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nRoselyn remained at home checked by the maids while John soon left to reach Kratez, since he found out about her pregnancy he wanted to solve the snake's invasion as soon as possible, he didn't want the snakes to harm Roselyn and even that concern was irritating him so much he could basically keep his control.

nHe was driven by anger and he hated to think Roselyn may be in danger, especially now she was pregnant.

nJohn saw a familiar shape and speeded closer toward it, as he got closer he could recognize that person was Ethan.

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"What are you doing here?

" John asked frowning his forehead confused, Ethan didn't expect to find John there and remained quiet for few seconds as he figured out an excuse,

"I was haunting, we're running out of food.

"

nJohn knitted his eyebrows down as he looked over at him suspiciously,

"haunting? Why haven't you haunted any animal yet?

"

nEthan glowered at his brother,

"I just started, why are you so irritated today?

" He busted out scoffing.

nJohn took a deep breath and his tensed facial muscles relaxed,

"I'm sorry. I was lost in thought. I didn't want to question the truthfulness of your actions.

" John said gazing at him with a sorry gaze for having acted in that way. Ethan smiled,

"don't worry it's alright. Where are you going?

" Ethan asked, John was the one who had to think of an explanation to justify his presence then there, he'd rather not tell him about Roselyn's pregnancy although he trusted him.

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"Wanted to come to check on you and your progress with our plan,

" John asked trying to sound enough credible.

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"Oh...

" Ethan curved his eyebrow,

"I'm working on it.

" He said nodding.

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"I think we should speed things, creatures are getting suspicious about the missing animals and before we could realize it they might lose control.

" John considered, taking a long breath as the grip on his chest formed as soon as the concern of putting Roselyn at risk occurred to his mind.

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"I don't think we can attack them without a plan. Give me time, John and we might..

" Ethan started but John soon intervened,

"We don't have time!

" He unconsciously raised his voice and Ethan opened his eyes widened surprised and confused by John's attitude.

nJohn shook his head, he gestured to his brother before he disappeared in the darkness of the night.

nHe was trying to smell the snakes' scent, his anger was so intense and his emotions took full control of him making him think he had some chance of beating all the snakes alone.

nHe could smell no scent like if they disappeared all of a sudden.

nAfter one hour of visiting, every single wood in the village and the surrounding John was worn out and gave up on his intention to go to the castle.

nHe knocked on the door, one of the maids went to open it and when she saw John she smiled welcoming him inside.

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"John! What a pleasure to see you!

" William exclaimed, it was enough the hint of John's smile to let William deduce something was off about John's mood.

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"What happened?

" William asked John who shook his head faking a smile,

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"I'm alright, just went to check on you,

" John reassured his dad as he walked closer to him and placed his hand over his shoulder.

nAs they started to talk John finally could get a scent of one of the snakes' scents, he immediately freeze as with the corner of his eye John tried to get a hint of where the snake may be.

nAs his overdeveloped vision perceived the creature John immediately disappeared to head outside, lucky the door was open so he wasted no time to open it and reached the snake in some seconds.

nThe snake turned around and attempted an escapement but John was faster and soon gripped around the snake's jaw.

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"What are you doing here?

" John asked, groaning at the snake writhed trying to get free from John's grip but in vain.

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"I won't repeat this twice.

" John groaned once again, his eyes flashed as he revealed his long sharp fangs.

nThe snake whined with pain as John's grip got tighter and he could barely breathe.

"Alright.

" The snake hissed, John narrowed his eyes to focus on the answer.

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"I went here to...

" The snake hesitated but when John's gripped, even more, tighter to prove he was willing to kill him in case the snake didn't tell him the truth.

n

"To look for Sharon.

" The snake finally replied allowing John to release his grip, the snake inhaled air for once a second before John gripped over his jaw once again.

n

"Is she the person who got you free?

" John asked his second question but the snake only shook his head, he kept writhing his long nail desperately against John's hand.

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"Answer!!

" John's voice hungered and the snake for the fear replied right away,

"no, she's under our protector's command just like us.

"

nThe protector? John was confused and perplexed, he had never heard about any supernatural creature being called the protector.

nThe snake's tail whipped over John's chest taking advantage of his distraction to get free from John's grip.

nJohn kept his balance before he speeded toward the snake who desperately tried to flee away.

nHe sunk his long claws in the snake's max ripping him apart.

nHe threw the snake's body few meters afar, the body turned into putrefaction in a few instances as it melted with its own liquid.

nJohn returned to the castle to find William, his father looking for him in the garden and the wood.

nJohn's heart thrummed in his chest as he had a flash of his father's death.

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"Dad!

" He screamed as he speeded toward him and hugged him teleporting both of them inside.

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"Don't ever get in the wood alone. Ever again.

" John's voice was shaking and his eyes filled with tears.

nWilliam smiled hugging his son once again,

"I was looking for you. I'm alright.

"

nJohn departed from the hug and smiled at his father reassured as he gathered his breath and his heartbeat slowed down.

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"Where were you?

" William asked what John wished he would never ask, he had never lied to his father before and he didn't want to start now, at the same time he either didn't want to put Roselyn at risk.

nHe took a breath of resignation and decided to tell him the truth,

"I perceived a snake in the surroundings and I went to haunt him.

" John confessed, mentally hoping William wouldn't ask him why he haunted the snake.

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"It could have been dangerous! What if there were more snakes? They could have killed you!

" William said his tone of a voice rang preoccupied and furious at the same time but John offered him a smile.

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"You underestimate me, father,

" John said in an amused voice as he smirked at the thought of laying his hands over the demons and finally kill them all.

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"Please be careful next time and don't behave instinctively!

" William vociferate out in a low murmur as his voice broke.

nJohn chuckled a giggle as that sentence brought him back to his childhood and youth when his father always recommended him to be careful and behave.

nIf he could go back to then he would have talked to that guy and he would have told him one day all his wishes even his most hidden ones will be fulfilled and he will finally reach that peace and happiness he was so desperately seeking.

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"I will. I promise.

" John said hinting at a smile before he told goodbye to his father and speeded to get back to Kratez.

nAlthough it had only been few hours he was looking forward to seeing Roselyn again. He could picture her blushy cheeks and her sweet bright smile, only at that thought his heart began to race.

nHe knocked over the door and a maid went to open the door, John smiled at the maid to cheer her and then ran toward Roselyn's room.

nShe was sleeping on the bed, leaning her head over the pillow which was held by both her hands.

nShe was so beautiful yet so sweet that John could feel his heart melting at that vision.

nOne of the maids walked closer to him,

"I've never seen before a pregnant banshee

" She whispered in awe as her lips curved up and she almost looked joyful.

nJohn turned around to glower at her, he forgot the maids there were vampires as well and they had overdeveloped senses so they discovered about Roselyn's pregnancy as soon as they touched her.

nJohn didn't have the certainty he could trust them and it was too risky now to think of a solution, he took one step closer to the maid. His eyebrows were knitted down as he took one more step ahead in his threatening aura.

nThe maid swallowed down, she regretted having dared to make such a statement.

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