She Who Faced a Foe (Part 1)

What the fuck is that man talking about? Those were my thoughts the next day. End obviously took something that was why he was talking in riddles. No, what he was telling me was pure fantasy. 

Yet why do I feel something ominous was in the air? Like there was something that was waiting to happen. End was afraid. He was genuinely saying that something bad will happen to me. 

Was Angus that scary? Should I shrug off the concern? Or take into consideration the things that he said?

Gods. Gods were living among us. And some of them were having a power trip. 

What gods he was talking about, was something I am not sure about. Each culture has different gods. The names may vary but the roles are almost the same. A god of war, love, ruler, and so forth. 

I sigh. It was hard to imagine that gods walked among the living. Now, even as we speak they are doing things that normal humans usually do.

Eat. Work. Sleep. Interact. Love. And care.

I mean, I'm not sure if they even sleep. Being a paranormal romance author gave me ideas. The things I learned made me realize things, but not on this kind of level. 

I looked outside. It was already past eight in the evening. People should be at home, sleeping, or relaxing. But, why is Angus going out at this time of the night? He was even going to the woods behind the property. 

'Leave him alone, Julie, you don't need to know what shit he does,' I told myself. Alas, my feet still walked to where he was going. 

"Oh god, I'm really stupid," I muttered. At least I know that I was stupid. I was not under any illusion that I was doing something good. I know that I was doing something that Jane and Duncan would yell at me. 

It was a cloudless sky and the moon gave enough light for me to see where I was going. The woods behind The Belle were one of those places I felt safe. 

But not this time, something was telling me to go back. Forget Angus. Forget that he was the reason why my staff was afraid. That he caused them to feel like that. Whatever End had done crazy or not, he helped me uncover the truth. 

I really should go back. Of course, I didn't. I was too stubborn. So when I saw Angus stopped and called my name. I mentally cursed and called myself every stupid word I could think of. 

"You know, being alone with me in this place is stupid right?"

I remain silent. No use telling him he was right. I mean, why dig my hole?

The man slowly moved towards me. When he was at arm's length, I had to look up. He was tall, just like Duncan. But that is when the similarities ended. Angus's hair was shoulder length and was tied by a yellow scrunchie. Yes. Yellow, bright mustard yellow, it would look ridiculous to any man, yet he pulled it off.

He had this snobbish look about him. Maybe it was the aristocratic nose that gave him that air of 'Do not touch me.' He has, however, a set of green eyes, and what made it more intriguing was the yellow glint in them. He would look at people like they were mice and he was a cat. 

Undeterred, I crossed my arms on my chest and met his gaze head-on. No one dared to blink. My eyes were starting to hurt. Like, come on! I never won against my children in this game, how the hell would I win this? 

But Angus was the one who gave up. I was even more baffled when he suddenly laughed out loud. His actions made me frown, however, his words made my blood turn ice cold.

"You can't be controlled. And it looks like I cannot read your mind too." He was shaking his head. "No wonder, he was fascinated with you."

"What do you mean I cannot be controlled?" I asked. Yes, I know, I was parroting him but who wouldn't be? I was clearly facing another wacko. This time, Angus was more delusional than End.

But, somehow, I knew they were telling the truth. So, why am I in denial?

"Oh, did Duncan not tell you?" was the other man's reply. There was this smirk on his face. Gahg! I am on the verge of hitting this son of a gun. But I held back. Well, I need to, for one. I was alone, and another, he was not…human.

"Tell me what exactly?" I asked, still playing the clueless card. 

"Of who he is?" This time, there was a trace of irritation in his voice. So, my responses were irritating him. That was good, he did have a short fuse from what I have gathered. So, being me would work best. 

The dum dum side of me that is. 

"Who is he? A man?" I asked.

"Ah. My dear, he is more than just a man." Was Angus' reply. 

I closed my eyes. No, I don't want to say it. Not yet. If I do, then I will freak out. I have to keep my sanity in check. In the times me and Duncan had spoken, the seed of trust began to grow. And I, admitting out loud to this stupid man what Duncan was, was the equivalent of a lie. 

"He is a god."

I laughed. Like a full-blown laugh. And Angus looked dumbfounded. 

Oh gosh, he had to say it?! Like really?! I have a hunch. But man, hearing it from an arrogant man like him made me laugh even harder.

I saw his eyes narrow and he snarled. Rather than being afraid I only laughed at him, I don't know why I was laughing. I don't know why I felt no ounce of inside. I had this complete faith that Duncan, even though he was far from me, had someone watching my back.

"Why you, little bitch!"

I saw a sword materialize from his hand. The tilt had a marking or a symbol Celtic cross. It gave me an indication of what kind of gods these people were. 

Duncan and this man Angus, possibly End too and were Celtic gods. Of which who was who, I have no idea. 

Angus lifted the sword and placed it directly underneath my chin forcing me to look at him. There were tears in my eyes, not of fear, but because I was laughing so hard. I even had to take off my glasses so I could properly wipe my tears and look at him. 

"You dare insult me? A god?" He was fuming. I cannot blame him though, I did laugh at his face. I'm crazy, was he expecting that I would be running away? Not likely.  "Mortals should tremble before me, yet here you are, mocking me. I even told you the truth about the man who is wooing you. And you have the audacity to laugh?" His last words made the tip of the sword a lot closer to my skin. I could feel the cold steel 

"Duncan? A god? Like are you okay man? Are you talking any kind of drugs-"

"Silence!" He shouted. 

It was then that I felt the tip of the blade pierce my skin. He must have known too because there was a sudden flash of fear in his eyes. Fear? He was afraid? Of what?

"You, a mortal woman, have no place beside the King. He needs more than just a mortal with nothing to offer him." Each word he uttered was like a nail to my coffin. If what he was saying was really true, what was Duncan's game?