1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter VII

Alistair Wardwell

Am I crazy? Am I delusional and out of mind? These dreams of Elysia and these visions of her plague my mind. The dream starts with us in bed and me making her feel loved and warm but then it turns south. She looks at me with barred fangs and is ready to pounce. I awake with a freezing sweat taking over me every time and I'm conflicted between aroused or troubled.

My whole purpose was promised to another yet she wandered my mind like an infectious disease. She's arrogant, a frivolous monster, and a dangerous one that was creeping her way into my heart. But she's also caring, kind, and a fighter.

Could it be possible to absolutely hate the idea of someone, but be totally in limerence with who they actually are?

I shake my head and focus my mind on Blythe. That's who I should be thinking about. As I walk the halls of the manor I carry a coin in my hand and fiddle it. Isla had called me for a meeting and my anxiousness always left me in need to toy with something.

My sister is unpredictable and if tonight goes south, I'm sure my mental dilemmas will finally end. Everything I've learned about Lycans has never been untrue. Yet everything I've learned about Elysia has begun to unravel whatever I once thought or believed. It's like she's an infection that's spread through my heart and mind and now I'm under a twisted spell she casted on me.

I didn't know what to think and with how my feeble steps reach the room, I think I never will.

I stepped inside the dining room to see my sister sitting tall at the head of the table. Today her blackish brown hair was put in waves and a small diadem in the shape of a v was positioned on her forehead. What caught me off guard was the bright smile displayed on her face yet her green eyes were deadset on m . They were dull without light or humanity.

As soon as I sat across from her she announced, "My little brother. The devil incarnate who was born to a beggar of a mother, and the likeness of our father. How are you, Ali?"

I didn't respond right away as I noticed wine sitting in a tall glass, the roasted duck on my plate along with rice, and assorted veggies like peas, carrots, and corn.

I never trusted her cooking as she was very known for her hexes and curses. If I had a silver for the amount of times she's threatened to curse me I'd be rich.

"Why'd you call me over?" I asked. I didn't dare let my deceit show through my eyes. I had to remain calm because I knew if I made a twinge of peculiar movement or even glance away from my sister, I would be caught.

She was always watching everything I did.

"Family dinner" She muttered with a frown. I noticed how her eyes wavered to the two empty chairs on her left and right. I gulped as I remembered who was meant to be there. Her husband and the one thing she would change for; her daughter. Ever since her husband died and her daughter was whisked away she was never the same. But I knew that before then she was crazy. I never thought it could progress; but I thought wrong.

"I've heard you haven't been sleeping well. Checking in won't hurt, right?"

I freeze at her words but nod in agreement to appease her.

"We are going to play an old game" She began to say.

"The game in which you used to curse me and then make me cure myself?" I ask. You'd think I was lying but my demented older sister was truly evil and out for my head.

"The truth game!" She exclaimed.

"We haven't played this since we were kids," I said whilst sipping my wine. "You always lied" I muttered while lowering the glass.