The Power Four

Chapter 3

THIRD PERSON POV

"Let's think this through okay? If a powerful being herself made it clear that we need to be in a polygamist relationship, I think there's a reason for it. I mean it is for the prophecy." Eve reason. Aretha looked up from Venus with a smile on her face. "Clio mention you need to have four mates so the prophecy will be fulfilled? You know, other creatures will be a thrill to have your position right now."

Venus sighed. "But what if they rejected me? I am lucky that Eve didn't. But who knows, in the future, she might." Eve suddenly stood up and she slapped Venus across the face. "What do you think of me? A b***h who will only use you to my desire? I am not. I was raised to be a white witch. A witch with the mind of a saint. Don't think of me as a monster, think of me as your mate. Besides, I permitted you to touch my hand when we introduced ourselves."

"What she means, Venus, as a nobility, once you hold a hand of an unmarried noble, you'll automatically be their companion. Regardless of being a mate or not. The non-blood related creature will not have the privilege to hold a noble's hand." Kaek explained to his daughter. "Dad, you need to explain a lot of things to me." Kaek smiled. "Just think about it like this, whatever your great grandmother do, it's for your good, for the sake of creature throughout the kingdom. Okay?" Venus nodded.

"Good. Now, I think you all should know who this woman is." Kaek nodded his head to Aretha. "I am Aretha, the witch. Loyal servant for queen Ivory and Violeta Constantine. "Aretha? I've heard of that name before. She was known to be quite talented with healing remedies. Correct?" Aretha nodded. "I am just a servant and I am not your real grandmother. They both died in the raid. The only sole survivor I know is your father, Kaek. But, now that Ivory could appear to be in your dreams, I'm guessing she's alive as well."

"That's another question been playing inside my head. How is it possible for her to do that?" Eve asked. Aretha walked up to the potion cupboard and grabbed a bottle that has purplish liquid inside. "There are so many things that you don't know about the real queen Ivory. For instance, did the history book mention about her pact with the devil?" Both Eve and Venus shake her head. "Did the books mention about her being a black magic practitioner?" Again they shake their head.

"Okay, did the books mentioned that she has the power to control a beast?" Eve and Venus looked at each other as they remembered what Clio Said about a beast will be awakened. "It's been several hundred years, the beast probably been feeding itself using Ivory's essence. The old castle of Constantine dungeon is one most difficult mazes known to creatures. It stores several ancient relic and cursed object. The beast stayed within the dungeon until it was summoned."

"Is that why power four need to be together? To prevent this beast from destroying the world?" Aretha chug down the potion in one go. All three watched as Aretha's body exploding before a blinding light made they all closed their eyes. "The power four is supposed to help their mate to control the beast." Aretha made herself visible as all three of them gawking at her. "The power four is the source of energy for Venus to control the beast." Aretha smiled.

"Kaek, it's almost time," Aretha informed him. "Oh! I have to go to work. I'm sorry Venus, Eve, I have to go." Kaek bid her goodbyes and walked out of the house. "But its nighttime. What work?" Venus smiled. "He has two jobs to go to every day. It's a wonder how he could withstand such a thing. Anyway, both of you sit down, holding hands." Eve and Venus looked at each other and hold hands.

"Is that your true form?" Eve asked the witch. "Yes. I place this curse upon myself. Eternal beauty. Whatever you seeing after this, don't be afraid. Just trust me." Venus nodded as Eve held her hands tight. Aretha was mumbling in some foreign language before both Eve and Venus watched as their surrounding slowly rotting away. They both stayed together in the darkness before they both were on a beach, watching the sunset.

"If you're here, that's mean Aretha already told you what you should do?" A voiced said behind them. They both turned to face Ivory. "Such a perfect match. My eyes never cease to amaze me." Ivory smiled. Suddenly Ivory felt great pain on her chest. "That's impossible..." Eve was confused. "What's impossible?" Ivory shakes her head no. "You'll know when you're home."

Ivory offered both of her hands for Eve and Venus to hold. "Go to Zodor, The Holy Land entrance and find a herb for Aretha to use for a potion. Remember this herb name and soon, you'll find your destiny. It's a special herb that only exists in the Holy Land and that's the Heaven's Leaf. Find this and you'll find happiness along the way."

When Eve and Venus opened their eyes, their surrounding went back to normal but Aretha was nowhere to be found. They both heard such commotion outside that they both walked out of the house and went to the place where everyone gathers. "Poor guy." Said an elf. "He's such a good man." Said a withered leprechaun. "Let her through." Said the village chief to Venus. When she saw the reason why the villagers gather here, she weakly kneels on the ground trying to face the horror that's in front of her.

Aretha was holding the dead body of Kaek while crying and apologising. Eve wrapped her hands around Venus's shoulder and tried to consult her. Her eyes landed on the weapon that was used to kill her mate's father sticking out in his chest. "That bastard." She said while hugging her mate. "I'll seek revenge for this. I swear it... in the name of my family, I'll seek revenge for this!" 

***

"Miss Ingram?! Why are you here?" Asked a jail warden. "I'm here to do the job you fail to perform. I applaud that you let someone so violence out of its jail cell." The warden wanted to stop the witch but even a slight touch on that witch's clothes, he's toast. "Just as I thought. I am ashamed that you, of all people doing this kind of stuff. You'll be punished severely." The warden's eyes widen. "My crime doesn't need punishment! I know the laws!" Eve glared at him.

"Your action cause death. And not just anyone's death, my father in law's death. Ingram family will take over the judgment that shall be bestowed on you and the criminal." Eve walked out of the dark jail cell and meet the person in charge. "I want a bounty on Emil's head. He killed my father in law." The chief was surprised by the sudden visit and news. "I have proof he's the one who kills him. That stupid man used his family crest knife to stab my father in law."

Eve slammed the knife on the chief's table. "I WANT JUSTICE! I WANT HIS HEAD! I WANT PUBLIC EXECUTION!" Eve screamed at the chief's face. For a mighty ogre like himself, he's quite scared whenever Eve went berserk. He doesn't want to be on Ingram's bad side at all. "Yes, my lady. It shall be done as soon as possible." Eve leaned back and turned her body towards the door. "I expect nothing but success. No failures at all." The ogre stood up and bow.

Eve walked out of the office and heard the ogre screamed at his officer. "What are you doing here, my daughter?" Olen, Eve's father made himself known. "Finding Emil. He escapes with the help of a useless jail warden. What are you doing here?" She asked her father. "The Legion wants me to reevaluate the sentences I placed upon Emil. The nobility vampire said I should be reconsidering the fact his family is close to the emperor of Gunia Empire."

"Close? More like pawns." Olen laughed. "I am so proud of you Eve. You do have my boldness and such high spirit of justice." Eve was prouder when her father praises her in front of all his personnel. "I have no regrets if I died. I know you will continue to bring our family name to the top. And our generation will prosper even more." Eve hasn't told her parents about Venus. She doesn't think that this place the perfect spot for it. She decided to tell her parents at their home later on.

"Be sure to come back for dinner. I have something important to tell you and mother." Olen wonders what is it. "Is it... because you found the one? You found your mate?" Eve nodded. "That's why I need to tell you both. The whole story. Every single bit of it." Eve smile. A warden made himself known in front of the Ingram's. "Miss Ingram, we've found Sir Emil. He was laying down on a ditch just outside the village where a murder happened yesterday." Eve's blood started to boil.

"Murder? Did Emil convicted of such crime?" The warden nodded at Olen. "There's evidence. Sir Emil confessed. Besides, his clothes were drenched with blood and that blood doesn't belong to him. It belongs to somebody else." Olen laughed. "And the legion wanted me to reevaluate the situation? How nice of them. To be honest I despise Sir Emil's family to the bone." Olen was being bold.

He knows that a few of Sir Emil's family were standing near them. He wants to provoke them all so it's easier for him to convicted that nobility. "Now will you beheaded him in public?" Eve asked her father. "Sure. In front of all his family and friends. Being beheaded in public as nobility is one taboo thing to do in this world. I like it!" Olen can't contain his excitement over this.

"Father, you look excited about something?" Olen laughed. "Well my daughter, you'll know soon. I'll be home before dinner, tell your mother for me." Eve nodded and turned her body around, leaving her father to do his job. Nobody dares to mess with an Ingram because of how they rule the justice system in the Enchanted world. After the Akeldama's recognised their potential to be the head of the justice department, no one, even the emperor himself dare to oppose them.

The Akeldama's mandate was absolute and whoever disagrees will meet their doom. Eve told her driver to send her back home. His mind is racing because of what had happened. She wants to be with Venus but duty calls. She wants to tell her it's okay but she can't. "Miss Ingram, we had arrived." Eve got out of her car and went straight to her room since she knows her mother would be busy in the kitchen.

She slumped on her bed and placed a hand on her chest. "Why do I feel so restless?! I should buy a phone for Venus, I want to hear her voice so bad. Ugh... is this what they call as mating time?" She turned her body to the side and her eyes landed on a letter on her bedside table. She squinted her eyes a little before grabbing the letter.

"What an amazing turn out of the event this is." She chuckling when she read an appeal letter from Emil's family. "Eve.." Ziya, Eve's mother knocked on the door. "Yes, mother?" Ziya opened the door and went to sit on the bed where her daughter laid. "Did you read the letter that I place on the bedside table?" Eve laughed. "I did. What a joke! He killed my mate's father and now his family want our sympathy?" Eve realised she just mention about Venus.

She looked up to her mother who looked at her in shock. "You're what? Wait... Eve, you finally found him?" Eve gave out a nervous laugh. "Well... kinda." 

***

"So is this mate you talking about will come forward?" Olen asked his daughter. "She promises." Olen sighed. He never thought that his daughter will be made with a woman of all creatures. "You do know we need to continue our lineage, right?" Eve nodded. "I don't think that's going to be a problem. She's a woman but this dream I've been having said I don't have to worry about it."

Olen knows, whatever he's doing he could never break the bond that his daughter and this woman made. "She did touch your hand. So I don't have the authority to say no. I'm looking forward to meeting her." Eve was glad that her parents such understanding creatures. "Well as long as this woman makes our little Eve happy, jus accept the fact," Ziya said.

Eve hugged her parents. "Thanks. Anyway, where is that Emil family? I've been waiting for so long." Eve looked around the square for Emil's parents and family. Today marked the day that Emil will be beheaded in front of all the nobility in the kingdom. This is the very first public execution being performed for the nobles. The vampire legion wanted more investigation being performed but Olen's orders are absolute.

"Miss Ingram, your guests are here." The maid leads both Venus and Aretha towards Ingram's sitting area. "Prepare two more seats," Eve commanded. "My my... Aretha. It's been so long." Ziya greeted her old friend. "You never age a day as well. If only Eve mentioned your name to us, we won't be curious about her mate." Aretha smiled.

"This is Venus, Eve's mate, my granddaughter." Venus wanted to offer her hands but she's not sure if she should do so. "I am Olen Ingram. This is Ziya, and we're Eve's parents." Olen offered his hand. Venus heard someone dragging chains while walking towards the square. Eve called out for her to sit next to her. "Why am I here again?" Venus asked. "You're about to witness your father's killer walking towards the Guillotine."

"Guillotine?" Venus turned to Eve. Eve traces her finger across her neck. "Ohhh... off with his head..." Eve laughed as loud as she can, gaining everyone's attention. Emil looked up with his battered face with rage. "Her fault... her f*****g fault." He referred to Venus. The executioner dropped him on top of the stage and waited for Olen to make his way towards them. Olen stood up from his seat and went to the stage. He faces everyone.

"Usually, it's my kind who will be using his method of execution but for today, I am grateful that it's not. This time, I found this man guilty of being his nature." Olen gave Emil's family a cynical smile. Eve grabbed on Venus's hands and placed it on her thigh. "Don't worry about a thing," Eve whispered.

The executioner dragged the weak vampire and strapped him on the Guillotine. "Your head will be on display as a reminder to never messed up with my daughter," Olen whispered to Emil before walked down the stage. He turned his body around so he could witness the beheading of vampire nobility. "WAIT!" A voice shouted from the crowd. "THE EMPEROR IS NOT HERE!" The same voice continued.

"THE LAW CLEARLY STATED THAT WITHOUT THE EMPEROR OR HIS MOST TRUSTED ADVISORS PRESENCE, ANY EXECUTION IS VOID!" Olen faces the crowd with his sinister smile on his face. "Let me introduce to you, our Emperor's right-hand man." Everyone kneels to the floor when they saw the emperor's advisor. "By royal decree, Sir Emil is guilty on all charges. For his final punishment, beheading." The advisor announced to the bystander, family and friends.

Olen smirked. Emil's friends and family avoided seeing him being the strap. Once Emil's screams stop and a loud sound of metal clang, they all can't contain the sadness in their heart. Without everyone noticing, Eve was already standing on top of the stage and lightly kick on Emil's head. "Too bad... but don't worry, your head will be on display." Eve stepped on his head before kicked his head towards the executioner.

"This is not enough to justify your crime towards my mate!" Eve looked up to Emil's family. A hand stopped her from going to them, a soft, calming hand. "That's enough," Venus said while pulling Eve away from the stage. "We have to prepare ourselves for the Zodor trip, remember? Besides, I don't want your beautiful dress to be stain with blood." Venus hopes Eve would calm down a bit.

"You don't understand. I hate to see you looking at a distance. You look so sad, so... fragile. I don't feel at ease knowing your father died because of this vampire." Venus cupped the witch's face. "I am okay. I accept my faith. I still have my grandmother... and more importantly, I have you. Please calm down." Venus begged. Eve looked into Venus's orbs.

"I don't understand much how this mate thing works but somehow I feel so much better with you being so close to me." Eve winked. Venus released her hands from Eve's face. "What are we doing in Zodor again?" Eve asked while keeping her hands on Venus's shoulder. Venus tried to look away from making eye contact with Eve but with how close they both are, it's hard to do so.

"Heaven's Leaf. We need to search for that." Venus was not in focus on her words. Her eyes were fixed on Eve's cleavage. Venus noticed how everyone would stare at them. "Don't mind them. They all just jealous do us." Eve said before she brushed her lips against Venus's. Eve's hot breath sent tingling feeling towards Venus's whole body. "I can't wait for your fangs to be inside my body." Eve chuckled before dragging Venus down the stage.

"Let's hope we found happiness when we're in Zodor, okay?" Venus nodded. That's what she's been hoping as well.