A fire seemed to sprout under the young witch's seat in seconds, triggering her to get up and slam her hands onto the table.
"Impossible. Dad, this murderous wolf is lying!" Vera turned to her father, who sighed.
"Fucking, really? If I said I was breathing. Would you also call that a lie?!" I snapped, having had enough of this girl.
There was no reason for this woman to behave in this manner toward me, and even though my temper was about to explode, I was trying to maintain my composure. However, someone soon spoke, leaving me stunned.
"I believe Alijah," Caden announced, sitting on the couch with his brother.
"I... don't know what to think, but he doesn't sound like he's being deceptive," Aiden babbled, fidgeting with his shirt.
A soft grumble left me as Shade suddenly wrapped her tail around my arm and pulled it down towards her before sniffing it. I hadn't noticed her approaching, or when she shifted so close to me, as I had been paying attention to the others in the room.
Ruzgard was with her, too.
"He has the smell of the shadow demon." Shade suddenly announced, letting go of my arm, only for Lilith to grab it soon after.
"Oi..." I huffed, feeling like a doll being dragged around the room.
However, before I could complain further, she pulled my sleeve to reveal marks clearly on my skin that resembled bird footprints, where Midna had clung onto me.
"What the fuck?" I breathed.
Shade shifted again, climbing Lilith's shoulder as she carefully inspected the shapes.
"This... is something I haven't seen outside of the Soul Cairn." She mumbled, narrowing her eyes before shifting them back towards me. "It seems Midna marked you as proof of what you are saying. Don't worry, they'll disappear on their own." She informed me with a soft smile on her lips.
Fuck! Are you glad I'm not lying?
The fools didn't know I never did.
"So, the bitch knew you all wouldn't trust me. Good to know." I rolled my eyes, focusing on the window that led to the garden.
It was unbelievable how the bird knew more about their reaction to me than I did. It wasn't delightful to know my beloved family disliked me this much. However, it wasn't like I hadn't fueled their worries.
Midnight, you're smart; at least I'll give you that. You... Why did you call me Valdios?
"But can we trust this god that attacked us?" Aiden asked.
A valid question, as he was right to mistrust Midna, but her words didn't seem deceitful. Sadly, her hint was the only lead we had to get Rem out, as everyone else failed to find anything to help.
"No, we can't. It's the same one trying to take over Rem! Whatever intentions he has for Rem, this wolf doesn't have her best interest at heart!" Vera tried to sway the room in her favor.
I shook my head, "Believe whatever you fucking wish, but I saw Rem there, witch, but I can't reach her on my own."
"Still, I—" Vera was about to erupt when her mother grabbed her shoulder.
"Honey, we all want Rem back, and Alijah has proven he means no harm to her. They also share a connection we don't have. Perhaps this is the only way." Lilith tried to reassure her.
"Still! I don't trust you!" Vera yelled before glaring at me.
I shrugged. "Nor I you, little witch, yet I can still set aside my pride for Rem."
She turned away from me, leaving steaming where I stood. At this point, I didn't care if they wanted to believe me. All I needed was their help. For a moment, everyone stayed quiet as it sank in. It wasn't long until Fenris closed the books before him, shifting his gaze toward me.
"So, how are we going to do this?" He asked, triggering a flutter in my heart with a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.
I couldn't help but smile as my tail wagged a bit.
Is this what hope feels like? Am I finally going to see you again?
However, he was suspiciously passive, which meant he wasn't fully invested in what I had to say, but it didn't matter. If he allowed me to do it and find someone to assist me, that was all I cared about.
"I need someone to project my astral self into Rem's mind. Well, into her dreams. She has created a space to escape reality, and I'm the only one allowed in other than herself." I announced, prompting everyone's eyes to widen.
"What? Are you shitting me?! How dare you suggest we missed a spell cast on her!" Vera snapped, slamming her hands onto the table. "Let alone, it's impossible to send a red-eye Lycan anywhere! You're resistant to our magic, which is too strong to overcome!"
"You mean like..." Lilith trailed off as her daughter shifted her gaze.
"Mom?" She mumbled as I nodded.
"Yes, just like the one you used back then. Back then, I was able to connect with you because of Rem. I didn't know that, but I came across you because of her. It's a bit different here because I'm not in a space where all timelines gather." I sighed, shrugging.
"Then... It's impossible to do it. Even normal Lycans are highly resistant to it." She shook her head, clasping her hand onto her chest.
"Nah, it's possible. You'll need to use a bit of wolfsbane. It'll have to be enough to weaken my resistance without triggering a world-ending rampage from my end. Do you think you're capable of dosing me correctly?" I informed them, prompting the Lycans in the room to grow cold.
Ben turned his head a bit to the side.
"That's too dangerous," Fenris declared. "A single milligram more of it and you'll end us and die soon after."
I bit my lip, unable to dismiss that possibility, yet it was the only path before us.
"Sadly, it's the only way." I breathed, shifting my gaze back to Lily. "Please, you told me to find my light, and I did. Please, Lilith, don't let me lose her. Even if she wasn't your daughter, I... beg for her life." My voice cracked as they all fell silent.
It wasn't the first time I had pleaded for help, yet every time, I could shed away my pride for her. Unlike the rest of her family, the little young witch wasn't fond of my explanation.
Vera rolled her eyes. "How convenient."
By the gods, you're a fucking bitch.
"All you need to do is remove a single petal from the flower. The poison is more present in the stem and leaves." I tried to explain myself, but they all remained quiet.
Fuck... Please...
"I mean, I'll get ill, like really sick, but I should be fine after a few hours. Especially after a good meal, if I can keep it down. Um... please... I don't really know what else to do." I winced, realizing none were on board with what I was saying.
It was understandable, but at the same time, it was infuriating. For the longest time, I had been their enemy. It was a miracle they were listening to me.
I suppose that was also due to you, Rem.
"You're willing to go that far for her? I mean, you could die even if you don't end the world while at it." Fenris stood up as I shook my head.
"That little Luma has done so much for me, even when I didn't deserve it. I'll do anything for her. She would do the same for me, too. I can't let her be the one who saves me all the time." I stood my ground.
All eyes were on me again, as I didn't know if I had any other leverage to play.
"Look, I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need your help. Midnight helped Rem build her little cage, and it will take all of us to undo what she has gotten herself into. Once I'm in there, you wolves will have to share your essence with me again to destabilize and destroy it from within." I paused momentarily, feeling my hands tremble as a thought began forming in my head.
The moment it rose, my words were clogging up my throat, refusing to come out, but they had to.
"J-Just like you did back when..." I trailed off, clenching my scarred hand, a reminder of my failure that wouldn't happen again.
"Okay then. Ben, you know what to do, don't you?" Fenris declared, glancing toward his brother.
"Of course, little brother, I'll be on my way then." The elder brother bowed before leaving the room.
"Very well, then I'll get some of the Iris and try to make something that works with it, but I'll need some time to determine the correct dose. Wolfsbane no longer exists, and Iris appears more potent than the original plant." Lily announced, heading out as well with her familiar.
"Wait! Mom! Are we seriously doing this?!" Vera followed her out, along with Ruzgard.
"I'll text Sophie to get the ingredients for the spell," Aiden nodded, grabbing onto Caden and dragging him out to some unknown quest.
Huh?
Only two of us were left in the room in seconds.
"Ah... I guess, I'll—" I started but wouldn't finish when Fenris walked around the table and grabbed onto my shoulder.
Fenris glanced at me, walking around the table, and grabbing my shoulder.
"Alijah... Could you follow me for a bit? I need to speak with you about something important." He stepped toward the door before shifting his crimson gaze onto me.
I found myself in a pickle, but I couldn't refuse him.
He's your father, after all.
"I guess," I mumbled, following Fenris out of the study.
We walked down the hall leading to one of the manor's patios. He gazed out at their rose garden for a moment before strolling down it, with me behind him.
Shit... what does he want to talk to me about? Is it about you? I... No... Even if he disapproves, I'm not giving you up, Rem. You're mine and only mine.