Akamu, Malia, and Makoa were forced into the back of a black van where other coven members were inside. They held guns and eyed them with expressionless emotions. The trio said nothing as they obediently followed and went inside the van without a fight. Jovan entered the front, where Bethany sat in the driver's seat. The two looked at the rear-view mirrors, where they noticed the other coven members entering other vehicles. Once everyone was ready, Bethany drove on the road as the others followed them.
Bethany and Jovan were silent; neither said anything to the other. It stayed that way until they got onto the highway, and Bethany couldn't help but become curious about what happened with the others. "You look thoughtful. I see that those three haven't made a fuss. I assume you told them about the plan."
"Indeed, they agreed since their little friend was kidnapped by the siren."
Bethany remembered seeing the siren fly in the sky but held onto someone. She was surprised that one of the witnesses was taken away. "Do you believe the siren desires the woman as his mate?"
"There is no doubt, Bethany. The siren would usually kill and eat, but this time, he did something different."
The two were silent as they kept their eyes on the road. "Tabatha is not going to be happy about this. The siren is valuable to her; she is obsessed with it. He has a beauty that would make any woman go for." Bethany quickly glanced at Jovan, who looked stoic, but she knew very well what he thought and felt. "I'm sorry. I know that you still hold feelings for Tabatha. I remember how close you two were and how much in love you were."
Jovan looked toward the window and saw the endless green hills, which made him feel at peace and reminded him of his life before Tabatha found the siren. "She is no longer the woman I fell in love with. She became a monstrous psychopath; I hate myself for not saving her from the temptation of evil."
"You have to stop blaming yourself, Jovan. At the end of the day, Tabatha decided and did the monstrous acts. I firmly believe that we will be able to escape this coven."
The duo saw the coven hiding in the hideout; they were getting near. They became stoic but gave one another one final look of agreement until they finally arrived at the mansion. The van and other vehicles were parked; the coven members got out with the trio on hand. Bethany and Jovan looked at Akamu, Malia, and Makoa, who looked nervous and terrified. "Do as you were told, and nothing will happen to you." Jovan motioned for everyone to follow, and everyone walked into the house.
Akamu, Malia, and Makoa couldn't help but notice the large vehicles and cages covered in black curtains. Growls were heard underneath, and they knew that it was creatures. The memory of the innocent victims being mauled made the trio shiver. Everyone went to the door, which another coven member opened. The scent of sage and license hit everyone's noses; the living room was dimly lit, and a couple of female coven members stood in a circle as they chanted. Tabatha was seen in the center with a pentagram drawn on the floor, naked. In the right-hand corner of the living room was Kahlua, still tied up.
Kahlua looked dazed but slowly returned to reality when she saw the trio. Malia was the first to notice her and gave her a deadly glare. She and the men were then forced to kneel but were ensured not to be too close to the ritual. Everyone, except the women, was silent; they watched and listened to the chant and prayer, which lasted thirty minutes. Tabatha eventually stood and was covered in a black robe by two of her female coven members.
When Tabatha turned to see the prisoners, everyone bowed. "Sister Tabatha, we have found the culprits, as you ordered," said Bethany.
Tabatha said nothing as her eyes were on the friends who were also forced to bow. She slowly walked toward them, not blinking once. The group of friends felt her stare as if it was burning them. She eventually stopped before Malia, who was between her brother and Makoa. To Malia's surprise, Tabatha knelt and motioned Malia to look at her. Although Tabatha held some beauty, Malia felt a sudden dread and fear that she had never felt before. Malia felt more terror toward the witch rather than the creatures themselves. "It's like she's the devil incarante."
"You seem the strong one in the group; I can see it in your eyes."
Malia didn't expect to be told such a thing. "E-Excuse me?"
Suddenly, Tabatha gently touched her injured arm. "Did my siren do this to you?" Malia decided not to say much but felt the witch's grip slowly tightening. "Why don't you speak? Do I terrify you so?" Without warning, Tabatha tightened her grip so hard that Malia yelped in pain.
"Hey, leave her alone!" yelled Akamu as he was about to go to his sister. However, he was kicked on the back of his neck so hard that it made him land on the floor. Two men pointed their guns at him. Makoa felt helpless; he wanted to protect Malia but didn't want to worsen the situation.
"P-Please, don't hurt her. Please believe us that we didn't know what your show was about!"
The witch still had her grip on Malia but glanced at Makoa. "So you friend over there forced you to arrive at my show?"
"She didn't force us. She knew a guy, Zachery, who invited us, but we didn't know what the show entailed. Kahlua lied to him, saying we were all into the same thing he was. I felt sorry for Kahlua since she wanted to impress him; I also encouraged everyone to go! I am to blame!"
Kahlua didn't move an inch, but deep down, she felt betrayed and hurt. She wanted friends to feel a part of a group. They only went because Makoa pressured them to go. Tabatha let go of Malia and slowly stood, her eyes on Makoa. "I have to admit that I like your strength, although stupid. Although, you do have a point. Your friends freed many of my pets; some captured while others are still on the run."
"Wh-What are they? Are they really creatures from legends?"
Everyone was silent. Tabatha slowly walked into the pentagram's center and laughed, echoing throughout the household. Suddenly, Othalia entered the living room, and she also laughed. "This is getting amusing, Sister Tabatha! Should we just save them for our next show?" Othalia jumped on one of the nearby sofas with a sadistic grin.
Tabatha's laughs died down, and immediately became expressionless. "I will not leave this forsaken island without the siren. He is my most prized possession. These fools released him."
"Wh-What if we can help you find him? The siren kidnapped our friend!"
Othalia stopped grinning; Tabatha stilled. "What did you say?"
"He kidnapped our friend! I got hurt trying to stop them! We want to find our friend, as much as you want to find your siren! We can help you!"
"We know where he is since I was smart enough to put a tracking device but it is getting faint since the battery is running out. We have the manpower to get my pet back."
Malia knew that Tabatha was difficult to convince, but she remembered Jovan had told her to keep insisting. "Y-You are right, but if we go, Danae will feel more comfortable and she could convince the siren that we bring him no harm. Do you think he will react well if he sees your coven?"
Silence reigned again. Bethany and Jovan mentally smirked, knowing it made Tabatha think. They knew she would consider their offer since she was obsessed with getting the siren back. "Very well, I will accept your offer and-"
"You have to make an oath! We can't just trust your word! You might kill us!"
Othalia got off the sofa, went to Malia, and grabbed her hair. "How the hell did you know about oaths!?"
"I used to study witchcraft and I know witches take oaths to heart! Swear it!"
Tabatha glared at Malia and the rest as she got her silver knife. "Oh, very well, I will give you my oath." She then cut her hand and motioned it downward, making drips of her blood fall on the floor. "However, you will not go alone, Jovan and Bethany will go along with you. Meanwhile, that friend of yours, Makoa, will stay with me to ensure that I will not be betrayed. Since I shed my own blood to make this oath, I will need one of yours as well." Tabatha snapped her fingers, making two men get a hold of Kahlua and dragging her before their leader. Kahlua's eyes widened in terror, and she screamed into the cloth that covered her mouth. With a single swift, Tabatha slashed Kahlua's neck, making her blood spill like a waterfall. Kahlua's body shook violently; her eyes went behind her head. Malia and the others looked the other way in disgust and fear. "There, we have made a deal. You will be given the location and I will not accept failure."
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