Venom

Chapter 18. The league

I woke up from a dreamless sleep; a throbbing pain in my head. I immediately recognize Anthony's house. I am in the same room as the one he's locked me in but this time the door looks unlocked. I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom. I stare at myself in the mirror. The face I see could scare zombies away but I don't care. I spend half an hour under a hot shower. I got out of the bathroom but returned after being hit by the stinking breath in my mouth. I brush my teeth while humming some song I didn't really remember. When I reenter the room, my bed is already made and some clothes are set on top. Someone must have entered the room while I was under the shower. I shrugged it off and dress up quickly. As I reached downstairs I continue to think of the song.
Angus and Anthony were sitting at the counter near which Luke, Greg and the others stood in the kitchen. I opened the fridge and took a bottle of orange juice to pour myself a glass. I sit down next to Anthony and take a sip; It was refreshing. Someone clear their throat and I am pretty damn sure it is Dean. He seemed to be the only one acting nature not like the two status sitting with me on the counter, everybody else, except for Dean, had their eyes glued on me. It was uncomfortable and I tried to think hard on what I had done. Then it hit me: I hadn't said hello.

  “Good morning?”

Dean and Luke nodded. “Are you okay?” Anthony asked. It was the first time I had seen him move that morning. “Yes, I'm fine.” I answered immediately with a wry smile. He snorted.

  “There's something we need to tell you.” Luke said.

  “No way”

  “I guess you must be wondering what we're all doing here,” he continued, ignoring me. “We're sorcerers… like you…”

I bit my lip in order not to laugh at the little dramatic pauses he continuously took while telling me that. So they were all sorcerers. Well, thank you captain obvious! What else would they be doing in a house which belonged to a vampire in the middle of nowhere.
Anthony snorted besides me. I suddenly recalled that he could read minds. Oups.

  “We've failed, G.” Luke captured my attention. “We were supposed to protect you. I—I'm terribly sorry for what happened_”

  “You failed?”

I was lost. What was he trying to say? What was he talking about?

  “We are Ravens. That's what he's trying to say” Oliver explained but I was still completely… lost.

Anthony spoke first. “The league of Ravens, created thousands of years ago when humans started to kill our kind. It was supposed to protect the people and of course their secret,” he explained.

  “They were very strong and incredibly powerful, created by the first immortal herself to defend her people. She fetched her energy in them. The mere existence of sorcerers allowed her the possession of a endless, mighty power.”

  “An endless, mighty power” I repeated in a few giggles. Nobody looked amused though. “Sorry, you just sound like discovery or nat geo when you—you know,” These guys must be really into their… culture. Anthony's face was—not really a complete shade but close to—red.
 
  “The first immortal?” I ask with as much interest as I can manage to fake.

I had read many things about witches and magic from the past. Immortality was a subject I had never crossed throughout my reading. Was this part Damek's motives?

  “Why doesn't any book speak about their existence?” Greg asked. His voice was hesitant.
They all turned and looked at Angus, I did the same. This one said nothing; he just stared back at me. A chill went down my spine but my blood was boiling. I lowered my eyes suddenly feeling uncomfortable under that dark blue gaze.

“Gwen”

Angus' voice was calm and gentle as he said my name.

  “This time I won't hide the truth from you any longer,” he said. I knew exactly what the truth was. I was born with my powers. The truth was practically obvious: ease to spot. But I didn't want to hear any of it because I knew it was the reason why Damek was after me. I was done with this world and its magic and I didn't want to listen to them anymore. I've been a helpless coward last night. The experience is unpleasant and horrible and I don't want to come near anything magical again.

  “Your true nature, Gwen … you're a nexus. You've always been. It's in your blood, it is what you are.”

I laughed, suddenly. I laughed hard. They all stared at me with weird expressions on their faces. Soon, my laughter turned into tears. They continued to roll down my cheeks nonstop. “Excuse me.” I had to get a grip on myself.

I went back upstairs. After countless efforts I finally regained control. I pulled my long dark hair into a tight bun. When I got out of the bathroom I found Angus waiting outside.

  “Are you okay?” he was concerned.

I nodded and leaned back on the door frame crossing my arms over my chest. He approached and raised his hand for mine. I hesitantly set my small hand in his. I was surprised because his skin was incredibly smooth. He pulled me gently and made me sit down on the my bed then he pulled an armchair in front of me and sat down. I waited for him to say something. He kept quiet for a while just staring at my face.
I, on the other hand, was gawking at the wooden floor below our feet.

  “It seemed like you were adjusting fairly well _ especially recently.” he said conversationally.

  “It doesn't matter now.” I sighed. “I should never have came back here in the first place.”

  “You shouldn't say that, that's not true.”

  “What is then? Sean died because of me!”

  “Damek didn't kill him. That was a clone… he took Sean with him.”

A small glow of hope lit up my heart. Sean was alive, but he was still in the hands of that animal.

  “We have to go search for him—”

  “We can't.”

  “What?”

  “That's why he took him, Gwen.” Angus held both my shoulders looking straight into my eyes.

  “It's a trap.” he stated the obvious bit I didn't care. “What he really wants is you.” he took my face in his hands. “I can't let that happen. I won't… never.”

His face was only a few inches from mine. Suddenly I became conscious of the small space between us. His warm breath hit my cheeks. I watched as his lips parted. My mind went numb as I felt his soft, warm touch on my skin. He rubbed his thumb slightly on my cheek. I might have—I should have flinched away from his unexpected closeness, but I was unable to move. His dark gaze instinctively, unthinkingly lured me closer.

  “Gwen”

  “Yes?” I whispered.

  “Do you accept to meet with the council?”

I pulled away. Not two minutes ago I was thinking of ending this adventure I had put myself in because of one single and simple thing: fear. Even though I'd hate to admit it to anyone, I was afraid. Which I'm sure he knows since he can read minds.

  “No”

  “Gwen, think about Sean. Think about your mom. You are our nexus and they are somewhere there outside, waiting for you to help them. Gwen, save them.”

  “But I can't, Angus. Can't you see? Who knows if they're not dead already or if I am really what you say I am or what if this is all just a nightmare and I'm just dreaming? ”

_______________________________________

Thanks for reading! Good day/ night.