Akamu, Danae, and Malia were in a black SUV being driven to the coven's hideout; Bethany and Jovan were in the front, keeping their eyes on the road. The friends were nervous about what might happen but wanted Makoa to return safely. "S-So, why are you helping us?" asked Danae.
"They want to leave the coven, Danae. Believe it or not, the coven wasn't always twisted. When their leader found the siren, she changed for the worse," explained Malia.
Bethany and Jovan were quiet as they listened to Malia. They didn't like to talk about their feelings and thoughts, but being in the coven was getting too much. Bethany glanced at her rearview mirror and saw the cage being dragged by the SUV in the back. She couldn't believe the siren caused so much change in Tabatha and the coven. Bethany joined the coven since they accepted her with open arms. Her family were drug addicts who abused her; she couldn't take it anymore. Tabatha was the one who found and motivated her to join her coven. Bethany was happy, but when Tabatha changed, she wanted to leave. She hoped to escape and start a new life.
"I-I was curious about something else. Are those other creatures also mythical creatures from the legends we have heard?"
Bethany and Jovan were silent, but Danae noticed the slight tension in their shoulders. "No. Only the siren is. Those 'creatures' you witnessed in the show were everyday people."
The friends flinched; their hearts beat rapidly at the new information. 'Wh-What do you mean they were everyday people?' asked Akamu. He sensed what they might say, but he hoped he was mistaken.
"The creatures were once innocent everyday citizens. However, these particular people came from troubled backgrounds and were tricked into joining our coven. Once trapped, Tabatha and particular coven members experimented on them, making them become the creatures you've seen.
"Oh my god! That's deranged and evil! That show, wh-what was it? Is it just to entertain sick people!?" asked Malia.
Jovan didn't want to speak anymore; he felt ashamed for being a witness to atrocities. The young man wanted to stop everything and let the innocent people escape but was powerless to do anything. Bethany noticed his discomfort and decided to tell the rest. "After the siren's discovery, Tabatha tried to get research about its legends. She didn't want to let it go since she became obsessed with his beauty and voice. She went to the dark web when she didn't get the information she wanted. That is where she met Othalia, who is a diagnosed psychopath, and inquired about the siren. When Othalia saw it, she convinced Tabatha to show it in the dark web. People became intrigued with it, which caused Tabatha to enjoy the attention and power; you know the rest."
Danae couldn't believe that many humans were vile creatures capable of doing monstrous acts. She was terrified of being face-to-face with Tabatha and the rest of her coven. Everyone remained quiet until they arrived at the hideout. The trio flinched and held each other's hands for comfort and strength. Jovan parked and turned off the SUV. "Remember, she mustn't suspect anything. Play along. Let's go." He and Bethany got out of the SUV first and forcibly took out the trio. The other coven members exited their SUV and assisted their leaders in getting the captives inside the lit house.
Everyone walked toward the house; Danae and the others felt their stomach drop as they approached the door. They felt a fear that would make anyone faint. The door opened, and everyone entered a dimly lit living room. Tabatha was seen sitting on the main sofa while Othalia and the others stood behind her; Makoa was tied and his mouth gagged, and he knelt on the floor by Tabatha.
Akamu, Danae, and Malia were pushed to the floor; guns were pointed at them. Danae caught a glimpse at Tabatha and couldn't believe how a beautiful and innocent-looking woman could be a killer. "Y-You're beautiful," she muttered out.
No one said a word; everyone looked surprised by Danae's suddenness. "So you are the woman that my siren desires. I can see why he interested you; you have a good, innocent heart. You still call me beautiful, even knowing who we are and what we are capable of." Tabatha crossed her right leg over her left. She was enraged that Danae was the cause of the destruction of her show, her pets' escape, and her siren's desire for her. However, her rage slowly dissipated. "It has been a while since someone called me 'beautiful.'"
Danae looked at Makoa, and he did the same. "S-So what will happen now? Are you going to kill us?"
Tabatha hummed as she smiled. "No, I made an oath that neither I nor my coven members will kill you and your friends."
"Is Kahlua...?"
"Dead? Yes. I used her blood to make the vow. She and her worthless man were the ones to inform you all about the event. Although..." Tabatha looked at Makoa. "It seems that Makoa here was the one who pressured you to go to the circus."
The trio trembled, fearing that Tabatha would order Makoa's death. Suddenly, Bethany and Jovan yelped and were violently pushed to the ground. Gunshots were fired at some of the coven members who went with Bethany and Jovan on their missions. All died instantly from the gunshot wounds. The trio were shocked and tried to comprehend what was happening. "Wh-What is the meaning of this!?" yelled Bethany.
Othalia giggled as Tabatha looked amused. "You know. That my second-in-command and one of my trusted advisers wanted to leave this coven." Bethany and Jovan were horrified that Tabatha knew the truth, but they wondered how she found out. Everyone saw Tabatha gently pat Makoa's head in a motherly manner; Makoa sat still as he looked at everyone with emotionless eyes. "Well, there's no need to hide yourself anymore, my love."
Makoa stood up as the ropes slipped off his body and took off the cloth from his mouth. "Phew, I was getting sick and tired of pretending to be the distressed damsel." He calmly sat down next to Tabatha, and his eyes were on her; they kissed. Danae and the others were confused and terrified at the scene before them. "M-M-Makoa? What are you...doing?" Danae asked in a faint whisper.
The two broke off their kiss. "Oh, just kissing my girlfriend, Danae. I guess I forgot to tell everyone of you that I'm taken and part of this coven."
Danae's eyes widened, and Akamu and Malia were in disbelief. The friend they thought they knew was part of the coven. So many questions ran through their minds. Bethany and Jovan were also stunned but realized that Makoa told them of their plans. "Y-You were together with him, Tabatha? I thought you and I..." Jovan felt his throat on fire. He and Tabatha had feelings for one another when they met. He fell in love with the kind woman who helped him through his troubles, but her feelings for him changed after she changed. However, the warlock hoped that Tabatha would see through reason.
"Oh Jovan, such the bloody heart as always. You still have hopes that I would return to the sweet and gentle woman I once was. What made you think that I was that woman you once knew?"
"What are you trying to say?"
Makoa chuckled as he held onto Tabatha. "It looks like he never got the hint."
"Jovan, you disappoint me. I thought you would be able to see through the ruse. How else would I convince you to join?"
The warlock couldn't believe he had been tricked; the woman he fell in love with was a lie. Tabatha wasn't different from those who caused him pain. The young man wanted to yell out in rage, but his heart and mind felt nothing.
"MAKOA, HOW COULD YOU!? Y-YOU WERE PART IN THIS COVEN!?" yelled Malia. She was kicked on the back so hard that her body bumped on the floor violently. Akamu tried to fight off the person who hurt his sister but was restrained.
Makoa looked amused and indifferent as he looked at his former friends. "Why do I need to repeat myself, Malia? I had to find people who think like myself. This coven understands me and my desires, why wouldn't I be with them?"
Othalia giggled as she sat on the top of the sofa. "Yeah, you all wouldn't understand people like us! We can express who we truly are and our urges. People like you try to hide your true selves and fit in. We don't care and do as we please!"
Danae's mind was still trying to comprehend Makoa's betrayal. All the information was getting too much, and she felt as if she was going to have a panic attack. Then, she remembered certain information about the creatures. "Those creatures were people that you all experimented on." Her eyes widened as another truth set in. Those people that were turned into creatures were lured to you guys. Someone must have lured them." The young woman looked at Makoa, who sadistically smiled. "You worked in a juvenile program and as a coastguard. You used your job positions to lure them to the coven. Those creatures and the people that were slaughtered in the show were your victims that you lured!"
Othalia clapped as she whistled. "Wow, she's very smart! I can see why you wanted her and the others to join us! Although, it looks like she might refuse!"
"Join?"
Makoa stood up from the sofa and knelt before Danae. "I saw potential in you. You grew up in an unfair society like me, where we have to serve the most entitled people. You don't have to suffer that embarrassment and shame anymore. I wanted you and the others to join us. Together, we can be great and earn a living to become powerful! All you have to do is accept. Will you join us?"
"DANAE, DONT! YOU-!"
"Shut up, woman!" commanded one of the coven members.
Everything became too much for Danae; she wondered who her friends and enemies were. Her friendship with Makoa was built on lies and manipulation. "Never! Look, we returned your siren. We kept our end of the bargain, so please let us go."
Silence reigned; Makoa became emotionless as he stood and looked at Tabatha, who was also emotionless. She stood and put her hands together. "You've seen too much, and I can't let you all leave."
"Damn you, witch! You swore that you wouldn't kill us! That you would let us go!" yelled Akamu.
"I did. I said that 'I' wouldn't kill you and that I would let you go. However, during our oath, you didn't specify where to let you go and that my pets couldn't kill you." Tabatha noticed her victims' loss of hope and enjoyed feeling their helplessness. "Everyone, prepare my beauties. We are going to give our a fans a show."
ns 15.158.61.6da2
