Coven | Underworld (#1)

Chapter 7: Crescendo

Chapter 7: Crescendo

“ Wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the lambs ” — Silence of the Lambs.

“ Why, on myself, of course. ”

Yes, I must admit it. My intentions are not so noble. But this plan is the precaution I must take, before I am left alone and defenceless. What better way to ensure my safety, than by surrounding myself in other’s brains and muscles?

I am as simple as that, no ulterior motive hidden. I like to be frank, and that ’ s just who I am. Though apparently, my honesty can not go without its own consequences.

Upon hearing my answer, both adults stare at me like I ’ ve sputtered out the vilest of curses. I don ’ t like it when they look at me like this, like I ’ m nothing but a barbaric, wild child. So I explain myself.

“ But I am not that cold. At least, not yet. Which is why I share this plan with my parents. And now, to you, too, Elder. ” That, apart from the fact that a child such as myself can not accomplish this plan alone. Even I am aware of my own limitations.

I can ’ t bend people from their will, but these powerful, influential elders can. They are who I am counting on.

I let them know about this, and the two can ’ t help but laugh out loud. Like really, just so loud that it rings through my sensitive ears.

Are they seriously laughing at me? Now? I puff my cheeks in annoyance, letting them see how I feel, and they break out into another fit of laughter.

“ I ’ m sorry, ” Elder Thomas tries to collect himself, “ it ’ s just that, I ’ ve never thought that you ’ d turn out to be this . . . well, honest. ”

“ And incredibly mature for your age, ” Father adds. “ You ’ re so smart, it puts us two elders to shame. That ’ s what we ’ re laughing at. ”

“ It ’ s so clever, I ’ m afraid you ’ ve rendered us speechless, and laughing, like a couple of baboons, ” Elder Thomas says in between laughter.

It frustrates me that they still have the time to laugh, rather than giving me a straight answer.

Though perhaps my first impression of Elder Thomas was wrong, after all. It’s not that he has a much higher standing than my parents. It is only because they are too close of a friend, that they don’t even bother with much formalities anymore.

“ So, the plan. You guys like it, right? It ’ s a yes, right? You ’ ll support me? ”

Father wipes tears from one corner of his eyes. “Well, of course we will. We’d be silly not to at least try. Right now, achieving solutions is the only thing we can do. I’m certainly on board with the idea. Heck, I know your Mother will certainly change her mind too, once she clears her head and can think straight again.” Dad pats me on the shoulder. “I’ve gotta see that blueprint of yours, though. Knowing you, I’d bet there are at least a dozen of them.”

My eyes light up happily. “ How do you know? ”

Elder Thomas tries to contain his laughter, and it comes out as a snort. “ Do share them with me as well, little one. I ’ d like to see what I ’ ll be investing on. ”

Two yeses. That ’ s a definite yes! I can ’ t help but to thrust my fist up in victory. Yes, yes, yes! Sweet, sweet victory!

The two adults look at me like I ’ m insane, but I ’ m too happy to care. I even go as far as to do my own silly, victory dance. And I know that they ’ re trying to hold themselves back from falling into another pit of laughter. After all, it isn ’ t really proper for men of their stature laugh their butt off like a couple of baboons — as Elder Thomas calls it.