Chapter 70: I won't hurt her.
~Ava's POV~
Alasia draws closer to me, more like floats closer to me. She stops in front of me and stares, almost as if she wanted to bore a hole into my skull.
I guess I understand why the children would cry and scream. With the way she’s looking at me right now, I feel like sinking into the ground out of fear. More like seeking refuge from the floor.
After all, I can't fold myself into a foetus position to protect myself while standing. I watch as she watches me. Is not like I have any other choice.
Her pale blue eyes are a contrast to the green eyes that the witches' clan usually has. The longer she stares at me, the more fear takes hold within me. My palms are sweating, no longer itching for trouble or in a rush to save anyone after colliding with her.
"Human, do you know who I am?" she asks lazily. She steps outside our small cell and sits down on a chair that has mysteriously appeared.
Well, nothing should be a mystery to me anymore. I mean, I've seen a lot, for goodness knows how long, I’ve been in this dark cell.
As for her question? I don’t know her. Never heard of her. The little I know comes from the atrocities she and Lara have committed since they brought me here. So what else does she want me to know?
"You have some backbone for a human, seeing how you keep mute when I am talking to you." There's an edge of threat in her voice. How do I even tell this ghost of a woman that I can't speak because her monstrous disciple has spelled my mouth shut?
"I’ll forgive your insolence just this once. I’m intrigued by you. More intrigued that you were able to capture the heart of the beast."
The heart of a beast? What does she mean?
"You still won’t reply to me?!" This time, she screams. The magical light resting on the wall giving light to the hallway and the cell shatters, and so do the chains binding my wrists and legs.
The children flinch, their eyes going wide, lips trembling. I know instantly that they're about to start another wailing competition. And Alasia doesn't look like she has the patience, or the heart, for another one of their tantrums, as she calls them.
I rush to them, grateful I can move freely, no longer restricted by the chains. It’s the happiest feeling ever, though it doesn't change the dizziness or pain from being shackled for so long. If spirit could wobble, I think I might and even end up losing consciousness.
They huddle close to me. I spread my arms as much as I can, trying to hold them all. The filthy stench clinging to them nearly makes me gag. It just proves that most of them were killed in the most agonizing way possible, so much so that even their souls still reek of their last moments.
"I see, you value the children, human," Alasia murmurs, nonchalantly.
I turn with the kids still wrapped around me, holding onto as many as my little spirit can carry, making sure no one is left out.
"She’s a whore, Your Eminence. She doesn’t deserve your attention." In other words, pay attention to only me.
Lara’s voice grates on my nerves. Not that I care about Alasia’s attention. She’s still on the floor, her face swollen and red from the blood rush, with some blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Seeing the blood, I remember I was once like her and could bleed as well but now. I don't know what or who I am.
Anyway serves her right. Her new face looks good on her. At least, children will stay away from her now.
I glare at her venomously. Be grateful I’m trying to save Charles; otherwise, I’d let your master do as she pleases with you. I tried communicating with my eyes.
I move toward my little corner, the children flocking behind me. And deliberately, I step on Lara’s hand, hoping to inflict pain.
Nothing.
No scream. No reaction.
Right. I’m a spirit now. I can't harm a being with a body, maybe I can harm another soul, but that’s as far as I can go.
Unless I want to become a vengeful soul like the woman watching me, lazily, like a wolf waiting for its prey to exhaust itself before feasting.
"You have some nerve, little disciple."
Alasia turns her eyes and attention to Lara.
Lara shrinks under her gaze, trying to hide behind the children. The kids immediately scurry away from her, pressing into me instead.
Great. Everyone is hiding behind me. Who am I supposed to hide behind, huh? I sigh. Again.
Yes, I know, it’s my signature move now. But anyone in my situation would do the same. Or worse.
"Your Eminence, I am sorry," Lara murmurs fearfully, bowing her head, probably to avoid Alasia’s gaze.
Alasia waves her hand dismissively, then looks at me, then at Lara.
"She doesn't speak, or what?"
She finally asks after staring at me for a while.
I guess not getting a reaction out of me is annoying her, just like it annoyed Lara. Master and disciple truly deserve each other.
"Yes, she does, Your Eminence," Lara replies hurriedly, probably hoping to earn back some favor.
"Then what are you waiting for? Say something!"
She bellows, a little too loudly, earning a displeased glare from Alasia. Lara flushes crimson.
I never knew someone could turn this red. And yet, here I am. Proven wrong. Alasia keeps staring, waiting. Expecting.
A part of me wants to demonstrate, move my hands to my mouth and show her my mouth is sealed shut. But the stubborn part of me refuses to do anything.
Hatred burns deep for what they’ve done, for the evil they’ve committed. There's no way I'm going to try to be friendly with this witch when I know what she’s capable of.
She probably likes something she sees in me and wants it for herself, just like she wants my body.
"My patience is running out. I can’t destroy your soul just yet because your body is still living, all thanks to whatever the beast is doing. So until then, human, enjoy those hateful glares of yours."
She stands, about to leave, when one of the children, Emilia, speaks up. I wish she hadn’t. At least Alasia was already leaving me alone.
Oh, it’s so true that kids can get you into trouble when you least expect it.
"Y-Your Em-manence, Ava can’t speak. That’s why she hasn’t said anything," she yells.
Whatever reason she had for doing that, I can’t fault her. We’re all just trying to protect each other here.
Alasia stops in her tracks and turns to face six-year-old Emilia.
Emilia wrings her hands, trembling in fear. I pull her closer, patting her back in reassurance.
"Kid, come here." Alasia commands.
One thing I’ve come to realize, Alasia hates children. The way she talks about them, the way she treats them, makes it painfully obvious.
My stomach twists with unease. Worry creases my expression, and Alasia sees it.
She bursts out laughing. I stare at her, stunned. But then again, she has every reason to laugh.
She’s the powerful one. We’re the weak ones.
"I won’t hurt her."
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