CHAPTER 7

I was completely taken aback, I mean, he was dead that night, but was he?

There was no mistake, the eyes, the hair, everything matched my brother’s younger self. He would be around twenty now.

“SISTER?!?” Everyone shouted beside me, pulling me out of my daze. I was speechless, opening my mouth and closing it again without knowing what to say. Finally, I managed to say, “ho..w?”

Charlie said with an evil smirk forming on his face, “you are so naïve sister, I gave my life for you while you just sat there crying, not bothering to check if I was still breathing, tsk tsk tsk.”

This was not the brother I knew, he was sweet and caring and kind towards people, it was as if there was someone else in his body. His words cut deep in my heart but in some way it was true, I should have checked if he was alive or not. Tears were forming in my eyes.

“It was not her fault! She was six Charles.” Carla shouted behind me. I was dumbstruck, silently sobbing and looking at my big brother.

“Hmm maybe she was, but well now I am here and in return for her mistake she can quietly hand over that Grimoire, won’t you Susine?” he said coldly, looking towards me. His eyes showed no emotion whereas, at the moment, I was filled with them.

“Don’t give it to him, Susine.” Kaleb said, “he is not the brother you know, think clearly, if these go into the wrong hands it would be a catastrophe.” Both Kaleb and Charles took a few steps towards me to take the book away from me but subconsciously I took a few steps back clutching it tightly with my arms.

The only thought running in my head was, if Charlie was going to use it for good, he wouldn’t try to snatch it away from me with an angry look on his face. Now the question was,

‘Will I embrace him or betray him?.’

***

Finally coming to a decision, I said with a tremble, “what are your intentions with it.” This was the first time I looked into his eyes and instantly knew what his answer would be but I needed to hear it coming out of his mouth.

He gave out a chuckle and said, “Just give it to me, little sis.”. Suddenly, Carla, Bruno, and Kaleb stood ahead of me in a protective manner. I had made my decision even though it hurt my heart. I was going against my brother but technically, he betrayed me first.

“No” that was all I could say before a dark aura surrounded us and Charlie came face-to-face with Kaleb who was standing ahead of me already in a fighting stance.

“Well, if this is how we are going to play.”