Cassandra Ricci - POV
"Cassie," Abigail said as the car came to a stop in front of a small two-storey house. I turned away from my view to look at her when I saw a concerned look on her face. "I know how much you hate to work as a witch. You know I could still help you with…"
"I am not in any trouble, Abby." I interrupted her when she raised an eyebrow at me. She moved closer to me, and a frown appeared on my face as she pushed my hoodie away from my face. Her finger lightly traced the freshly stitched wound when I quickly pulled away.
"This wound says otherwise, Cassie." she asserted when I looked away as my eyes brimmed with tears again as I remembered how I got it. Despite agreeing to work for Chris, I still tried my luck to escape one last time yesterday when he caught me and banged my head against the concrete wall on the road multiple times.
"Please trust me in this, Abby. I don't want to drag you into anything. You have helped me more than I could ever repay you. Just help me secure this job, and…"
"You are my friend, Cassie. And do you want me to turn a blind eye on you?"
"I will be fine. Trust me." With those words, I got down from the vehicle and made my way to the boot when Abigail got down as well. Luckily, she did not ask anything further as she helped me take out my suitcases as we walked up the few stairs to the house. It was a small modest-looking house with its beige wall paint peeling off. I looked at the windows to see that it had accumulated dust over the years as I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door.
This used to be the house where my mom, dad, and I used to stay when I was still in school. As I stepped inside, my nostrils were filled with the scent of Dad's cologne. The smell was faint, but it was enough to trigger my memory as I walked into the living room.
The sofas were covered using white sheets and there were dust and cobwebs everywhere. "I can get a cleaner to help you clean this place," Abigail suggested as she placed my bags in the foyer and walked into the living room.
"That would not be necessary, I can manage," I told her when she nodded her head.
"You have a meeting with the council tomorrow at eight. I will come to get you, all right?" she asked me when I nodded my head.
"Thank you for your help, Abigail," I told her when she nodded her head and pulled me into an unexpected hug before leaving me alone. I walked back into the foyer, and looked up the flight of stairs, which was dusty as I passed the staircase and walked into the kitchen.
There were not many utensils in the cupboards, but I think I could manage. I made my way upstairs and walked to my old bedroom. As I opened the door, a nostalgic smile appeared on my face. The teal blue walls greeted me along with my double bed, which was still there with my closet as well.
I made my way back downstairs and grabbed the cleaning supplies that were in the kitchen before I began cleaning the house. By the time I was done with my cleaning, the sun had already set and most of the lights in the houses down the streets were turned on.
I took a seat on a couch and looked out through the window at the houses in front of me. I can see people inside and the forest behind the house looked even more serene as I closed my eyes for a moment.
Ring ring.
My eyes flew open as I stared at my phone, which was on the coffee table.
Chris.
My heart skipped a beat as I saw his name when I picked up the phone and answered. "Have you reached your town, Cassie?" he asked me.
"Yes."
"And you managed to secure a meeting with the elders?" he asked me.
"Yes, my friend helped me get a meeting tomorrow." I hold him.
"Good, and I believe you must not have told her anything about our little agreement."
"I didn't tell anyone, Chris. Where is my mother?" I asked him when I heard him laugh.
"Straight to the point," he said when I heard a lot of shuffling in the background. "I promised to keep her alive, Cassie. And I do not go back on my words. She is alive, but her life depends on your actions. Make sure you secure a place at the white blood pack."
"I don't think the elders would give me that pack, Chris. I do not have experience in magic, and as I have heard, the white blood pack is the largest and most powerful pack. I don't think they would want an amateur witch like me."
"You are right. But it is up to you to prove your worth to them, Cassandra. If you do not secure a place in the white blood pack, then you can just kiss your mother's life goodbye."
"Chris!" I yelled when I felt my blood boil in anger.
"Don't raise your voice at me, Cassandra. Do what I say, and your mother will be safe," he said.
"Why do you want me to go to the white blood pack?" I asked him. This question has been in my mind since Chris told me about his agenda, and I didn't dare ask him this earlier since I was afraid of his reaction.
"I will tell you that tomorrow. Now, get some rest," he said, and before I could ask him anything else, the line was disconnected. I threw my phone on the floor and curled into myself as the tears began to flow.
I should have just stayed single, at least then, I wouldn't have gone into this mess.