3 Chapter 2

I gave them two days to find me and I was not wrong. I could feel that the atmosphere in the town of Banff was quite heavy. Although I didn't know if it was purely my imagination because of my nerves. I didn't have any other visions, let alone Koda or Dona, so for the moment, nothing was going to change. These days I made sure to reinforce every trap I had at home and the protective shields in my son's room. As well as calling a babysitter to take care of Koda, I was afraid of being caught with him and not being able to control the situation or being held hostage, just imagining it made my blood burn but I also knew that no one would do such a thing.

It was already evening, not too close to eleven o'clock. I hated with my soul the late shift, it was getting quite tiresome to stand for hours in the museum. I got rid of the high ponytail I had as I climbed the small stairs to my little house. Everything inside was dark and it was an order I gave Koda, when I arrived that he doesn't turn on any lights, least of all at night.

I walked in the door leaving my small backpack on the chair full of coats before and then closed the door. I took off my coat as well as my shoes leaving it in the same place as the chair, but when I noticed that the trap at the entrance was destroyed I got scared. I stayed a few seconds to analyze everything and praying that they had not discovered. I wanted this to happen when I was at home, not just Koda.

I took a breath to relax and gently brought my hand to the right side of the back of the chair picking up the baseball bat keeping my senses on alert as I started to walk barefoot to the large dining room. I could feel that I was not the only one in that place, thanks to the light peeking through the large window I could see that the drawers were open with all the contents out, plus the furniture moved. This made me very angry, but on the one hand, I understood it.

-Well, I know you are here... I'll turn on the light and we'll talk like the grown-ups we are, okay? - I said calmly but I didn't get an answer, just silence.

Damn it...

I quickly turned on the light in the room and it didn't take them a second to come at me with their fists ready. I opened my eyes like plates moving to the side but Jo when he was next to me stopped and before he could hit me I slammed him against the door frame and then hit him with the bat in his stomach and then his legs making him fall to his knees and from there I kneed him in the face knocking him to the floor.

I was ready to hit him again with the bat but someone jumped on top of me causing me to fall to the ground. I was grabbed by the hair throwing my head back but as I could I turned around raising my elbow getting my elbow right in the face of whoever was on top of me to then get on top of him and put the bat between his neck strangling him, but Jessie was quick as she was stopping him with her hands which were smoking as the paint was nothing more than silver. I didn't mean to hurt him but these guys had been looking for it.

I felt them grab me by my shirt pulling me away from her until they threw me to the ground, I tried to defend myself but they punched me in the face only to punch me again. The third one they were going to give me I stopped him with both hands grabbing his arm and with my legs, I lifted them to grab Jo's neck to the point of strangling him. He would hit me with his fist on my thighs with his free hand but he couldn't hurt me at all, he just made me squeeze harder to the point of turning red.

But after a few seconds, I felt myself being pushed away from him and noticed the blow on my back and head against the wall. It stunned me a little but I tried to wiggle out of the grip until I felt the blade of a knife on my neck, there I stopped and looking up I saw Isaac with the knife as well as holding my right arm, I looked to my left side and Jessie was doing the same with my other arm.

-I said that we could talk calmly...

-No way we'll talk calmly with you," said Jo from the ground with difficulty.

-Since when are you in charge, little Jo? - I scoffed getting him angrier.

-Shut up - I looked sideways at Jessie - where is he?

-The what?

-The book - he squeezed my arm tighter.

-I don't know what you're talking about - I shut up suddenly when I felt a pain in my stomach as if I was closing my eyes because of the pain, I opened my eyes to look at Jo who was panting and with her fist raised - A little low that two have to hold me and you take advantage of it, don't you?

-Shut your mouth!

-Jo! - shouted Isaac this time pulling the knife away from my neck - He almost cut her throat!

-Well, that's better! That's a weight off our shoulders - he said without taking his eyes off me with contempt and anger.

I clenched my jaw tightly, feeling my arms burning with adrenaline. I jerked again to get to him but the other two were more on top of me.

-Lua, Lua look at me - I ignored him without taking my eyes off Jo - Lua! - I looked at Isaac and his gaze collided with mine, for a strange reason I calmed down - Where is the book?

-It's burned -I answered narrowing my eyes -You saw it.

-No, what they showed us was clear proof that it wasn't burned - he told me seriously -, so tell us where Lua is.

I hesitated. I hesitated for a minute whether to tell him or not, I swallowed saliva looking at the rest to let out a tired sigh. Sooner or later they had to find out.

-I tell the truth... -I said softly- He's not here.

-You're lying - I looked at Jo annoyed - always your damn kind lying. Tell us where he is or else I'll kill you with my own hands.

-Dare you then, you don't have enough balls to do it - I shook intending to go for him but they pressed me more against the wall.

-What about those vampires? - he said mockingly -You gave him a nice death welcome?

-You'd better shut up… - I warned him.

-Assume it: you're a thief and a bloody murderer. Just like your grandfather!

-I'm not like my grandfather! - I shouted angrily - You don't know half the things, you'd rather believe a stranger who could have lied to you with that fucking memory!

-What... -Isaac couldn't finish speaking.

-For some reason you had to leave, don't you think! - he shouted back at me.

-What the fuck do you care?! No wonder they won't let you near your sister, you're a reckless and impulsive asshole!

-You screwed up.

The guys let me go so I could stop him since he was coming after me and I was ready to beat him up but I froze suddenly when I heard his scream.

-Leave her alone!

I looked to my left observing Koda wearing his batman pajamas and with a rather annoyed face as he was breathing deeply making his nose flutter, plus his eyes were flashing with aggression giving a little more depth to his light blue eyes. I swallowed thickly not knowing how to react. I looked at the others who were shocked as well as confused to see him here.

-Where did the kid come from? - Jessie asked to look at me.

I was quite speechless but I knew that if I didn't speak something could happen, I looked again at Koda who didn't take his eyes off them.

-Koda… - he looked at me - Please come back upstairs.

-No - he stopped looking at me and I was screaming inside, it was not the time to be stubborn now.

-Koda, please listen to me.

He didn't answer me but when I saw Jo moved to intend to approach my son, I quickly pushed Isaac against him to stop him and go to Koda, putting him behind me to protect and move a few steps away noticing how he hugged me around my waist tightly.

-Get out of the way - Jo warned me annoyed.

-No. Don't even think of touching him - I pulled Koda tighter against me.

-Lua, he's a sorcerer...and quite powerful - Isaac spoke pleadingly, but I shook my head.

-You do not want to provoke war at this time - they looked at me in confusion - You are in Kala territory - they took a while to process the information and their faces paled -, and if you touch the next successor, the slightest touch or scratches you provoke I assure you that you will wish you were dead.

-And why the hell is the kid with you? - asked Jo.

-It's my mother, have respect - said Koda angrily, leaning out from beside me, she looked down to see him and caressed his head.

-I don't believe it - laughed Jo.

But when I looked into his eyes seriously, he stopped laughing and was a little surprised. I looked at Jessie who was staring at my son and when I looked at Isaac, he was doing the same and then looking at me. I could see the confusion in his eyes as well as the pain reflected on his face. I averted my gaze to get Koda away from me so I could get to his level, he looked a little calmer hopefully.

-Honey, wait for me in the room. Then I'll go after I talk to them and pick up a little...

-But...

-No reproaches - she raised a finger in his direction.

He snorted and then nodded and hurried off to his room. I straightened up and put my hand to my forehead, straightening my head so I could face him.

-Actually...I was waiting for the three to arrive - I walked over to the couch so I could sit on the edge of the armrest and from there I looked each of them in the eye. The leader of the pack saw you arrive and she needs you to be present to tell you some things - none of them said anything, they were hesitant and I knew they were in doubt whether to believe me or not -. I know you have doubts about me, I don't blame you... But I swear I have a good explanation for all this.

-Why don't you say it now Lua? - asked Jessie who was scratching her head.

Now that I was looking closely, they have changed quite a bit, grown-up, in this case, Jo and Jessie. But they looked more mature than the last time I saw them and Isaac with his long hair shaved on the sides. He's the only one who hasn't changed at all.

-This is not the time. I'm the one who has to make sure you can be trusted.

-That's all I need - Jo spat - It was you who betrayed us, to begin with.

-That's not true - I defended myself.

-Tell us where the book is then.

I looked at him reluctantly and then shook my head. I couldn't be more stubborn, no way.

-I destroyed it after Koda was born.

-You're a lying bitch.

I watched him walk to the exit door swinging open and heard it slam shut. I looked at Jessie who had her eyes fixed on the floor, she let out a soft sorry to follow the same path but without making so much noise leaving me alone with Isaac. Nervous I got up and went to a picture frame that was on the floor and when I saw the picture I stared at it for a while and with a murmur, I dared to talk to him.

-Tomorrow Koda and I will leave, you have to be here before nine o'clock.

-Did you destroy it? - I turned to see him and met his gaze, giving me a little scare in my chest. I just nodded my head.

He stood there for a few more seconds looking at me. He nodded his head softly and then disappeared.