章 26: Part Three - Chapter 1: The Coven
The Crossing Paths Arc
A Month and a Half Ago:
"How long have you been in here?" David asks letting the light creep in as he cracks the door. Three days, but who's counting? I don't want to leave this room, ever.
"Go away," I say putting the pillow over my head to shield my eyes. He's in his old man form too, I'm still not used to it.
"Luckily I have the answer to my own question." He opens the door fully and invades my personal space. "Three days you've been holed up in this room. There are people who'd like to speak with you."
"I don't care. I don't want to talk to anyone."
The floor creaks as he walks over to the bed. He gently lifts the pillow from my face. "Those people are my family…whose home you're staying in. Also, our Elder, Amiyah. Don't be rude."
"I'm sorry," I groan, sitting up from the bed. "I'll talk with your family. Although you've always told me didn't have any.
"Just one brother." He smirks. "If you're really not feeling up to it, you can stay here."
"Well, I can't now that you've made me feel guilty." I step out of the bed and walk to the door. "Let's go, old man.'
I step out the door and for the first time, I'm seeing David's home outside of this one room I woke up in a couple days ago. It's an old, cozy wooden cabin. A nice sofa in the middle of the room with a bear rug under it. It's a little country, which surprises me. On one of the tables, I notice Helen's grimoire. Why does David have it? My attention is taken away by the woman sitting on the sofa though. Her hair is so red, blood red. I've never seen anything like it. Standing next to her is a man who has the same grizzled look as David, but younger.
"Hi, Alyssa. I'm Amiyah." The woman smiles. She is so gorgeous that I'm a little star-struck. Her lips are plump and glossy. "It seems like you're fully healed now, I'm glad," she continues.
"Was that you? Thank you." I don't remember anything after seeing Brianna cry. Everything went black and suddenly I was here. David said Brianna freed him and told him to take me with him wherever he went. It's a little hard to believe. Her words to David were: 'she's your problem now,' according to him.
"I've been coming by to visit every day since David brought you. I understand if you're not feeling well. I told him not to push you."
"No, it's okay." I nervously smile.
"Hey, I'm Sam, by the way." The brother leans in for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Sam." I return the shake. "I'm sorry about making you wait. I didn't know you'd be so interested in me. Even having me here must be causing some commotion."
"What makes you say that?" Amiyah asks.
"Well…I'm a Valentine. My family forced a lot of people to flee here, probably even murdering some of their families. Then stripping away the names of their homes and calling them 'Districts.' I'm also the daughter of the woman who has brought nothing but stress to you all. Can't get any worse than that combination there."
"Do you think we're that judgmental?" David asks.
"Oh, it's 'we' all of a sudden now?" Sam says.
"Don't start, Sam."
"Okay, guys! Back to her statement," Amiyah says slightly annoyed. "David is right, we're not judgmental. Besides, you're not your family. You're your own person. I won't lie to you and say that there aren't some who will hold resentment. But it doesn't matter. You're welcome here."
She says that but I still don't feel it. It may just be my own nerves getting to me. It's why I've been sitting in that room for days. And also….everything Brianna said to me, it all hurts.
"It is strange that Helen shows up here, and not even a day later, David brings you in severely injured and bruised. Whomever you were fighting really did a number on you."
"What?! She was here? How?!" I shout. My pain is suddenly replaced with rage.
Amiyah, a little thrown off guard and shocked, puts her hands in a defensive position. "She was possessing a woman's body. The poor girl is still here. Helen probably has her real body by now."
No, no, no! I thought she was still inside my head, just silenced. I had no idea I set her free! "Why are we just sitting here?! We need to go after her! She's going to destroy everything!"
"Just relax," Amiyah stands from the sofa and walks over to me. "You don't have to worry about any of that. You're free to stay here. You don't have to go back to that life."
"What the hell are you talking about? What she'll do will affect you too!"
"The Coven is protected. We worry about our own here," Sam says. I can't believe what I'm hearing, but then again, can I blame them? Why would they help? Why would they care? I just laid out everything that would cause them not to.
Amiyah takes a deep breath and exhales sharply. "Listen, why don't you take a walk with me? I want to show you around."
I nod my head in agreement and look down at my clothes. I'm in David's oversized clothes he gave me.
"I'll also get some clothes for you along the way."
I say goodbye to David and Sam as we leave. The moment I step out of the home I'm struck with the beauty of this place. The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, the clouds are minimal—and pink…?
It's nice, right?" Amiyah asks.
Nice?! It's a tad more than nice, it's divine. I get distracted by a bush with blue and orange flowers, a couple of feet away, one of the neighbors has a garden with brown flowers. Next to that neighbor is another neighbor who has a tree in front of their home growing pink apples.
"Is this-is this magic?" I ask.
"We believe so, some call this place Eden. Although we ultimately don't know in the end. There just could be different species of things that grow here. We don't take it to the outside world. Come on." She grabs my hand and gently brings me along with her. We walk through many homes scattered almost at random throughout the village. They're all wooden cabins, some bigger than others.
Large trees that touch the sky fill most of the open space but there's enough of a path to walk through. We continue until we reach a spot where there are a lot of street vendors. Some selling things like fish, with a grill next to them to cook. Others sell jewelry, clothes, water, fruit, etc. Amiyah speaks to nearly everyone as if they're her own family. She asks how certain members of their family are doing, and she jokes with others. She's maneuvering through the space with a level of class, sweetness, and elegance.
We stop at one of the clothes vendors and he gives me them for free. Next, she takes me to an empty cabin so I can get changed. I feel better now that I'm not wearing a shirt than reaches below my knees. We come across a larger structure, the only building here that's made out of stone. It's all white resembling marble.
"This is the school," Amiyah says. "Basic math and reading for the children, everyone eight and older goes into seal training."
"You all teach eight-year-olds how to develop their seal?"
"Yes, do you think that's too young? I forgot your family doesn't allow seal usage outside of the army."
"My family does it to enforce fear, and to keep people in check. I agree with it, but for different reasons. I do think it's too young."
"We think it's better if they build a good relationship with their seal from a young age. Teach them, and warn them of the dangers of using it wrong. Then they're less likely to do something reckless when they grow up." She shrugs.
We walk for another twenty minutes, she shows me a spot where the mountains are more visible, then takes me to see the different types of flowers and trees they have here. She introduces me to more people who are all nice and welcoming. Some still ignore me though as expected, but the reception is better than I imagined. Walking around with her has filled me with so much peace and warmth that everything else fades away. I'm not thinking of my family, or who I am. At this moment I just feel like another piece of Amiyah's family here.
"There's one more person I'd like you to meet today then you can go home and rest if you'd like," she says.
We walk for a couple of minutes before Amiyah stops in front of a home. One of the larger cabins we've come across so far. We walk up to the door and she knocks twice. An older woman answers and her jaw drops when she takes a look at me.
"So similar," she whispers under her breath.
"I was avoiding bringing that up," Amiyah tries to play it off with a laugh. Instantly I know what they're talking about though. This woman is looking at me the same as Charlotte and Alejandro did. I think I've known before I even met them though. Staring at old pictures of Sophia when I was younger, I always thought Brianna looked more like her than I do.
"Do I really resemble her that much?" I ask.
"Like twins," The woman nods. "But come on in, can't have a princess just waiting outside of my door. My name's Maria, by the way." She says holding the door open for us.
We enter, and her home is much like David's. Just a bit more colorful. "We like to…question anyone we potentially let into The Coven," she says as we take a seat on her couch.
"I haven't really decided If I'm staying here yet…"
"That's fine." She smiles. "Do you know what you'd like to do in general? Where do you see yourself?"
I struggle to find an answer. I simply don't know anymore, or rather I don't care. I'm just tired of it all. I've been also avoiding think of Father's death. It's easier than I thought but then again I think I'm getting better at repressing things.
"It's okay if you can't answer," Amiyah says.
"It's not that I can't. I can, but it'd be a lie. My dream has always been to become Queen, but that's not my reality. It's a lie and it always was."
The two of them trade glances before Amiyah puts her hand on my back. "Maybe it is a lie. But there's a chance it's not. If you don't believe it yourself, how could you ever see it through?"
"You don't know what my life is like."
"I don't?I've been briefed on your history and what's happened up until now by David. It was a very long mission report.We're more alike than what you see at first glance."
"Well, do explain," I say with a bit of sarcasm that I instantly regret. I'm being a brat and letting my feelings get to me. This isn't like me. But what is anymore?
Amiyah seems to ignore it and in her eyes I just see understanding. "I was made Elder at thirteen when my mother died. And all my life, I'd wish someone else would just take ever. I came to understand that it was never going to happen that way. I struggled with figuring out how to lead at such a young age. Asking everyone, why me? Why does it have to be me? Because my mother was? Or because of my family's genetics? On top of that, there's only me left in that family."
"I don't see how that relates. Yes, you had to give up on that hope and finding that answer. But look at you, you're amazing. I watched how you spoke to everyone, made time for everyone, and made sure they were okay. And their appreciation for you seems unparalleled. Meanwhile, my family hates me, our soldiers hate me, and the civilians probably do too. They all prefer Brianna. Your family isn't committing unspeakable crimes and doing it in the name of justice either."
She looks stunned. Did I say too much? I didn't mean to-
"You got me there. I didn't think this through," she nervously laughs, looking to Maria for advice who just shakes her head—implying Amiyah is all on her own here.
"Well, another thing that links us is our mothers' rivalry, of course. Helen wanted to become the Elder but instead, it went to my mom, and yours was eventually cast out. Which led to everything that's happened to you. From your perspective, my mother could be the one to blame."
"The only person I blame is Helen."
"That's a relief," Maria sighs like a weight has been lifted from her aura. "We consider all possibilities here, even the nasty ones."
"David assured us that wasn't in your nature. Please excuse Maria, she worries too much."
"It's fine." I crack a smile. "I understand."
"David also told me how you felt, or at least to the extent of what you've shared with him. And what you just shared with me," Amiyah continues. She pauses for a moment before leaping out of her seat. "You know what? What always helps with my problems is training!" She claps her hands together.
What…? "Training?"
"I, Amiyah, Elder of The Coven. Take you, Alyssa, princess of the Valentine under my wing. If words won't get you. Training will!" She shouts enthusiastically.
I turn to Maria, she shakes her head slowly and shrugs. I don't understand what's happening but I like the way Amiyah makes me feel. I can't help but laugh a little.
"U-um. Okay. Training sounds good, I guess…?
"Great! We'll start in the morning. Tonight, we eat a family feast. Until then, you can go back to David's or you can follow me around for a bit."
"Following you is more interesting."
We leave Maria's house and I thank her for having me as we exit. Amiyah shows me around even further, introducing me to whoever steps towards us until it's finally time for dinner. She wasn't kidding when she said family feast. A large table with an array of food laid out on it. They've outdone the Valentine staff. Ms. Patricia would hate this. I walk up to the table and grab a plate. I walk down the table and pick up various foods I like. Macaroni, ham, and spinach, yes—spinach. We take our seats next to Maria and a group of others.
I feel nervous and a little scared that everyone won't accept me though so I try my hardest not to ruffle any feathers. I dig into my plate and can't believe how amazing everything tastes. It's so delicious that I forget to chew for a moment and start inhaling my food.
"It's good, huh?" Amiyah chuckles.
"This is the best food I've ever had," I say. "But you cannot tell anyone I said that."
"Will do." She laughs. After eating, Amiyah walks me back to David's house. My eyes have been on the sky the entire time. The moon is so big here, and the stars…it's like all of them are dancing—synchronistically.
"I really want you to consider staying here," Amiyah grabs my attention. "The life you left behind doesn't have to come around again."
"I still have to think about it," I say as we reach the door.
"No problem." She smiles. "I'll see you in the morning, get a good night's sleep."
I wave goodbye and step into the house. David is on the sofa reading. "How was your day?" He asks.
"It was good." I smile, feeling bubbly in my stomach. "I'm glad you forced me to get out of bed."
"Good." He smiles. We tell each other goodnight and I head to the guest room. I hop in bed, and after staring out the window, and at the moon for a few minutes, I get sleepy. The food really got to me. I kind of want more. As I'm drifting off to sleep, an image pops into my head—a fedora.
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