Chapter 4 Watering Doubt
Watering Doubt
Fynn
Faas's roaring laughter booms off the walls as I question him about his interaction with Caria a few days ago.
Seeing the fear in those golden eyes as she told me about her encounter with the dhampir who now laughs in my face made my heart ache.
I did not appreciate his tormenting her for his own pleasure without consulting or informing me.
After all, she is my witch, not some toy for him to play with as he pleases.
I narrow my eyes at him when he replies.
“She came running straight to you, did she, son?” he snickers.
I stare at the large man in front of me; his broad shoulders are shocking as he continues to chuckle loudly.
I am far from entertained, the memory of the distress in those golden orbs and her wet cheeks replaying over and over.
I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration, while he continues to laugh.
“This isn’t funny, Faas; she was scared as hell!” I shout angrily.
“I bet she was,” he muses.
“What did you want from her anyway?” I demand, furious.
“She didn’t tell you? So, all she did was complain to you about me being there?” he asks, amused, as if this whole conversation is a joke to him.
"No… she’s too afraid to say anything that has to do with you,” I retort, irritated.
“Except for telling you right away that I visited her. But it was nothing that concerns you, it was just to chat a bit, that was all,” he holds his hands up defensively. “I swear I didn’t touch a hair on her pretty head.”
“Well… she knows I would be pissed if she kept anything from me,” I huff.
“Hmm… if you say so, but as I said, what the witch and I discussed is our business and none of your concern, Fynn. I told you I wouldn’t hurt her, and I haven’t.
I never said I wouldn’t speak to her. Besides, you gave me her name so easily that I didn’t realize even exchanging a word with her was off-limits.
You should keep names closer to you if you don’t want others to find them, Fynn. Take that advice as you wish,” he says.
“I trust you can let yourself out,” the dhampir says as he stands, ending the conversation.
“We’re not done yet,” I growl.
In one swift motion, he’s beside me; he bends down, his mouth close to my ear, his voice cold as ice and distant. I hold my breath, and goosebumps rise on my skin in anticipation. I despise that he has this effect on me despite my magic.
“Don’t push or test me, Fynn. Underestimating me is not a wise decision.
Unlike other dark creatures, I don’t care about you wielding or carrying Aurum, or that you lack the ability to handle it properly.
However, I do care about your life, so respectfully, do not challenge me,” he says calmly.
“Now leave and interrogate your witch if you’re so eager to learn more. ”
I get up, uncertain how to respond to his indirect threat and his suggestion that the Aurum doesn’t affect him. It makes me wonder, as he is not entirely a monster, but only part of one, if the Aurum affects him differently. Perhaps his human side weakens the magic.
“Oh, and Fynn,” Faas says as he turns around, his eyes meeting mine. “I heard your sister and the Umbra are back in town. Now, don’t do anything foolish. I cannot protect you against the Umbra, so play nice.” A malicious grin spreads across his face.
Just the idea of seeing Harlot again makes my breathing speed up, and a restlessness settles within me.
It’s been weeks since I last laid eyes on her, and it feels like she's vanished from my life, apart from her dominating my mind more with each passing day. With everything else going on, apart from the comforting dreams of her crimson life essence smeared across the room—after slashing her delicate throat and warming my body with her spilled blood—I haven’t given my sister much thought.
However, the musings have increased rapidly in recent weeks, becoming more volatile and vile.
I see the dhampir grin viciously, and I realize this asshole is now testing me.
By showing the inner turmoil, I've given away my emotions too easily.
The mention of my sister is enough to send me into a carnal rage, and the bastard knows it.
I don’t say a word as I slam the door behind me and stride away toward the stone-arched gates of Valorya.
If Harlot takes one step inside these walls, I’m sure I will hear about it.
As soon as the Umbra visits the city, everyone starts whispering and gossiping, especially if he brings along his human mate.
None of the night walkers understand why such a powerful being chooses to bond willingly with a fragile human.
Yet he did, and no one is brave enough to question him about it, as if he were some sort of God among their kind.
I suppose Umbra’s are to a certain extent; at least, they are at the top of the food chain, and everyone knows it.
No one dares to defy them, let alone challenge them.
Surely, those trials already took place centuries ago, with the dark creatures never on the winning end, explaining the Umbra’s legendary status.
I roll my eyes at the fact that my sister happens to have bonded with one; it's unbelievable.
Furiously, I step into the square, and I feel my magic radiate off me, an angry, dark aura that grasps around me, that wants to set whoever is in reach ablaze.
Vampires and witches flee from me, sensing the malevolent power, and I revel in it.
To see these mighty creatures with all their power cower before me.
I clench my fists as I consider chasing some down to demonstrate my strength, to direct my rage, and savor the scent of their scorching flesh.
“Always a pleasure running into you, young human,” a familiar voice sings.
I turn around, spinning on my heel, feeling agitated.
“You,” I seethe accusingly.
The vampire I know as Lucian bows before me, mocking me with the gesture, his deep red eyes never leaving mine. I leap forward, my hands instinctively reaching for his neck, but with one swift motion, he stands behind me. I tumble, reaching for air. I roar with disdain.
“What did I do to evoke such ire from you?” the vampire inquires curiously, yet delightfully.
“All your kind does is ruin everything,” I bark.
He raises an eyebrow and says, “I’ll be the last to deny that.”
Lucian dances around me while I try to grapple with him until I grow tired of our little game. He’s simply too fast for me with his inhumane speed. Irritated, I ask him what he wants from me, always appearing at the most inconvenient times.
“Your magic is so much stronger… It’s fascinating to me, it draws me in,” he says.
I gaze at the vampire’s pale face, and his dark red eyes scrutinize every aspect of my being. I don’t know this creature personally, yet his infatuation with my magic was never a secret; he made his interest clear from the beginning, treating me like a familiar every time we exchanged words.
“What do you mean, Lucian?" I ask hesitantly.
He perks up at me, hearing me say his name, acknowledging his existence. He licks his sharp teeth, his eyes still fixed on mine.
“Haven’t you noticed it? Irregularities when you use it, the magic.
A stronger reaction from us, the dark creatures around you?
It feels as if your magic has almost doubled, the Aurum so strong…
I can feel it burn, even from this distance.
It’s very unpleasant.” His eyes beam with glee, as if I am some sort of treasure only he knows how to access.
The memory of hurting Caria is vivid, her burning flesh and those accusatory golden eyes. Dread fills me as I confide in the vampire, revealing part of what happened that afternoon, my desire for knowledge stronger than my aversion to his kind.
“Do you know how this could have happened? How did the Aurum suddenly become much more potent?” I ask, pushing away the raw longing for more knowledge.
“I was hoping you could tell me. Aurum has always intrigued me. Perhaps you should ask your death witch, the youngling. All the blood covens are educated on the matter, as it’s one of the main causes that forced them to change their magic.
She might better understand it, and if she does, please do not forget who set you on the right path. Tell me when you know more.”
With those words, Lucian disappears, leaving me alone in the square as others avoid me like I’m a deadly disease.
I sink down on a bench and let my mind unravel.
If I understand Lucian correctly, Caria does know about Aurum.
Why didn’t she tell me? I feel like an idiot bragging to her that I could tell her more about it.
Is she laughing behind my back? With that other male witch, Reiner?
The one with the mismatched eyes? Is that all I am to her?
A joke? No. It can’t be. Why would she visit the other witches to find information about my mother? Or was that a lie, too?
I try to piece together the information I received and the implications Faas and Lucian draw about Caria.
Faas has hinted several times that Caria may have been dishonest with me, and now Lucian might have confirmed this without realizing it.
I do my best to wrap my head around it all.
I want to believe Caria desperately. I need to talk to her.
I need to hear her side of the story first. I’m sure there’s an explanation.
Even though I don’t need her protection, breaking us apart would make either of us an easier target, though I’m unsure of what might threaten us.