The sting returns when the words leave my mouth, but it’s bearable. I pull her back onto my lap, and she folds her arms around my neck. Softly, her fingers trace my skin. I look at her lips, swollen from our kiss, a warmth stirring in my heart.
“You’re incredible, you know that?” I say as I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.
“So are you,” she whispers as she leans her head against mine.
She gives me a quick peck, and I kiss her back, our tongues entwining. Her fingers disappear in my hair, tugging it softly. Caria interrupts our kissing.
“I don’t want you to hurt because of me,” she sighs.
“I’m not,” I lie.
“You said you wanted to talk to me confidentially, to ask me something about Blood Witches,” she says, changing the subject.
Caria still sits in my lap, her arms draped around my neck. A beautiful witch is in my presence, and something refuses to let me physically connect with her. A question arises: maybe I met Caria first because it was meant to be that way, rather than meeting Jodelle first? What if it’s Caria I am destined to be with and not Jodelle? I grit my teeth, anticipating the pain that follows these thoughts. I gently rub her thighs, and she sighs in contentment. I tell her about yesterday and what I witnessed.
“The other day, I was searching for my mother and found her downtown, all the way on the east side of the city.”
“What was she doing all the way over there?” Caria asks, her brows furrowed.
“Witches surrounded her, and before you ask, yes, I am certain they were witches; they had markings like yours on their skin, only different ones. I was wondering if you could tell me more… If you are okay with that…”
I look at her hopefully.
“I mean, if I can, of course. Whatever I can do, Fynn. Let's start with the most important part, the markings; what did they look like?”
“Flowers, obviously, ehm… they were pretty large, kind of like trumpet-shaped, the leaves were broad and oval. Damnit, I should have brought something to draw on.”
“No need to. I already know which coven they belong to. We are taught to distinguish the markings when we are young. It helps us understand who’s who, and knowing your potentialopponent's powers comes in handy. I just don’t know why they would mingle with your mother.”
I look at her expectantly, needing her to tell me more about this unfamiliar world I live in—a world Mother kept hidden from me. Caria is the only one who can provide me with more information, the only source of information I have at my disposal. Ironically.
“Hmm? Oh, right. I'm sorry. They are of the Waning Gibbous coven and extremely manipulative. They are cunning witches, able to make you do their bidding if they want to. Most covens would rather avoid them. What were they doing, Fynn? Your mother and the witches?”
“Honestly, they were laughing and talking. My mother brought along her books—the ones I had mentioned—and some of them were reading them, while others were drinking and eating; it looked like they were best friends. It was odd, to say the least. Mother was not being harmed. Or do you think she’s under some sort of spell that forces her to pretend everything is alright so those witches can look into her books? Fuck. I wish I knew what was in those damn books. I hope my mother is alright. Do you think those hags hurt her somehow?”
Caria raises an eyebrow at that.
“If you’d like, I can try to figure out what they are doing. Whether they’ve hexed your mother, and perhaps I can figure out what’s going on with those books. But given that she’s laughing and drinking with them, I don’t expect her to be in any sort of hurt, Fynn. She wouldn’t have displayed natural behavior like laughing and talking with them if they had spelled her. She would have been seated somewhere, and they would have taken what they needed from those books. Do you understand what I’m saying? There’s no need for us witches to pretend, so either they made a bargain or are genuinely friendly, but given the nature of this coven, I’m betting on a bargain. The questionis what sort of information does your mother hold that is interesting enough for a witches' coven… I’m willing to find that out; I’m also curious and invested.”
“A bargain sounds bad, but I don’t want you to put yourself in harm’s way for me, Caria. Is it safe for you to investigate another coven?”
“I’m from the strongest coven, Fynn; I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Those witches will think twice before trying to spell me; I’m sure my shadows would have already gotten them in a chokehold before they could finish their first sentence,” she says, grinning.
“Besides, ever since the attack of the humans, I have made a name for myself among the Blood Witches and vampires. I’m kind of a big deal now, despite still being a youngling. Trust me, they will not pick a fight with me if I question their intentions. However, to be certain, I’ll ask Reiner if he can join me.”
“You’re the best, Caria. I could never repay you for what you've done for me. I owe you,” I say, then kiss her as pain surges through my head, almost flooring me again.
“Hah, you sure owe me one after this favor, Fynn, and I’ll make sure to remind you of that,” she says with a grin.
I’m not happy she will have Reiner tag along with her, but I want her to stay safe, and if he is her best option, I’ll keep my mouth shut.
DIARY ENTRIES:
It may seem to you that you've won, but you haven’t. We did. Not in the way we wanted, but we did it our way, rather than yours. Keir said his goodbyes to the twins. He told them he loved them so much, although I can tell their tiny brains can’t fathom what happened.
He and I left them behind for a short while. We went to the lake amid the forest. We spoke and spoke; we tried to make love, but he was already so weak. We decided that this was our choice, not yours. We got into the lake, and I cut his wrists vertically. There, I held him, whispered how much I loved him, andI made him a promise. I will find that loophole. The man that I love, you took him from me, but I will keep that damn promise I made. I cried the rest of the evening as I held my twins, who didn’t understand why Mommy was so sad. I hate you, and I will never forgive you for doing this to me. Never.
Veiled Secrets
