Fractures of Eternity

A soft sigh left my lips, knowing I had to give in to this warlock, but how much was yet to be seen. Unlike Loki, this twin wasn’t a willing ally, which probably meant he was the most reliable out of the two.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m from the coven that worships the book.” I announced, dragging their eyes towards me.

“Oh? Is Emma also part of it?” was the first question that came out of the warlock’s mouth.

Sorry… I need to give you up to fix this.

“Yes, she is. We came here to ensure your safety because of the tensions within the castle, according to the intel. So, I would like for you to think of us as temporary allies.” I answered honestly, but not the whole truth.

This… must…

“You’ve got to be shitting me! Allies?! Your people will never be our allies!” Oswald snapped.

Watch yourself, or I might just bite back, little warlock.

Luckily, my desperation to stay near Loki with minimal restrictions was keeping me in place.

“I’ll confess that the attack that happened almost a week ago was because of the coven. There are traitors within it that want to harm anyone related to Rem, since not everyone knows about the book’s links; only the oldest families do.” I informed him.

Argh… This is like dancing with a lion ready to pounce on me.

“Emma and Zoe are part of the core families, but their magic is weak. All our time magic is pathetic compared to the one Edna once had.” I took another moment to recollect my thoughts.

Mine is probably worse, but I can’t use it unless it’s necessary.

Loki had never asked me about my past, which meant he was also getting his version of events within the lies I was weaving. Instead of being a passerby, I was the center of the organization as they revered me, even though I never wished for it.

But you knew exactly who I was before you took me to your bed, and because of that, your brother might turn on you. Hah… I can’t let that happen. I don’t want to be the reason you lose more of your family.

“Go on, I’m listening.” Oswald huffed, crossing his arms.

“Well, I won’t deny we’ve killed many people throughout the years, but we only did it because we had to! No one cares for us, eternal witches, who can barely do anything as it is.” I growled.

Is this of any use? Argh… No, keep going. I need to do anything to stay by you.

“Yet even when we tried to live peaceful lives, we were hunted just because we could freeze a moment in a plant’s life. But that’s just like you—” I stopped myself before I said, mortals.

Crap… how much lying will you let me get away, Loki?

I didn’t take the chance to glance at my prince as my full attention was on Oswald. Even the slightest moment to peek at my prince would’ve been noted by him, and I had to avoid bringing any more negative attention to him.

“So, what? Your mistress, Edna, destroyed my family and gave birth to a worse monster that’s hiding in flesh. For that alone, your entire clan should rot.” He argued back.

Monster… yet I have no memory of what I did to you or anyone else. I don’t know what I’m guilty of, but… even now, my hands aren’t clean. I’m very much an abomination, but does that mean I should stop living?

“I can’t… No, I won’t apologize for what Edna did to your family. She did what she thought was best with the tools that were given to her. Did your half-breed of a mother ever tell you how she killed her?” I asked, trying to hide the smirk on my lips, but it was no use.

Oswald’s eyes narrowed, “What?” he mumbled under his breath.

“Wow. For being so smart. You didn’t think it amazing how suddenly Edna, a witch that had lived thousands of years, was offed by a half-breed of a god. One who was only twenty-one years old at the time?” I sneered.

“Oi, watch what you say next,” Oswald warned, lips curled downward, before wincing.

His headache would get worse if this continued.

Poor… warlock. Poor fool, just let me protect you. I don’t want anything else.

“I’m not afraid of you, or of the truth that you fear. Try to kill me if you want, but know the cult you hate so much will just send another one of us until the vampire’s safe.” I didn’t back down.

If he tried to kill me, it would’ve blown who I was, but this boy, although ill-tempered, was no murderer. I could see in his eyes that his bark had no bite behind it, unlike mine.

“You little bitch,” the warlock scowled at me as I called out his bluff.

“Oh? I care not for what you see me as, Oswald. The only reason you’re allowed to run your mouth is that you’re the link to the book. Your brother already knew all about me after I begged him to leave me locked in the bathroom after I offered my blood to save him. It was his choice to bed me, not that I disliked it.” I huffed, glaring at the twin who had me in his grip.

“Fuck,” He cursed, shaking his head.

Did you bite?

“Even if I’m part of the coven, I won’t harm your brother. The only reason we’re fucking and in this situation is because of his decision, which was kind of him to get me out of that venomous, ravenous state his bite put me in.” I didn’t stop, feeling pangs in my chest.

I… I don’t mean a single thing I say, yet this is the only way…

“We don’t have any emotions for one another. If we continue to fuck it’s only for fun, which will all cease once the prophecy is avoided.” I added, hoping he would leave it at that, yet Loki’s gaze on me felt heavy.

No… Don’t feel a single thing. This is simply a reality check, even if… we…

For a second, Oswald appeared quietly, collecting his thoughts when a soft sigh left his lips.

“Then why the fuck would the cult attack me?” he questioned.

“Well, I already told you it’s because of what the half-breed did. She’s the one who raised you, right? Well, not everyone’s happy with the way everything went down, even if Cain says to leave it alone. If someone in lower-ranking families figured out the way their mistresses died, surely…” I trailed off, shaking my head.

Fools…

“They’ll seek revenge, which means they’ll go for her kids, who are easier targets,” I informed, gazing at Oswald with little to no emotion.

“Fuck them! I don’t care how she died, and it has nothing to do with me!” He snapped at me.

I couldn’t help but snicker at the warlock who glared back at me, yet his words tickled me.

“Oh yeah, I know she took your mother from you the day you were born, but I hope you know that action was the same one that linked your lives together. It’s the only thing that’ll save your brother’s life—something your mother placed her bets on.” I didn’t hold back, knowing that was what also kept me safe from the living gods.

“That’s…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“Vera traded her life to save her son—something I can’t help but admire. I guess, any good parent would do that in the blink of an eye.” I declared.

That’s right, this bond was made because of her love and devotion to you both. Only a god can change destiny, which means…

“You sure know a lot,” Oswald huffed, frowning.

Here we go... Here it’s the second half of this... make him buy it.

“Of course, I’m closely related to Cain,” I answered vaguely.

“Yet you have no grimoire?” He scoffed, crossing his arms again.

It was like walking on eggshells around this boy.

One wrong step and I’ll have to drag you into the abyss with me.

“I was born without one. I told you before.” I answered truthfully.

It prompted him to tilt his head before taking another step towards me.

“And what use are you without it?” he continued to query.

Hah… Finally, you took my bait.

“I have my skill sets. One is my blood. The others, well, with time, you’ll know more, but not before.” I smirked, triggering Oswald to narrow his eyes, biting on his lip.

Before I knew it, the chains had dissipated, allowing me to land on my feet gracefully. I hesitated to take a sigh of relief. There was no doubt I was still under his magnifying glass. Without an apology, he gazed at me when I faced him head-on. This boy wasn’t done with me yet.