A thousand dazzling stars shine dimly in the black sky. A black squirrel paces over the snow-covered window sills, seeking refuge from the terrible cold. Crickets chirp in time with the crescent moon. The entire village is deafeningly quiet. Everyone is fast asleep. Everyone but Alana... Alana is startled awake by horrified dying cries. She sits up and looks at Katinka, suspicious. Katinka, on the other hand, is still fast asleep, oblivious to Alana's concerns. What makes this possible? Had she imagined it? She was certain she had heard screams! Was it mother? She stands up and walks slowly to the frozen window, shuddering. There was no movement in the village, and no lights were turned on. Everyone was still fast asleep. She walks back to her bed, yawning. She sighs and lowers her head once again. This was the third night she had been awakened before dawn. "Come on, Alana, close your eyes and sleep for a little while longer," she says to herself. She sighs and turns around. When she sees the young warrior lying next to her, a faint tear leaves her throat... Hate... Why has he returned? What exactly does he want from her? Who does he believe she is? Perhaps he believes Alana is the chosen one. Perhaps she is? It would explain why everyone was behaving strangely. It explains why Jaspar allows her to wear that jewelry. She can't be, can she? Alana wants to ask him so many questions, but her lips appear to be seared shut. A soft chuckle leaves his lips. Alana fixes her gaze on the white line that runs over his eyebrow. Katara's curse. The innocuous spell that had transformed everything. "So innocent," he says almost inaudibly, caressing her jaw. "No," Alana says softly as he licks her neck. "Please," she begs as his hand creeps down her thigh. "Why are you here" she asks quietly. "That's a question for your professor," Hate says, leaning into her shoulder. Alana carefully whispers, "Jaspar." Hate smiles and brushes her hair away from her face. "Come on, Alana, I know you're aware. Deep within. You've known it the whole time." Alana shuts her eyes. "No," she says quietly, shaking her head. Hate sniffs. "Come on, Alana, think about it for a second." Alana responds arrogantly, "I'm asking you." Hate chuckles and puts his lips on her ear. "All right, since you asked so... Politely," he scoffs, continuing, "I killed your so-called father." Her eyes are filled with tears. Hate laughs and raises his head in amusement. "And I don't regret it," he laughs. "You can't," Alana says quietly. Hate chuckles. "And yet I did, you are a pathetic little orphan" Shivers run down Alana's spine. An orphan? What about your mother? Did he? Is he just trying to get into her head? "What do you want?" Alana inquires quietly, not wanting to disturb Katinka. Hate seizes her in cold blood. He looks into her eyes silently. "I'd like to play with you," he teases. Alana's eyes shine with tears as he places his fingers on her throat. "Please Hate. "I'm not sure who... " Hate sniffs. "What, who the chosen one is?" he scoffs. "No, but your professor knows everything." "Please, Hate, Jaspar didn't tell me anything" Hate chuckles. "Come on Alana, you and me... we're going to have so much fun," he says as he goes away from her. "First of all I'm going to butcher your sister, and you're going to watch" "Hate" begs Alana'" Hate laughs. "Wake up," he growls, snapping his fingers. Alana screams and wakes up drenched in sweat. "Katinka," she yells, staring at the empty bed beside her. "Katina?" Alana trembles. If Hate was here... Suppose it wasn't a dream. What are his powers? Every time... every sign. She'd been living in denial for so long. She was completely deaf to the warnings. What history Hate has with Jasper? What was he thinking? Why is he after her? He shouldn't bother her if he's having a battle with Jaspar, right? So, why did he murder her father? What did he do with Katinka? Katinka might be in trouble. She grabs a virgin white dress and drapes it around her bare body in a rush. In the early morning light, the silver belt and deep U collar shine softly. She gently knocks on the guest room door. She peers through a crack in the door when there is no response. Rodehanthe is lying with his back to her. He is still sleeping. She shakes her head and closes the door. "Mother?" she inquires as she knocks on her door. There is also no answer here. That's unusual. Her mother could be outside already, feeding the hens. She walks to the village, sighing. Perhaps it was all a dream, and Katinka was just sitting in the village. Alana sighs and shakes her head. Could she put her trust in Jasper? Should she keep this to herself? But Jasper would get it. Jasper would assist her. However? What if Hate truly troubles her because of Jaspar's acquaintance? Perhaps it would be better to question Jaspar. But then what? Give the wisdom to Hate? Even though the entire globe is in danger? But what if it saves Katinka? Is it worth it? She abruptly stops walking and looks at Mother. She rushes into his house. What? Mother visits Jasper? For what reason? Is she also seeking for Katinka? Or would she have figured out Alana's secret as well? She gently sneaks into his residence, thinking no one will notice.
Jasper carefully raises his head from his reading. "Margareth," he says. Margareth's eyes are filled with rage. Her voice is trembling."Did you know?" she finally asks accusingly. "Did I know what?" Jaspar inquires incomprehensibly. "Don't do it, Jaspar!" Don't try to fool me!" Jaspar coughs and stares down at the floor. "Fuck you, Jaspar!" You said the children were sisters." "That wasn't a lie," Jaspar insists. "You said those children needed a mother and father because their parents had died." "I did not lie to you Margareth" . 'Stop, Jasper! Katinka's parents are no longer alive, but you know they're not sisters!" Jaspar sighs and puts his book down. "You didn't tell me that. "The baby!" Jaspar shakes his head and folds his hands in his lap. "Margareth please sit down." "No, Jaspar, he came to see me. In my dream, he revealed your dirty, dark little secret to me. Jaspar, I now know everything." Jaspar raises his head in amazement. "Margareth please!" "Fuck," she exclaims loudly. "Calm down, Margareth; we can discuss it." It's not what you think, and it's not as he told you." "What's not as he said, Jaspar?" The betrayal? And the first or second time? Or who you exactly are?" Margaret's neck bears a bloody bite mark. "Believe me, that's not the only thing he left behind," she mumbles, resting her palm on her stomach. "He told me you were aware. And do you want to know the best part? He told me this while raping me. Over and over and over and over." Jaspar bites his lower lip and gazes at the large book on his desk."Margareth, this is exactly what he desires. Don't succumb to the darkness. Speak to me." Alana softly pushes the door open. Jaspar and Margareth's conversation has gotten too loud and, more importantly, too angry. "Margareth, it's different." Margareth roars, "Did you know?" Jasper takes a swallow. "Margareth". "No Jasper, answer!" "Did you know?" "Did you know it was his baby?!" Alana raises her head. His child? Is he her father? That is... That cannot be! She must have made a mistake. Alana cannot be his child. Katara's offspring... And yet... It cannot be! Jaspar would never lie to her about this. However? Last but not least. What she's heard so far about Jaspar, particularly from Jaspar, gives her the benefit of the doubt. Did he... Did he summon the demons? Is that why they've remained silent for the past eighteen years? And then it all comes crashing down on Alana.
"You've gone this far, Alana. Why are you so obsessed with them? They're not all that intriguing. What about ancient history? It is not yet that old. Only. What exactly? I'm sorry; I only recently realized it's been eighteen years. I saved this amulet. You shouldn't think too hard about it; it's just something to keep you safe. Never remove this and never let anyone know you have it. What a striking likeness.
Everything pointed to it, and she was completely deaf. She had only seen what she wanted to see for so long. While Jaspar tried to remain silent, he had betrayed himself numerous times. Jasper lets out a sigh. "Yes". Alana's eyes shine with tears. Jaspar was aware of her adoption from the outset. He was well aware that she was Hate's daughter. He was certain she was the chosen one...Margareth takes a big breath and settles into a chair. She places her hands on the table in disbelief. "This can't be true," she says quietly. "It's true. "Everything is true." With a sigh, Jaspar rises and rubs Margareth's back. "It's all true," he says quietly. "However, I'd want to ask you not to look at her differently. She is Hate's daughter, but she is nothing like him." "How could you know? You've heard the stories!" "They're only stories." There's nothing sinister about her. Trust me, I've been keeping a careful eye on her." "Why, Jaspar?" "How come you lied to us?" "Would you have taken them in if you knew?" Jaspar asks wisely. Alana appears before Margaret can respond. Alana hisses, "I thought we agreed not to lie to each other. So it's true." Both Jaspar and Margareth are taken aback by Alana. Her eyes gradually fill with tears that flow forth. "Alana," Mum says quietly as she stands up. "No You don't get to speak," Alana exclaims forcefully. Her entire body trembles as she talks. "Is it correct? I am Hate's daughter." Jaspar gives a nod. "Alana child.." Alana covers her mouth with her hands. She instantly turns around and flees the building. "Alana," Margareth cries helplessly. Alana runs away from Jaspar's hut, crying. A rush of emotions ishes over her, threatening to consume her. Her throat appears to be clogged with sand. Sand that suffocates her voice. What is causing this? Why is she his daughter? Jaspar, like Mother and Father, had lied to her the entire time. But why? So, how about Katinka? Had she also lied? Crying, She runs into an old hay barn, hoping to find solitude there.
She collides with a muscular figure. She excuses herself nervously and looks through her tears at the mysterious man she stumbled into. She expresses her regret. Alana exhales when she looks into the veiled face of a robber. Heinrich, the robber from Jasper's stories...
YOU ARE READING
𝕳𝖆𝖙𝖊 ⚜️𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘𝖓'𝖙 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖆 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊
Fantasy**THE FIRST BOOK** Once upon a time... That is how all fairytales start. However, this is not a fairy tale. This is not a tale of a fancy princess nor of a handsome prince on a white horse. This is his story. The story of Hate... Our beautiful land...