8 Revelations

"So, what do you want to know first?" Mum asks.

"Well, for one, who was the guy who held us hostage and broke Rhi's arm?" Dominic asks.

"And why was he here for aunty?" I added.

"That monster is called Markus. And why he wants your aunty, Clarissa, is a long story."

"Well, get started," I say impatiently.

"Before I tell you, you need to know that Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, all of them are real," mum says seriously.

Hearing the word Vampire, I begin to realize something. The man's inhuman looks, his ice-cold skin, skin as cold as a corpse, "The guy who held us hostage; he was a Vampire, wasn't he," I say, feeling completely stupid.

"Yes," mum answers.

"Then those giant wolves at our front yard that night?" Dominic adds.

"Werewolves," mum says. "From your uncle's side of the family," she chuckles.

Dominic's eyes almost pop out of his sockets at the revelation. "Wait, so uncles a Werewolf? Does that mean our cousin's a Werewolf? Is aunty Leah a Werewolf?" Dominic's mind swarmed with curiosity.

"And where do Witches play a part in this?" I ask mum while shushing Dominic.

"Well, you might want to talk to your aunty Clarissa about that, that is if she manages to escape," Mum says solemnly.

"Wait, then, doesn't that mean you're a Witch as well, since your sisters," I ask after some quick thinking.

"What she said," Dominic chimes in, still shocked.

"If I were, I would've just healed you with magic," mum says sadly. "But some of us don't inherit the ability."

"Well, I'm alive, so I call that a win in my book." I chuckle.

"Then, wouldn't uncle be a warlock, or wizard, or something?" Dominic asks.

"It's complicated, to say the least." mum answers.

"Hold on." Dominic interrupts. "With all the supernatural stuff, where do Rhi and I come into play here? Because, from what you've told the two of us, I don't think me, Rhi and…. Tina getting adopted was coincidental." He says with a betrayed expression.

"It wasn't. You three are what we call the Ethereal children. I was sent me to keep you safe. But, things didn't go as planned… when-"

"-When Tina died," I finish mum's sentence.

"Yeah," mum says sadly.

"Ethereal children? What a cringy ass name." Dominic interrupts with a sour expression; It seems we were both thinking the same thing.

"Could I ask you one thing? Did you ever really care about us, or were Dominic and I just a means to an end?" Dominic and I both look at mum, anxiously awaiting an answer.

"Of course I did, and I still do now." mum says with no hesitation before rushing in to hug us. "I want the two of you to know that it's my fault that Tina died. I couldn't protect her, but I promise I'll protect the two of you no matter what." mum says as if taking some sort of pledge. Dominic and I just cry.

Meanwhile, In Lezway city…

"Keres, I've brought the runaway," Markus informs as he throws Clarissa at his feet in shackles.

"You can leave now, Markus," Keres orders.

And so Markus left the room, leaving the two alone. "Do you have any idea of the consequences that will come if you finish that ritual!" Clarissa yells. "All magic has a cost, especially magic of that magnitude. To bring a life back, another must take its place."

"You think I don't know that," Keres scoffs. "I've already found a way to fix that little problem," he adds.

"What? How?" Clarissa asks in disbelief.

"Let's just say, the one I want to bring to bring back is the one who made the spell."

"You mean the first witch, Arina. The Witch banished to the shadow realm for her crimes of using black magic."

Keres shoots Clarissa a look of disdain. "Don't you dare utter her name." He ordered, flashing his Monstrous appearance. "Arina committed no crime." He said with venom in his voice.

"Wow, for a moment there, you seemed almost human," Clarissa says with a laugh.

In seconds, Keres grabs Clarissa by her jaw, staring her right in the eyes. "Don't test me. My patience has been wearing very thin; As of late," He says menacingly before throwing her to the ground. "Now tell me, What were you up to in that little town Helgrey."

"I wouldn't tell you anything before. So what makes you think I would now."

"Markus, could you bring in the little witch that helped us?" Keres ordered.

Soon enough, Markus came walking into the room with Zaraya. "Come here, Zaraya." Keres gestured to her. "You and Clareese here are old friends, aren't you," He asks.

"She was my mentor," Zaraya says with a gulp.

"Is that so," Keres says with a dark chuckle.

Suddenly the Hellhound jumps out of Zaraya's shadow and tries to attack Keres. But he just backhands the beast, sending it flying back. The Hellhound lands on all fours with its ears cocked back and its teeth on full display.

Keres stares down at the Hellhound. "Don't worry, little puppy, I'm not planning to hurt her; yet." Then turns his gaze to Clarissa. "That'll depend on you." He says with a dark smile. "Take her to the dungeon." He orders Markus.

In the dark, cold, mould ridden dungeon…

Sitting on the hard wooden bed in her dungeon cell, Clarissa tries to get some sleep. But it's soon interrupted by someone wearing a cloak. The figure was petite, with a feminine outline, like that of a teenage girl.

"And who might you be?" Clarissa asks while lying down.

"Help, that's what I am," The hooded figure answers.

"Confident, I see," Clarissa chuckles before sitting up. "Now, why are you really here?"

"The covens in this town have all gone to shit; they all need your help. You're the only coven leader left that Keres hasn't already killed."

"So you came here to make me into some sort of campaign pitch or revolutionary leader like the chick from the hunger games."

"Well, if you wanna put it that way."

"I'm in. Not like I've got any better ideas."

"Good. Tomorrow night, I'll come to set you free. So be prepared."

"What do you want in return," Clarissa said questioningly.

"Just don't let Keres near my brother and sister; that's all I ask." The figure says before rushing off.

'It can't be,' Clarissa thinks to herself in utter shock. "Tina," she exclaims.