Ashes Of Desire

CHAPTER 19

CARA POV

“A curse? That's not possible.” I exclaimed but she only sighed and patted the bed.

We sat beside each other.

“It’s time you knew the truth, after all you aren't eight anymore” She continued. I raised a brow, wondering what she meant by that.

Her hand held the box while the other glided over the wooden surface slowly, her forefinger circling the sharp edge of the wolf fang carved on it.

She reached for my right hand, my thumb and pressed on the sharpness of the fang. Blood drew out, covering the tip in red. A click was heard while I retreated my finger, slowly coating it with my saliva.

Inside the box, the crystal shone brightly. The silver crystal cast a light that shone brighter than all the other lights in the room. It wasn't in Stella's hands anymore as she used her hands to cover her eyes partly.

My eyes squinted at it before it dimmed down, returning to a lightless stone.

“This crystal holds an ancient spirit. One so powerful, if it gets out, Alphas, witches and any power-hungry being would come running towards it.” My eyes narrowed to the crystal. It would have passed as a stone if not for the light it illuminated.

My hands reached out to it but she slapped it away, “Don't start your stubbornness.” I pouted at her words.

“It's more or less a stone. It's not like whatever thing in it will make me feel my wolf.” I sighed and shrugged my shoulders but her eyes remained on the crystal.

“It won't give you what you want Cara. It's a burden.” She shuts her eyes, her brows knitted as if remembering something.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, gently, “Is something wrong?”

“I can't keep pretending. If Henry gave you this, then danger could be looming.” Her eyes bore into me as she spoke. A tight knot settled low in my stomach. What danger could she be talking about?

“I am your Aunt.” I couldn't help but laugh slightly.

“I know that, Stella.” But she shook her head.

“No, your mom and I are sisters. Same parents.” My hand slipped off her shoulder as I froze, staring at her.

“What?”

Stella curved her lips, “Your mother wanted it this way. Back then, twins weren't favoured and unfortunately for me, I had witch powers.” Her voice was low and crooked as she looked away from me. I could only blink as she continued to speak.

“Our parents said it was best I stayed away, while your mom stayed with them. Nobody would suspect and they could always say the other child died.” She took in a breath, her fingers playing against each other.

I blinked slowly. Every birthday party, get-together or moon festival occasion, I had been with my aunt. Not a family friend?

“The visits came every month. It was something I looked forward to.”

“But then…one month became three and slowly…I stopped staring out of the window of my bedroom.” I scooted closer, rubbing her shoulder gently.

“But Stella, did you and my mother ever talk like sisters?” She gave a small smile to my question, looking fondly at me.

“Yes. It was the only thing that connected us. Our grandmother, who was a witch, taught me everything I know including the importance of family.” She looked down at her hands before speaking again.

“When you were born, I was the first person your mom told. I could still remember the wide smile on her face as she held you in her arms…not until our grandmother sensed your wolf.” My brows furrowed. My hand slowly slipped down from her shoulders.

“I…I have…a wolf?” She nodded slowly, not meeting my eyes.

“We had to mask your scent and bind it, Cara.” She shuddered.

“You did what?”

“It's an ancient wolf spirit. It's too powerful Cara. People went to war for it.” I stood up abruptly, giving the two of us distance.

“Mhmm” I held my head as a sharp pain clouded my senses.

I was twelve and a boy not far from my age stood opposite me. The smell of blood was so strong. It filled the air like oxygen. We looked to be in a fight but only I was in my wolf form. The weight of my paw lifted from the ground and rested on the chest of his body.

My canines pierced the skin between his neck as blood pumped out, flowing with no resistance. He kept shaking uncontrollably beneath me but I kept digging into his flesh. The blood, the tearing of his soft skin gave me an indescribable feeling. I moved my tongue, feeling a metallic taste.

Was it satisfaction? I couldn't name it.

Screams clouded my ears and I opened my eyes.

“What happened, Cara?” Stella was at my side, her hands trying to remove my hands from my ears.

She wiped my face which was wet with tears.

“I shouldn't…I shouldn't have told you. Tell me, what did you see?” She didn't look away this time as her eyes settled on me, observing.

“Blood, so much blood.” My body trembled, with dread or excitement I had no idea.

She sat back down on the bed.

“But how does my wolf have any connection to this crystal? And why don't I have her with me now?” I had been called wolfless all these years when I had one.

“What did you do with her? Tell me.” I stood up pacing the room from one end to another as I remembered being called wolfless, unfit when I was far from that. They had no idea how much I went through.

Stella stood in front of me, her hands on my shoulders, “I understand what you're going through–”

“No you don't.” I snapped at her. “You have no idea what it feels like.”

“Please Cara, don't act like you're the only one who has felt out of place.” I scoffed at her.

“Don't compare me to you Auntie. You're a witch. I'm not.” She gasped and took steps back.

She paused, then looked back at the crystal, “ I won't let you touch it.”

“Why not, Auntie?” I moved slowly away from her. Who was she to control me like this?

“No..Cara don't.” She screamed out but it was too late. I held the crystal in my hand. My body shook uncontrollably as pain pierced every part of my body. I went down to my knees, my breathing coming out ragged.

My hands burned as if on fire but I held on tightly. The metallic taste of blood coated my tongue as I kept grinding my teeth on my lips.

I wanted to know the consequences of my actions and I couldn't wait for another decade.

Slowly the pain subsided, the shaking stopped somewhat but I couldn't feel my legs. I was still in my kneeling position.

I opened my palm and the once silver crystal had turned black. My palm filled with black burnt marks all over.

Stella collapsed on the floor, shaking her head.

“What have you done, Cara?” She asked but I only smiled. My only thought was getting my wolf back. Surely all that pain I went through had to mean something.

I finally stood up, my legs trembling as I did but I could stand.

“What I should have done the moment Henry gave me the crystal.” I gritted my teeth at her.

She grimaced at my words then sighed as she got up, her eyes darting to the once silver crystal before looking at me, “I hope you thought it through before doing it. The consequences are great, that's why I said it's a curse. A silver curse.”

She held the empty wooden box, turning it from side to side, “Be careful of Henry.”

The corner of my lips raised, “What? Why? He gave me something you would have never given.”

“Don’t you get it Cara, he wasn't supposed to know about this.”She held my hand, shoving the crystal in my face.

“It's related to our bloodline and only your parents, our grandmother, and I knew.” She shook her head. “No matter how close, they won't have told him.”

I held my head as I sat down on the bed. The room felt like it was spinning in circles.

“I admit that Henry going against me in the council meeting is something to think about and I am sure his reason is solid. He and my parents, especially my father, were close so I don't see your point.”

“Don't let your need for familiarity blind your thinking, Cara. He wasn't even supposed to have it at all. It's a family curse passed on in our bloodline.” She breathed.

Maybe she was right but Henry made me realise the truth.