Chapter 13

Virtues and Liars

"Wake up…"

A rough feminine voice spoke into my right ear. My eyes were sealed shut, and this was for the first time in years my first chance of good sleep, rudely interrupted...but still nice.

I groaned as I refused to open my eyes. Only to feel someone's finger, flicking my forehead. It did not particularly hurt, but the annoyance caused me to push myself upright, and open my eyes.

Only to see Ram. She was wearing a long pink dress which I supposed was her nightwear. It perfectly matched her eyes and hair.

I quickly wiped my eyes to make sure I was not dreaming. "Huh...never knew you were into me like that." I cocked my head as I stifled a laugh. "Kind of scandalous. The maid and the honored guest. If anyone figured out…"

"Put a sock in it." She formed a grin as she wrapped her arms around herself. "The only way someone like you would get with me, would be in your dreams."

"Funny...I was just dreaming about you a second ago." I reached around my bed as I picked up my sweater and began putting it on me. "Before you interrupted me...Frederica was about to join in. Kinda inter…"

Ram grabbed my bag from under the bed and chucked it at me. Luckily, I dodged it as I held back a laugh.

"Smart ass...creep...fucking weirdo." She murmured under her breath as she stared at me.

I waved at her to calm down as I threw my legs off the end of the bed so I could properly face her. A bright lantern gleamed an orange light, it seemed that Ram took it so she could walk around the dark hallways of the mansion.

"Listen...I'm sorry. Honestly, I was just poking fun, but what do you need? I doubt this was a social call."

She gazed down at me. Avoiding my eyes. "Thank you...Damon." She took a deep breath as she breathed the rest of her sentence into existence. "For saving my sister. She is strong...but Rem couldn't handle it out there."

I took a deep breath as I rested my palms on my knees. "I pitied her, Ram." My fingers began to claw into my knees. "I hate her...but I let her stay. I honestly don't know why."

She seemed taken aback by my response. "Well maybe you're just a fool…"

I was about to snap back with my own retort, but she stopped me…

"Or maybe you are just a good person. Willing to forgive, and to move on from the past."

"Move on from the past?" My hand coursed through my hair. "How can I... Ram, when I have been stuck in the past for years?"

She took a step forward as she hesitantly reached out. "Damon, are you okay?"

I nodded my head. Not even sure about my very own movement as I gazed up into her red eyes that brilliantly shone from the lantern light. "You know...if you weren't such an ass half the time. You would be pretty cute."

She snickered at the retort as she rested on the desk. But her smile stopped, as she lowered her gaze to meet my eyes.

"Do you wish to speak about it?" I followed her words; they were not some half ass insult or anything. But actually, seemed like she was worried. "We have the time…"

I shook my head as I dismissed her. "No, we don't. It would take hours to cover something like this, and even longer for you to fully register and understand it."

I stopped combing through my hair as my gaze went back to her. "But here's the quick version of it."

I took a deep breath. "I'm an idiot, I drink and smoke." I lowered my gaze to avoid Ram's. "My head is...I have a hard time reading. Especially writing, my handwriting is extraordinarily bad, and I am quite horrible with math."

"That was my life for years after my father passed away. But during the war...my talents began to truly shine, and after…"

I stopped at that sentence. My gaze followed to Ram's bare feet as I did not have the courage to meet her eyes. "Surviving...my luck and reaction time is pinpoint. I have a decent track record."

"Killing. Hell, I could do that any day." My fingers clawed into my hair. "Maybe I am too good at it."

"Reading people...convincing people. Most of the time I could either talk to a person or intimidate them enough to get them to leave me alone."

"Though forgiveness, remorse. Apologizing, has always been hard for me to do." I raised my head to meet Ram's red eyes. "I am sorry...Ram. I shouldn't have insinuated about you and Roswell, and also disregard you and Rem's love."

She lowered her gaze. "It's...fine."

"No, it isn't." I shook my head as I spoke. "I was honestly projecting."

"Projecting?" She repeated.

Why was I telling her this? Maybe because I felt that Ram of all people could understand, but at the same time I hardly knew her!

When I was a kid...my mom said that talking to strangers about your problems was easier than speaking to your family. I remember asking why that was, but she just said that was just the way it was.

Maybe it was because a stranger could not judge you because they did not know, or even punish you...but it was still a weird lesson. Maybe it came from one of my mother's books that she read.

I never spoke to strangers about my problems, I was not weird, and I knew that wasn't the point of my mother's wisdom. She was pretty weird, I loved her, and she was smart…but she also had qualities of sometimes being an airhead.

"My little sister did not leave me, but instead…" I felt the shame and guilt bloom inside of my stomach, a sickening feeling. "I left her, and mom...and grandfather."

"Why…"

"I couldn't...explain what happened to me, there. The horror, the betrayal...the deaths I had to climb over and push through."

Their faces illuminated like sparks as I pushed the darkest memories down. "...and for a time. I decided to give myself to everything, to the darkness and horror...and to truly become a monster."

I could remember him, the commander. What we all went through, and what he did that turned me into...this.

"Once I was willing to do just that to commit myself to fighting and let anyone else find a reason for my existence."

"Damon…" She spoke interrupting my trance. My gaze went back towards her as I felt sick, did I worry her?

"Oh god, sorry. This was just supposed to be a light talk, and I turned it into something else." I got up from the bed and grabbed my thrown backpack, and I placed it back under the bed. "I... sorry. I must be pretty pathetic."

"Me too...I think I rely too much on Rem and Roswell, even miss Emlia."

We locked eyes for a second as the realization began to coarse through my head, did she just call herself...pathetic?

She was rubbing her arms as she avoided my eyes, the glow of the orange light made her look strangely...cute for once. Honestly, I was confused about the mood going on in the room.

"I'm sorry...is what I'm doing, bothering you."

"Well, you did wake me up...what time is it? Three in the morning, I suppose." I rambled.

Nothing was said for a minute as I gazed down at my feet. Trying to think of anything else to say, but I was not able to utter a single word.

Ram's eyes shot up at me as she separated her hands from around herself. "What do you want for breakfast? Rem, she wanted to know…"

"Um, yeah...I don't really care. Surprise me or something…"

She quickly bustled through my door as a loud slam echoed throughout the hall. Well, that was strange, my finger stopped coursing through my hair as I rested back onto the pillow. I closed my eyes, trying to let sleep take me but nothing was working.

In fear of suffering a nightmare, I decided to walk the hallways. So, I grabbed my coat and put on my shoes as I made my way through the mansion halls.

Until…

I stopped in front of the craters and burnt furniture. The ice pikes from before having now melted and now there were wet spots littering all over the hallway.

The place stunk from mold and burnt furniture, caused by my minya's. I should not think about what happened...if I do then I will surely go mad again. I took a deep breath as I pushed through the destroyed hallway.

Frederica was supposed to be coming either today or tomorrow. To help clean after me and Rem's battle. My gaze went outside, seeing the grounds of the estate...the window I busted out from was still destroyed.

A thin piece of sheet covered it causing a cold draft to seep into the hallway. I continued my walk as I looked to the side. I squinted my eyes seeing a piece of light coming from a door.

It was warm and I could swear that I saw it before. I pressed my body against the wall, my ear next to the crack of the door.

"Bubby…"

It was Beatrice's soft voice. I tried speaking to her before I went to bed, but I couldn't find her anywhere in the mansion.

"Beatrice. How did you know where Damon was?"

It was Puck, but his voice...there was an aura of hostility and accusation surrounding it. What was going on?

"The book." I could imagine Beatrice's gaze as she surrounded the information to Puck. "...mother, she told me what was happening."

"Echidna, she cared enough about Damon...to tell you. Why…?"

"Dismas...that's his real name." She spoke.

Wait...Dismas? That is my real name...it took a second for me to register the information, this Echidna. She somehow uncovered my identity, but how?

I have kept nearly everything about me a secret. Hell, the only time I had opened up, was with Ram...maybe I am getting too careless.

"So, he has been lying to us. Is he a threat, before I could tell that the scent clings to him and has gotten stronger, way stronger than it should normally be?"

"What are you saying...Bubby" I could imagine her head twisting to the side like a bird. "That Damon...no, Dismas. He is a member of the witch cult."

"It's strange though. I could usually tell if someone is lying...but Damon." A loud cold breath entered the hallway, causing me to shake. "He is a threat...to be a good enough liar to escape me, maybe Rem had the right idea."

Puck...that prick. But I knew I couldn't blame him. He just found out that I was lying about something trivial like my real name and I have the scent of the cult on me. He would be a fool to not think I was one of them.

"I doubt he is a member...you honestly think mother would care about a single witch cultist. Also remember how skilled he is, I honestly doubt that a witch cultist would be able to contend with a demon in her horned state, all on their own with a broken gate."

"You don't know…"

Beatrice's soft voice radiated from the room. "Roswell also stated the boy must come to no harm. That he has his uses…"

"But…" Puck once again tried to interject.

"Bubby I get that you're upset, though there are many reasons that Dismas may very well be lying to us. Remember that he picked up on how the maid was trying to kill him, he may have very well felt unsafe."

"Yes, but…"

"Betty thinks...that no witch cultist would have saved the maid." She enforced.

She was defending me. I do not know why she cared about me so much, but thanks...Betty for having my back.

"Huh...maybe your right." He sighed.

"Though what did you detect when you met him? You can read emotions or impulses…" Beatrice said as I heard her footsteps echo from the library.

"Yeah, Dismas. It is hard to read him, maybe he is just really good at hiding his emotions, but I felt it…" He took a deep breath. "pride, self-doubt…lust."

"Guilt…" He spat out the word, causing a distinct chill to run down my spine. "It washes over him, for something that happened."

"It was a reflex...I didn't mean to." Betty said.

My ears cued as I heard the words come from her voice. But I could swear that I never uttered them in this loop, so how does...

"What?" Puck yelped.

"Dismas said that unintentionally while he seeked solace here, in his sleep. it's like a mantra to him...he repeats it at times..."

A distinct silence radiated from the room, and I thought the conversation was over. Though I heard Puck's voice erupt.

"Though there is something else. Peace, mercy, hope...bravery. I can see those traits within him. He is a good kid...but something happened, from days long past."

"Such wounds that were inflicted in the past, can be reopened in the present, I suppose."

"Thanks Betty...but promise, to keep an eye on him." Puck spoke with determination in his voice.

My body rolled down the wall. A part of me, angry that Puck saw those things about me. But there was something else...a faint smile bloomed over my lips.

Puck spoke about me, but he mentioned the good things. While Betty had my back and was ready to defend me.

"I will, good night, Bubby."

I quickly and quietly rounded the next corner as I hid inside of the darkness. I saw the faint outline of Puck's small form breach through the crack of the door as he hovered and diminished inside of the roof.

My breathing was fast as I pressed my hand against my chest. "Echidona…" I whispered as I felt something stirring within me, like I had heard the name before.

If it weren't for her then I would have been killed by Rem, or my Od would have killed me. So, I guess I should feel thankful for the stranger, but there was something there. A strange feeling inside of my chest.

I began walking back to my bedroom. Avoiding the thoughts of mistrust that were beginning to bloom and the ever-growing questions.

The witch cult...there scent clings to me, heavily. Enough for me to be murdered due to similarities. I twisted the knob of my bedroom door as I climbed back into bed.

Tomorrow I will talk to Betty. I need to know more about this world. Of whom this witch was, and what Roswell was talking about.

"Skilled with both the magic, and spirit arts…"

I remembered those words. I do not think I have been getting fed lies, but definitely not the full story. Beatrice mentioned how I was skilled with magic, but Puck never brought it up even failing to mention that my shammac was more powerful than a normal one.

The spirit arts...I had no clue what that was, but I needed to get stronger. A gun cannot fix everything, and I didn't want to die again…

My hand reached under my bed as I pulled out a box. A light spruce wood box, I opened the seal as I stared into it. Screws, broken pieces of iron, and broken fragments of metal were scattered all around.

My revolver...or what was left of it. I found it outside of my room a couple of hours after my argument with Rem. A note was written over it in strange letters, I can't read so I had to go to Emilia and have her read it out for me.

Basically, it was written by Rem and had the word "sorry" written on the note. I reclosed the box as I placed it back underneath my bed, right next to my backpack.

"What a waste…"

My revolver is destroyed. But...my dad growing up worked with old flintlocks. Maybe, I can…

I began racking my head around the idea of making a flintlock pistol. I did not like carrying the shotgun or rifle around for numerous reasons. It got wild stares, and a rifle or shotgun could barely handle any of the threats I faced.

Sure, it knocked out the assassin, and I was sure that it could handle Rem. Though that's the thing, I shouldn't have been sure of anything. I should know that when I pull the trigger that when it meets its mark the person is dead.

Though…

I tossed and turned in bed until the sun began to rise. It's light going through my window, and I began to finally get some sleep.

"Damon…" A soft voice tickled my ear. Warm fingers grasped onto my shoulder as they lightly shook me awake. "It's time for breakfast…"

"Hmm...it's been a while since a girl woke me up for breakfast, thanks Ram." I said letting out a comfortable sigh.

I opened my eyes seeing Rem's face two inches from my own as her breath tickled my cheek. "Oh...Rem."

"Sorry...Damon." She backed away from me with a smile across her face. I got up from bed as I slung my feet over the side. She slowly bounced along the edges of her toe in a strange glee.

Like she was excited for me to see something. She quickly picked up my boots and began unlacing them. She then motioned for me to put my feet into them.

"Rem... I get your trying to make it up to me. But this is a little…" I took away my shoe from Rem as I began to adjust it around my own foot.

I tied up my shoes as I looked around for my jacket. "Rem, where is my…"

She beamed up at me. "Rem is washing it with the rest of your clothes."

I nodded my head at her as I opened the door. Both of us departed as I began to walk to the library. I have not seen or spoken to Betty in a while, me and her got into that argument so I needed to fix things.

Also, I had questions. The spirit arts, wasn't Puck a spirit or something along those lines. If I had a way of regulating and gaining more strength, then I would have to know more.

We both left the room as I walked through the hallway. I guess that breakfast was ready because I smelt something good coming from the dining room, and something felt strange.

I looked to the side as I saw a door. Something was telling me that this was where...Beatrice was.

"Damon...what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Rem." I glanced into her light blue eyes. "I just need to check on Beatrice right now…"

My feet quickly scuttled to the door. I had to get away from, Rem. I knew that this was a different loop, and she had no real knowledge of what she did to me.

Though I could not handle it...what was I supposed to do now? Even standing next to her filled me with anxiety and dread, maybe I will get better in a couple of days.

I opened and closed the door behind me. To be greeted by her small and roundish face. "Hey, Beatrice…let's talk."

She turned towards me as she closed her book. She was...hesitant, I do not know how I knew that but as I approached, I stopped.

"What are you, Dismas?" She asked. She gazed down at that black book without looking up at me.

I tilted my head down as I tried to form an apology. "I lied about my name. I'm sorry but I did not know what you guys were like, and after Rem I realized it was a good idea to keep my identity a secret."

"Are you a member of the witch cult?"

"What...no, Beatrice. I don't even...I don't even know who they are!"

"Okay, then" She got up from the seat as she put her book under her armpit, well it didn't take that long to convince her. "What are you doing here, I suppose?"

"I'm sorry for getting angry, about yesterday. I should have picked up on why you were so upset...but like a fool I failed to understand."

She huffed. "Betty, forgives you, but...I won't teach you magic."

"That's fine, but I was wondering...if me and you can still stay close?" I felt my face heat up as I began to rub the back of my neck "I wouldn't want our relationship to be damaged…"

"Relationship…" She gazed up at me, her annoying tone breaching through my eardrums. "Wait, what are you saying?"

"We're friends...Right…" I spoke.

She gazed up at me as she tilted her head to the side. The same way Emilia did when I asked her the same question the day before.

"Listen I owe you one...for Rem. And I do not know what will happen in the future but having you by my side as a friend, and an ally."

I reached out my hand towards her own. "So how about it...Betty. Me and you, let us work together from now on…"

She gazed at my hand, and then back at my face. I was about to take a knee so she could easily reach me…

She scoffed as she turned her head away from me. "Dismas, I bet you say that to any girl that gives you a glance, and Betty has no need for anything like that…"

I was blasted out of the library. My back slammed into the wall nearly an inch away from the window.

"Beatrice...what the hell!" I shouted as I slid off the wall and landed on my butt.

I heard the pacing of footsteps come towards me. Only to be blasted by a torrent of blue hair. "Dismas are you okay?"

She took a knee as she looked me up and down, Rem? It took me a second to register what was happening.

"Your fine, Damon." She got up as she flashed me a smile. Her hand reaching out for my own.

I was about to get up on my own, but Rem's smile. She just wanted to help...I stifled down my pride as our hands connected as she helped me up.

We both began walking down the hallway. "Rem, I am sorry, for making you wait...but you didn't have to wait for me."

"I know...but I wanted to make sure that you were fine first."

She really did feel bad, but I still cannot forgive her. "Okay, let's head to breakfast together." I spoke as I gazed at her.

Her grin spread from ear to ear...as we both began walking to eat breakfast, together. It felt strange, but just seeing how Rem was…

Maybe I can...or at least try to be civil with her.

Author Note

Hi!

Thanks for reading this chapter. Sorry this one was kind of short and didn't really show everything I promised in the last chapter but I was able to get this chapter out. Next one should include Frederica, and the truth about Dismas and who he is being revealed. He already opened up to Ram and is now slowly getting along with Rem. Him and Beatrice should be cool in the next chapter, and after that the next threat should be introduced.

Sorry, this chapter was pretty rushed! Also next chapter will explain why Betty launched Dismas out of the library!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful and awesome day!