Chapter 98

Third Person POV

Patti had known that Katya was a liar.

Katya’s eyes never held the same sincerity as others. Patti had seen that from the start. It was obvious to Patti that Katya was not what she appeared to be.

Patti had never known someone who could be so mean.

Patti tried not to let things upset her. Kids in her old neighborhood refused to play with her. She heard the degrading whispers of adults around her about her condition.

None of the adults in Patti’s life had ever spoken such cruel words directly to her face.

Tears wet her eyes. ‘I want to go home.’ Patti thought to herself.

But the words catch her in throat. As thick as thorns. Rendering her temporarily mute.

Katya’s flash of satisfaction does not help. Her hurt feels like is like snake coiling around her. Leaving her frightened and unable to go forward.

Fury was pounding thunderously in Vera’s head.

‘Who does she think she is?’ The thought rose up indignantly within Vera. A righteous protectiveness awoken by the acidic taint of pain and hurt in her younger sister’s scent.

A veil had parted before her eyes.

Katya no longer seemed so wonderous. Her graceful poise now made her seem like a predator perpetually on the hunt. Her thoughtful advice soured in Vera’s mind.

Katya was a poisoned apple. Beautiful at first glance. Deadly in close contact.

Vera felt stupid for not seeing Katya’s dubious nature sooner. Patti had obviously seen it. She had paid the price for her knowledge too.

Vera would have her revenge. No one hurt Patti. No one treated her or her loved ones like three-day leftovers.

Patti’s hand was pale and slightly trembling. It stinted off her rage for the moment. Vera laced their fingers together.

She met Katya’s eyes head on. Trying her best to reign in her betrayed feelings until they got home. ‘Dad and Mom will take care of this,’ Vera thought.

“I’m ready to go home now.” Vera said.

“Are you sure? You haven’t finished your parfait.” Katya replied evenly.

Calmly. As though she had not just showed two young girls the monster beneath. It sent a chill down Vera’s spine.

She was not so sure about this. A glance at Patti’s red cheeks and downcast stare strengthened her resolve. They needed to get home.

“I’m done!” Vera said in false cheer. Then purposefully tilted her body toward Patti.

“I think we should color when we get home.” She told her sister.

Urging silently with her eyes for Patti to play along.

“Sure.” Patti sniffled.

Vera silently thanked the Moon goddess that Patti knew her so well.

“Mom got some new ones. Remember?”

Patti’s red eyes scrunched. “The ones with the mermaids.”

Vera forced a grin. “Uh-huh. I’m going to make mine look like the lagoon sisters…they’re the prettiest.”

Patti hiccupped as she grimaced. “No…the hair is green!”

“Green is the prettiest color for mermaids.” Vera teased.

“The river sirens are better. They have hair like the moon and purple eyes!” Patti said with some liveliness to her voice.

Katya’s voice was like a dagger to their serene bubble.

“Let’s get you girls home.” Katya smiled ‘kindly.’ “Mermaids may be pretty…but wolves are superior. Remember that.”

‘Mermaids aren’t real, dummy.’ Vera thought. ‘It’s a cartoon.’

She kept her fingers laced with Patti. Then she walked in the middle. Carefully maneuvering herself until she was constantly a barrier between Katya and Patti.

Vera vowed to hold her silence only until they got to the mansion.

Katya allowed the girls to walk in first. Following leisurely behind. Vera was unable to shake her no matter how she power walked.

Her dad was down the hallway with his back to them. Speaking authoritatively to someone else beside him. His deep, commanding voice rumbling.

Seeing her Dad’s tall, broad figure shot a sense of safety through her. Vera and Patti lurched forward at the same time. They were restrained by long, manicured, claw-like hands.

“You aren’t nearly so sly as you think.” Katya whispered into Vera’s ear. Barely audible enough for her to hear.

“I’m going to tell Dad what you did. Let me go.” Vera growled back just as quietly.

Then Patti whimpered softly. Vera’s eyes shot to Katya’s hand on Patti. To those claws daggering deeper and deeper into Patti’s soft skin.

“Stop it.” Vera pleaded.

“I would love too.” Katya replied sweetly. “It brings me no pleasure to hurt a child.”

“Then don’t.” Vera choked out as Patti seemed like she was about to start bleeding,

“That depends on you.” Katya laid out. Voice as gentle and lilting as ever.

A stomach-turning ice settled inside of her. Vera thought the cold might stop her inner flame from ever growing again. That it would settle into her bones as she listened to that beautiful and terrible voice.

‘How will I stop her if I don’t tell someone?’ Vera despaired. ‘I have to protect mom from her bad plans.’

But Vera could not protect anyone. Certainly not Patti as Katya made her whimper and cry. Nor herself as she watched helplessly with indecision.

In the end there was only one choice she could make.

“Okay. I won’t tell. Just stop hurting my sister.”

Katya’s nails stopped clawing. But she did not release the other girl. Patti shook.

“You can’t tell anyone, ever.” Katya warned. “I will know…and I will take you both away forever.”

Vera did not ask the obvious question. She did not need to after that display. She did not want to know either.

She just wanted to get her and sister away from the evil woman.

“I promise.” Vera croaked out. All anger and pride washed away.

Katya removed her hands from both girls.

“You should go upstairs. I’ll let Lionel know you girls are pretty tired…I’m sure he won’t make you do any more homework tonight.”

Katya sauntered away. Vera wasted no time. She and Patti bolted to their room.

They climbed into Vera’s bed. Sliding the covers over their heads. A timeless tradition to ward against monsters.

And Katya was a monster.

Vera curled around Patti. Patti did not shift forms. But it was a close thing.

They did not leave their bed for the rest of the night.

Nan’s POV

It was quiet when I got home from work.

‘That’s not right,’ I muse. ‘My daughters are usually the girl to come barreling my way.’

It was secretly my favorite part of coming home. A soothing ritual of my everyday routine. I was a little off put at this change.

Lionel only shrugs when I ask him. “The girls went straight to their room when they got home.”

“Really?” I ask in surprise. “That’s weird.”

“Katya said they were really tired after their exciting day out.” Lionel recounts.

I resist the urge to scowl. “I’ll go check on them.”

I hurry away before he can speak. Irritated at with him for not checking on our daughters. That he would trust any word coming out of his deceitful ex-wife’s mouth.

The girls do not reply when I knock. I find them huddled beneath their comforter. I sit gingerly on the bed.

“Girls?” I question softly. One of the twitches.

I lightly pull the edge of the blanket back. My lips pressed together tightly. I do not care for the sight I find.

Patti is pale. Her usual bright expression dull and timid. Under her eyes is a little swollen and red.

Vera is pit fire to Patti’s flickering flame. I do not need wolf sense to sense the anger radiating off her. Her bawled fists and dark eyes tell me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask in worry.

Neither of my daughters speak. They stare at each other. A heavy conversation passing silently between them in their serious gazes.

One I am not privy too. ‘Something is very wrong,’ I think. ‘I’ve never seen them so downcast before.’

I do not push. I have a feeling that will only cause them to shut me out more. No, I simply hold out my arms for an embrace.

They seek comfort in my arms. I just hold them. Until Vera finally speaks.

“It’s okay mom.” Vera whispers. “I will fix everything.”

I pull back to look at her face. I do not ask what it is she is fixing. The only thing I feel is pity.

Vera’s small face is dark. A look promising vengeance. One that she got from Lionel.

I pity the person who incurred my daughter’s wrath.