Inferno's legacy (On Hold)

Chapter 32

I have this nagging feeling I might do something to hurt them

The words still rang in Damion's head even when Eretria flung his door open.

"I don't understand how I'm the reason you don't want to break a curse that can end your life."

For a moment, he was left surprised. But he didn't even want to question how she had found out.

"Eretria, leave it."

"Is that the reason why I was brought here? I'd say you tried to manipulate me but you made it clear you never wanted me here. Was that all an act? You just wanted me here to break your curse but I don't understand why you're not doing it because of me." Her voice rose with every word and he could see the familiar sense of anger crossing her eyes.

"Maybe you should learn about your roots. Then you wouldn't be asking these questions."

Eretria scoffed. "Yeah, like you promised me."

"I never wanted you here." He reminded.

"You definitely rubbed that in my face, but why?! I don't even understand you."

"There are a lot of things you don't understand."

"Make me! I almost trusted you."

He felt the familiar sting. This whole scenerio felt almost familiar. "You shouldn't have." He said in a low voice.

"Hell, I did. I don't know why but I did. Even when I was wary of everyone, I did." Her voice was on the edge of breaking and as she gazed at his eyes, she could read nothing in them.

"You shouldn't have. Right from the first time we met, you shouldn't have."

She turned her head and wiped away a tear. "Well, the deed is already done. Eva wanted me here so badly because of this. But what is it that you really want?"

"I'll rather die than have you break my curse."

She froze. For what seemed like forever, she froze. Then she chuckled lowly. "And why is that? I don't think you hate me that much."

"You have no idea."

The pain, the suffering, the scars, the deaths, the destruction, he was fueled with a never ending hate. But a part of him still ached. A small almost insignificant part, it was there, but he was burying it with the hate. Because that part of him would do nothing but destroy him, again.

Eretria shook her head. "I don't understand. What was it that I did so wrong? We've never met before until that time in the forest. Did you start hating me the moment you saw me?"

"It goes way deeper than that."

His short statements angered her even more. He had done something to hurt her yet he looked like he couldn't care less how she felt.

Then the realization dawned on her. The war. She was a descendant of the clan that had challenged him. His vendatta didn't start with her. It was long before her existence. She almost laughed. He had been dragged down from his position by Yennefer and couldn't let go of his hatred, even when his life depended on it.

Sheila had said it. Why hadn't she believed her? Why had she thought it was more than that? But of course, it wasn't. It was only right to hate her, to despise her very existence, but she was the only one who could potentially save him.

She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "I'm not going to help you."

"I'm not asking for your help."

She scoffed. "Of course." Then she turned around, brushing past Rio as she left.

"I'm guessing she knows." Rio said, handing him a bottle of elixir.

Damion glared at the bottle, hating it for being what it was. "Yes." He said, massaging his forehead as he rounded his desk and sat down.

"Did you tell her everything?"

"She knows what she needs to." Damion said, pushing the bottle away.

Rio sighed. "Do you really think this is the right thing to do? She needs to know, at least about the curse."

"She made her choice even before she knew everything, what makes you think she's going to change her mind? She'll only be more furious and that gives it a lesser chance for her to willingly do it." Reluctantly, Damion grabbed the bottle and drowned the contents. "She has to come to the realization that she is not enough vessel to contain her powers. If she's smart enough to realize that early, she'll willingly do it, it's the only way."

Rio chuckled lowly. "You had this all in mind from the beginning? You're gonna let her realize everything on her own? She could die before she does."

"If she does die, we get to the heart first."

*-*-*-*

"You must think yourself smart but I know you make mistakes like this when you're desperate." Ashton's aggravating voice sounded behind Eva. She didn't turn around.

"Aren't we all?"

"Are we? Don't use Damion's state to cover up, Eva, I know you want something else."

She turned around, glaring at him. "Unlike you, I want nothing but Damion's well-being."

"Yet, you slipped so hard."

"Eretria had to find out she's the only cure for Damion sooner or later. We weren't providing her with a new family or anything of that sort. We just want her for her powers. No one was willing to spill that out so I had to." Eva said.

Ashton chuckled as he shook his head. "You are right. And now that she knows, tell me, what excellent plan have you come up with to make her do it."

Eva lifted her shoulders in a dainty shrug. "Why don't we sit back and watch."

"You always do things for your benefit. I'm sure you stand to benefit from this."

"Don't we all. What more can I benefit. Damion breaks the curse and things will be set right." She turned her back to him. "Now, please leave. Your presence dulls my thinking."

***

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