Betrayal (22 page)

What I saw next, blew my mind. In the mirage, I watched Evan move aside as Nikolas carefully stepped over Lucas' dead body; well his legs, and tossed his heart into the roaring flames of the elegant onyx fireplace. I was startled by the loud crackle that erupted from the flames. Nikolas looked down at his hands and Lucas’ blood washed away like a bucket of water had been poured over them.

“Lucas, what was that noise?” A woman’s voice sailed through the house from the floor above. Evan looked upward toward the ceiling then at Nikolas. “This was not my plan. I didn’t come here to kill him.” Evan eyes were back to their natural hue.

“Lucas got what he deserved.” Nikolas sympathized. “Victor's army must be dismantled. We agreed on that. Who better to start with? ” Nikolas’

expression was dead serious.

Evan began to walk away then stopped abruptly. He turned to face Nikolas. “Why are you here?” Evan’s tone changed to annoyance.

“I didn’t follow you, because I thought you were in need of my help.”

“Again… why are you here?” Evan demanded.

“I know that Lucas is no match for your skill. Your sister on the other hand would have come herself had I not.” Nikolas amended.

Evan nodded and said, “I should’ve known.”

“I love your sister, more than life itself, but she can be as stubborn as a mule at times; this being one of them.”

Bethany snorted and Nikolas winked at her in a seductive way that made me instantly uncomfortable for witnessing it. Both Evan and Nikolas vanished just as they neared the front doors of the large estate. The same woman’s voice echoed as footsteps could be heard descending the grand marble staircase.

“Lucas, are you here?” I guessed that the voice belonged to Sacha, and she was investigating the loud thud for herself, since her dead twin hadn’t answered her.

The mirage suddenly moved to the entrance, so I never saw who came down the stairs. The mirage showed the front of the house from the outside.

Evan and Nikolas walked side by side, and disappeared into the night once again.

Painfully shrill cries of a woman could be heard echoing into the still, dry, and warm night air just as several horse and buggies going by nearly slowed to a stop. Once they realized where the screams came from, they quickly sped away. I stared at the wall long after the mirage had disappeared.

Nikolas broke the silence.

“I didn’t intend to scare you, Cordelia. I just thought that it would be better to show you. What you must understand is that we’re not monsters although; there are circumstances that arise where we must act in order to survive them. Lucas was a cold blooded, murderous, hot head. He never backed down from any opponent, even if he knew that he was in over his arrogant head. It’s a commendable trait, but foolish nonetheless.” Nikolas added.

“Lucas’ twin sister, Sacha, lived with him. The twins were orphaned at the tender age of eight when their mother, a shifter, one of the most dangerous kinds, and an under nourished and under paid prostitute, never returned home one night,” Bethany said, in a solemn tone.

“A shifter? So she changes into things, right?”

“Her family history is very old, not as old as ours, but ancient none the less. Her greatgreatgreatgreat grandmother was raped, and later coupled with a feline.”

“What? A Feline? Is that… possible?”

“Of course it is. Lucas and Sacha are proof. Being that their mother was a prostitute, and a colored one at that, she wasn’t thought of as any value to some of these men seeking her services. She would attack the clients, who wouldn’t pay, and well one client got a shot off his Smith & Wesson, and she was killed.”

“That’s so sad. So everyone found out what she was?” I anxiously played with the diamond medallion around my neck. Its coolness soothed me.

“No, upon her death, she shifted back into a human,” Bethany said, very matter – of – fact. “The authorities found deep scratches on the shooter’s body resembling that of what an animal with huge claws would make, but no one could understand how they had gotten there since the man died from the injuries before he could inform anyone.” Bethany sighed.

“What happened to Lucas and Sacha?”

“The secret stayed with the twins.” Her narrative had every ones ear except Evan's. He seemed to be far off somewhere outside of this room, and this house, maybe even this town, possibly the state. Bethany saw that Evan wasn’t paying her any mind, but continued anyway.

“How do you know about them being…?”

“Werepanthers, part human, and part panther. It’s one of our keenest attributes. We can detect all beings whether divine or monstrous.” Bethany explained.

“Unfortunately, there wasn’t an investigation held for their mother’s death.”

“Why not?” I asked, surprised.

“The mortals who ran this town then didn’t give a damn about a dead and colored prostitute.

Since Lucas and Sacha had never met, or ever knew who their father was. He could very well be any of the numerous white men who sought their mothers’ services, didn’t pay, and was mauled to death. Therefore, arrangements were made, and the twins were to be sent to the towns' only orphanage. But Lucas and Sacha had other plans. They hid where they could, and lived on the streets.” Bethany said gravely. “When we were children, I actually remember seeing them in town stealing food from the mercantile and grocer’s. I wanted to help them then. Now I know better.” Bethany noted.

“Who cares what the color of their skin was. Someone should have taken them in.” I was really saddened by the story. It was heartbreaking, unfortunate, yet fascinating. As Bethany continued to tell it, in just above a whisper, I leaned in closer so that I wouldn’t miss a beat.

“Well to everyone’s surprise, they were taken in by a kind and wealthy couple who loved charity cases and perusing the Territorial Enterprise to see their names mentioned with praise.” Bethany paused for emphasis.

I was kind of surprised to learn just how long the town’s newspaper has been in publication.

“The Hayden’s, a prominent couple of Nickel City’s aristocracy, knew all the right people in the right places, due to having some of the oldest money in town – strictly from banking and not entrepreneurial mining. They were believed to be unable to have children of their own. Therefore, out of the genuine goodness of their hearts, after witnessing the twins rummaging through trash for half eaten and spoiled food, The Hayden couple legally adopted, cleaned up, and enrolled Lucas and Sacha in the Nickel City Elementary school.”

“That’s great. The twins must have been happy living wholesome lives which every kid deserves.” I was beaming. I was genuinely pleased to hear that Lucas and Sacha finally had somewhere to live, and had loving parents to care for them. My remarks got Evan’s attention for a moment. Then he went back to staring off into space. Was it that I had spoken, or what I had chosen to say that caught his attention?

“Indeed and as a result, everyone publically accepted the twins although privately, that was a whole other matter.” Bethany said. I was curious to know how Lucas ended up running with the likes of the uninvited visitor. Victor must have used his powers to brainwash poor Lucas.

“So what went wrong? Why Is Lucas hanging with the likes of Victor?”

Bethany answered, almost anxiously, as I hung on every animated word. “As young children they adjusted well to school and etiquette, learning all the does and don’ts. At first, they seemed to ignore some of the snubbing they received in school on a daily basis, but soon realized that nothing had really changed. They knew that they were only accepted because of who their new parents were. Hence, as the years went by the apples had proved to not have fallen far from the tree,” Bethany said, nodding knowingly.

“Kids can be so cruel,” I declared.

“They both were constantly reprimanded by their teachers and their new regretful parents for rebellious and inappropriate behavior with the opposite sex.” Bethany leaned closer as she raised a knowing eyebrow. “Worse, was that they were both past the age of adolescence, and were equally promiscuous, and had begun shifting and killing.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Lucas whom had grown to be huge and dominating in size had also become aggressive and violent both at school, and at home although, he never allowed anyone to know that he and Sacha were shifters. He was expelled from school and Sacha soon followed. The Hayden’s were humiliated, and practically living in fear of him,” Bethany revealed.

The towns’ people are partially at fault to whatever happened to Sacha and Lucas. Had they not been prejudiced with such backward thinking, the twins would have thrived. Equality just doesn’t exist now, and my gut wrenched with that reality. I don’t think I could hate Lucas or Sacha if I tried.

This time period was a colossal factor.

“For years, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden were at their wits end at steering the twins in the right direction,” Bethany added, as she stood up and glided to one of the windows. She peered through the drapery and heavy lace curtain as if she expected to see something unusual beyond the glass.

“Then the couple mysteriously disappeared,” Nikolas said, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed over his huge chest.

“Mysteriously?” It was obvious as to what might have happened to the Hayden’s.

Bethany sauntered back to her chair as nothing seemed to perk her interest outside. She nodded and said, “Yes, although we know the truth.

When asked by family friends, the townsfolk, and the town’s leaders on the couple’s whereabouts, the twins would answer with a variety of places their parents were either vacationing or visiting relatives. Explaining the Hayden's whereabouts seemed to serve the twins as a form of amusement and entertainment.”

“Wow that’s just crazy.” I guess Victor didn’t have to brain wash them after all. It seems like Lucas and Sacha already had a penchant for crime, and an incredibly lethal secret.

“After a while everyone stopped asking, and the twins decided scandal and killing would be their only entertainment.” Bethany was practically breathless as she told the story.

“Did anyone investigate The Hayden’s disappearance?”

“The sheriff’s still investigating, and has not given up although, he has come up with nothing. Not a trail to follow or a trace of them. Meanwhile, Lucas and Sacha live off of the Hayden’s’ estate since they are the beneficiaries.” Bethany said.

“By then they were sixteen and practically feared by everyone in town, including the sheriff, except for those who run in their circle, and one lonesome drifter who mysteriously showed up in his hometown one day, destined to find us.” Nikolas nodded as the clue sunk in. He gulped down his tenth or eleventh glass of wine; I’d lost count. I was baffled by the fact that he drank and drank and never got drunk, as if he were drinking water.

“Victor.” I whispered as if he would appear if he overheard me.

“Give the lady her prize.” Nikolas winked as he confirmed my correct answer.

I gazed over at Evan, who hadn't said a word since Bethany started filling me in on the evil twins. I would guess that he wasn't listening to a word. He was still staring off into another galaxy possibly. Perhaps, he was someplace where dangerous monsters with eyes red as blood, and the intent to kill didn't lurk. I wanted to be in that place too.

“Cordelia, are you listening?” Bethany asked although it sounded more like a command. Nikolas continued as he got up to pour himself something a lot stronger than wine.

“Victor was their age and knew a thing or two about being an orphan, and survival. At first Lucas must have thought they were putting together a gang that would eventually run the town out of fear. Once Lucas proved that he could be trusted, and that he wasn't above murder, he realized that he was wrong. This was no ordinary violent gang.” Nikolas snickered, and made a grimace.

“Lucas learned the truth about Victor’s talents, and shared some of his own. He also discovered what motivated Victor, and that this was much deeper than just everyday robbing, looting, raping, and killing. This was about an endless appetite for greed, and an unmatched physical power so enticing, especially due to the unequivocal rewards they would enjoy. It wasn't long before Lucas became Victor's first and closest disciple.” Nikolas paused, and took a sip of brandy. He paused as he let the smooth liquid coat his throat before continuing.

“For Lucas, a rogue opportunist, this must have felt like striking enough silver to purchase an entire town, which was just what Lucas had always wanted; to run Nickel City. In his eyes, this town had killed his mother, left him and his sister to nearly die on its streets, then turned its nose up to them.” Nikolas explained. I didn’t want to hear anymore but Nikolas continued the tale of the evil Hansel & Gretel.

“Sacha, whom is thought to be one of the most beautiful girl's in Nickel City, was still shunned all the same. Three reasons actually. In this town she is considered a halfbreed, half white and half colored equals all wrong, therefore no man will be seen with her, in public. Even the coloreds don’t want her. They see her as used goods so they don’t want anything to do with her. She is Victor’s main girl but never his lone love interest. Victor parades her around town as his girl not giving half a damn what the town’s people think. Unfortunately, that is the only honorable thing Victor has ever done for the poor girl. Their relationship seems to thrive on mutual infidelities.”

“Beautiful? Poor girl,” Bethany snapped, glaring at Nikolas for his choice of words at describing Sacha. “She lacks decorum, and she’s a whore.

She looks for the company of any cowboy. Sacha doesn’t appear to mind that all of Nickel City thinks of her as a woman of the evening like her mother once was. She’ll do just about anything to make Victor jealous.”

“Awe, come on Beth, she can never parallel your beauty,” Nikolas amended, quickly. “Although, she is still the physically beautiful side of the heinous, double headed coin. Lucas protected his twin from everything and everyone but Victor. Sacha was one of the ways Lucas had paid for the powers he possessed and abused.”