Page 25 of House of Malice
That doesn’t make me love him any less, though. In fact, it makes me love him even more. I can only hope that one day he sees himself the way I see him. Maybe some of my kindness can rub off on him.
But then, I worry what will become of me.
The other day, Gondalez’s girlfriend came up to me and was incredibly mean. She looked me up and down and called me a mortal whore. Of course, I didn’t say anything to Galliermo. He already has enough hate for Gondalez as it is. I wouldn’t want him to go and do something in order to protect my honor.
But I did ask Octavia why the other girl would call me that. I haven’t been with anyone except Galliermo, and I am not sure what gave her the idea that I’m a whore.
Octavia said it had nothing to do with me, but rather, with the fact that I’m a mortal. I already know Inathis isn’t friendly to mortals, and apparently, some warlocks enjoy stealing women from my realm and making them their brides. Sometimes, two or more warlocks will share a mortal woman, and Octavia said that many assume that’s the case with me, Galliermo, and Alatar. That Alatar stole me to make me their mortal bride.
I was appalled, to say the least. Alatar is nothing but a dear friend, and while I love Galliermo with all my heart, I don’t aspire to be only a wife, let alone something called a “mortal bride.” That sounds sinister, doesn’t it?
Ah, but—I can’t journal anymore, I have to go. Something important is happening, but I can’t tell you about it yet.
“Hmm,” Alecto murmured. “The more I know, the less I understand.”
Blaze smirked. He knew that feeling well.
“She’s madly in love with him,” Alecto said. She didn’t look at Blaze. “I’m… I wonder what could have happened to change her mind.”
Blaze took in Alecto’s profile, the beautiful features he had grown so infatuated with. The feelings that roamed his chest when she was around him, the way he was obsessed with being close to her whenever she was away… He couldn’t imagine there would be anything that could change the way he felt.
Even if Alecto hurt him, Blaze would probably still crave her with his soul…
Maybe that’s why my father sold his.
Blaze pushed all those thoughts away, clearing his throat. “Want to read a bit further? I feel like we’re coming closer to the murders with the way this journal entry finished.”
“Yes,” Alecto said. “Good idea.”
Blaze scanned the next few pages, until he found a mention of the Game and Alatar.
“Okay, I think this is something,” Blaze said. Then he read the entry out loud:
Dear Diary,
I need to tell you about this. I can’t talk about it with anyone, even Galliermo, and I can’t hold this inside. I need to rid my mind of it, otherwise, I’ll explode.
To win this year’s Game, we have chosen to do something vile. And people are about to die because of it. I pretend to understand and to support it. And I do understand, and I do support it to a certain extent. The Snakes give me shelter, and they give me safety.
But sometimes I wonder at what price? There must be lines we shouldn’t cross, right?
You might say murder is okay if you are protecting yourself or your loved ones. But… does every attack require the same type of reaction?
And this… winning the Game is the only goal. They say it was a tradition established to help the Houses determine who is the most powerful and cunning. But I sometimes think it has gotten out of hand. And nobody is here to monitor that.
I’m just rambling, but I can’t even put everything that’s on my mind in order. It’s too much.
We have picked the first victim. For us to win this year’s Game, innocent people will have to die. It’s for our protection, it’s a tradition, if we won’t do it, someone else will—that is what they say. I believe them. I try my best to believe them.
So, we have the first victim. Some witch, a local girl who works at the animal shelter. And we have a plan.
Alatar is the one who will go and seduce the girl. She already has a crush on him, so we’ll use that. We’ll use that to lure her to her own death.
All things aside, it is kind of impressive, don’t you think? The art of ritual murder, Reverie calls it. How much careful planning goes into it…
Anyway, Alatar will be the honey pot, and Rufus is supposed to help. I don’t know how he will help, but I think Octavia is sending him to ensure Alatar doesn’t lose his shit. Which he’s known for.
Another mystery to me. He’s so sweet and nice to me, a total angel. And then, I turn around and I see him doing the stupidest, most dangerous, and vilest things to others. Just like Galliermo. Maybe it’s no surprise they’re best friends.
