way towards the door. He was frankly worried about me and I truly appreciated it. "Stay here. I'll go get a car ready."

"We need a shovel too," I added before Axel reached the door.

I looked back at my reflection in the mirror and wondered; What if Candice was right? What if Deji was not dead? What would I do then? Would I be happy my brother was somehow still alive or would I look at him differently? I found it extremely difficult to answer those questions and I asked myself what would happen if the truth happened to be the very thing I had feared.

***

Sunlight streamed in through the windows as Satake sat on the couch of his living room staring at his family heirloom. The Katana had always been hanged as a decoration until last night. He unsheathed the weapon and examined the blade. It was curved and there was a line separating the finish of the main blade but that was it. There was nothing special about it from the tip to the hilt. There was no inscription or special marking he had missed. It felt wrong to tag it as just a Katana but he was frustrated. Years of holding back those horrible memories and some witch just managed to tear into his mind and cause them to resurface. A fork of light crashed outside followed by a rumble. Satake turned to the window. It was still bright and the heat was unimaginable for an early morning. He placed the Katana back to its stand and proceeded to get prepared. He entered the bathroom, cleaned up himself then proceeded to choose a light ensemble pertaining of grey pants, paired with an old short-sleeved top and a jacket on top. The Crow family crest, a gold necklace with the imprint of a crow in the middle hung on his neck as he proceeded to comb his hair–which was having one of its difficult days– down so it looked more presentable. Satake had a light breakfast then stormed outside to get on his bike. Starting the bike, he peered into the screen of his mobile phone. The text from Elder Quentin of the Primrose coven told him where to find Isaac, Cherry blossoms pub.

Cherry Blossoms was a club situated in the outskirts of the city and upon his arrival at the pub, Satake understood why tee name of that pub sounded so familiar to him. This was where that accursed witch worked during the duration of her fortunately short lifespan. From what he had gathered at that time, the Blossom witches owned the pub. Satake wondered why Isaac worked there and if he knew the history of the former owner of the place. Irrespective of his personal grievances against the late owner of the pub, Satake knew he had to get answers. So he walked up to the front door and pushed the front glass open. There were a few people within. His sensitive nostrils did not fail him. There were two men to his left drinking. They reeked of blood and with one look at them, Satake could guess why. They had rifles by their feet. It was hunting season and a few kills were warranted.

"Satake?" A familiar voice called, causing Satake to look in the direction the voice originated from. Isaac waved his direction but judging by the reaction his face gave off, the warlock was not so pleased to see the Beta in open territory. "What brings the witch loathing werewolf here?" Isaac asked as he continued to make a drink for a customer seated opposite where he stood.

"Can I see you?" Satake paused, his eyes searching for individuals that might be too interested in their conversation before adding, "alone."

Isaac passed the finished drink to the customer before sparing Satake a look. "If this is about the psychotic witch that messed with your Luna," Isaac began, "I have no idea who she is and I do not intend to use my free time to aid your blood lust."

"It's not that!" Satake retorted, grabbing Isaac by the arm. The brute manner by which he did caught the attention of many in the pub. While they felt the need to step in and help, they continued to watch in hopes that whatever beef the two held would settle. "It's something else."

"Well, as you can see, I am currently working. I would really appreciate it if you can return another time." That said, Isaac tore away from Satake's hold and began packing a tray of used mugs.

"Do you know anything about nine-tailed foxes?"

Isaac stopped midway into the kitchen, the cups in his hand hit the floor and shattered to a thousand pieces. He turned to face Satake and grabbed him by the hand.

"Follow me," Isaac suggested tautly.