The Tiger Prince's Witch
Chapter 61 - The Brothers

"I think you're right, Randal," Santi answered nervously. When he woke up this morning, the palace was the last place he thought he would be going. He was older than his brother, but he had never felt smaller in his life. Santi looked down at his hands, trying to think of something to say.

Randal felt as though his heart was going to beat out of his chest. Seeing his brother brought a lot of the bitterness and anger to the front of his emotions. However, some of that faded when he looked into Santi's eyes. He could see the pain, sorrow, and, most of all, a look of defeat.

"I know we have a lot of history, but tell me where your head's at right now," Randal said, still trying to ensure his brother wasn't up to any games. Santi leaned forward and put his head in his hands.

"Honestly, I'm full of nervous energy. I never thought I would see this place again. I was filled with so much anger and hate, but I didn't know why. There were times I would have moments of clarity, but they became less and less. When Astaroth used my body to rape my daughter, it was when something broke in me. I knew I wasn't who I was made to believe I was. Once that reality made itself clear, I didn't like what I had become. I've been fighting to get the demons from my body so I could be myself. You ask where my head is, and the answer is it's in turmoil. I'm terrified that someone will force me back to what I was and that I've ruined my chances to be part of this family. I'm so sorry, Randal, for everything I've done."

Randal was enraged when he heard that the demon had used Santi to rape Melita, but he kept his face calm. After all that Anna had told them, he knew Astaroth used Sant's body, as he said, and his brother didn't have any idea what was happening. As much as he wanted to hate his brother, he couldn't.

"Anna explained a lot of what happened to you and why you changed. I wish we had known back then, maybe there was something we could have done to stop it, but Anna said everything was already set in place. I don't blame you anymore, Santi. I understand that it wasn't you." Randal saw his brother smile slightly.

"Anna, she's something else. I've never met someone so small that seems to radiate power." They both chuckled.

"Yeah, she has this whole palace wrapped around her finger. Kamryn keeps saying when they take over, she'll be running everything, and he'll just be along for the ride. She's been a breath of fresh air since the moment she stepped foot into this place. I trust her, and that's why I let her send Kamryn to get you. I knew we had to do it if Anna said it was necessary and that you were changing. I want to ask you something, though. Is this all a trick? Are you planning on coming here and destroying my family to take over?" Randal looked into his eyes, and Santi's face fell. That was what he was looking for, but he wanted to hear the words.

"No, this isn't a trick, and no, I am not here to destroy anything. I don't want to be king. Astaroth got into my head, telling me I needed to kill everyone to take what was mine, but that's not what I wanted. I want to help you defeat him and the army he's trying to build. If I had stayed there, he would have used my body in the end to destroy everyone. I promise you, Randal, I have no bad intentions here. Now that my head is finally clear, I feel like I've awoken from a deep sleep." Santi looked at his brother and hoped he believed what he said. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt anyone.

Randal felt Santi was telling him the truth. Stanely and Caprice would have said something if they felt any darkness coming from him. He decided to let him stay, but he would have guards at all times for now.

"Alright, well, I agree that you can stay here. I will have guards with you whenever you are out of your room. Not only because of your history but also to ensure no one sent by Astaroth gets to you. Are you ready to get something to eat? I know they're probably waiting for us in the dining hall." Santi smiled at Randal, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He hoped he and his brother could have a relationship and be friends again.

"Yeah, I'm starving. Trying to trick a demon makes you lose your appetite. I can't remember the last time I actually ate." They stood up, and Randal held his hand out to him. When they shook hands, both had small smiles on their faces. When they walked out the door, Anna and Kamryn were waiting for them looking between the two men. Randal hid his grin as he shook his head at them.

"What did you think was going to happen? You're looking at us like you expected us to shed blood or something." Anna smiled at him in her sweet way.

"Just making sure all is good. Astaroth realizes you're gone. Marcus and Alice went to the wolf pack, searching for you. While here, you have to stay inside. I have spells protecting this place, but I don't want them to see that you're here." Anna was looking at Santi, and he nodded.

"How did they get the spies from here?" He worried they would try something with him.

"They got the ones in the dungeon by taking them from their cells. Elsie and Melita were locked in the palace, so they used a spell to remove them. I have increased the protections on the palace, so they can't do that with anyone else." Anna started leading them toward the dining hall, and all three men followed. Santi grinned, thinking to an outsider, it must look like a princess being protected by three large guards. Something about her made him feel at peace more than anything else. He watched her as they walked and felt like a warm light was coming from her. When she glanced back at him, she gave him a smile.

"That's the power of Spirit Energy you're feeling. We project energies to those who need them." Santi almost tripped, realizing she was answering his unasked question. Kamryn and Randal chuckled, seeing how he watched her. "How did you know what I was thinking?" She answered without turning around.

"Not only do we project energy, but we also absorb it from others. I could tell you felt peaceful with me, and I felt your confusion. I guessed what you were thinking." Santi stopped in his tracks. Anna was incredible, he thought to himself. "Don't let her be modest. No one is as powerful as she is when it comes to the energies. She scares us all sometimes with her capabilities." Kamryn laughed when she turned around and swatted him lightly.

Santi watched the couple with amusement. Randal watched them all and then started laughing. Yep, Santi was just as charmed by Anna as the rest of them. She could probably tell him to scrub the toilets, and he would. He saw her watching him through narrowed eyes and put his hands up in surrender.

Everyone was sitting around the main table when they walked into the dining hall. The other werecats that had stayed behind to help in the battle were also there to eat. They looked at Santi wearily, but Stanley had already said he wasn't what they thought. Micah had pulled an extra chair up to their table for Santi. He sat between Anna and Randal.

When their food came out, Santi's mouth was watering. He didn't realize how hungry he really was, and each thing he ate felt like a festival in his mouth. He didn't think he had room for dessert until he saw the double fudge cake with vanilla ice cream. It was his favorite.

"Anna insisted that we have your favorite dessert for you. Do you still like double fudge cake with vanilla ice cream?" Randal asked.

"I haven't had this in many years. Yes, it's still my favorite." Santi savored each sweet bite that melted in his mouth. It was even better than he remembered.

After they were done eating, they left the dining hall. Santi followed everyone out as he looked around the palace, and memories of his childhood came flooding back. When he felt as though someone was watching him, he turned around and saw a young maid cleaning a table in the entryway. When she looked at him, he gasped. He knew her. She gave him an evil grin and went back to cleaning. Santi grabbed Randal's sleeve, unable to speak as he stared at her. "What is it?" Randal asked, seeing the look on his brother's face.

"She's one of Astaroth's spies." Everyone stopped and turned around. The young maid laughed and tried to run, but Kamryn and Micha flew and had her in seconds. When they brought her to the group, they saw how dark her eyes were. Not like Alice and Marcus, but almost. She smiled at them, and when she spoke, they all had chills from her grainy voice.

"I have a message for you, traitor. You can run, but you can't hide. Astaroth will have his revenge on you before you know it."