Embers & Spells

12 – Den of Wolves

I peeked at my cell phone for the nth time, still waiting for Agatha’s message. After she stormed off at the cafeteria, she skipped the rest of her classes and I felt guilty and worried. I knew she didn’t want to appear weak at school, that it was her defense mechanism to cope up with the abuse she was trying to endure at home. But still, I couldn’t stop but to worry.

I heard a chime coming from the front door, too subtle that I could have missed it if I hadn’t paying attention. Now I tried to remember the first time Inigo visited our house. There were no chimes to signal his danger since it was Agatha who knocked on the door. But now, it made sense to hear and to know that the spell of protection was still in effect.

A second after, the doorbell rang.

I stood up, smoothing the blue short sleeved-dress I was wearing and grabbed the denim jacket. My long black hair was on a high pony-tail, just in case I had to fight or tame a beast. Heading toward the door, I composed myself and swung it open.

Inigo stood outside, his hands on his jeans pocket, his white sweater emphasizing the great built of his body. The sleeves were pushed back up to his elbows, his stance rivaling that of models. He sure looked too human, the beast within safely hidden under his beautiful physique.

He smiled, his kind eyes lingering on me. “Ready, Tana?”

“Mm-Hmm.” I nodded. “Let’s go.”

I didn’t know what to expect as he drove his car toward their house. But unlike in the movies, he wasn’t living on some house deep in the forest, hidden away. Inigo’s house was in an exclusive village in South Lox town called Martel Hills. It was a three-storey mansion, the lawn looked freshly mowed, the high black gate automatically swung open.

“Wow,” I murmured, taking in my surrounding. “You live here?”

“I live here now. This is my gran’s home.” He parked in front and pulled off the key from the ignition. “Look, my grandma loves to hug people, as if they’re all her grandchildren. My cousin loves to talk a lot. But they’re all nice and cool.”

“You don’t have to tell me that,” I said, looking at him. “Besides, I’m only here to eat your food.”

He laughed, his shoulder shook, his laughter contagious. “All right, let’s go in. I don’t wanna starve you.”

Inigo was right. His grandma embraced me the moment he introduced me to her. She had white hair, wrinkled face, but she still held beauty in her eyes. I could tell she was someone who guys looked up to back in her day. Georjana, Inigo’s cousin, smiled widely as she welcomed me warmly.

“I heard it’s your birthday,” I muttered, handing her a box with gold ribbon across it. “It’s not much, but I hope you’ll like it.”

“Are you kidding me?” She gasped, carefully taking in the present from my hand. “I’ll love it, for sure.”

She opened the box then, pulling out a set of brush, a small empty canvas and some color paint. Georjana shrieked and jumped, her eyes smiling, repeatedly saying her thank you in between her happy giggles.

“No need for words, I guess,” Inigo commented, eyeing her. He shook his head and turned to me, motioning me toward the dining room. “She literally screamed her joy at your gift.”

I laughed, feeling the warmth settled in my chest, while my stomach sunk because of the real motive on why I came here. They all looked genuine at my presence, unknown to them that I was fated to kill Inigo. No hint on their actions and talks would make anyone think they weren’t normal beings. If it weren’t for the touch, for the Merido Dakira, I wouldn’t have known Inigo’s true race.

To see them talk lightly, exchange smiles and share how their day went, I felt the growing envy in the pit of my chest. They were a pack, a family. Which I didn’t have. All I had was Erin, and she too, was taken from me. Suddenly, the voice inside my head urged me to fulfill the devil’s deal now, here in the wolves' den. Part of me wanted to. Remembering Erin’s suffering and knowing it was my fault made me desperate for her freedom. And if killing was the only way to save our souls, I would do it then.

After dinner, we went to the front yard. We sat on a wooden bench which had huge wheels carved at each side. Inside my purse was a seven-inch glass dagger, the only material I had of my father. Any moment now, I could just put Inigo under a binding spell, stuck the dagger in his chest and flee.

But is it that easy? I didn’t think so.

“Tana?” I heard Inigo called out, his tone low and soft. “You okay?”

I blinked, kicking myself away from my reverie. “Yeah, of course.”

“You seem lost there,” he answered, watching me with his chocolate brown eyes.

“Just thinking of the attacks,” I muttered, meeting his gaze.

He nodded, looking away. “It is dangerous these times, Tana. But don’t worry, I can fight. You’ll be fine with me.”

What he said made me even more curious. “How good of a fighter are you?” I asked.

Inigo turned to me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Let’s just say I have superior skills.”

My eyes narrowed. Of course he was superior. “So, like, as strong as a beast?” I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. “Like werewolf or something?”

He smiled, showing me his dimple. “Something like that, yeah.”

The sky was covered in thick clouds, no moon and stars visible above. The air felt gloomy and heavy, as if I was being warned of danger. Or maybe, it was just my anxiety crawling up my neck.

I cleared out my throat. “I have a question.”

Inigo leaned closer to me, tilting his head to the side, giving me all his attention. “Ask away.”

“Say, someone you love was put at risk because of some mistake you made, and the only way you could save them is to commit another mistake. Will you do it?”

He seemed contemplating my question. “I was bullied as a kid, have I told you that already?” He chuckled. “I was small and weak, and the rest of the kids made me an outcast. Wanting to be part of them, I did something really stupid, causing my brother’s life to be put at risk. Because of that, they all hated me more. So I proved my strength. But sometimes, in trying to prove your strength, you commit a sin to yourself. None of that really matter, though. Because at the end of the day, we just want to protect our loved ones and prove ourselves by committing a mistake here and there.”

I smiled, trying to picture out his story.

“Does that make sense?” he asked, shaking his head.

“I think that’s the point, Inigo,” I replied, considering it. “Trying hard to prove ourselves just to be a part of a group doesn’t make sense.”

“I agree.”

We were quiet for a moment.

I peeked at him, seeing a side of his innocence. His story just confirmed what I had seen in his memories. What I just needed to do now was to prove that he really was the alpha.

But how the hell am I going to do that?