The Realm of Truth (Book 1) [In the process of editing]

Chapter 28: Simon Says Kill

(Damien's POV)~

My arm was wrapped around Odette's waist. I don't think I've ever gotten this close to her before and my heart was fluttering. She had a wrathful look in her eyes and all of a sudden, waiters and waitresses stood to face us around the room. There were maybe a dozen and a half more of them and I wouldn't be able to help take them on.

I took a look behind us, and saw they were covering the entrance. Is this what he wanted? To keep us hostage until he got what he wanted?

I wish I had an escape plan. I was only a mere human with no supernatural powers like telepathy to communicate with Odette discreetly.

"You think you're above those who aren't as powerful as you?" Odette asked.

Ambrosius' eyes flared at her. "I think I am. I think they deserve to be wiped out. They're weak. Just like your boyfriend here."

"Hey." I shouted out, offensively. "I'm not going to be talked down like this from someone who can't get what he wants. Trust me, been there, done that."

Ambrosius looked straight at me in the eyes and I felt something wrong already. I couldn't quite move. I felt...entranced. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ambrosius voiced out to me. It was as soothing as Odette's voice but it was something more malevolent. I couldn't hear anything else's but his, and it was all I wanted to listen to. "Now, Damien. I want you to go back to your hotel room. You are to stay there and wait for my signal by the phone. If Odette choses to fail instructions, then I want you to take a stake, and drive it through her heart."

"What?" Odette squeaked out. Her voice sounded small and scared, but I didn't pay any attention to it. This was a weird feeling to me. Like I wanted to put all my beliefs in Ambrosius. "Y-you can't do that. Damien?"

I started walking away from her. I didn't have my own mind or free will to control. Ambrosius took all of that from me.

"Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Carter." Ambrosius called out, and I turned to face him. Stop moving...don't listen to him. "Once all of this blows over and I have my coven into full effect, one of my...family members will help you through your...transition."

~~~

(Odette's POV)

"Esme, you're okay with this?" I shouted, as Damien walked away. I felt torn, and so livid at the moment. Ambrosius thinks he can rid this town full of innocent people and turn them to create his own cult? "How are any of you okay with this? You're taking him away from me, and that's not okay with me!"

"Well, if you don't cooperate yourself, Ms. Hillshire, then I suggest you get to work."

I started to reach for another silver utensil, but I held myself back. I was better than this. If I made one wrong move right here, I would have no chance of beating everyone in this room. I'd be the one to kick the bucket. Time to play it safe.

"Fine." I finally agreed. "But you're going to have to give Damien's free will back. You're not allowed to use him against me. Not while he still has a life to live."

"See, that's not going to happen, little sis." Ambrosius said, curling his hand over to look at his cuticles.

Then, he examined the other hand I skewered. He had a look of resentment in his eyes, which made me panic again. I looked between him and Esme who stood there, enjoying every little bit of this situation. I thought I trusted her all my life, considering she was the one who helped me on my feet again after my transition.

"I'm in charge of this game I want to play, called Simon Says." Ambrosius walked over to me and him being a few inches taller than me was intimidating. "I make the rules and you follow them. Simple. You, however, have a penalty for impaling my right hand." He finished with a growl. I saw his eyes glowing dark brown, and it was even more frightening to look at. "Therefore, Damien can either die tonight, or you can help me find more blood to feed these...homosapiens."

I shook my head in disgust. "Why don't you just call them "people"? Welcome to the 21st century, big bro." I asked. I emphasized air quotes around "big bro", like he could ever be my half sibling. "They're innocent people, but fine." I held up my hands in defense before I said any more stupid things. "I'll do as you say. Just don't call Damien."

"Very well." Ambrosius curled his lips into a sneer. He's handsome, I'll give him brownie points for that, but I'll be deducting points from him for being a total douche bag.

I decided to excuse my self to go to the kitchen and haul a couple more blood bags. The staff also went back to work as well. Needless to say, they had plenty of these, but definitely not enough for a whole room of these waiters/waitresses in disguise. In secret, while I've been asking for a couple, I'd put  two more inside my jacket pocket. I'd made a little slit inside big enough for them to fit the night Damien and I had an argument.

I drained the last bag and closed the fridge. When I sighed and tossed the bag into the trashcan nearby, I heard whisperings close by. My echolocation brought to my attention and I listened in on Esme and Ambrosius.

"Do you think it's right?" Esme asked.

"Of course it's right, mother." Ambrosius reassured her. "I want to continue the ritual to bring dad back to life."

"But Odette doesn't know that her biological-"

"She will never know, mother. You haven't told her squat about anything and I have you to help me with all of this too, considering you're prepared for this...Right?"

They both went into silence and exchanged knowing looks. "Honey, the thing about bringing back people to life..." Esme paused to make sure he was listening. "Is that the spirits will be angry with me if I perform the ritual. I will die in bringing back your father."

Cold sweat beaded down my face and I booked it out of there. No, no, no. No way. I can't do this. I wanted out so bad that I went to our hotel room as quick as possible.

"Damien?!" I called out, throwing the door open. He was sitting by the bedside table, waiting for the phone call. I sighed in relief. "Are you okay?"

"Never better." He said, in a perky way. "Why? Are you?"

The phone rang and I wanted to stop Damien from answering it. "Don't answer-!"

"Hey, Ambrosius." Damien said and I paid close attention to him. "She's going to cooperate? I don't have to kill her?" He poked his lip out in acknowledgement and hummed in agreement with a nod. "Me? Okay."

He hung up the phone. I saw him shaking as he grabbed something from the drawer. "W-What are you doing?" I asked. It was a huge blade from the kitchen and I couldn't believe what was about to happen.

Damien flipped the blade around vertically, so that he could point the front of the blade...towards his heart.