"Oh? So your dear uncle never told you the truth about your grandfather?" Assey sneered, his voice dripping with amusement. "What a pity. Let me enlighten you, then."
He took a step forward, his presence sending a chill down my spine.
"There was an old man once—your grandfather. He thought he could say whatever he wanted and walk away unharmed. He told me about a prophecy, one that said I would have a daughter, and that she would be the one to destroy all my years of power and black magic."
He let out a bitter laugh.
"Ridiculous, isn't it? How could my own child bring my downfall? I refused to believe it. I was sure Anna would give me a son—someone who would continue my legacy. The seer of my tribe even told me I would have a son.
"But then…" His face darkened. "Your mother gave birth to you. A daughter." He said the word like it was poison.
His eyes locked onto mine, burning with hatred.
"Now, would you like me to show you how I ended that old man?
Suddenly, he let out a sharp cry of pain. Smoke rose from his back, and his body twisted as he turned around.
Ruth stood behind him, gripping the empty bucket of holy water, her hands shaking.
"Assey," she whispered, her voice trembling but firm.
His veins bulged as he let out a furious roar. His entire body contorted, and before I could even blink, he transformed into a massive black vulture.
With one final screech, he flapped his wings and flew out of the house, disappearing into the night.
I stood frozen, my mind spinning.
Did he just say he killed my grandfather?
The weight of his words sank into me like a heavy stone.
A sudden thud snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned and saw Ruth collapse onto the floor, gripping her head. Her entire body shook, and her skin was burning hot. Then, as if she had lost all her strength, she went still.
"Ruth!" I rushed to her side, panic rising in my chest.
My own head pounded. Everything was happening too fast.
Pastor Andrew helped me carry both Ruth and Uncle James upstairs. After cleaning up, we checked on them again, but neither of them woke up.
The one I felt most sorry for was Ruth. She had been used as a puppet in Assey's dark plans, and now she was paying the price for something that wasn't even her fault.
Pastor Andrew sighed. "It looks like they won't wake up anytime soon. Call me as soon as they do."
I nodded, watching as he left the house.
The silence felt heavy.
I curled up on the sofa, hugging my knees to my chest. My thoughts kept replaying everything that had happened—Assey's words, Ruth's suffering, Uncle James' condition.
I was scared. Truly scared.
Closing my eyes, I whispered a prayer. God, please help us.
Before I knew it, I drifted into sleep.
A soft cry woke me up.
I sat up quickly, heart pounding. The sound was coming from upstairs.
I hurried to the room and stopped in my tracks.
Ruth was on the floor, crying. Her whole body trembled as she held her face in her hands.
Something was different about her.
Her eyes.
They weren't cold and lifeless like before. They were clear—full of regret and sadness.
I hesitated before kneeling beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Ruth…"
She lifted her head slowly, tears streaming down her face. Then, without warning, she threw herself into my arms, sobbing.
"Anaya, please… forgive me." Her voice broke with every word. "I never wanted to hurt you. I couldn't stop myself. I—I was trapped. Please, I'm so sorry."
A lump formed in my throat.
Before I knew it, my own tears started to fall.
I held her close, gently rubbing her back. "It wasn't your fault," I whispered. "You were under his control. We were all just pieces in his game."
Her body relaxed against mine, exhausted from everything she had been through.
A few moments later, she fell asleep in my arms.
I carefully laid her on the bed, wiping the tears from her face before pulling the blanket over her.
But as I stood there, a single thought haunted me.
Ruth was free from Assey's control now… but for how long?
What if he found a way to take over her mind again?
What if, one day, she turned against me—when I least expected it?