Book 2: Seven Demon's Hearts

Episode 32: Coven

Episode 32: C o v e n

"Where exactly is Aiko?" I frowned and crossed my arms, tapping my foot impatiently as I looked back at an unamused Shin.

"I'm not going to repeat myself a third time. I told you, this kid is your son."

"Mommy!" A twelve-year-old boy ran over to me and jumped on with quite a heavy hug. I almost fainted.

"Again! You're telling me I missed another six years of me son's life? V, say something!"

He stood beside me just as confused. "Well, he's grown quite fast..."

"I can SEE that!" I looked down at Aiko, he only a head and a half away from passing my own height now, yet his mental age was still less than a six-year-old.

"Oh!" Mina peeked out from behind V and crouched down to Aiko with a loud gasp. "Is he your son?!" She practically squealed, holding his hands and shaking them with excitement. "Hi! Hello! I'm auntie Mina!" She giggled and looked up at off guard. "S-Sorry, I always wanted to say that." She whispered bashfully. V smiled and crouched down beside her. I watched the three of them interact and it warmed my heart.

"I refuse to let myself be called 'uncle'." Shin on the other hand was extra salty, flipping his long black hair behind his shoulder with attitude.

"I assure you, I wouldn't be delighted to have that happen either." I scowled at him, returning back the middle finger he flashed at me first before Aiko could catch our profanity. Just imagining how these past few hours were under his care, I was sure Aiko caught on things and I better be wrong or else Shin won't escape my wrath. "Anyway," I dodged a stray hand that was poking out of the ground ready to grab my ankle, "can we please leave this creepy dimension!"

"Hah! She lacks artistic taste!" Shin gasped and shook his head, motioning over around him. "This is the Hell of people's DREAMS!"

"You're seriously delusional."

"Shin," V stood up. Immediately the man ignored my presence and flashed over to V, ready to lick his feet if he was asked.

"Yes, my Lord." Shin battered his lashes and grinned at V.

"Thank you for watching over Aiko. We'll be going for now, but I'll let you know if I'll need you around again. I'll probably be reaching out to you soon." V smiled back and walked back with Aiko towards me.

I watched with awe as Shin froze in place, before covering a loud gasp and dropping down to the floor. "Was...was that a...a proposal?!" He fawned over his fantasies, punching the ground with his fist and covering his crying eyes. "Yes my Lord! Yes! I'll be waiting for you! I'll be waiting for you!" His fan cries were worse than the middle school girls who would always scream at the boys in the magazines they'd manage to sneak in classes.

I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Too bad his crush was taken.

"Let's go." V signaled the three of us as soon as a portal appeared before us. Just like that, we were off to find help for Aiko.

***

You'd expect a coven to be as dark as it sounds.

Sheep skulls hanging off trees. Blood lining the walls of caves. Dark clothes and dark make up. Very Leyla-like aesthetic.

But this? This was nothing like what we thought when witches came to mind on Earth.

Young girls in white clothes ran around each other, squealing and laughing, stopping to pick up the flower crowns that fell from their hair as they did. Flower crowns. Freaking flower crowns.