When I said, everyone... I meant everyone: Melody, Sophie, Liam, Tania, Ben, Amelia, Dad, Mom, Shade, Caden, Aiden, Ruzgard, and Vera. The entire family was there. However, Vera was the only one with a massive book in her hands, and she placed it on the table next to where we ate.
Before we went in, I was too nervous to enter the room—something Alijah remedied by tightening his grip on my hand. He tugged me in without hesitation, pushing me forward when I entered the room. Dad caught me before I fell, and at that moment, the head of the Silver Fang family engulfed me in his arms for a warm embrace.
Mom quickly joined in the moment of affection, as none of them were angry at me. Instead, they expressed relief and joy at having me back.
It's almost unfair, like Vera said. They really should be angry with me.
The only ones acting normally were Caden and Aiden, who tried to drill Alijah for what he had done back in the room. The duo didn't appreciate being kicked out by him. However, even more heart-wrenching was that they had made my favorite foods to welcome me back.
Aunty Melody and Uncle Liam also hugged me after Dad and Mom were done with me. Even Tania, Uncle Ben's long-time vampire girlfriend, patted my head, smiling. Even today, her bright red eyes and black hair always tug at my heart. She was a beauty that matched my handsome uncle.
When everyone had a round of hugging me, Vera dropped one of her books on the table.
"Dad, shouldn't we get down to business?" She huffed, trying to get everyone on track.
I skittishly sat down on a chair, feeling out of place, yet something my wolf wouldn't allow. He claimed the one next to me, grabbing my hand and pulling it to his thigh. I never thought he would show his affection in this way. Usually, when we were traveling before I got stabbed, he would only show them behind closed doors or when we were alone.
Did you miss me that much?
"Yes, that's right. There'll be a rushed meeting for the council tomorrow, and I need to correct every detail. After all, if that goddess is to be believed, then this will affect more than just our family." Dad sat down next to Mom, who seemed to be beaming to have the family together once again.
Vera then recounted everything that had happened since I was killed—well, until Midnight, though they called her Midna, let herself be known for the second time in the stadium.
Dad turned to me. "Well, will you tell us how you got stabbed? Was it Edna?"
His question left me feeling a bit odd.
I guess no one else saw, but will this hurt you? Are you over her, really?
"You're asking me whether Lilith did it because she wanted to? I don't see the point in knowing that." I sighed.
It felt like I was about to taint the last bit of good he had in his previous era. That elf wanted him under her thumb, leaving me shivering. My memories of those moments were hazy, but I recalled how she labeled him as a toy she lost and found. Even though it annoyed me, I didn't want my wolf to hurt anymore or revert to how he was when we met.
"Rem... We need to know if Lilith's just another victim or not." Mom tried to encourage me to speak.
I closed my eyes, shaking my head.
That elf isn't a victim; I have the scar. If anything, she's another horror show that Edna created. Maybe that's too much to pin on Edna because she was probably already messed up, but there's no way to know.
If I was right, Lilith knew of Alijah and lured him to bend him to her will. She played a part in his torture and hatred of the world.
Perhaps... It's something I should take to my grave rather than say.
"She..." I trailed off, unsure of how to continue, when a pulse of energy erupted from me.
I clasped onto my chest as soft black smoke emerged from me. Suddenly, it turned into the bird I had seen in the stadium when she destroyed my link to Edna.
Midnight!
"You're such a pretty liar!" she snickered, flapping her wings, dragging everyone's gaze onto her. "Who would have thought you'd be such a coward even now? You'll defeat no gods with that attitude. Including myself, brat."
How dare you tell me off like you know everything?
The funny thing was that she knew everything I felt. Even so, I...
"I don't want to kill anything!" I growled, slamming my hand on the table.
Thanks to my anger, I gave off a slight black aura because of the curse activating.
"You'll have to if you want everyone you love to live. If Alijah dies before you do, you stay behind with me for eternity. That was the deal I made with him." Midnight huffed, narrowing her eyes at me.
I didn't know if her words were full of lies, but I reached my limit, especially since I had no choice. All I wanted was to live with Alijah in peace. It used to be a dream that was finally possible because he chose me.
The only thing that needs to die is the witch; the gods are something else entirely, and it isn't my problem!
"Why you—!" I tried to snap at her, only for her to turn away from me.
"The elf girl stabbed Rem, wanting to claim Alijah all for herself. What did she call you, dear? Oh, dirty little luma that deserved a worse death than the one you were going to get. Well, if it were not for me saving you again. This makes it four times now." Midnight announced as Alijah's Hand tightened around mine.
"What?" He breathed as Midna turned to him.
"You sure know how to pick them, lover boy. Maybe stick to the one you're meant to be rather than fucking every pretty leg out there. Oh, right, you can't remember!" she chided Alijah, who chuckled.
"This just makes things easy for me. I'll enjoy snuffing the life out of that elf when I get my hands on her." He smirked, facing her head on.
Midnight snickered in return. "Oh! How lovely. Should I sit by the fire and see you do that, love? Please, there is more than your pleasantries at stake. So, don't make me laugh, mutt."
My wolf truly meant it. The surrounding aura seemed the same as the day I met him.
A trigger... If I weren't with you... Vera said you would've destroyed the world when she retold the events they had witnessed.
"But you loved her," I mumbled, grabbing his shirt and attempting to bring back his kindness.
He gazed at me, patting my head as if I had said something cute.
"Oh, love, that woman was just a pastime." He sat back on the chair, having somewhat returned to his senses.
"I never loved her. I never knew what love was until I met you, Rem, " he assured me, gazing at Mom and smirking at her.
"Like I said, I'll end that elf for hurting Rem even if it's the last thing I do. I also want to know if she had something to do with what happened in my past." He promised everyone in the room.
I tugged on his shirt. There was something I was missing.
You already suspect what I think,but how?
"What?" I mumbled.
Midnight went ahead of me. "Probably, since that elf is rotten to the core. The way she stomped on Rem's face and told her she was an angel of death left that impression."
Her revelation caused Alijah and my brothers to growl loudly. Even Dad and my uncles seemed unsettled by it. Mom had a scary scowl, and Vera gazed towards the side.
"The bitch did what?" Alijah huffed, visibly annoyed.
His aura was showing again while Midnight continued.
"Lilith said she was working with Edna from the very start. So, if the witch had something to do with the note you brought, surely, they had a hand to play in your grim past." She informed.
Alijah shook his head, taking a quick peek at me before gazing back at her.
What note?
"You're vigilant for a bird, even when Rem was unconscious. Midnight, was it?" Alijah noted.
The bird narrowed her eyes, snickering in return before turning to me.
Harden up, little pup, or I'll walk all over you. She permeated my thoughts before continuing.
"I prefer being called Midna. Usually, I prefer watching, but since Rem here is too scared to tell you anything, I had to show up and set her right. You see, she still is—" Midnight was interrupted by Vera clearing her throat, slamming the book again onto the table.
It would be a nice safe, though Alijah wouldn't let this go later.
I'll have to come clean... Surely.
From his previous gaze, I knew he wanted to know everything from my mouth.
"We all couldn't care less about my sister's relationship. Though it's nice of you to show up, Midnight, Midna, or whatever you call yourself." My sister huffed, rolling her eyes.
"I have many questions for you. First, you called yourself the goddess of death when you reanimated Rem. That was a lie, right?" She changed the subject.
Though Alijah still had his gaze on me. After this, I would have to come clean to him about everything.
Stupid bird... I didn't want him to know!
Too bad, buttercup. Midnight responded to me.
The urge to pluck every feather rose, yet her attention wasn't on me anymore.
"Oh? Did you do your homework?" Midnight smirked at Vera, who wasn't backing down.
My sister set out to learn everything about history, records, and anything written in a book. After all, she spent most of her free time in libraries, a habit she took from Mom.
"Plenty! You see, when you called yourself that, but then showed yourself as a phoenix. It troubled me. You see, these birds aren't the typical messengers of death." Vera noted. "That led me to believe that you were, in fact, the goddess of rebirth, which explains Rem's abilities."
The bird chuckled before trying to clap her wings. "Bravo, perceptive little witch! Before I was killed, I was indeed the goddess of rebirth. You're correct."
"So, Rem is 'immortal'. After all, a phoenix never really dies. They're reborn soon after, yet, in your case, your soul was ripped and placed into the soul cairn. Like all the other dead beings there." My sister added, crossing her arms.
Her words caused Midna to tilt her head, snickering at her.
"Tell me, witch, why is that important?" Midnight asked her, who gazed at her with zero hesitation.
For a moment, she took a deep breath and slowly let it go. "Because you aren't evil as you want yourself to be."
The bird laughed, unable to handle herself.
Your family is fantastic! Oh, the fun we will have together!