Page 11 of The Other Side

“What the hell am I supposed to do with this?” I asked him, as if he’d know.

For the first time in a very long time, I felt something I hadn’t in years. It was the same thing I felt that very day I was hunted down in the swamp. I feltweak.

Chapter

Three

CYPRESS

“Everything is set and ready for you, my pet.” Tuft sighed, gazing out into the Abyss. I couldn’t help but revel in his anxiety, knowing he had no choice but to do as I asked. The scarred man looked over his shoulder at me, his blue hair hiding those golden molten eyes of his. Damned heavenly irises, just like Ozias’ and all the upwards ethereals.

“I’m not your pet, Cypress. Not anymore.”

My fire burned with my temper, turning white as I approached his side. My hand gripped his face as I forced him to look at me.

“Until my dear Iris-Marie has completed my favor and I have been restored, yes, you are!” He remained still, enduring my wrath. Submissive fool. “Remember, I possess your wingsandyour soul. The only way you may be free of me is if I allow it. Me, not Ozias or his bastard son.Me.” His irises fell in submission as my flames subdued to their natural state.

“What must I do?” he asked.

What a weak creature you have become.I released his face.

“You, pet, will travel to the human world.” Tuft’s expression lifted with curiosity. “You will stay with Bastien and our Iris-Marie, doing everything in your power to guarantee she does what needs to be done. She already possesses all she needs. All that is left is for you to give her a gentle push in the right direction. A guiding hand, if you will.”

“I’m not exactly the most confident, and your human witch has never met me. Who is to say she will do as I ask or even listen to me?”

I couldn’t help but scoff at his words. “Indeed, Iris-Marie is a feisty thing.” I leaned against the edge of the balcony, my back grinding against the stone as I looked at him. “Alas, why do you think I allowed her to possess my power for so many years before calling upon her? I wanted her to taste my power, to become addicted to it, so reliant that the idea of losing it seems far worse than the fact of losing her soul. My dear witch may have become powerful in her world—” I opened my palm as shadows formed a small silhouette of the witch dancing over my skin. “But she is nothing more than a puppet in mine. All this time, she has had no idea, but I was here in the darkness, pulling her strings. And now, it’s time to remind her who holds her fate.” I raised my second hand, strings of fire growing from my fingertips as they wrapped around the shadow witch’s frame, controlling her. “She will do what needs to be done because my dear Iris-Marie isnothingwithout me. And should she deny me my favor, well…” My fingers flexed as the fiery puppet strings strangled the shadow witch, forcing it to its knees until it fell, lifeless. My eyes raised to Tuft as he stared in absolute fear. “Make sure she succeeds, Pegasus.”

He silently nodded. I squeezed my hands, extinguishing all within my grasp.

“Do not fail me. If you do...” I stepped towards him, closing the space between us. “I promise, there are much worse things to be afraid of than an eternity in the Abyss.” The cave began to shake as darkness grew from my body, black smoke fillingit as blue lightning and hellfire crackled from my core. “Much worse things,” I hissed in an altered voice as monstrous shadows branched from my spine. Tuft’s eyes widened in terror at my morphing exterior.

“I-I swear, I will do all in my power to see she does not fail you.”

Good.My true form dissolved as the underworld returned to normal.

“Now, go. It’s only a matter of time before Ozias pays my witch a visit—if he hasn’t already. It would be such a waste if he were to snuff out her life before I could make my move.” Tuft bowed, hurrying away through the waterfall of hellfire. I turned back towards the Abyss, watching the helpless souls below as they swirled in the eternal darkness, writhing in agony.

After all this time, my revenge is just within my grasp. It’s so close, I can almost taste it.I glanced up towards the ceiling of the cave, peering through my memory as I envisioned the heavens where I once resided long ago. The painful memory of what once was stung as I frowned.I shall never forgive you, little brother. Never. You, my nephew, and all the heavenly celestials shall fear the day my witch succeeds, for when she does, hellfire and darkness will rain down upon the heavens and consume you all.

The Underworld shook as a crack within the veil formed. I knew it was Tuft leaving for the human world in search of Iris-Marie, and my frown moved upwards as I laughed to myself.

To think, the great Ozias will be defeated by a mere human. But not just any human—my human. My dear Iris-Marie.

Chapter

Four

IRIS-MARIE

The bell above the shop door rang as I shifted a few boxes beneath the counter. The sudden jingle caused me to jolt. I had been on edge ever since Cypress paid me an unfateful visit. I wasn’t sure what to expect anymore—or who.

“Pardon, mon cher. Is this the establishment of the bayou witch Iris-Marie?” The foreign man’s voice caught me off guard as the sound of heavy footsteps neared the counter.

“Indeed it is—” I stood, my words silenced at his appearance. He was well built, unlike any other man in this bayou town or the next. His deep ebony skin emitted a warmth, clashing with his amber eyes, their color swirling like golden honey. His brown-black hair was twisted in locs, pulled back with a ribbon, adorned with golden cuffs that matched the sun charm earrings he wore. He was dressed in the oddest attire, his beige sleeveless shirt revealing his muscular arms while sticking to his formed chest. There was something about him that seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it.

“Forgive me.” I breathed a smile, which he returned. “May I ask who is looking for me?” I grabbed my walking stick, noticing his eyes as they stared at its crystal filled with hellfire. His lipspressed together as he made a face, as if something had amused him.

“But of course.” Those honey colored irises returned to me. “To permet mo entrodwir mo-mem. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is—” He paused. “Elias.” He offered me a formal bow. I returned the respectful gesture. “I come from a place as far from here as you could possibly imagine, and word of yourabilitieshas spread to my corner of the world. There are rumors you not only possess magic, but an unnatural power so strong, you can reach through the veil into the other side. They even call you the conjurer of souls, Iris-Marie. Tell me,” Elias crossed his arms and leaned on the counter, a wave of warmth radiating from him, “is this true?”

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