Cause & Effect | Ominis Gaunt Love Story

Chapter 52: Always the Abuser

Eden bared her own fangs in warning, 'Careful, Salazar. I already ate this morning, I don't like to overeat.'

Stella wouldn't know what the other snake was saying and he was thankful for it. It would have terrified her more. 'But what a delectable neck she has. It almost makes me want to take a bite. I can smell her fear on my tongue.'

The Black Mamba was longer and more deadly than the Adder who swiveled his head to look at her as Eden slid down from her shoulders to circle around him. 'Not as potent as the fear I smell from you, Salazar. Back away from her, now. She is my human too.'

"Preposterous." Marvolo snapped, standing up again as his anger took control of him, "Snakes don't lay claim to just anyone-you can't have a non-Parseltongue as your Master."

Stella spoke next, her nativity serving as a weapon that nailed the coffin shut on Marvolo's ego. "Snakes don't have masters. That's why your father referred to them as Slytherin's companions. If you don't understand that much, then I see why no snake has chosen you. They're intelligent creatures who deserve to be respected for their wit."

Salazar regarded her for a moment. His cruelty mirrored his father's and he liked to instill fear for fun. Ominis nor Eden were fans of him. But at this moment, the snake bowed his head slightly and turned towards the head of the table.

'I will protect this one too.'

His family's eyes widened while Ominis continued to eat the disgusting tomato dish with a pleased smile on his face. What an unexpected treat. Maybe Salazar's declaration would save him from physical abuse tonight.

If Stella truly understood how brilliant she was, she'd be unstoppable. Saviors didn't require metal armor or masks. His cunning, amusing savior wore stilettos.

Chapter 52: Always the Abuser

Stella swallowed, nervously. She shouldn't have said that. She really shouldn't have said that. The snake in front of her bowed his head like he was getting ready to strike at her, but then he turned his head towards Ominis' father. A hiss escaped his lips, but it didn't sound like the creature was riled up. Hopefully he wasn't begging to eat her.

Plus, Eden had been coiled and ready to defend her... But now she relaxed. Eden backed away from the snake she had called Salazar. It looked like everything was calm again. Ominis was nonchalantly picking away at his supper like he was enjoying a private joke. She knew for a fact it wasn't the tomato dish he was smiling about.

Marvolo was red in the face. From portraits, she'd seen images of him older with glasses and frown lines etched into his face. He looked nothing like Ominis although they were close in age. His hair was shorter, there was no grace or confidence in which he moved, and his eyes were brown like his mother's. Ominis had his father's eye color.

Looking at Marvolo now, she could understand where he was losing his restraint. Their father was trying to pull Ominis back home because he'd lost confidence that Marvolo could manage the Gaunt Manor on his own. Oh how right he was about that.

It also appeared that the heads of the family had snakes as familiars. Ominis had Eden. Marvolo had no one. Never mind that Ominis was the spitting image of his father had he not scarred his face. What Marvolo felt was familiar to her. Inferiority.