WG - Chapter7 - Sumpʻin, Sumpʻin
1448 Words
The following morning, true to his word, Duskin woke Zinah after Junie left. He made sure to have a spread of food waiting for her as he knew she must be hungry and hungry she was.
Duskin watched as Zinah ate and was surprised to see her eating more of the meat items he laid out.
“Well, I see the spell Rissa used worked. Crimson looks human and she kinda resembles you” Duskin said as Zinah smiled at his comment
“So tell me, what was it that Rissa asked for in the way of payment?” Duskin asked as Zinah explained it to him
Duskin went pale at what he was hearing. He knew it was dangerous. Queen Dessa was very careful of who she let get close to her and wouldnʻt tolerate any f**kery going on in her castle
“Donʻt worry Duskin. Iʻll be careful, I promise” Zinah said “I just need a way in”
“Well, Iʻm sure if Rissa is wanting you to do this, sheʻll make a way,” Duskin said with uneasiness
“Zinah, was there anything else she asked of you?” Duskin said as Zinah shook her head
“No, she said what the payment was and a little sumpʻin, sumpʻin. But she never elaborated on what that was” Zinah replied
“There is no such thing as a LITTLE sumpʻin when it comes to Rissa. You should have asked her to clarify exactly what that was” Duskin grunted
“It canʻt be that bad right?” Zinah asked and knew that it could once she saw Duskin's expression “Oh sh*t” she thought
“How is Rissa going to get the information from you?” Duskin inquired
“The amulet” was the quick answer Zinah gave
“Oh Zinah, please donʻt tell me itʻs the black amulet. And donʻt tell me you already have it around your neck?” Duskin slowly said as Zinah knew something was not right
Her fingerʻs immediately went to her throat as Duskinʻs eyes widened
“Whatʻs wrong Duskin? Youʻre scaring me!” Tell me?!!” Zinah demanded
“Before I tell you Zinah, I need you to tell me EVERYTHING that happened from the moment her pantherʻs led you into her castle till the day you left. Leave NOTHING out” Duskin demanded
So Zinah began from the beginning and the more she explained the more pale Duskin became. Zinah was shaking by the time she finished telling him everything.
“Zinah, remember when you mentioned that Rissa told you that you were now a hybrid?” Duskin asked and Zinah nodded
“Well, thatʻs not exactly entirely true. But before I tell you, I need confirmation first. May I see the amulet?” Duskin asked
When Zinah went to pull it over her head she found she couldnʻt. The chain moved freely around her neck but the amulet was somehow stuck to her chest.
“Whatʻs happening Duskin? Why canʻt it come off?” Zinah shrieked and that caused Crimson to be alarmed
“Zinah, I want you to place your hand on the amulet and gently move it to the side” Duskin advised and Zinah did as she was told
The amulet easily moved to the side but still could not be removed from Zinahʻs neck. As Zinah looked down she saw the amulets design was embedded into her skin as if it was branded by a cattle branding iron
“What in the f**k!” Zinah screamed
Like a flash of lightning, Crimson was at Zinahʻs side with a short sword in hand. If it wasnʻt such a scary situation, one would almost think it was adorable to see a tiny baby, wobbly, standing next to her mama with a death grip on Zinahʻs leg, tiny wings flapping and miniature sword in hand, hissing at Duskin.
“Oh Crimson, Mamaʻs sorry baby. I didnʻt mean to scare you. Papa Duski isnʻt hurting me, baby. I promise” Zinah cooed as Crimson looked at Zinah to make sure she was okay. Only then did she retract her wings and sword
Duskin and Zinah looked at each other and chuckled at the sight before them before realizing there was something more important at hand
“Tell me Duskin” Zinah said
“Zinah, you are not a hybrid….you are a tribrid” Duskin said
“Wait! A what?” Zinah probed
“A tribrid, you are a Human, an Ifrit, AND a Witch,” Duskin said as Zinah started hyperventilating
Duskin stood to help her but little Crimson wouldnʻt let him get close
“Zinah, close your eyes and listen to my voice. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Zinah! I need you to listen. Inhale…..exhale…..inhale….exhale. Thatta girl, keep doing it…..inhale….exhale…inhale….exhale” Duskin ordered and soon Zinah was calmed, looking at Duskin while Crimson went back to being Crimson
“Duskin, this canʻt be right” Zinah stated
“Iʻm afraid itʻs true Zinah. Rissa is a beautiful soul and good for the most part. But she has a way of sneaking things in when you least expect it. Thatʻs just the way of witches” Duskin said
“You warned me. You told me to read between the lines. She made me feel so comfortable that I let my guard down. Iʻm sorry Duskin that I let you down” Zinah said sadly
“Hey, now now. No being sad. Being a witch is not such a bad thing you know. You can now practice magic. Be attuned to things that you couldnʻt before. There are perks” Duskin declared
“Then why are you white as a sheet?” Zinah questioned
“There is more to this Zinah. Much more. But there must be something special that Rissa seeʻs in you. She doesnʻt just go about making any Joan, Jill, or Sally a witch. Let alone her apprentice” Duskin said
“Her apprentice? What does that even mean Duskin?” Zinah challenged
“It meanʻs you are her protege. She is taking you under her wings, Zinah. You will be taught by the best” Duskin said
“Donʻt I have a say?” Zinah said as she followed Duskinʻs stare leading to Crimson
“Actually, no you donʻt. When you accepted the payment with the sumpʻin sumpʻin? You accepted it all” Duskin said
“Well maybe we can talk to her about it,” Zinah said as she clutched the amulet
“Zinah, you canʻt go back on your word. If you do, Rissa will go back on herʻs and Crimson….well Crimson….” Dusking started to say
“I get it, Duskin. You donʻt need to say it” Zinah said
“Are you okay?” Duskin asked
“Me? Ohhh yeahhh. Small sacrifice for my child. And besides, I think Iʻll make a damn good witch! Donʻt you think?” Zinah asked
“The best Zinah! Youʻll make the best Witch” Duskin said with a smile
“Well then, letʻs get started. Where do we begin?” Zinah asked
“How about we start with whatʻs most important. Being a new mama to your baby girl” Duskin said as they both smiled at the little bundle, which then turned to a look of disgust as they realized the cute little baby just had an explosion and needed a diaper change
“Dang! What are you feeding that child?” Duskin said as he held his nose closed and winked at Zinah who burst out laughing
“If you think itʻs bad now, wait until sheʻs weaned on solids. I just canʻt even fathom what raw meat and blood will smell like coming out the back end” Zinah stated
“Ewwww gross!!” Duskin said and they erupted into laughter once again while Zinah got everything ready to clean up her child and give her a warm bath
- Writer
