Crimson Bonds

Chapter 23: Shadows of the Past

The streets of the city pulsed with their usual energy as Babe sat in a quiet café, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. He was trying to relax, but his mind kept wandering back to the strange dreams he'd been having lately-visions of ancient places, unfamiliar faces, and whispers of the past. The Blood Moon loomed closer, and every day it seemed like the supernatural world was spinning further out of control.

Just as he was about to head out, the bell above the café door jingled. In walked a tall, slender figure with dark hair, sharp features, and an air of mystery about him. He scanned the room briefly before locking eyes with Babe.

Something about him was... familiar.

"Babe Tanatat, right?" The man spoke with a soft but confident tone, his Thai accent pronounced yet refined.

Babe frowned, instantly on guard. "Yeah, and you are?"

"I'm Nat. Nat Tanatat. I believe we're family."

Babe froze, trying to process what he'd just heard. Family? He'd spent most of his life believing his only remaining family was his grandmother, now long gone. He stood slowly, studying the stranger. There was an eerie calmness about him, something that hinted at knowledge Babe hadn't yet uncovered.

"Family?" Babe repeated, his voice laced with skepticism.

Nat smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've been sent to help you understand our bloodline. You're not the only one with questions about your past."

Meanwhile...

Billy stood in the shadows of an old alleyway, his senses heightened. Something felt wrong. Ever since the Council had tightened its grip on Babe, sending emissaries to "monitor" him, Billy had been on edge. He wasn't sure who to trust anymore-especially not after learning about Suriya's subtle manipulations.

He glanced over his shoulder, half expecting to see someone tailing him. The Council had eyes everywhere, and their interest in Babe's blood magic was growing with each passing day. Billy wasn't going to let them get too close.

As he turned back toward the café where he was supposed to meet Babe, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, eyeing the screen.

It was a text from Krit: We need to talk. Now.

Back at the café...

Babe leaned back in his chair, still processing Nat's words. "You're saying you know more about my parents? About their deaths?"

Nat's expression softened, though his voice remained steady. "Yes. What happened to your parents wasn't an accident. It wasn't just rogue witches."

Babe's heart skipped a beat. "What are you talking about?"

Nat leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Your parents were involved in something bigger than any of us realized. Their connection to blood magic, to the prophecy of the Blood Moon, made them targets."

"Targets?" Babe repeated, trying to keep his composure.

Nat nodded. "They weren't killed by rogue witches, Babe. They were murdered-by someone connected to the Council."

The words hit Babe like a punch to the gut. His mind raced. The Council? The very organization that claimed to protect supernatural beings? His whole life, he had blamed rogue witches for his parents' deaths. But now, everything was shifting.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Babe asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

"Because the Blood Moon is approaching," Nat replied. "And your powers are stronger than you realize. There are forces at play here that want to control you, to use you. You need to know the truth before it's too late."

Outside the café...

Billy's steps quickened as he approached the entrance. Something felt off. As he reached the door, his phone buzzed again, this time a call from Krit. He answered, irritation clear in his voice.

"Krit, what is it? I'm in the middle of something."

"Billy, listen," Krit's voice was low, almost anxious. "There's something you need to know about Suriya. He's not just monitoring Babe. He's... manipulating us."

Billy's heart sank. He had suspected Suriya was up to no good, but hearing Krit confirm it made the situation worse. "Manipulating how?"

"I don't know all the details, but he's been feeding information to the Council-about Babe, about us. I think they're planning something bigger than just surveillance."

Billy clenched his jaw. "Meet me at the café in ten."

He hung up and pushed open the door, just in time to see Babe standing face to face with a stranger.

Inside the café...

Babe looked up as Billy entered, a wave of relief washing over him. He gestured for Billy to join them, though the tension in the air was palpable.

"This is Nat," Babe said, motioning toward the man. "Apparently, we're related."

Billy's eyes narrowed as he studied Nat, instantly on guard. "Related, huh? And what exactly do you want with Babe?"

Nat smiled, unfazed by Billy's protective stance. "I'm here to help him understand who he really is-and what's coming. The Blood Moon isn't just a threat to the supernatural world. It's a threat to us all."

Billy shot a glance at Babe, his instincts screaming that something was off. But before he could respond, the door of the café swung open again, and in walked Krit, his expression serious.

"We have a problem," Krit said, his eyes darting between Babe, Billy, and Nat. "A big one."