Back at Blackclaw’s compound, Melissa woke up with a big headache and pains running all over her body. She opened her eyes slightly to see Darren and the other followers of Blackclaw jumping around in the courtyard. She wondered where she was but was too tired to move or say anything. Blackclaw entered from the inner room and the courtyard fell silent as he walked towards Melissa.

Instantly she got the impression that he was the ring leader. He looked like death himself with his sheer white skin and ugly veins that poked out over his face. When she caught a flash of his red eyes she screamed. A blood curdling scream that sent her whole body into a frenzy.

Before long her energy was spent and Blackclaw gave her a cunning smile.

“How are you feeling lil girl’’ he asked in a not so caring tone.

“Please don’t hurt me,” Melissa said forcing the words out of her mouth.

“No worries little girl. On the contrary, we are here to help you. Mellissa! You have been empowered,’’ he said to the cheering of his followers.

“What do you mean?”

Melissa pushed herself from the floor and as she stumbled to her feet, she noticed the bite on her neck it pulsated like crazy.. She wondered what it was as she looked around the courtyard searching for familiar faces, she saw none except Darren and she looked at him expecting some explanations but none was forthcoming. She was blind folded and was moved to a van to take her home.

***

DIVINA MOVED WITH EXTREME caution as she approached Melissa house, she was surprised to have gotten a call from Melissa telling her that she was afraid and she didn’t know what was happening to her. She immediately jumped out of bed and promised Melissa that she would come over to her house as soon as possible. There she was walking cautiously because she knew going to Melissa’s house could be a trap but the distress in Melissa’s voice was poignant for her too discard. She parked her Peugeot very close to the lawn and alighted from the vehicle sensing a presence watching her in the vicinity. She shrugged off the feeling of being scared because she had been taught some powerful spells by her mother that was capable of paralyzing any supernatural beings even Blackclaw. Coupled with that, Aiden had taught her some moves in physical combat, she was more than ready. She felt more powerful than before. No longer the helpless witch. She was ready to end the shit that had been handed to her.

But unknown to Divina, Kane was there. He was desperate for some answers and he was hoping to talk to her in the expectation of getting some answers on the way his live had been rotating round the same spot especially his dreams. Watching from a good distance he noticed the way Divina turned briefly to look around and he wondered whether she had seen him.

Impossibe.

“No she can’t. She isn’t a vamp’’ he concluded for himself. He watched as she held her body rigid like she was expecting a fight. What could have gotten her back up? He asked himself.

Divina got to the front door and tapped the wood quietly reciting the spells her mom had taught her. This was a case of praying for the best but expecting the worst. She was eager to see Melissa safe and at the same time she knew it could be a trap laid for her by Blackclaw and Darren.

“Come on in Divina,” Melissa said ushering her friend in with a forced smile. One look and Divina knew something was wrong. She was deathly pale.

Divina hesitated before going in but she eventually entered and quickly took a glance at the room trying to find any clue of a vampire or a werewolf fight. She saw none. She hugged Melissa tightly and exclaimed,

“Oh Melissa thank God you are safe’’ still holding unto her friend in a death grip.

She noticed that Melissa was not chatty and ebullient as expected, for she knew Melissa very well. She was called the “talker’’ in high school because of the life she could inject into a boring group and especially how she could persuade and lift a down trodden spirit but this Melissa was nowhere close to that. Divina wondered what was wrong with her friend.

“Hey Mell’s have you become a melancholy? Like really what’s wrong?”

Melissa tried to explain but it was to no avail. She broke into uncontrollable tears. Divina couldn’t understand.

“Darre ... Darren your ex’’ she said as tears continued to drop from her eyes and trickle down her hollow cheeks.

“It’s ok Mellissa,’’ Divina said hugging her tightly and shhing her in a way a mother would.

Kane who has been heaving on their conversation couldn’t help but come closer to the window sill and wondered what was wrong with the two girls.

“Why are humans this dumb?” he thought.

“Stop crying and explain what is wrong,” Divina spoke warmly.

Melissa sat Divina down and explained to her how Darren abducted her, took her to a strange compound and how she was unconscious all through.

Unknowingly to Melissa, Divina had passed through the same ordeals some weeks ago. She knew how she felt, and Melissa was just too innocent she needed to comfort her friend.

“Darren is a nitwit,’’

“He will be dealt with don’t worry’’ she said hugging Melissa once more.

The exchange of emotions led to a flurry of other emotions in Melissa having Divina there was comforting but she was feeling somewhat different. Melissa rested her head on Divina’s neck and she could literally feel the veins in her neck pumping blood. She has been craving for blood since the she had got back from Blackclaw’s camp.

Melissa tried to pull away from Divina but Divina would have none of it and she held on tightly unto Melissa. Unable to free herself from Divina, she gave in to the urge. Melissa bit into Divina’s neck.

“Ouch Mellissa,’’ Divina withdrew holding her neck with blood pouring out. She looked at Melissa who had blood dripping from her mouth and chin and eyes as wild as a feral animal.

“Am sorry Divina I couldn’t help it am sorry,’’

“What the hell Mellissa you want to kill me?’’

“Am sorry I just keep on craving for blood,” she said as she lunged herself at Divina with super speed.

Divina was dumbfounded and reluctant to use the spells she has been taught by her mother on her own friend. Melissa was on Divina and both were frantically trying hard to subdue the other. Melissa was like a crazed animal growing and grunting. Her jaw and teeth snapping at Divina.

“Melissa stop! This isn’t you!’’ Divina pleaded with her.

‘’I can’t help it,’’ Melissa’s eyes spread with blood shots and Divina gulped.  She couldn’t hurt Melissa. Yet she may not have a choice. What did they do to her?

As Melissa was going in for another bite, Kane who had been watching quietly from outside barged in and pushed Melissa away with his super strength. He helped Divina and Mellissa was unable to control herself as she lunged herself at Kane but she met his fist with her jaw. She dropped to the floor and cowered in pain. Kane straightened himself and turned to Divina,

“Stupid girl didn’t you know?” he asked.

“Know what huh,” she responded in fear. She didn’t know what was happening to her friend.

“She is a vampire dummy,’’ he said sarcastically and he restrained Melissa with a chain he found nearby.

“Vampire, how?” Divina was more confused than ever.

“You don’t know what a vampire is?” he said almost emotionless.

“I know, and a vampire can only be subdued by a supernatural being not human,” Divina replied to him but she was confused on how her friend became a vampire.

Kane took a good look at Divina and he was amazed by her beauty. She is a well-rounded girl who could bring any man to his knees.

“This is a poison,” he said aloud holding a vile that Divina had dropped on the floor.

She nodded at him and noticed the way Kane kept looking at her and she knew something was going through his mind but she could care less about herself right now. Melissa was hurting bad and she wanted to help her friend.

“Please help my friend,’’ she begged Kane.

Kane couldn’t resist her plea he moved towards Melissa and bit himself. He gave her some of his blood. .Mellissa sucked deeply into Kane’s wrist and after a few minutes she was relieved. She was back to normal. Or if you could call the not a feral animal but still a vamp normal. She looked at Divina and was ashamed of herself it was written in her pitiful eyes.

“I’m so sorry Divina,” she said quietly

“It’s alright Mellissa I understand,’’ Divina didn’t really understand, but what else was she supposed to say. Her best friend had just tried to kill her.

“Darren did this and he will pay for it.’’ Divina gritted her teeth as white hot rage took over every pour of her body.

Kane set to work immediately. He explained the transformation Mellissa was going through. It was normal and he encouraged her to remain calm. He also explained to her how she could control her thirst for blood. Mellissa thanked Kane and went upstairs to clean up while Kane was left with Divina.

“Thanks for your help,’’ she said lightly. In person Kane was more enchanting with his perfect toned body and ruffled black hair.

“Or for saving your life?”

“Yeah for saving my life too” she said with a grin.

The tension in the room was palpable. Both of them wanted to tear each other’s clothes off and get some warmth but they were also scared of their dreams about each other.

Kane regained his demeanor and simply said,

“Be careful next time girl” and within a few seconds, he was out of the room.

***

BLACK CLAW CALLED FOR a meeting. The Lycans, wolves and witches under his command were present. He stood in the middle to address them.

“Fellow comrades, I have called this meeting here today for two reasons, first, to re-assert my authority over the supernatural beings and secondly, to tell you about a common enemy which we must eliminate,” he said looking round gauging their reaction. I am the lord general because of the feats I have been able to achieve by subduing the Lycans, wolves and the witches, comrades no one has done that before and for that, I deserve your worship.

Immediately he said this, the supernatural beings in the courtyard all went on their knees in reverence of him. Perceiving that everything was still on track he approached the subject that was of major importance to him.

“Comrades, there is a foe that we must all crush, a traitor must never be caught in our midst. If anyone is caught aiding the little witch, he or she will rue the day they were born,’’

“You all know about the story of a girl who is said to fulfill a prophecy. It is all a lie! I dictate who should live and die. Still, to be sure of what is coming, I am sending all of you out, whosoever brings me the head of the girl gets to be my second in command,’’ he concluded. Blackclaw didn’t want her powers anymore, he just wanted her dead.

Cheers and murmurs wrecked through the courtyard. Being the second in command was more than what a subject would think of. They all made a blood pact with Blackclaw and scattered beyond, each being a bounty hunter set to get Divina’s head. Luck had been on Divina side many times but with these, Blackclaw had declared war and it was only a matter of time before they would catch and kill Divina.

***

DIVINA WAS HOME RESTING with her mum on the sofa in the living room. A call came in and Amy stood up to receive the call.

“Oh yes doc thank you,’’

“He still asks after her?’’ she inquired

“Okay I will bring her,” she said ending the call.

She heaved in a deep breath and approached Divina.

“Pa wants to see you,’’ she said looking directly into Divina’s eyes.

“I think we should go see him together,’’ Amy said hoping that going with her daughter would give her the courage she needed.

Remembering how Pa was weird the last time she visited him she was afraid to see him again.

“Mum is it necessary,” she asked.

“Not necessary, but important. He has been asking for you, since the last time I went to see him.”

Seeing that her mum was determined to get her to see her Pa, she quietly agreed to see the octogenarian.

“Okay Mum.”

Amy and Divina grabbed their personal effects and were on their way to the hospital.  In the car, Divina’s favorite song blasted through the speakers. 

“. . . Am saying right now right now am free am free am free. . . This is my big hello, if you’re hearing now let me know I can finally see, it’s not just a dream when you said am free am free am free’’

Mother and daughter sang sweetly together. On reaching their destination, Amy and Divina were pointed in the right direction where the old man was now placed and in no time there were at the door way of the old man’s room. As they were about to enter the room, the doctor was passing by and recognizing Amy called her for some personal information.

Left alone with her Pa, Divina approached the old man cautiously. He was fast asleep and he seemed to be at peace. Divina examined his body but she was attracted to the cut on his ears which was almost completely healed. That baffled her.

‘’I saw that cut the first day I came here it is not possible for it to heal that quickly.” She thought.

“A cut that deep cannot heal so fast.”

Moving closer to the old man to survey the cut more closely, she touched the ear and the old man stirred from his sleep and he gently opened his eyes.

“Hi Pa how are you feeling?’’ Divina said moving back quietly a little afraid of his blank stare.

“Divina my dear you are finally here,” He said feebly.

“Come closer, dear.” he instructed Divina.

Divina moved closer to her Pa and she took his boney hand in hers stroking it gently

“I am here Pa,” she whispered with sadness.

Suddenly the old man’s demur changed and he blurted out,

“ALL HAIL THE LYCAN GOD MOTHER, ALL HAIL THE SAVIOUR, YOU HAVE A GREAT DESTINY AHEAD OF YOU. YOU WERE BORN TO UNITE THE SUPERNATURAL CREATURES. EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY, FIND THE GREAT SWORD AND KILL THOSE WHO WANT TO DESTROY OUR FAMILY”

Having delivered the message, the old man returned to his normal self and continued his conversation weakly.

“I miss you Divina dear, come visit more,” he said quietly. Divina stood in shock. Her feet felt cemented to the ground.

It was almost unbelievable, this same old man who had been yelling was now calm, collected and tired. Amy entered the room and set down the drugs she had just got from the chemist down the hospital avenue on the table.

Divina excused herself from the room and she went outside to get some fresh air. Her Pa had said a lot. More than she needed.

“What sword,’’ she wondered.

“Who would want to hurt my family except Blackclaw?”

She was lost in her thoughts and failed to realize the lady who was sitting beside her.

“I can give you some answers,’’ she said jolting Divina out of her own mind.

“Oh, excuse me, am very sorry.” Divina didn’t realize that she had been talking aloud but was she really talking aloud?

“Who are you?” she asked curiously.

“How about me telling you who you are?” She said smiling.

Divina stood up immediately and tried walking towards the main lounge of the hospital as the lady called out to her.

“You are the Lycan god mother,’’ she said still smiling.

This confession made Divina turn around to face the woman and she continued,

“I am a vampire and am here to help you,”

“Please, have your seat and let’s talk,’’ she said showing off the gap in between her teeth as she spoke.

Faced with the possibility of learning more about herself after all her grandfather had miraculously recounted, she moved towards the lady vampire and took a seat beside her. She studied the woman. She was rather striking with long black hair and a heart shaped face.

“Now tell me what you know,” Divina said with an iota of rudeness.

“Now listen carefully,” she began.

“Supernatural beings have been at war for the longest time and your birth was meant to end all those wars and bloodsheds. Blackclaw is a cruel leader and he will stop at nothing to kill you, your kind. The witches have been held in bondage by Blackclaw and the family of Steel. You can only save us and return balance to the underworld. If you really want to save your family and fulfill your destiny, you must kill Kane Steel and Blackclaw,’’

Divina’s eyes almost pooped out in surprise, Blackclaw deserved to die, but Kane?

“Kane? Why?’’

“Kane’s family have enslaved the witches for centuries and it’s your destiny to restore the witches through the death of Kane Steel,’’ the lady vampire said.

‘’I know you are a dream walker Divina and I also know of your love interest in Kane, but for you to fulfill your destiny, Kane and Blackclaw both must die,’’

Divina was still contemplating on what the woman said. She failed to notice the sword which had been lying on the floor. The lady vampire picked up the sword and unsheathe it and presented it to Divina.

“This is the great sword, it is the only thing that can free your family,’’ she said presenting it to Divina.

Divina examined the sword against the sunlight and she discovered it was glittering and it had markings on its blade. She knew a lot was at stake but this lady vampire had reaffirmed the words of her Pa.

“I will fulfill my destiny,” she spoke to herself. Divina said sheathing the sword given to her

The lady vampire stood up, gave Divina a smile and started walking away, after some meters from Divina she turned around and said,

“Oh you have only twenty-four hours to do this Divina, your destiny can’t wait forever,” turning to continue her journey she disappeared.

Divina moved quietly through the woods on her way to the mansion down by the lake with the sword attached behind her. She had been informed that the future of her kind depends on her killing Kane Steel and Blackclaw. Upon getting to the gate, she pushed the large gate slightly and proceeded on her journey towards the main entrance. She knocked twice and quickly arranged her clothes in a way to hide the sword. There was no response and she decided to go in without permission. She pushed the oak made door open and proceeded inside. Barely in, she noticed some squabbling upstairs and her curiosity got the best of her as she made her way to the scene of the noise. When she turned to the corner of the room, she was dumbfounded. Kane and Blackclaw were together!

Kane and Blackclaw together? She couldn’t believe her eyes. Unable to hear what they were fussing about she decided to move closer to hear the full conversation

***

“OH YES, IF SHE DOESN’T die you are cursed forever,” Blackclaw said looking intently at Kane.

“But it was my ancestors that placed the curse on her kind not me,’’ he responded.

“It doesn’t matter who it was, it’s either you or the girl,’’ Blackclaw said more angrily.

“If you save the girl, you will be cursed for all time and your kind will be wiped out,’’

“Someone is here!” Blackclaw said spinning around in one fast motion.