Chapter 4

Chapter IV

Freya

“Don’t be a naughty boy,” I laughed.

Theo giggled louder, sending bubbles flying into the air.

“Okay, that’s enough—”

Suddenly his body jerked. The laughter stopped as his small frame started shaking violently. My heart dropped.

“Theo?”

A faint gold mark showed at his side face, then disappeared. His eyes had turned to bright gold.

“Theo!” I poured water over him to wash the bubbles away and grabbed him quickly. “Scarlet!”

I rushed out of the bathroom with Theo in my arms. Scarlet met me halfway, fear written all over her face.

“What happened?” She looked at him. Theo was shaking badly in my hands and his skin was becoming abnormally hot.

“Please get the concoction. Fast!”

I lowered myself to the floor and gently laid Theo down. The shaking grew worse, I could feel him in pain, then I saw patches of long thick gold hair, pushing out through his skin. Tears filled my eyes, threatening to fall down. This was new, his powers were growing stronger.

Scarlet ran back with the bottle already open, so I measured the usual amount with the cap and tried to give it to him.

“Theo, it’s okay… open your mouth for me.”

The liquid spilled everywhere as he trembled. Fuck. I poured another dose, holding his head steady while Scarlet tried to hold his arm. She flinched immediately.

“He’s so hot,” she whispered, pulling her hand back. “It feels like I’m going to get burned.”

I held him firmly in place, gripping his jaw as I forced the mixture into his mouth. The shaking slowly reduced but he was still trembling, so I gave him another dose. Finally, his body calmed down and he slumped forward against me, completely drained and asleep.

I was glad it was over but the patches of gold hair were still visible on his skin.

Scarlet gasped. “Freya… his back.”

My head flew up to meet her eyes. “Hi… his back.” She squeezed her eyes shut.

I quickly flipped him over and nearly pulled away in shock. The marks had deepened and spread further, stretching almost up to his neck. They looked like red, twisted tree roots moving in every direction across his skin.

We both stared in fear. I had asked Theo once if these marks hurt him but he said he couldn’t feel anything, afterwards. It was just during the outbursts. They had started as small spots, like rashes. Now, they were redder, deeper, and longer.

My baby was suffering so much. I couldn’t hold back anymore, the tears I had been fighting came. Scarlet stepped closer and crouched down, she rubbed my thigh softly, trying to comfort me.

“It’s getting worse.” She said calmly.

“I know,” I replied between sobs…

We sat on the floor for some moments until my crying slowed down to quiet sobs. Scarlet stayed right there with me.

“Do you think they could help?” She asked.

I knew who she was referring to, the people from Blackmoon. I shook my head and buried my face in my palms.

“Freya… we can’t keep trying to suppress this forever… you can’t… we need a solution.”

And then my mind drifted to what the teacher had told me… “the child is not meant to be here, send him back to where he belongs.”

She was right. Scarlet was right… but I don’t want to go there, the thought of going there terrified me. I sobbed harder. I didn’t want to face that place… I didn’t want to face him.

Still Theo wasn’t safe here either with his illness getting worse…

I pulled my hands away from my face and stared down at my son. The patches of hair had finally vanished. He was sleeping peacefully now, but he looked complete drained.

“The paper…” I whispered.

Scarlet understood quickly and stood up to get it. She brought me the small white card the guards had left. I wiped my eyes and took it from her. “Thank you.”

I carried Theo to the couch and laid him down carefully, placing the card beside him.

I looked at Scarlet with heavy grief in my chest… It was time.

I walked into the bedroom and started packing our things into one bag, clothes for me and Theo, a few essentials. Scarlet walked in from behind.

“Do you think I would let you leave without taking me along?” She asked

My shoulders sagged. “Scarlet… that place is dangerous, you shouldn’t be thinking of it. You have your restaurant and your life here. You need to stay safe.”

“Those things can take care of themselves. I already have a good manager at the restaurant, and this house isn’t a home without you and Theo. I’m not me without you too.”

“I’m not in the mood to argue with you, you can’t come with. It’s not a place for humans.”

“If you don’t care about our friendship, just say it,” she snapped.

Anger rose in me and I turned to face her. “I do care about you! That’s exactly why I don’t want you to enter that world. You could die.”

“And what’s the point of staying here if I lose both of you? You’re being selfish right now, and I hate it.” She turned. “Fine. Go alone then.”

“I’ll take a cab,” I said quietly.

She slammed the door at me.

My claws were partially extended without me realising it. I was breathing hard, hot tears running down my face, I wiped them away with my arm.

I finished packing, got dressed, and picked Theo up along with the bag. I grabbed the white card and slipped it into my pocket. Scarlet was sitting on the couch, typing furiously on her phone. She didn’t even look at me.

“I love you,” I said softly.

She didn’t respond back. My brows drew closer and I felt pain in my chest. I fear I might cry again. “ I’ll try to keep in touch.” Still nothing.

I walked out of the house with Theo in my arms and the bag over my shoulder, closing the door quietly behind me.

The cab stopped in front of the motel. I spotted the black car waiting outside. I paid the driver and watched him drive away before turning to face the motel.

“You made your decision.”

My heart jumped in fear. It was the female guard. The other two appeared moments later and moved toward the car as if she had sent a signal to them.

“Come on.”

We were all seated in the car now, the male who had spoken to me earlier was driving, while the other sat in the passenger seat. The female sat opposite me in the back seat, staring straight ahead.

I looked down at Theo sleeping in my arms and let out a sigh. I sent out a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess.

Please protect my son and let this be the right choice.