Allure 12 Chapter eleven

Spencer

"How is he?" I asked the physician tending to Ewan.

The old man shook his head disappointedly.

"Chief, I'm afraid he won't make it."

Ewan blinked, his face disgruntled in pain. My heart bled seeing him in such a state. He was like family to me ever since I found him wandering ten years ago.

I joined him on the floor. If he wasn't going to make it, I could at least remain with him at the last moment.

My mind, however, was not with him. Ria was a unicorn. I twisted backward to see the creature. Ria was grazing like any normal herbivore would.

I remembered the bright rays of rainbows she shot at the beast after us. It was like she knew I was in danger. It made me wonder if Katherine knew Ria was a mystic.

"Spencer." Ewan groaned, now conscious.

"Don't speak." I urged taking a look at his severe injuries.

The physician had tried to sew up the cuts but he had revealed to me that it was a waste of time. Whatever monster did this had spread a deadly venom that affected the healing process. The injuries were sending a pungent smell, much alike to that of a dead rat.

"Maisy..." Ewan continued with great difficulty. He was vomiting out pink squishy flesh.

His own organs!

"What happened to Maisy?"I quizzed, slightly cursing myself for being insensitive.

This boy was dying just trying to tell.me something about Maisy.

"She's... trouble..." Ewan managed to muster before his fate overwhelmed.

He jerked violently, blood gushing out his mouth and nostrils.

I hurled up at the sight. Ewan became still, his peeved face now straightened.

"Ewan?" I shook him despite the bike in my throat, "Wake up Ewan."

The healer checked on Ewan, monitoring his pulse and placing his ear on his chest to feel his heartbeat. His facial expression gave me the worst news ever.

"Chief, He's dead."

I collapsed to the ground hearing this. I lingered on his last words, Something about Maisy and trouble.

Was Maisy in trouble?

The question remained unanswered. I was enveloped by the fear that Maisy might have suffered the same fate Ewan suffered if she was still alive.

She hasn't messaged since she left which either meant she wasn't in Nodith yet or she was in trouble.

Now I couldn't be having these negative thoughts.

I just couldn't help it. Ria lapped against the nape of my neck as if to pacify me.

I caressed her furry body. It was soothing and gave me the emphatic feeling that everything was alright. I stared into the beast's eyes, all my paranoia gone just seeing it's twinkle.

Maybe Unicorns were empaths.

Ewan's body had been covered up and soon it would be going for cremation, A ritual for the dead in Linsea. I faced Ria again speaking to her and hoping she could understand.

"Ewan's death can't be in vain. I have to find Maisy, To know if she's safe."

I took a deep breath remembering how I sent Maisy away with a total stranger just to teach her a valuable lesson. I could have followed her but I allowed my bad memories in Nodith to get in the way but there was a reason for all things I believed.

The heavens were punishing me for my misconception and Ewan had to suffer for it.

I was going to Nodith.

***

Nodith

Maisy

The morning sun illuminated the panes and rays of sunshine cascaded around my body making the chills warm enough. I wasn't able to sleep all night, Not with the thought that everything going on right now was unbelievable. I didn't even know if what I saw was real. I've heard stories with supernatural elements in them but never had I thought I would be intertwined in such.

Reincarnation was real?

It was unbelievable but my past self was trying to make me remember something If that was even what was going on.

"You're up early." Eric yawned, Startling me from my deep thought.

I gave him a timid smile to get him off my back but what I desired was to ask him who this Tatia girl was. I remembered he called me Tatia while in Linsea. I thought at that time that he was in pain and couldn't comprehend what he was saying but maybe he could.

"Who's Tatia?"

Eric turned blue.

"Tatia? Who's that?"

He wasn't going to spill what he knew that easily. I would have to play dirty.

"You kept saying her name in your sleep."

"What!"

He was shaken up. Just what I wanted.

"So who's Tatia?"

Eric got to his feet and stared at the horizon.

"I don't know." He blatantly lied.

"So what's her painting doing in the gallery?"

Then Eric snapped. He literally held me by the throat and in his eyes, I could see rage.

"What were you doing there?" He demanded.

"You're hurting me, Eric."

I tried to breathe despite his firm hold on my neck. He didn't relent. It was like I had awakened murderous tendencies in him. I did what I had to, I booted him in his 'area' and his suffering forced him to stop strangling me.

"What was that?"

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." Eric tried to plead but I was having none of his excuses.

I took a step away from him.

"Don't come any closer!" I warned.

My neck still hurt and breathing was difficult for me, It felt like I had a sore throat.

"I'm sorry." Eric continued saying.

"You tried to kill me and you're telling me sorry."

It just did not make sense. The spirit had told me earlier to run while I had the chance but I hesitated not knowing why. Could this be why?

"Maisy, You have to forgive me."

He approached me but I continued taking a step back, calculating how much time I had to bolt out the door to safety.

"Who is Tatia and why the hell does she look like me?" I asked.

He was worked up hearing the name Tatia before so I hoped it had the same effect on him and blinded his reasoning. That would give me enough time to make my exit.

"I can explain. I just want you to listen to me."

"No Eric, You listen to me. I don't know what is going on here but I don't like it. Maybe this can't work out."

I'd say I made a big mistake saying that. He charged at me like a Savage and I was too stunned to move. My willpower returned when he was near me. I absconded but my reflexes kicked in too late. He held on to my hands before I could escape and pulled me back to him. I used the rare opportunity to bite into his neck.

He cursed and threw me on the bed. He subdued me and used the bedspread as makeshift ropes. He bounded my arms and legs with ease despite the fight I put up.

"Why are you doing this?" I inquired.

"I didn't mean to hurt you Maisy but I can't afford to lose you now."

God! Was I going to be used in some kind of ritual that involved lookalikes?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You asked who Tatia is. I'll tell you who she was. She was my late wife."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"You're her last living relative, The heir to the Quinn's inheritance."

This was unimaginable. I never believed anyone would actually do this. He married me for money.

"Did my grandfather know about this?" I inquired.

"He's still searching for you but he'll find out tonight at your ball," Eric replied, a sinister smile on his face.

"So you really did this for money, I thought there was actually sparks between us."

"Maisy, Sometimes the butterflies are the warning signs. Your father did try to warn you."

Tears escaped my eyes.

"You'll pay for this Clarke!" I yelled.

He chuckled and left the room, locking the room.

I was a fool. My father was right, A serpent was far better than a crippled Clarke.

Chapter end