Curse Of The Aswangs (The Vasquez Brothers #1)[COMPLETED]

24:ZADE

We stopped by near the gas station, with dim lighting and a few leaves scattered around. Ash and Trevor stood across from each other by the car. The tension was palpable, and the soft background hum of the crickets can't drown out their raised voices.

Ash leaned forward. "Trevor, I'm telling you, this supernatural angle is my thing. It's personal to me! You can't just waltz in and expect us to do your manipulative shit."

Trevor was calm but defensive. He crossed his arms. "Take over? I'm not trying to take over, Ash. I'm just saying we can collaborate. You always get so territorial when it comes to your brother. It's not like you don't trust my ideas!"

"Guys, time out." I was trying to get in the middle of it.

Ash clenched his hands. "It's not about trust, demon! You don't get it. The supernatural isn't just some fantasy or trope for me. It's real, it's—" he paused, struggling to find his words"It's part of who I am. You treat it like it's just another game to play with."

Trevor leaned back, more relaxed but with a sharp tone. "And what's wrong with that? You are a mandirigma, Ash. It's your job to protect the world.Just because you've got some... connection doesn't mean you can throw yourself into danger and be all controlling. That's selfish."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "Selfish? You don't even care about the depth of this stuff! You think it's all killing aswangs, splashing blood around like confetti. Let me guess, your next big idea is a sending us to a haunted asylum, right?"

Trevor looked offended."Hey, it's not like that. I put thought into my plans. I get that it's emotional for you, but not everyone has to see it your way."

"It's not about seeing it my way! It's about Jasper!" Ash said, eyes flickered with a mix of hurt and anger. "You act like it's just another canvas to splash paint on, while I'm out here taking care of them. There's a line, Trevor. A line you don't even realize you're crossing. You know what, maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have let you in on this at all."

Trevor was refusing to back down. "Yeah? Maybe it was. If you can't work with other people without feeling threatened, then maybe you're the one who doesn't belong here. Witchers are supposed to be about going out there to save people, not locking yourself in a box."

"You guys!" I raised my voice. "Enough! We need to get Jasper to our house!"

****

As much as I noticed blood on my suit, I took it off and placed it on top of the living room table.

Frankie and Jose jolted up from the couch when they saw us carrying Jasper.
"What happened?" asked Jose.
"Apparently, Enrique's arrogance is what happened." I noted.

"Is Jasper gonna be okay?" Frankie demanded. "That little witch lover of yours will pay for what she did."
The humor in my tone disappeared. I blew a harsh breath. "Let me handle her, Frankie."

The anger that I felt earlier returned. I hated talking about Emily. I hated bringing her up in this conversation. She betrayed me. She lured my brother into a trap. And he almost got killed by an aswang lord.

Frankie went to the sink. Jose turned to me. "Dylan is a fae, maybe he knows some healing magic."

"Does he?"Ash said with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Faerie healing magic is much faster than any healing magic. You, witchers study alchemy to make a potion." Jose explained. "But you're lucky you have a faerie friend."

"Well, Tito, the fae is fae-ing."I retorted.

"What?" Jose said, completely perplexed.

"It's a millennial reference, old man." I tapped his shoulder. Returning with a clean rag, Frankie handed it over to me as Ash and Jose took Jasper upstairs. I leaned against the wall as I wiped the blood off my hands.