The Undeniable Bond

Chapter 9 -The Meetup

Clarrise POV

I walked down 12th Street, my breath catching in the cool night air as I made my way to Giuseppe’s, the old pizzeria that Miramis and I used to visit as kids. The neon sign buzzed faintly, casting a flickering light over the worn brick facade. It had been years since I’d been here—years since Miramis and I had shared anything more than strained pleasantries at family gatherings. But tonight, I needed her. Despite everything, she was the only one I could turn to.

As I pushed open the creaky door, the familiar scent of baking dough and tomato sauce washed over me, a bittersweet reminder of simpler times. There she was, seated in the back corner, her fingers tapping a rhythm on the worn table. Miramis looked up as I approached, her dark eyes narrowing slightly in what I could only interpret as an annoyance.

“Clarisse,” she said coolly, her voice dripping with that irritating blend of indifference and self-assurance. “I’m surprised you showed up. You usually avoid me unless there’s something you want.”

I slid into the seat across from her, the booth's vinyl creaking under the weight of my anxiety. I forced a smile, one that didn’t reach my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself, Miramis. The only reason I’m here is because you’re the only one who can do what I need. Besides, I have better things to do than waste my time with half-bloods.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest with a smirk. “Of course, you’d say that. Always the perfect, pure-blooded princess, aren’t you? Must be exhausting, to keep up that facade. I figured as much. It’s not like you’ve ever sought me out for anything unless it benefits you."

“Hardly,” I shot back, sliding into the booth across from her. “Unlike some, I don’t have to work to maintain my status. It’s just who I am.”

Miramis rolled her eyes, a gesture so disrespectful I almost slapped her across the table. “Sure, Clarisse. Keep telling yourself that. But we both know the only reason you tolerate me at all is because Grandfather insisted we stay close.”

“Tolerate is the right word,” I sneered. “Don’t forget that the only reason you’re here, the only reason you have any standing at all, is because of our family name. Without it, you’d be nothing.”

She laughed, a short, bitter sound. “You mean your family name? The one you’ve clung to because you’re too scared to stand on your own? I may be a half-blood, but at least I’m not afraid of who I am.”

My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice steady, refusing to let her get under my skin. “I didn’t come here to listen to your self-righteous speeches, Miramis. I need a potion. Something to deal with a problem that could threaten everything I’ve worked for.”

“Oh, you have a problem,” she said, her tone mocking. “Let me guess—David’s in over his head, and you’re too afraid to admit that you hitched yourself to a sinking ship.” Her expression darkened at the mention of David’s name. “I never liked him,” she said bluntly. “And I don’t see why you would either. But then again, he is your mate, and you’ve always been drawn to power, haven’t you, Clarisse?”

“David is fine,” I snapped, though the words felt hollow even to me. “It’s Amelia. She’s carrying his child, and I need to make sure she’s out of the picture. Permanently.”

Miramis gaze was sharp as she studied me. “So, let me get this straight. You want me to help you bring down another woman—someone who, from what I’ve heard, has done nothing but try to protect herself and her child—just because you’re losing control over your so-called mate?” Miramis raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “So, you’re finally admitting you’re threatened by her. Must be hard for someone as perfect as you to admit that another woman might actually be a threat.”

“She’s not a threat,” I hissed, leaning forward. “She’s a nuisance. And I’m not going to let some half-blood sorceress sl*t and her bastard child ruin my future. That’s where you come in.”

She chuckled darkly, shaking her head. “You know, Clarisse, I’ve always wondered what it would take to bring you down a notch. But here you are, practically begging me for help. It’s almost sad.” Miramis sighed. “You know, Clarisse, for someone who’s always looked down on me for being a half-blood, it’s ironic that you’re here asking me for help. But I’ll give you this—out of pity, not loyalty.”

Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived as Miramis’s gaze hardened. “Just do it,” I said through gritted teeth. “I don’t need your commentary.”

“Fine,” she said, her tone turning serious as she leaned forward. For a moment, there was silence between us, the noise of the pizzeria fading into the background as Miramis considered my words. She uncrossed her arms, leaning forward slightly. “You want a potion, I assume. Something to harm Amelia and her child.”

I nodded, feeling a weight lift slightly at the thought that she might actually agree to help. “Yes, something that will make her weak, vulnerable. I need to ensure that she’s no longer a threat to me—to us.”

“But let me make one thing clear. This potion isn’t going to kill her or the baby. I don’t do that kind of magic. It’ll weaken her, make her vulnerable, and more prone to complications during childbirth. It’ll be subtle, hard to trace back to magic. You’ll get what you want but at a cost. It’ll also take something from you. Dark magic always comes with a price, Clarisse.”

“I’m willing to pay whatever it takes,” I said, not letting my voice waver.

“Of course you are,” she said with a sigh. “But remember this—you’re playing a dangerous game. And when it all falls apart, don’t come crying to me. The ingredients I have to conjure up together, a couple of them by themselves are very dangerous, the cost.........”

“A cost?” I asked, my stomach knotting at her words.

“Yes, a cost,” she repeated. “This potion will draw from your own strength, your own life force. It’s dark magic, Clarisse, and it’s going to take something from you in return. So, think carefully before you decide to go through with this.”

I hesitated the implications of what she was saying sinking in. “What will it take from me?”

Miramis shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Could be your health, your sanity, your power. The magic decides. But you’re already playing with fire by being with David. This will just be another spark.”

I sat there, my mind racing as I weighed my options. I could feel Miramis’s eyes on me, judging, waiting to see if I was truly desperate enough to pay the price. And in that moment, I knew I was. I had come too far, sacrificed too much, to let Amelia or her child stand in my way.

“I’ll do it,” I said finally, my voice steady, though my hands trembled slightly. “I’ll take whatever cost there is.”

Miramis nodded, almost as if she expected my answer. “Fine. I’ll have it ready in a few days. But remember, Clarisse—this is on you. Whatever happens, it’s because you chose this path.”

“Just get it done,” I snapped, standing up and throwing a few bills on the table. “And don’t think for a second that I’ll owe you anything after this.”

Miramis watched me with those infuriatingly calm eyes as I turned to leave. “You know, Clarisse,” she called after me, “for someone who looks down on everyone else, you sure are desperate to keep what little you have.”