Page 18 of Secrets & Curses of Cerithia

A bench next to the fountain caught my attention, so I decided to sit. It was difficult to ignore the stares because no one seemed to be happy to see me. The reactions of the fae here were the same as those at the castle. All this hatred toward me for what? Because I had been tricked by Cassius? Shame filled me. They clearly didn’t care that I was back. If anything, I had the feeling they wanted me gone. Glancing around the streets, I tried to focus on the buildings and shops. Something here would certainly trigger a memory. As it stood, I had no memories at all of my time in Cerithia, except for those with Cassius on the night of the blood moon when we were younger. All my memories were of Cassius in some way or another.

I saw a couple walk out of a small cafe storefront holding a drink that looked refreshing in this blistering heat. I stood, crossing the street, to duck into the shop and get one for myself.As soon as I walked in, all the chatter stopped. Feeling uneasy, I walked up to the man making drinks and gave him a friendly smile.

“Hi, I saw a woman holding a green drink. Could I get the same thing?”

His dark eyes moved over me, and disgust filled his features.

“We’re out.” He barely paid me any attention before he tried to help whoever was behind me.

“Excuse me, I wasn’t done.”

His eyes shifted to me and then ran down the red, orange, and black swirls that tattooed my skin. He scoffed with hatred. My eyes darted to others, and I realized that they all held the same look.

I sighed in frustration. This was my home? These are the fae that I chose to fight for.

“We're out of everything that you want. Feel free to leave and run back to the castle. No one in town wants to see you,” he spat. Great, another fae who treated me like trash. I looked around, and everyone in the shop was staring at me like I was a monster. It was obvious that they didn’t want me in here. This pissed me off because I didn’t want to be here either. And yet here I was, fighting for this fucking kingdom that didn’t even want me, and I was starting to ask myself why.

“I think I’ll have a drink, like I fucking asked.” I glanced at him, making my fire magic swarm around me. “I suggest you hurry up before I lose my temper.”

This made the other fae gasp. I did not have the same restraint with these assholes as I had with the two noble daughters who spoke poorly at me. Here, someone would die if they weren’t careful.

“Chop, chop, prick. I’ve got things to do.”

My darkness hummed at the fear in his eyes and body. But this male did not let it show to the others.

"Well, look at that, everybody; the Crimson whore thinks she has the power here,” he laughed, which made others laugh too. Before he could say another word, I grabbed the back of his head and slammed it down onto the wooden counter. The crunch of his nose made me smile. This evil rage inside wanted more pain. My eyes pulsed red.

My fingers grabbed his red hair and yanked him up. I leaned my ear closer to him as if I were hard of hearing.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch thatlovelynickname you gave me.”

“N-nothing,” he stuttered.

“Oh, my mistake.” I smiled and let him go. My eyes flashed black and made him stagger backward.

“Crimson monster,” someone muttered from behind me. I turned, and my eyes found the man. His eyes widened when he realized I heard him. Another man who was disrespecting me. This wouldn’t be tolerated, especially when I was fighting for them. I grabbed my dagger and walked to him. Everyone was silent. He tried to run, but I twisted him in my darkness and held him in place.

“Unfortunately, your stupidity has now cost you your tongue.”

I roughly grabbed his face with my free hand and pried open his mouth with my magic. Staring into his terrified eyes, I used my viper-handled dagger to cut his tongue from him. His yells only made me feel better. I dropped him to the ground as he sobbed, which was the only sound in the stunned room. I wiped the blood from my blade on his white shirt before heading to the counter again. I no longer cared for the forgiveness of these fae or this kingdom.

“Where’s my drink?” I asked the large, red-headed fae. He jumped at my words and started making it. I turned to the horrified faces. Leaning my hip against the counter, I played with my dagger, twisting it in my fingers as I smiled.

“You think that you would show more respect to someone who chose to fight for your homes, fight for you. A woman who could kill you all with a flick of her wrist.”

No one said anything, but stars above, their fear made my darkness swarm in a frenzy.

As I looked at them and felt their hatred for me, I realized that this place could never have been my home. Then another, more twisted thought struck me. Maybe I would crumble this kingdom as well, because these ungrateful fucks didn’t give a shit about me.

The drink was pushed toward me. I glanced at it and lifted it to my mouth. The sweet liquid hit my tongue. It was delicious. I scrunched my face as I poured it into the trash.

“Tastes like shit,” I lied. Gods, I was on a rampage, and I didn’t want to stop. “Well, it’s been a very welcoming experience; thank you everyone.” I glared as I headed out. Part of me hoped someone would say something so I could keep this rage going. As I pushed the door open, my wish came true.

“Crimson bitch,” he muttered, like he thought I couldn’t hear him. But as soon as I stopped and turned, my face breaking into a wicked smile, the man making drinks realized I had heard. My magic had him wrapped up within a second before he could dart away.

My viper-handled dagger flew from my hand and into his heart, stopping it immediately. My magic released him, and he fell to the floor, dead. I walked back across the room, yanking my dagger out before walking toward the door, but I paused one last time.

“Would anyone else like to say something?”

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