Hate Of The Unknown

Chapter 5- Alice, Her Wonders, And The Mad Hatter

I walked inside the room, Vincent going behind me like an ever-looming presence, preventing me from escaping. My knees felt weak and unsteady, and my heart thumped in my chest like a jackhammer. A nauseating sensation churned inside me as I tried to keep calm.

Ari's office was a sight to behold. The walls were adorned with richly-colored art pieces, and the ceiling had intricate designs carved into it. An impressive table of wood sat in the center of the room, and a long row of bookshelves along the wall held a wide selection of books. Everything seemed to exude a sense of history and age like the office had been taken straight out of a European museum.

If I wasn't scared out of my skin, I would be glad to get the chance to see Ari's office. "For what purpose have you brought the boy here, and why is he steeped in terror?" Ari asked, snapping my attention back to him. "Sit here, don't think about escaping. We will be onto you in less than a second." Vincent said coldly.

I did as I was told. Feeling the truth in his words. They would catch me in less than a second. Running wasn't optional. Vincent walked toward Ari, and they started to talk in low voices. I couldn't make out what they were saying. The conversation was long and seemed to get heated. Ari getting angrier by the minute. I hoped his anger won't be directed at me.

Ari snapped his gaze and caught my eyes. "Approach, halt at the table-top, attempt any action, and I shall not be withheld in your destruction." I nodded and walked toward the table. Trying to make myself look as cooperative as I could. "Put your hands behind your back, try casting any spell, and it will be over," Vincent added once I reached the table.

With a small voice, I said, "I can't do any spells. I just-"

"Silence!" Ari roared. I nodded and held my tongue. The situation seemed dire for me. "Vincent, call Jahha. We'll need her expertise." Vincent nodded and stepped out to make the call. Leaving me alone with Ari.

"A cunning serpent lurks within the confines of my home, looking so innocent no one could imagine he was able to wreak any damage. Who is the wendigo you're working with? The council would have no mercy upon you for being a witch. It's a great offense to aid one of them. And killing a vampire belonging to my court on top of that." Ari's eyes bore into mine.

With a shaky voice, I tried to speak. "May... may I talk, sir?" Ari seemed a little taken aback by my question. As if he didn't believe I was truly afraid. In reality, terror filled my veins to the point of overflowing. And my mind raced, desperately searching for an escape plan. Ari nodded.

"I don't know what's happening. Anything I said to Vincent was the entire truth. I'm just here because I needed a job. Has Vincent told you everything?" I wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

"Yes, he told me about the conversation you had. It arouses suspicion that the murder occurred immediately after you started working here. You were also the first to find the body. Your ability is unheard of. Thinking of you as an innocent witch unaware of his powers is just... unimaginable."

I ran through the details in my mind, searching for the right way to explain. "I don't know how to make you believe me. I always had this ability. I didn't think I was a witch. I didn't know anyone like me existed. I just thought I had a weird power. My entire family is human. I never met my father, so maybe I got it from him. I don't know. All that matters is that an innocent woman lost her life, and the one who took it isn't being held accountable. That's something I can't accept."

Ari seemed to ponder at that. No longer looking angry. "I'll ask you a few questions. Tell me if I'm lying or telling the truth."

"Okay, I can do that," I said quickly. Willing to do anything for him to believe me. "Vincent is a half-vampire." No buzz. "True," I immediately said. Wait, vampire? Not giving me any time to recover, Ari asked me another Question.