END ROADS

CHAPTER 79: THE PARASITES!

I unwrapped the letter slowly and sat on the bed to read it.

Dear Becky Gala hue
This is the guy you hate the most, Keith Gavin. I will like to apologize first for my ill behavior towards you, please pardon me. I have been reflecting on myself since the time you left, you questioned me in a way no one has ever questioned. To be honest I was not always like this since I was a child. I was a little pleasant though too timid. So my parents didn't fancy me that much, they wanted a strong son. I tried to fit in, be strong and gain my parent's attention but they didn't care much about me. So I sought help from my uncle; Steele Edward. He wanted to help, but at that time he was the ruler of the Vines coven and he loved that he was the ruler. He enjoyed the power and wanted to be the center of attention. I thought being arrogant and greedy for power like him was the solution. And so he taught me the art of greed, to only think about myself, what I will benefit first before anything else. I was told to avoid anything and anyone who made me weak. I thought my mate was my weakness and so I threw her out and killed her. My cousin Arthur feared me and ran away. Steele frustrated me, he threatened me, saying I was he reason I was reason I was in power. Which is true, he was the only one who supported me and made me the master of Flames coven. So I was obligated to following his commands. When his mate died and it was time to give back the title to Grey, he was frustrated and poured all his frustrations on me. He gave me a mission. To deal with Grey and get him out of power by any means possible. But Grey is strong he was a hard guy to tackle and your appearance made it even harder for me. I use my younger brother, told him to kill you so we can get our way to Grey. He died instead and you survived. It made Steele angry and he tried to permanently injure Grey so he could be labelled incompetent and the tittle to be given back to Steele. But you saved him, and the rage from Steele was on me again.
To be honest, it is not my choice to be like this. I'm under threat and that's why I had to write to you so you may know. I wish I could explain this to you in person, but I can't. He threatened me not to be involved with anything that has to do with the Gala. Thank you for trying to care, at least I said it all out. Am just a lonely and depressed vampire. Steele thinks he is the only one frustrated by the loss of his mate Magdalene, but I am too. She haunts me everyday and that is why I tend to be violent, just hiding my weakness. Yet in the end I cry alone in the dark.
I only hope I will be able to do one good deed in this life before my time comes.
                                          Keith Gavin

I sighed heavily after reading the whole letter. Too much information at once, it was a surprise. So Steele was Keith and Arthur's uncle. He supported Keith because he wanted him to rule the Flames coven and he helps him get rid of Grey so he can rule the both covens? Why was he so hungry for power, was he not satisfied that he was a council of elder? As per what I had seen, the elders had more authority compared to the masters of the coven. The elders controlled the masters, since the masters can't make any decisions without consulting the council first. So what did this guy want more?
Or was he the traitor? No, if he was the traitor mother would have already known about it.
So basically there were two enemies here. David and Steele. But for us and Steele we had a common enemy who was David! So for the matter about David we were friends with Steele. But when it comes to power we were foes. What if Steele tried to kill Grey in the time of war and blame it on the Gala? So I simply had to have my eyes on him? This was sick.
Keith was a manipulated helpless kid, not as per age.... The guy was older than Ethan and Grey. Probably Dom's age mate. And he was only seeking attention from his parents when he found himself in the mess.
Poor guy!
How helpless he must have felt, besides Steele was a ruthless man. I knew how overbearing he was, nevertheless he had no right to turn a desperate child into something so ugly. He used him for himself.
I looked at the letter again, at least he was the only guy with a pleasant handwriting I have come across.
"Becky, they need you at the council room." I threw the letter into the drawer and stood up.
"Coming" I walked out of the room, Arthur was standing there grinning like a fool.
"What is that grin for?"
"Nothing, am just wondering what magic potions you always use"
"I got none actually" I said as we walked together to the council room
"Well, you definitely have a secret portion then. Ever since you left the Flames coven, Keith Gavin has not been himself"
"How so?"
"He's acting all good boy role that is so unlike him. Everyone is confused, they probably think that he is playing one of his dirty games"
I laughed slightly trying to be nonchalant "it has nothing to do with me"
"Are you denying it? The guy is a loner, he is always locked in the library or his room unless there are matters to deal with in the council. You are the only person I have seen him tag along with without his guards around or ending up dead. What did you say to him?"
"I just told him he's a big baby, and if he's scared... He can hide under my skirts "
Arthur laughed pinching his nose to stop himself from giggling any further.
"And he tucked his tail between his legs since then"
"He ha always had his tail tucked between his feet, he just got it out" I answered and Arthur furrowed his brows In confusion. I didn't explain further, I just entered the council room and he followed slowly still contemplating on what I said
"Is my man back"
"Right here" Grey lifted his hand, I blushed in embarrassment, I didn't think he would be there.
I found myself a seat nearby and sat down.
"Now that the drama queen is here, please Mr Grey explain what you saw" Flora announced, I rolled my eyes. What was she saying? Drama queen?
Grey stepped forward straightening his suit.
"So this is the map" he tapped on the flat screen smartphone TV before us. "This area here is the border separating the coven from the other parts of the forest. So they are camping around the coven approximately two hundred metres away. They are in groups of two hundred to three hundred." He paused zooming the area beyond the lake region.
"The ones here are the weakest ones" he zoomed another area "this one's are average and finally the last ones are the strongest. This strategy is a bit awkward because he didn't portion them evenly. He placed the weak together and the strong together. I fail to understand why he did so"
"Maybe his plan here is to reduce the number of vampires by weakening us, then when we are losing focus the strongest will strike" Abigail proposed
"That is quite possible, I also think the ones around the lake must be good with the ice and water. Which means he didn't just group them, he was giving them room to survive and do the best " Dom added.
"Anyone good at controlling fire elements will be useful in that case" Xavier said slowly. Why was this kid too adorable.
"That's right, and this area" he pointed behind the caves "where the strongest are, is probably loaded with his guinea pigs and hostages. I spotted a lot of cages and huge containers here. So this war is big"
"We need a plan, my woman is In there"  Clark panicked and I was not in a better position myself, I was biting my nails like a nervous child.
"We will come up with one, sit back Clark!"
"But... What if... What if it does not work?... What if something happens to her before we get there? ... What if...
"Quiet!!" I yelled without realizing I was actually yelling "that is my sister too, that is her daughter too" I pointed at Flora "that is his best friend too" I pointed at Grey.
"Please we are trying to think, so hold on to your horses. Ethan has a sister there too who has been there for ages and he is silent and hopeful. Stop being a noisy gong!!" I sat back sighing heavily
"Please continue!"
Grey was out of words, his jaw dropped. He was looking at me like I had just spoken in tongues.
"Alright, a plan. Anyone proposing something?" Flora asked
"Well, maybe find a weakness in them and start with that "
"It would take forever!" Abi answered Megan
"What else can we do?"
"They are strong and large in number. They are around nine hundred of them minus the guinea pigs. So if we would eliminate the six hundred of them and be left with the other six hundred. That will be better " Grey proposed.
The room went silent and I couldn't stop  biting my nails. The silence was sickening, it made me even more nervous.
"Give me tomorrow night, the rest of you prepare to handle the other three hundred!" I said without raising my head, my voice echoed in the room too loudly .
"What is your plan? Why don't you share it?"
I stood up slowly flipping the long skirt of my dress aside and walked around the table watching everyone.
"I will tell you my plan" everyone's face lit with curiosity "after am done"
Murmurs begun in the room and I watched as they threw questions at me.
"Why would you do that?"
"We should work as a team, what are we here for?"
"Why the hell would you work on your own?"
I walked towards the statue near the stage of a tall figure like Dracula holding a spear. I took the spear from him and walked slowly back to the spot I was standing.
"You should learn to lower your voices when talking"
I held the spear firmly and flung it across the room to the furthest end of the room. A roar like that of an injured lion echoed in the barely occupied room. There was silence afterwards.
"Someone switch on the lights!" Flora demanded
"Everyone turned around and there, at the very end of the room was a guard pinned onto the wall by the spear I had used. Dark slimy blood painted the walls around him and trickled along the wall onto the floor.
I teleported out to where he was and opened his mouth wide sinking my hand deep into his throat.
"What are you doing?" Grey asked in panic.
"That is gross, Becky what are you doing?"
I pulled my hand out holding a furless rodent in my hand by it's tail.
I went back to the front and everyone stepped back staring at me weirdly.
"This is what I mean by being careful. I have noticed one thing since I came here. You vampires trust each other way too much, from now own you need to learn to only trust your instincts. Don't think twice, if it is a mistake it can be corrected but you dying can't be reversed "
Slimy disgusting colourless fluids tricked down my arm onto the floor.
"What is that?"
"A parasite probably, I'm not sure what it is but it is one of the work of art done by David himself "
"How did you know?" Flora stepped forward curiously looking at the filthy creature in my hands
"I spotted it the other time when we were killing those illusional soldier. I saw something with this shale curled up in their stomachs when they were turning into ashes. I thought I was tired and imagining things but I couldn't forget the sick stench that came from them. Apart from controlling fire, I'm good at detecting scents. That is how I identify each one of you. By scent, you are always wondering how I knew where the crowns coven was when I followed Grey. I simply used his scent, I can tell who was here before by scent and that is how I detected the familiar filthy scent as soon as I entered the council. I was nervous, extremely nervous. Biting on my nails which Is not my habit. Then it struck me, we must be having an uninvited guest!"
I ripped off a piece of cloth from my skirt and placed the filthy rodent on it.
"It's probably dead, but if we have anyone skilled at anatomy, biology or anything of sort can look at it and tell us more"
"So you mean all the Gala soldiers have been implanted with this sick creatures?" Dom asked
"I don't know if it's all, but yes they have. Let's know what this things are made of "
"And your plan?" One of the elders asked
" Just prepare your weapons for the other three hundred. I can't tell how many more parasites we have "
"Do as she says " Antonio who had just walked in said " she is the only one we will be making a mistake to doubt " he said proudly "she was made for us, willingly or unwillingly "
My inside churned at his words, that was not pretty.
"Dismissed " everyone left with questions in their heads that would not receive any answers any soon. Grey, Flora, Ethan and I remained behind. Antonio was also with us.
"You ruined the dress"
"Sorry, I had to "
"This thing stinks like shit"
"Cover your nose then" I said and Ethan glared at me.
"Antonio and I will check it out!"
"You better, before the sun goes down" I instructed
"You are amazing, more than I thought you do be" Antonio complicated me.
"It is not good for an old man to be so fascinated by a junior like me"
"Oh, please spare the guy. He doesn't know how sassy you can be" Ethan urged me playfully.
"I think he needs lessons from Steele"
"And by the way, where has he been lately?"
"Hibernating, the war must have reminded him of the death of Magdalene"
"Poor big guy" I said barely sympathetic with him.
"I will be in my room. Come find me once you are the results. Before the sun goes down. I also need to wash this off me!"
I walked to the door and then stopped "oh, and Grey. Come find me later. After selecting thirty strongest men in the coven. And I prefer those who can move in silence, like predators. Sinless... No people we can risk to trust. Oh, find twenty nine, we got one already"
Ethan grinned boastfully.
"Sure, and summarize your instructions next time"
"You'd better understand your wife big guy!"
I left the room. I could hear mom being grumpy as I left. She should find a man to flirt with also, Antonio was not a bad option but he will not be around for long. He would be probably time traveling again soon.
As I left the council room, I caught a thin thread of the scent again but it disappeared as soon as it came. I couldn't trace it. I continue all the way to the room to prepare to take action, tonight!
******
"No, I will not let you do that!"
"Why not? It is the only plan that can save our butts right now. What else do you want me to do?" I asked fiercely
"You don't have to do this...
"I must, we must do this. There is nobody else willing to do this. So I must do it for us"
"But, what if...
"Grey" I tried to be calm breathing in and out slowly "leave the what if... For tomorrow. We should think about now! There is no tomorrow without now. It is now or never! So calm down and let me do what I was chosen to do"
He stepped back raking his fingers through his hair. "You don't really think about me"
"I do....
"It gets me crazy when you are like this. Duty mode, mission mode... I don't want to lose you!"
My heart skipped a beat, but this was not the time to be sweet talking each other. I had a duty and without this duty being accomplished, there was no way I will be able to hold this gorgeous man in front of me without worrying about anything.
"You won't lose me, I am careful for you,and you got to do the same for me. Be careful for me as I will be for you. That is the only way out"
"It is scarier when you say that!"
I took his hand and stepped forward looking closely at his gorgeous face.
"Be strong. Keep that fear abay for now. Am also scared and very nervous. I am facing my own father... Remember? The only memories of him with me, is excruciating pain. So please keep me strong, by being strong!"
He squeezed my hands the look on his face completely undecided.
"Alright, that is great. Can you now give me a kiss?"
"No" he pouted "that will feel like a goodbye. I will kiss you welcome home when this is over!"
"You are so mean, and a hug?"
"Alright"
The massive man pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. He buried his head in my hair, his fear pretty loud and clear within me. I wanted to cry and pet him, hold him and sing him to sleep. But this was not the time. It will not be convenient!
The door suddenly opened, Flora, Antonio and Ethan walked in. We disengaged from the embrace and straightened up.
"What is the result?"
"Results..." Flora corrected "the creature is a complete mystery but one thing for sure it is a parasite. It feeds on the internal organs of the host. We did an autopsy on the man. He was hollow, like a container. This creatures continue feeding on the host and then eventually the host dies. When the host is harbouring such a creature in him, he becomes like a robot. The creatures are conditioned to take command from their creator, in this case; David !"
"Alright "
"This things are not animals at all but are created from chemicals and cells of animals that mutate within the host and finally grow and take different shapes of the original animal. That is the animal from which the cells were extracted. The cells multiply quickly and they still multiply even when the host is dead"
"Slow down mom, how is that possible. So the use of the use of this creatures is manipulation? Since they die as soon as the host dies?"
"Not only manipulation. From science, we move to sorcery and magic . Once this parasites mature then there comes in sorcery, complete possession of the host. The host will now turn into a monster, by having the ability to shape shift into the parasite's form"
"so this guy would have been a giant rat?" Ethan inquired
"Exactly " Flora confirmed "In that case they become minions, the master's pets. Acting according to command. A different level of manipulation and hypnotizing that cannot be reversed"
"This man is the worst, so he wanted to turn me into a rodent? How ridiculous!"
I spat.
"I think the less powerful have a slower mutation compared to the guinea pigs "
Antonio added
"So it goes in levels, some have kindlings while the caged ones are the fully developed "
"But I don't think the ones with the Pentagon symbol are rodents. The other time down at the Flakes coven we would have seen it!" Grey argued
"That's right, he might be having three different weapons here. The rodents, the minions and now those Gala warriors" Ethan proposed.
"So we should get rid of the minions first, then the warriors and finally the mature rodents "
"I think that will do" Flora seconded.
"Alright, where are my men?" I asked tucking the sword in the sheet behind my back.
"Rooftop!"
"Mom, are you coming?" I asked Flora
"Need to shape shift "
"You can?"
"Was I this pretty when I was living with the humans?"
"I wondered why you could be so pretty madam Bethany Hamilton!"
She laughed after I called her by her human name then shape shifted into a young girl.
"Now I feel less pretty. Don't steal my man" I said playfully.
"I wouldn't want a man who is head over heels for another woman " she said patting her piggy tails.
"Sixteen again " she twirled around.
"How lucky, let's move"
"Sure!"