ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

"Uncle," I call for him, shocked.
He is alive. Gratitude consumes me. This is the last relative Jason and I have. Our last connection to our father.
The sad part is that we didn't even know we had that and finding him was a pleasant surprise. He is tough in the exterior and quite grumpy but not that bad.
Zain gets up from his chair abruptly. The hatred in his eyes is visible. "It's you. You're the mole," he announces.
The admission raises my eyebrows. I was so relieved to see him that I glossed over the fact as to why he is alive with the Ambroses.
Arthur said the source was going to count the events. Realization hit me in the pit of my stomach. He is the mole.
"I am not a mole. I would have had to be one of you to be classified as that," Jerry counters.
"Jerry, tell me he is mistaken," I'm quite sure I am not. So I refuse to call him uncle.
The feeling of stupidity encompasses me. How did I allow him to get close to me? I desperately wanted to know my parents, to feel connected to them so I accepted him into my life.
"This has nothing to do with you or your brother Helena." Jerry gets closer to the table.
Zain makes to move but I hold his arm. He eyes me in contemplation. This isn't something I want fixed with hits. Not yet at least.
"They kidnapped Jason and made him endure goddess knows what. It has everything to do with us, "I reproach my only family out there.
I admit it hurts more than I expected to be betrayed by this man.
"This was set in motion well before you were born Helena. It's your mother's fault," Jerry eyes us as he rounds the table and stands near Arthur.
His hands are in front of him. His green eyes crinkled at the corner telling the story of worry and exhaustion. Betraying your kin can cause that in a person.
Arthur motions toward our seats and I bring myself down to sit. Zain reluctantly followed behind.
"Why," is all I manage to ask.
I glimpse at my brother. He studies Jerry. This is his first time laying eyes on him. I wonder if he sees what I see. The resemblance between Jerry and him, with that, the resemblance with our father.
Jerry gains my attention, "First, I didn't betray you. I am saving you."
Zain chuckles. A dark laughter laced with venom. Jerry gets antsy but continues.
"Your mother ran away from her pack after Nathaniel used her but her heart never left them. She promised herself that she would save her pack which in turn would benefit her children, for obvious reasons..."
Because we are their mates.
"So she came up with a plan..."
Jason interrupts him, "Wait, wait. We are supposed to take your word. Last time I checked, my mother did not mention you yet you are aware of her intentions. Sounds far-fetched."
"I told your sister that your father kept contact with me until he eventually stopped. He would discuss Cheryl's plans. The letters stopped once it was too late. I have them still," Jerry's voice trails off.
Jason quieted down. At the indication of proof, he had no more argument. Best believe, we both will be reviewing these so call letters thoroughly.
"Nathaniel wanted to safeguard his children's mate, his precious Cheryl's kids. She never doubted that. She knew he was not ill intention. But she couldn't let her children be used so she left. The first letter I got from your father describes the journey to Vales. They heard from outside sources that the Malfattos had a controversial tolerance toward other species. Most importantly, they had a group of loyal witches with no leader," Jerry states.
She saw that she could guide them.
Almost like he could hear me, he said, "Your mother was strong-willed and very persuasive. She enticed them. She shared the news that she would give birth to ciphers. Any coven would want that power. That's how the Thorn coven came to be. Your father shared that they were getting accustomed to life at Vale's. The Malfattos were nice to them but he described Cheryl as anxious. She was never content or satisfied with her kids' safekeeping. She was pregnant with you guys by the time they arrived at Vales."
"We were already born by then," Maddox cuts in.
Jerry grinds his teeth but nods in confirmation. "My brother was fond of you in particular. So he shared. Once they assimilated into life with your parents, they got an insight into the vampire world. It became clear to Cheryl that simply aligning with the Malfattos was not going to be enough. The rest of the lines would never jump on board to peace and the wolves won't be safe. Her children won't be if they ever find the truth of their mates."
What did she do? I start thinking fast. My heart pounding.
Jerry fetches something from his pockets, folded wads of paper. He unravels them. "I think it's best to read from here."
He starts reading the first letter in his hand.
Jerry,
Life at Vale's has become increasingly easier, very routine-like. I couldn't ask for more. Lord Malfatto assigned me, Maddox, and Cheryl Marisa. You should see him. He is a very astute little guy. I see the way he watches over his sister at such a young age. I desire for our children to share the same bond they do.
Liam.
He moves that letter to the back and reads another. I take a chance to look at Maddox. My father was fond of him. It was mutual. My father's words cause his amber eyes to soften.
Jerry,
Cheryl is constantly moving. I tell her to slow down but she won't listen. As the birth of your niece and nephew get closer, she becomes more restless. The other day I heard her talk to our second in command. They are researching blood magic. Having no powers, I have no way to stop her but I try to educate myself. Blood magic is dark stuff. History shows that it never ends well for the wielder. I grow anxious too. Recently, I have seen her eye the little Malfattos in a way I do not like. I don't want to believe that she will ever cross that line. I'll be watching her more intently. She has her plans but I'm starting to think that maybe I should have mine too. I fear for my children. I fear for her. Do you think there would be a way to go back undetected?
Liam
There is a sense of awe. These are his words. I forgot how my father sounded but these words come from him and the feeling is surreal.
I never knew my parents were so at odds with each other. He was looking for an escape route. He was thinking of returning home with Jerry.
Jerry,
Our babies are doing great, Helena and Jason. Jason looks just like us and Helena, she is the most beautiful girl in the world. She has our eyes. I can't wait for you to meet them one day. Your view on the vamps and Cheryl are quite clear but they are your family. They are your kin. Cheryl diverges more into her world. She is not the same. I love her but with the birth of our children, I fear I have already lost her.
Liam
He was not falling out of love with our mother. He was more in love with us. There is this dark abyss in the pit of my stomach. I see he has only three more letters to go.
Jerry,
It's been a while. I'm not upset at you brother. I did not like how you talked about my wife so I had to create space between us. But I think I will need to call for your assistance soon. You were right. It's dangerous here or it soon will be. Lord and Lady Malfatto have been getting more attention. The threats are daily. Cheryl is working nonstop. Maddox has turned 9, Marissa is 4, and our babies are 3. They have all become inseparable. I don't feel well about it. Cheryl encourages their friendship. It's not that I have a problem with it. Maddox is a fine little boy and Marisa, a lovely girl, but I don't think Cheryl has good intentions. I rather go back home than hurt the little Malfattos. It might do Cheryl good. She needs to reconnect with her pack, with humanity.
Liam
I get a squeeze from my hand. It's Marisa. She is waiting for the hit. We both are.
Two more letters to go.
Jerry,
I need your help. I've discovered her plans. It's not right. She plans to bond the children to Lord and Lady Malfatto. The littles are lord and lady now. Their parents died. They went to a gathering and never came back. Nobody took responsibility but we are sure it was the other lines.
Cheryl seems more motivated than ever. She has become careless. It's how I got a hold of her plans. It's not a simple bond. The blood magic will bond Jason's life to Maddox and Marisa to Helena. They will share injuries. This way the vamps can't kill our children without killing their pure bloods.
She needs to mix their blood into a pendant. But it's more horrible. In doing this, Helena and Jason won't ever be able to find their mates. The mixed blood would hide them.
You know I don't like the fact that my kids are destined to other people already. But it should be their choice. We shouldn't blatantly hide a connection from them. A connection that can be their other half. It's not fair to them.
It gets worse. The bond is not only for their safety. It seems Cheryl has been in contact with Nathaniel. They have come up with a plan. By attaching Marisa and Maddox, purebloods, and Helena and Jason, ciphers, she will doom them all. As long as Jason and Helena stay connected to them, the Malfattos' life source will be ciphered to constantly power the hex in the pendant.
The charm bonds my children to them but it also hexes the other lines. There won't be any more births for the vamps. As long as they stay connected, the magic supply is constant and the lines won't ever have any more children. She has doomed our children by bringing them in the middle. I have to get them out of here before she can go through with it. Brother, is your offer still up? Can we go away from everything and start a new? Will you help us?
Liam
One more letter. My heart seems broken. My bond with Marisa was never something beautiful. It had dark intentions.
All this time I thought we were protecting each other but I have been feeding off her, using her to dam their species. She is being forced into a marriage for the very reason to have kids and she won't be able to.
This has been for nothing and I had no idea. The table is quiet and everyone awaits the last letter.
Brother,
It's time. I see it in her eyes. The other lines have tried to claim Marisa and Maddox. They want to mold them into one of them and I won't have it. Cheryl won't either.
We have fought countless attacks but we grow tired. I fear we won't be enough. The bond is Cheryl's exit plan. If we leave this world, then she will leave damming the vamps and protecting our kids. She thinks she is at least, but she has no idea what she will do. I've read about the blood magic she wishes to perform. Everything must have a balance.
To break the bond, the pendants must come off and be deciphered but this will only separate my children's life with the Malfattos. However, if they remain bonded for at least a year, the pendant will store magic. Enough magic to continue the hex. The only way to break the hex is the coming together of a Thorn and a Malfatto. At the birth of a child from both lines, the other lines will be free and the hex is broken. The child's birth will release everyone.
Cheryl has no idea what she will cause if that happens. Not only will she put a target on Helena and Jason's back but she puts them in the middle of a war that was not theirs. What of their mate? What if they do leave Vales after all. She is complicating their life. I see it in Maddox. He will take after his parents. He will not stay sit idly by.
I need to hide Helena and Jason before it's too late. Before Cheryl can doom them or before we meet our demise. Please brother I beg you, prepare to leave. If anything happens to me, protect my children. Tell them the truth. I hope I get them out to you before Cheryl can perform the ritual. If I don't, then you must look after them. You must find a way to safeguard them. I love you, brother. We will be in contact.
Liam
Jerry folds the papers back up. I hear the crinkling sound of the paper as he places it back in his pocket, his hands shaking. The table stays silent. Everyone is trying to process.
Jerry's voice shakes at first before becoming stern again, "I never got another letter from my brother."
Because they died. He did not get us out in time. The bond was formed. The hex placed.
I look down on my hands. One held by Marisa. One held by Zain. This is a crossroads.
My mother has complicated our life.
Arthur speaks.
I continue to look down at the hands that grab mine because I will have to let go of one.
"So, Miss Thorn, will you marry Lord Malfatto or will you condemn them to childless, loveless marriages as well as condemning your mate, his pack, and the thorn witch coven to their death?"