Chapter 5: The Witch’s Claim

Jason’s Point of View

I woke up to a loud crash downstairs. My heart jumped, and I sat up in the big bed Veronica had given me. The room was dark, with only a little moonlight coming through the window. I grabbed my stake from the table, my hands sweaty. This house was supposed to be safe, but after last night. Hilton, that demon, and now Chloe.I didn’t believe it anymore.

I crept to the door, my sneakers quiet on the stone floor. Voices came from below, sharp and angry. One was Veronica’s, low and fierce. The other was a girl, soft but mean, like she was hiding something. I held my stake tighter and tiptoed down the stairs, staying in the shadows.

The library door was open, candlelight flickering inside. I peeked around the corner. Veronica stood by a shelf, her fangs out, her gray eyes hard. Across from her was a girl with brown hair and dangerous eyes that glowed like a cat’s. She was shorter than Veronica, but something about her made my skin crawl. She wasn’t a vampire. She was something else.

“You can’t have him, Sage,” Veronica said, her voice like a growl. “He’s not yours.”

Sage. That’s what she called herself. She smiled, but it wasn’t nice. “My father saw it,” she said, stepping closer. “Jason’s meant for me. He’ll save my people. You can’t stop fate.”

My stomach twisted. Me? Save her people? I didn’t even know who she was! I gripped my stake, ready to jump in, but Veronica’s hand shot up, like she knew I was there. “Stay back,” she said, not looking at me.

Sage’s eyes flicked to the doorway, and her smile grew. “Jason,” she said, her voice sweet like candy. “Come out. I know you’re there.”

I froze, my heart pounding. Veronica turned, her face pale. “Jason, don’t,” she said, but I stepped into the light. I wasn’t hiding anymore. Not from her, not from anyone.

“Who are you?” I asked Sage, my voice shaking. “Why do you want me?”

Sage walked toward me, her eyes locked on mine. She was pretty, with a curvy body and a soft smile, but it felt wrong, like a trap. “I’m Sage,” she said. “My people are witches, and we’re dying. No babies, no magic. But you.” She reached out, her fingers brushing my arm. I jerked back, and she laughed. “You’re special, Jason. You can fix us.”

“Fix you how?” I asked, my stake raised. “I’m not some hero. I’m just a guy.”

She tilted her head, her eyes glowing brighter. “You’re more than that,” she said. “Your blood, your power. it’s what we need. Marry me, Jason. Give me children, and my people will live.”

My mouth dropped open. “Marry you? Are you crazy?” I looked at Veronica, hoping she’d back me up. Her face was hard, but her eyes were scared.

“Sage, leave,” Veronica said, stepping between us. “He’s not going with you.”

Sage’s smile faded. “You don’t get to decide,” she said. She raised her hand, and the air got heavy, like a storm was coming. A spark of light danced in her palm, growing into a ball of fire. “Give him to me, or I burn this house down.”

Veronica growled, her fangs gleaming. “Try it,” she said, and lunged. Sage threw the fire, and it hit Veronica’s shoulder. She screamed, falling back, her jacket smoking. I ran to her, my heart racing, but she pushed me away.

“Run!” she yelled, getting up. Her shoulder was red, but she didn’t stop. She tackled Sage, pinning her to the floor. Books fell, candles tipped over, and flames started licking the shelves.

I didn’t run. I couldn’t leave her. I grabbed a chair and swung it at Sage, but she flicked her hand, and the chair flew across the room, smashing into a wall. My arms shook, but I held my stake tight. “Let her go!” I shouted.

Sage laughed, her eyes glowing like fire. “You’re brave,” she said. “I like that.” She pushed Veronica off, and Veronica hit a table, groaning. Sage stood, brushing her hair back like nothing happened. “Come with me, Jason,” she said. “Or I’ll take you.”

I backed up, my stake pointed at her. “I’m not going anywhere,” I said. My voice was shaky, but I meant it. I wasn’t her toy.

Veronica got up, her eyes wild. “You’ll have to kill me first,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. She charged again, but Sage was ready. She waved her hand, and Veronica froze, like invisible ropes held her. She struggled, her fangs snapping, but she couldn’t move.

“Stop it!” I yelled, running at Sage. I swung my stake, aiming for her chest. She caught my wrist, her grip like iron. Her eyes locked on mine, and my head got fuzzy, like I was falling asleep. “Sleep,” she whispered, and my legs wobbled.

“No!” Veronica screamed, breaking free. She tackled Sage, and they rolled across the floor, knocking over more books. The fire spread, smoke filling the room. I coughed, my eyes stinging, but I stayed up. Something inside me felt… strong. Like a fire of my own, burning in my chest.

I grabbed Veronica’s arm, pulling her off Sage. “We need to go!” I said, coughing. The flames were everywhere now, eating the walls. Sage stood, her eyes glowing through the smoke.

“You can’t run forever,” she said, her voice calm. “He’s mine, Veronica.”

Veronica grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door. “Not today,” she growled. We ran outside, the cold air hitting my face. The house was glowing orange behind us, smoke pouring out. My heart pounded, but I kept running, Veronica’s hand tight in mine.

We stopped in the woods, far from the house. My lungs burned, and my head was spinning. Veronica leaned against a tree, her shoulder still red from the fire. “You okay?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

She nodded, but her eyes were scared. “She’s not giving up,” she said. “Sage… she’s dangerous. Her people need you, and they’ll do anything to get you.”

“Why me?” I asked, my hands shaking. “I’m nobody!”

Veronica grabbed my shoulders, her eyes fierce. “You’re not nobody,” she said. “Your blood, your strength, it’s not human. I don’t know what you are, but they do. And they want it.”

I pulled away, my head pounding. “You keep saying that, but you don’t tell me anything!” I shouted. “What am I, Veronica? Why’s everyone after me?”

She looked away, her jaw tight. “I’m trying to figure it out,” she said. “But we can’t stay here. Sage will come back. And she’s not alone.”

I wanted to yell, to make her explain, but a twig snapped behind us. We both froze. Footsteps crunched, slow and heavy. My heart stopped. I turned, my stake ready, but it wasn’t Sage.

A man stood there, tall and muscular, with dark hair and green eyes like mine. His smile was cold, like a wolf’s. Wings—big, black ones, folded behind him. “Hello, Jason,” he said, his voice deep. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Veronica stepped in front of me, her fangs out. “Lucifer,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Stay away from him.”

My stomach dropped. Lucifer? The demon from last night? But he wasn’t looking at Veronica. His eyes were on me, like he knew me. Like he owned me.

“You’re coming with me, son,” he said, his wings spreading wide. “It’s time you learned who you really are.”