Amaranthine Love { Rewriting }

Chapter 12

The trio settled down in Kaien's office after Alice lured him to her bait. With her sitting on one couch, Yagari sat across her, and Kaien chose to be in his usual seat. Alice poured their mugs with coffee to match with Yagari's taste.

"The end of your bargain." Yagari demanded while glaring at the nonchalant vampire in front of him. He eyed her movements knowing how deceiving this woman could be.

A subtle smile spread across her lips. She leaned to grab the jar of sugar sitting to her 2 o'clock. Dropping five cubes of the sweetener, she replied, "Relax, it's not like I'm deceiving you or anything."

Yagari scowled even more which pushed Kaien to jump in. "Now, now, Alice is right. There's no reason for her to lie at this point." He said.

"It depends as to where your allegiance is and you know what I mean, Kaien." The woman in concern shrugged her shoulders. She picked up her mug and took a sip to taste. Her brows furrowed at the bitter taste the liquid left in her tongue. She placed her mug down and once again, dropped more cubes in it.

Yagari groaned after witnessing such behavior. "It is obvious that black coffee is not for you." He remarked, rolling his eyes.

"Anyway, back to the point..."
Alice heaved a heavy sigh as she swirled her coffee with a spoon. She stopped after a minute or two then took the mug in her hands. Her eyes were half closed when her lips touched the rim of her mug.

"Once you'll hear everything from me, your safety will no longer be guaranteed. You might find yourself retaliating and your friends might betray you like how this world did to me."

A look of forlorn and guilt took over the hunters' faces. They all knew what she was talking about. The weight of Alice's burden and how she survived carrying it, is beyond their comprehension.

The two exchanged glances for a short while before leaning their backs on their chair. "We are prepared for anything that will come in the future." Yagari spoke in behalf of Kaien, who still had his lips pursed at the moment.

"I warned you and I hope you will not regret your choice."

With that, Alice bit her wrist and let her blood ooze out from the punctures she created. Her blood formed into spheres then hurled towards the hunters and hit their foreheads.

Alice's eyes changed into gold which made them jump on their seats. The woman raised a hand, telling them to relax, and said, "This is the easiest way to tell you something without worrying an ounce about our privacy."

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A stake stood tall at the center of the plaza. To the bottom of it was a platform filled with firewood. And standing above the wood was a battered woman. The way how her cheeks sagged; the way how her dried blood, lacerations and patches of bruise covered her pale skin, is enough to tell that her retainers abused her to their heart's content.

The irritating smell of oil and a newly lit torch brought life back to the crowd. "Burn that witch!" They all sang except for one couple standing behind a group of mercenary. 

"That woman just brought us the plague! She's nothing but a menace!" One of the people cried and pushed the others to agree.

A stone as big as a golf ball was thrown towards the woman and hit her head. The impact was strong enough to move her head to the side. She glared at that person and immediately, the latter cowered in fear.

"They're wrong... The woman just saved me...!" Terrified, Alice's voice came out as hushed. The gold band on her left finger shone as it reflected the light coming from the torch.

The man who stood beside her, squeezed her shoulder and pulled her to his broad chest. "I know, but we can't risk anything right now." He whispered back while his free hand touched her belly.

"But—!"

Before Alice could retort, her vision turned red and her throat started to burn like hell. She heard herself scream in pain and felt like passing out. Her eyes wandered at her surroundings and found the witch smiling.

Her laughter resonated throughout the plaza amidst Alice's cries. "You want to see the real curse? Then, I shall give it to you. Your mayor's beloved wife will carry your sin throughout her life!"
One last laugh and the smell of blood wrapped the air.

"Ikki-sama!"

The townspeople tried to stop the man storming towards the witch. He grabbed the torch from another man's grip and threw it into the pyre. "You're nothing but a witch! You have no right to call yourself a mother." Ikki whispered his last sentence.

"No, no, no, no!" The woman repeatedly said the word as if Ikki doused her revenge-driven self with an ice cold water.

Ikki saw the tear rolling down her cheek as the fire continued to blaze and ate her alive.

A creak from the grand oak doors snapped Ikki Tepes from his trance. He garbed himself with a suit that accentuated his male physique; his broad shoulders, thick chest and abdominal muscles, biceps, and more.

Without turning around, he asked his guest, "Why are you here?"

His gaze never left the 10-feet tall framed painting hanging in front of him. Silver drapes were pushed to the sides as if the object was never meant to be displayed.

"I came here to report that we've seen movements from the Senate and the Association. And if their plans will push through, Akane-sama will no longer be safe in that institution."

"Then, let's start doing our parts for her sake."

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Silence engulfed the room comprising the trio of the same caliber. For ages, their eyes were glued down to their cups and their hands. No one spoke a single word ever since Alice used her ability. Her eyes returned to its vermilion hue while golden hues still swam in her companions' eyes.

Alice's fingers fiddled with her spoon before making a few swirls in her half-filled mug. She glanced at the clock and noticed that it's been an hour since she placed them in that state.

She heard a groan from Yagari and quickly shifted her attention back towards them. The gold hues were gone and it looks like they have returned to their normal state.

"Oh, I'm impressed." Alice complimented, clapping her hands in a slow manner. "I actually expected for you to die." She added.

Yagari hissed while Kaien just let out a strained laugh. Both of them had cover their eyes with their dominant hands and sank further to their seats.
"What the hell was that about?" It was Yagari who complained.

"I merely showed you something I saw from that commander's eyes." She shrugged then tucked her right hand in her pocket. She expressed a small glee when her fingers touched a cold surface.

"That reminds me, please give this to your son and tell him not to lose it." Alice announced. Jumping to her feet, she tossed the tin towards the Headmaster. The object rattled which gave the man an idea as to what it contains.

"And, don't act so rash from now on. I don't need any attention while working." She added while her left hand reached for the door knob and left the two alone to think.