Chapter 5
2303 Words
- So there’s no way? – He asked.
- It depends what do you want to do. – Isabela replied.
- Anything that will keep her safe and help us be together. – Bryan said.
- And what about you and your safety? – She asked surprised.
- I don’t care about it! – He raised his voice. – If only there’s a spell that may silence the beast inside me, that would be great!
- What if you had to sacrifice more? – She was curious.
- I’m ready for everything. – He replied. – If I have to destroy the bond between our beasts, that’s fine. – He combed his hair. – If it involves destroying my wolf, I’ll agree to it. I’m ready to shape-shift if it’s necessary. – He assured.
- And if you have to cause her pain? – Isabela asked narrowing her eyes.
- I cannot agree to that. – He replied without hesitation. – She has already taken too much pain!
- You’re a good and just man, Bryan Xander Weakfield. – She stated after a moment of silence. – You love her and you’re gonna fight for her. Even if I refuse to help.
- I won’t rest until I make it right. – He promised.
- In that case, you must go to Ireland. – Isabela gave him a gentle smile.
- Ireland? – He asked confused. – But why.
- You must find a witch who has more power than Jay. Only she will be able to break the spell. But! – She stopped him. – You have to prepare yourself for transformation as well.
- I will. – He promised. – Where I can find that witch? – He asked.
- I don’t know. – She admitted. – All I know is that her roots come from three powerful families.
- Do you have the names? – He was losing his patience.
- Campbell, Maguire and Sullivan. – Isabala said. – Find her. Maybe she’ll be able to help you.
- Thank you. – He finally had some hope.
- Don’t thank me yet. - She cooled him down. – You can’t be sure it will work.
- Thank you anyway. I’ll be going. – He said goodbye and left.
Maybe she was not pleased when she found out that Jaysabel and Bryan had something in common. She knew that only trouble could come of it. But today she saw something else. This young man really loves her granddaughter and he was ready to prove it, to fight for her and their right to be together. ‘This must be destiny.’ She thought. And what she saw today in his amber eyes only assured her of that.
***
He left Isabela’s house immersed in sadness and anger. He felt regret at the thought that he had lost his beloved because of his heritage. He could not come to terms with the fact that the fate that had sent her to him, now took her away. And for all this he blamed his mother, who made his decision about his life several years ago. This injustice burned him like a living fire.
He did not come home. He was not ready yet. Despite the anger boiling in him, he did not want to act too quickly. He had too cool down, and the only place he could achieve it was the stable.
Since childhood he knew what he wanted to do. His dream was to work with horses, and thanks to his great grandfather he could fulfill it. It was his mother’s grandfather who founded the horse stud, which grew rapidly and was soon recognized as one of the best in the country. His grandfather trained the first champion, the derby winner. They did not always win top places, but at first glance it was obvious that horses were their passion. And for Bryan they were also the symbol of freedom. They were an opportunity for him to escape from everyday life and its problems.
He greeted the grooms and trainers, then directed his steps to the furthest boxing. At the sound of his steps the horse stuck its head out and nudged its owner in greeting. The four-year chestnut was Bryan’s favorite. Perhaps he had a weakness for him, because the horse lost his chances of participating in the derby and becoming the champion due to injury. But now as he tenderly stroked the horse’s nostrils, he was not so sure. He remembered the day his pet was born. The forehead mark was still distinct and looked like a crescent moon covered by with lightly clouds. On impulse Bryan named him Moon Shadow, and the horse seemed pleased with the name he was given.
As always when he needed loneliness, Bryan saddled his chestnut and rushed to the surrounding hills to think everything over. The unusual unity with the horse he felt allowed him to calm down. The violent gusts of wind that ruffled his hair and clothes cooled him down a little bit. He knew that he needed to talk with his family. Give them shocking news. But it was all irrelevant.
All that mattered now was to find a way to get Jaysabel back.
***
He felt it would be one of the most difficult moments in his life, but he had no choice. He did not want to suppress everything, but he did not intent to put the matter at the knife’s edge. The fact that his sisters were at home now pushed him into action. He thought they also had the right to know the truth. Even if it was shocking.
- You wanted to talk to us? – Leonor stood in the living room door, beautiful and smiling as always. – Did something bad happen? – She asked, concerned about the worry visible on her son’s face.
- Let’s wait for the rest. – He proposed. He did not want to go into details until everyone gathered.
- You’re serious?! – They heard Mel’s cheerful voice.
- Of course! – Jessie’s voice was also joyful. – You’ll see!
- Just give it a rest! – Brenda cut in when they entered the living room.
- Is it something important? – Liz asked. She was always impatient and full of energy. – I have to go to the stable!
- Very important. – Bryan commented quietly, feeling a choking guilt that he was to destroy the sisters’ idyll soon. – Where’s dad?
- I’m here! – Bradley Weakfield entered the room briskly, poured himself a glass of whisky and sat on the sofa next to his wife. – So? – He asked looking at his only son. – What’s up son?
- Thank you for coming so fast. – He started uncertainly.
- What happened? – Mel was clearly worried about her brother’s strange behavior.
He took a deep breath. Suddenly everything he wanted to say vanished somewhere. Disappeared in the recesses of memory. How was he supposed to say it? What would be the right words? Or maybe he had no right to do it? Maybe he should keep it in secret?
But he knew he had no choice.
- I asked you to meet me because I’ve learned something important about our family. – He looked first at the unaware sisters and then at his mother. – We’ve lived a lie and ignorance for all our lives. – He started.
- What are you talking about?! – Brenda cut in.
- About the fact that we’re not who we claim to be. – He said in a sudden surge of wrath, but he controlled himself quickly. – Or at least what we know about ourselves is not complete. Right mom? – He looked meaningfully at Leonor.
- I don’t know what are you talking about, Bryan? – She said surprised with the innocent facial expression.
- Of course you know! – He was extremely calm now. – I’ve spoken with Isabela. She told me everything.
- She had no right! – Leonor forgot about caution.
- It’s you who didn’t have the right to hide the truth from us! – Bryan lost his temper. – Were you ever going to tell us at all? Did it ever cross your mind to tell us about our origin?! – He was seething with wrath.
- Bryan! – Mel admonished him.
- I don’t understand! – Jessie was jittery. – What this is all about?!
- Tell them! – He demanded. – Do you have enough courage?! – He provoked.
- Enough! – Brad cut in. – Maybe your mother hid the truth from you, but she wanted good for you!
- Concealing such an important thing couldn’t do anything good! – Bry was still agitated. - And if the spell was suddenly broken? What then? – He asked.
- What spell?! – Brenda grabbed her brother by the arm. – Speak! What’s going on?!
He knew that their mother will not reveal the truth on her own. Their father will support her. In a way he understood it, but he was not able to accept it. It came to him that now it was his entire responsibility. He looked reproachfully at his mother, and then turned to his sisters.
- We’re werewolves.
- Wait! What?! – Liz exclaimed.
- What the hell are you talking about?! – Mel had the impression that she was dreaming.
- You’ve heard me. – Bryan said. – We’re descendants of the born werewolf.
- Wait a second! – Brenda cut in. – You need to explain that to us! – She demanded.
- Sit down. – He proposed.
His voice was calm when he told everything he had learned from Isabela. He focused on the most important facts, leaving additional information for later when he will be alone with his sisters. He did not want their parents to know that the curse stood between him and Jay. In the past, when he had heart problems, he would talk to his mother who always had good words and advice for him. Now he did not want to entrust his thoughts to her.
- Is that true? – Mel asked their mother. – Is what Bry said the f*****g truth, mum?!
- Yes it’s true! – She yelled. – I just wanted to protect you!
- No. – Liz said. – You’ve done it for yourself, not for us. – She stated bitterly and left for her room.
- How could you hide it from us? – Brenda asked reproachfully.
- I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t find the courage. – She cried.
- And now it’s a bit too late. – Jessie cut in and followed her twin.
- Bryan. – Leonor tried to embrace her son.
- Just don’t! – He moved away. – How are we supposed to trust you? – He asked and also left.
- Girls! – She turned to Melanie and Brenda. – Please.
- It doesn’t work like that. You know it. – Mel said and left with her elder sister.
- What have I done?! – She sobbed.
- You did what you had to do. – Brad closed her in his arms, comforting. – They need to think everything over.
- They hate me!
- It’s not true, you know that! They’re just hurt. It’ll pass. – He promised.
***
- I can't believe it! – Liz was looking through the window in her bedroom.
- How could she do this to us? – Jessie asked.
- You don’t seem to be worried by the very fact of being werewolves. – Bryan noticed.
- Well, you’ve said that our wolves are dormant, right. – Mel noticed. – So there’s nothing to worry about.
- For now. – He admitted.
- What do you mean? – Brenda asked.
- It was Jay who cast the spell and enslaved our beasts. – He said. – And she’s the one who can release them.
- But she won’t do that! – Mel assured. - Not when we’re in danger.
- And that’s the reason she left. – He said.
- What? – Brandy cut in. – I don’t understand.
- There’s a bond between my wolf and her beast. – Bryan said slowly. – And apparently I did something that broke the foundations of the spell.
- What does it mean? – Liz asked.
- That my wolf may break free any time. And because I wasn’t prepared for the transformation…
- You may die. – Mel cut in. They looked at her surprised. – Jay read about it once. – She explained.
- You’re right. – Bry continued. – And if I survive, I’ll pull Jay with me. And then she may die.
- That sucks! – Jessie noticed.
- Yeah. – He sighed. – But there is a way. – He added.
- What? – Mel asked.
- I need to find a witch, who will break the bond between our wolves and the spell itself.
- That’s good news, right? – Brenda asked.
- Finding the witch should be quite easy. – He admitted. – But there is a question if she’ll be able to do it. And of course, there’s one more problem. – He added.
- What’s that? – Mel asked. – If you can find a way to be with her, go for it! There’s nothing more important!
- You’re so sweet Mel, but… - He started.
- If the witch breaks the spell, your wolf will be free. – Liz said. – Together with our beasts. – She looked him in the eye.
Bryan only nodded. The silence filled the room.
- Writer
