The Candles Will Protect You

Chapter 20

I asked my mother about school. She told me I already graduated.

I didn't remember.

I asked her about Drake and Mr Hart. She told me that no one lived in that house, that we didn't have any neighbours.

I decided not to try anymore after that.

Walking inside the bathroom, I decided to take a shower. I couldn't make myself look in the mirror, though. I knew I looked bad.

Deciding on a loose sweater and some leggings, I dressed up, then I went to find my parents.

"Hey," I tried getting their attention, my voice weak.

"Yes, honey?" My mother smiled.

"Can I go sit outside?"

They exchanged a suspicious look.

"Rhea –"

"I won't do anything, I promise. I would just like to get some fresh air. Please?"

Mom sighed, then nodded her head.

"Okay, fine. But we're coming with you."

With that said, the three of us went outside.

I sat down on the bench, while they sat at a little table to give me some space. Minimal, but still.

Closing my eyes, I was enjoying the wind blowing through my hair when I heard howling in the distance.

I furrowed my eyebrows, then I looked over to my parents, who had blank expressions on their faces. Frowning, I realised I must have been imagining things again.

Howling.

I looked at them again. Nothing.

Howling. Louder and louder.

I shot up from my seat, staring at the forest.

"Honey, what are you –"

Before she could finish her sentence, wolves began walking out of the woods. Huge ones. There were quite a few of them.

I noticed a small group of humans as well, who stopped in front of the wolves. There was a man in the middle of them, extremely tall with black hair.

My eyes widened as the realisation hit my head.

"Ares..." I whispered, the corners of my mouth turning upwards.

My legs started moving on their own as I ran towards him.

"Rhea, come back here, now!" My father yelled.

I didn't listen, obviously.

When he was close enough, I threw my arms around his waist. I could feel him tightening his grip on me.

"You're fine now, Rhea," he whispered after kissing the top of my head.

Pulling away slowly as I thought things through, I looked up at him with scared eyes.

"But... My mark..."

"What about it?"

"It's... It's not there."

He looked down at my neck, then back into my eyes.

"Rhea, it is there."

My mouth fell open, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Ares let out a frustrated sigh.

"It's okay, I'm here now."

"Are you?" I whispered.

"What?" He asked back in a low voice.

"Are you really here? Or is it just my imagination?"

"Your imagination?"

"I... I don't know anymore. Is this all even real?" I turned my head, looking at the wolves. "Is it?"

Ares clenched his jaw, darting his eyes towards my parents.

"What the fuck have you done to her?!"

"The real question is," my father took a step forward, "what have you done to her?"

"Oh, I don't know!" He let out a humourless laugh. "Care for her? Love her? Someone has to because apparently, her parents can't!"

"How dare you?" My mother joined in. "We love her more than you ever will!"

"Really? I didn't know loving someone meant that you had to make them believe they were insane!"

"We did it to protect her from you monsters!" My dad looked at the wolves with a disgusted face.

"I think the real monsters here are you two, not us."

Ares grabbed my hand in his, stroking it with his thumb.

"I suggest you move away and never come back or try anything, or else I cannot ensure your safety," he said in a threatening way.

"Rhea, darling..." I heard my mother plead.

My lips turned downwards. I forced myself to look away, I was extremely mad and disappointed with them.

"You have a few days. You'll be watched."

With that, he picked me up and we started going back to the woods together.

I leaned on his chest, then he pressed a light kiss to my forehead.

"I'm so sorry, angel," he whispered. "It's all my fault."

I broke out in a weak smile, breathing in his scent.

"I missed you, Ares."

"I missed you too, baby."