Book 3: Chapter 22
Tiffany
Alteer pulled a manilla folder out. It was labeled ‘The Jekel Case’. A quill was summoned, and it readied itself, floating there for her to speak. It would scribble what she said word for word, and also Alteer’s ruling.
“I had too much fun.” Said Jezrah. Her wicked, unapologetic smile made me sick with anger… “I wasn’t married then… and I didn’t want talk to spread about the castle, so I took to the village… the men were…adequate. The preacher especially…”
“A *Preacher*?!” Screamed her father at the Tippy Top of his lungs… anyone who witnessed this spectacle would understand why she didn’t keep Areina Jekel.
“Silence.” Said Alteer. He motioned her to continue.
“… I… I must admit Father Alrick was sweet. He even tried ‘to save’ me from my ‘affliction’ of being a witch. I made a mistake falling for him, and when I found out I was with the child, I let her father keep her. I feared my folly… I should have just stayed in the castle.”
“Why did you not keep your child?” Asked Alteer.
“I didn’t want *that* as my legacy. The wayward, wild harlot daughter of Jekel…. That would have been my title… And worse still would be that I wouldn’t have married so high, if at all. Lord Mern took my name, as tradition…. And he is loving . I would not have had such an opportunity with a bastard child.” She said in her defence.
“Did you at least Try to insure the child’s safety then?’ Asked Alteer.
“No. What he did with her, I didn’t know or care until after she attacked the village with corpses…. Initially, I just trusted that he’d do a good job raising a mortal. After all, he was mortal. She’d be dead or old by now anyway.
“That does not matter. Continue with Relevant information.” Said Alteer. He held no emotion, writing notes with the magic quill. “In your words, what led up to the attack on the village?”
“Of course my lord…. The Work it took to hide scent and belly, Waisted… I wanted her to live; I didn’t think it fair she not know her blood…but she was born Mortal for my folly…. Mortal because of the contradictory priest’s blood in her veins…. So the only thing I Could give her was her name. I did not visit, nor gain attachment. She resented her witch’s blood… and me. The army she rose, bearing the name of Jekel was my fault. I should have accepted the shame, and married her off like a good mother… not hide her, and have her mind poisoned by her father… My only regret now is that I didn’t stop her from abandoning her child as I did.”
“She attacked the town for how they treated her, but had you had your hands on her, by your words alone, I know I would have had to take Areina in myself.” Said Alteer. “We are made and molded by darkness, but that does not give us permission to behave it. What you did was Selfish. Cruel for Cruelty’s sake… For Your Convenience and Refusal to own up to your actions. For Fear of admonishment, you robbed 11 lives, your daughter, granddaughter, and 9 great-grandchildren of peace. The town wants blood, maybe yours will quell it.” With a snap of Alteer’s fingers, Jezrah was in chains.
“What? No!” Yelled Jezrah, but Alteer’s cold look held no emotion other than disgust.
“The Night’s work was Waisted. She could have been a fine necromancer Here, instead of an unsolved case file I’ve had on my desk for decades.” Hissed Alteer.
Her father said nothing. He marched out, fuming so badly that the only thing he missed, was steam coming out his ears like in cartoons.
“How shall we deliver her?’ Asked Tinzaa…. She kind of just materialized in the room.
“However you think the humans will like best. I’m thinking alive, and bound that they may lay her upon their Iron Ring in the town square. Let them have their effigy of evil to burn. Consider it a penance to atone for leaving a babe with wolves.” He sneered.
“I will haunt you until the end of time!” She screamed being dragged away…. Literally. Demons do enjoy torment….
“If you think you can get past Typhen, I’ll gladly oblige.” He smiled wickedly. “Now that leaves me Minus One Healer. As the firstborn of her late firstborn, all she owns belongs to You, Margretta Jekel, that includes all her money, her castle allotment, and all the knowledge you need to assume this position. Her witch children are illegitimate.”
“I accept. There’s no home to go home to… and no friends either.” Bowed Mrs. Metters.
“And I am already marked. If any of us ever returned to the village, they would mob us. I cannot live with my father either. I’m sure I would be permitted to still work with him.” Said Mr. Metters. They looked like they agreed, though her eldest boy still looked melancholy…
“I have no problem with you working off-site, but you will have to learn to fly a broom. I Should be able to activate any latent power you have.” Said Alteer casually…. He looked a little pale, but his nod confirmed he’d try….”
“What about my girlfriend?” Asked the eldest boy again. He did when they first arrived, and Alteer looked sternly at him.
“You are a Witch. You’re mortal, but she’s Only Human. I will not make exceptions.” Said Alteer. “To be here in peace would mean that she carries the mark of the master.”
“What if she pledges?” He asked, thinking on his toes.
“It’s more than Just pledging.” Said Alteer. “Her soul would belong to the Night Father, so I doubt she would agree to that. Even if she did, she’s still human. To be here, to even cross the border, she’d have to be purchased as a slave….Then she would be a marked human against her will…. She will be ineligible to marry you as a slave, you will be unable to change her status, and all her children, marked or not, would not be able to inherit anything from you.” Said Gulteer. “That is too cruel a fate. I will not approve the purchase of a mortal on those conditions.”
“I disagree with that.” Said Mr. Metters. “She should be free to choose what she wants, if she’s alive…”
“Aye, but she’s probably not. They slew quite a few families in their hunt… Even if she is alive, she will likely resent that you didn’t save her family, just her.” Said Alteer.
“I don’t care about any of that… I promised I’d always protect her, and I’m here, safe while the town still smolders.” He looked down. He looked like someone stabbed him in the heart.
“Then that sort of changes things. A Witch cannot betray their vows, and I cannot impede them.” Said Alteer. “I’ll have Atto snatch her up, and should she agree, my son can pick her up… You realize what must be done? If you invoke your vow, regardless, now she Will be a slave. She cannot be free and mortal on lands so treacherous. Even our songbirds have a taste for mortal flesh….And if a vampire turned her, she’d be free, but you won’t have children.”
“I understand.” Said the young man. “She’ll never be safe there…. I know she’ll hate me too… but I can’t just Let her die. All this is my fault anyway. Nobody would have seen Maica’s mark if I hadn’t put her hair in a ponytail….”
“Then let it be known now that Whatever the other Jekels are to inherit is through their father now. Let it be known that we hall hunt for your woman, and should we find her, we will deliver her. And you, Zayde Yoltier.” He pointed.
When did he get here?
“I know I should have said something. But I would not be so petty. I came to ask you not to seek charges. As Lord of Yellow Diamond, it is my right. Though as a favor I ask you to send my mate’s evidence his way as an additional thank you.” He smiled. Zayde knew of Velimier’s allergy….
“I already did. I know you too well, but next time try to remember you have a father who Does care.” Alteer said this a little pissed off.
“That’s why I won’t be the cause of bad blood if I can help it father. We will always have to work with him….” Zayde said this a little angrily, because we are immortal…. Be it a hundred or a thousand years till the next time we need him, bad blood already flows between Yellow and Red Diamond…
“Son, the blood was bad the moment he laid hands on you.” Said Alteer with a small, low growl. The whites of his eyes were a deep gray, like Gulteer’s… and his irises were red. His aura came out, and he looked a little annoyed. As the Darkened One, his presence stole the light around him. “I thought I had more time.” He grumbled. His mouth was full of only fangs… and his gums were a dark, almost black-gray.
“I never got why you hide yourself at home.” Said Zayde.
“It makes me more approachable.” Alteer admitted. “Though I must say, it is rather taxing.”
“I imagine so father. I’m taking my little tattletale on a date.” Zayde chuckled.
“I can’t tattle if he already knew.” I huffed. He kissed me on the forehead… Gods his neck was bandage so tightly. It was likely the only thing holding everything together.
“Just don’t forget to meet with the mortals who know the castle’s location.” He warned. “Don’t leave any stragglers.”
“I already have Tinzaa out there.” Zayde said casually.
For him to be so relaxed about it, it had to be something common.
“And go downstairs to get a damn skin graft.” Growled Alteer.
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