Twisted Fate

Chapter 44

Astrid

I'm lying on my back with my arms folded over my stomach, staring up at the ceiling. So far, I've listed all the reasons why I should say fuck it and leave Salem. One: Arlo now knows exactly who Cassandra Jamerson is, so our chances of finding her have risen. Two: I'm impatient, and I want to kill her like really, really bad. Three: I want to slice my sword across her face until she cannot be recognized. Four: I'm bored and making stupid lists like this one.

My fingers tap anxiously against my knuckles. The grandfather clock ticks, reminding me of the precious time wasting away. Arlo is out there searching for Cassandra while I lounge here on this couch, waiting for guests to arrive. From upstairs, I have a perfect view of anyone who comes into the gift shop, but it's been dead for the past three hours.

I should just stop talking to myself and follow through with my plan. They can't make me stay here against my will.

"Yes, I can," Blair hollers from somewhere downstairs. "You know, the cool thing about empaths. Not only can we feel others' emotions, but we can hear them too. And I don't care if you're an alpha. I will literally lock your ass up in the basement if you try to step foot out of Salem's borders."

I roll my eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be leaving?"

Blair stomps in my line of sight and points up at me. She looks tiny from up here, but her attitude is bigger than the both of us. "I'm leaving now. But just so you're aware, Nicolas will be in the study room all day. Watching every move, you make,"

"Yeah, yeah," I wave her off and sink further into the couch. I might as well get comfortable since I'll be here all day. Just me and the faint smell of whatever the hell Nicolas is cooking in his big pot of strange substances. I would keep him company, but he stays pretty absorbed with his work, much like Blair. And Ms. Hattie is out for the day, so I promised her I'd watch over the shop.

On the bright side, all this free time gives me an opportunity to think about my life and what I'm going to do with it. Which hasn't been easy given the major events that have taken place.

When I was younger, my peers used to tease me about being cursed because I'm a female. And according to the legend, one that shouldn't have been born in the first place. But here I am, very much alive and breathing...and dealing with some crazy psycho bitch who wants to kill me, to abolish all born females of my pack. If that was so true, then why is Cassandra only targeting me? Khloe and many of my cousins should be on that hit list. Although I'm relieved they're not, none of it makes sense.

Let's not forget about the fact that Jackson freaking Blackburn, of all people, had a hand in this.

I'm surprised that his plans have continued way past his time. A part of me wonders if that's what he was aiming for all along. I mean, what psychotic murderer wouldn't be thrilled to have their cult survive throughout generations, fulfilling his evil works. He's probably dancing and cheering on Cassandra in hell right now.

It makes me wonder which kingdom he's been sent to. I would assume the ninth since he worships Lamashtu and... oh for fuck sakes! No! I refuse to sink to that level of crazy.

This must be how humans feel when they think about the existence of the supernatural. Is it too much to ask for some things in life to be normal? I'd rather not be cursed by some soul-sucking demoness who thrives on the hearts of women and their unborn children.

I rest my palm on my forehead, contemplating this giant puzzle with scattered pieces. It all brings me to the million-dollar question: Why?

Why did Jackson Blackburn kill the first female in my family, and why did he form the bestial cult? Was he really trying to please his demoness or is there something else? And why is Cassandra so dedicated to a cult that tortured her? She's obviously crazy, and I should feel bad for her, but I don't. She deserves what comes her way.