The black witch growled at both of them for catching and tying her. Lucas didn't move from where he stood, his hands in his pocket as he observed both the women. One who was tied around the tree and another who was standing free and next to him.

"Where did you get strings from?

" Portia looked surprised and startled by the weapon being used.

"I asked one of the church members in the Bonelake to make one for me. Thought it was much more useful when I had to catch someone. Had to bribe the young white witch to make it for me as the white witches are supposed to work only for the council and not non-councilmen.

" He answered, walking around the tree to make sure the wire had made the trick like rope which was made of thin silver, he finally came to stand in front of the black witch.

"How are you feeling?

" Lucas asked the black witch who looked more than mad and wanting to rip their heads off their body.

When the witch finally calmed down, the black witch said,

"You don't know about me, but in the next few minutes both of you will be begging for to save your life.

"

"If it is the water you are talking about, then I must say good luck with that because she didn't take a sip and it would not affect me,

" answered Lucas, his black eyes calmly looking into the slit eyes,

"Tell me now, why did you kill George? Obviously both yours, as well as the council's version, is wrong.

"

The witch started to laugh like a joke had been told before she finally stared back at Lucas,

"What difference does it make if you know about it? The boy is dead. His family is dead. It is something that happened a few months ago. Even the council closed the case.

"

"It matters to Belle,

" answered Lucas looking into Belle's eyes that were light red in colour,

"What are you going to do by hiding the truth when you are only going to die?

" he asked the black witch.

"Do you think if you kill me, there won't be others who will come to hunt you?

" questioned the black witch to see the man smile.

"What makes you think they won't be hunted back?

"

The woman said,

"The era of the witches is going to dawn soon. We will be the ones to dominate the land.

"

Lucas took in her words,

"I guess that is all I wanted to know from you,

" he said that took both the women by surprise as the black witch had barely told anything. Pulling out a gun which he hadn't got the opportunity to use, he pulled the trigger, for the bullet to enter the black witch's forehead and in the next second she turned to a pile of ash on the forest ground.

Lucas had pulled out his scythe when he heard something rustle behind him to turn and notice the tall man who was lean and had blond hair.

"I thought you went rogue,

" said the man who didn't move from his place whilst he stared at the pile of ash and the soul that had turned to a ball of spirit energy that didn't know where to go. Crane raised his hand, and in one flick, the ball of spirit energy disappeared,

"When did you start reaping the souls again?

"

"Thought it would be unkind to keep a soul waiting. What are you doing here, Crane?

" inquired Lucas without dropping his scythe from his hand,

"I thought the Hawverts never visited the land of the living.

"

Crane gave him a small nod,

"True, they don't. Some of you went rogue and have caused us quite some problem.

"

"My apologies for it.

"

Portia who stood there watching didn't know what exactly was going on as she didn't know who the man who was standing in front of them.

"Why didn't you come back to work? I have been waiting for your return,

" Crane's voice was calm as he said this. His eyes shifted to look at the vampiress who stood next to Lucas,

"Is she the reason?

"

"You know it's not true,

" Lucas responded back while making sure Belle was placed safely behind him.

"I heard that you took a soul and disappeared right after the bell. You should have returned, we could have discussed,

" stated Crane.

Lucas' lips twitched at Crane's words,

"Discussed with words or with hellhounds?

"

"Whatever you will find to be convenient,

" answered Crane,

"Do you know where the others are?

"

"Who others?

" asked Lucas, acting oblivious to Hawvert's question.

Crane's black eyes didn't move away from Lucas, observing the Grim reaper from where he stood,

"Four more of them have gone missing from the Grims—fallen from their position.

" Hearing this Lucas frowned. Four? He had only three of them in Adams' mansion.

Who was the fourth Grim? Or was Crane trying to fool him to get him to answer...

"I don't know,

" he replied,

"Did you know that some of the creatures arrived here when you sent some reapers at me?

"

"Hm? I will need to look into that. Come back with me to the land of the dead, Cross. I think you have played enough as a mortal in here,

" said Crane, noticing how Lucas didn't withdraw his scythe back.

"I have things to do here,

" answered Lucas, keeping an eye on Crane but it was of no use as the Hawvert moved so quickly behind the vampiress. By the time Lucas had turned, Belle had fallen on the ground.

Crane looked down at the girl and said,

"I don't understand why the Grims or any reapers would try to attach themselves to something so fragile,

" he said with a tired sigh,

"Now that she's gone, I don't think you have a reason to stay here anymore. It is nothing but an empty shell. I will be expecting you back soon,

" and with that, Crane disappeared from the forest.

.

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