Chapter 33: Chapter 33

JONEA

"Purifying and eliminating unnatural, supernatural energy is our job. That's why you can use our abilities, Jonea."

They are the Jeverics who live in this forest. Because none of them I recognize. There is no Roka, Moka, or Koka. Although their body shape is at first glance the same, there are some prominent differences. The jeverics in this forest have little wings behind their legs.

What should I do? These shadow wolves kept appearing even more in numbers. I can't fight them alone, either. Wait, Owen? Where is he?

I frantically look for Owen. I didn't realize we were separated. And I need to find out where he is now. I was utterly alone, and the shadow wolves surrounded me like swarms of bees. They got closer while showing their fangs. Their growls were loud in the cold air.

"Make your decision right now, Jonea!" herd leader Jeverics insisted.

I closed my eyes to calm down and reason. What decisions should I make right now?

I heard Daran's voice echo inside my head. Is this real?

'Don't worry, Jonea. You just need to close your eyes and imagine. You can do it like you did in Eve's shop. Do the same for the shadow wolves. Feel the energy around you. Turn and harness those energies into power, and the Jeverics will guide you.'

Instantly I opened my eyes and said firmly to the Jeveric. "Help me do it now!"

"Wow, this is so exciting!" the Jeveric shouted excitedly.

I tightly gripped the black bone dagger in my right hand and the dragon's tear pendant in my left. The jeveric led the herd. We stand face to face.

"Don't worry, Jonea. Do it according to your instincts. As previously."

"How do you know?" I am shocked.

"Jeveric's are connected wherever we are. Forests are always intertwined with each other. So do we. Think of one thing that can wipe out these shadow wolves in one strike."

I nodded. I closed my eyes and focused on imagining the energy flowing around my body. I can feel their strength and presence.

I want to change their form into a burst of light. Only the power of light can erase the shadows.

As I began to summon the energy flowing around me and I felt its movement on the surface of my skin, I suddenly felt something smother me from behind. He pointed the muzzle of the gun at my temple.

"Stop it," the person whispered. "Or I'll blow your head right this minute!"

I stopped and couldn't focus. I opened my eyes, and my body couldn't move. I kept my dagger in my sleeve.

"Who are you?"

Someone had also grabbed Jeveric in front of me with one hand. She was wearing a long red robe. The hood covers her head and part of her face.

I look around me. Jeveric's other herd has scattered and disappeared. Right now, there were only the shadow wolves who were still surrounding us while groaning and getting more and more aggressive.

"Do not do it!" whispered the man pointing a gun at my head.

I got goosebumps hearing his voice.

"We still need them—those shadow wolves. If you eliminate them, then we will all be in trouble."

My neck is very stiff. I wanted to turn around and look at the figure pointing a gun at me. But, as I moved, he pressed the muzzle of his gun against my temple even more.

"Don't move, and never turn around to look at me. Focus in front of you and listen to our words."

"Let go of Jonea!" shouted the jeveric.

"Shut up, little squirrel. The more you move, the more you will get hurt."

The woman gripped Jeveric's small body so tightly that she only left her head to her neck. It seems that Jeveric is also having trouble breathing.

I've never seen that woman before. Her face looked so cold and full of hatred. I don't know who she is. However, I felt I knew the man pointing his gun at me. I just need to turn around to be sure.

The wind suddenly blew so hard. I got pushed. The man behind me supported me. It seemed he didn't want me to fall, either.

"No wonder I smell a foreign aroma in here."

The vortex that had previously suddenly appeared in front of us now died down and took the form of Daran.

Of course, I don't believe it. But I feel so relieved and happy to see him.

"You hybrids," Daran hissed.

"Surprising that you still recognize us, the Lycan King. It seems you are taking good care of this Red Moon Girl. Is it because she is your precious experimental material?" asked the girl in the red riding hood.

"Trial materials?" Of course, I gasped in surprise. I no longer care about the gun's muzzle in my head. I just stared at Daran and hoped for an explanation.

"Jonea, don't listen to this motherfucker!" shouted the jeveric with difficulty.

"Shut up, squirrel! These gloves are made of a special material that you hate so much. If you continue to struggle, your body will be crushed in my grasp!" threatened the woman with a scary grin.

I was furious to see their arbitrary treatment. "You–warlocks, why would you do such a cruel thing to her?"

"Warlocks?" The red-hooded woman laughed out loud. "Did you think we were warlocks? It seems you don't know what hybrid is. What a pity. Even these wizards disguised as werewolves and lycans managed to trick you."

"Trick me?" I hissed very forcefully.

"We didn't trick her. We just don't like lies," Daran said calmly and evenly.

"You hate lies, but you also cover up the truth." The man who captivated me spoke sarcastically to Daran. "That's why you roped in this girl. You mark this girl, and it's as if you'll make her your queen. But the truth is, you just wanted to keep this girl close to you, Daran Carver. All this is just to satisfy your curiosity. How about you explain to her about the experiment you're doing?"

"About the accursed destiny that will await her?" said the woman in the red hood. She asked but was actually sarcastic.

I just stared at Daran and didn't blink at all. I really couldn't see Daran's expression because his face was protected by a mask. However, I could see a pair of eyes burning red with anger.

Who should I listen to or believe? Right now, I'm really tired of this life.

"Cursed destiny?" I repeated the woman's words. "Apparently, death is not enough for me. Even I must still be fated to have a curse?"