TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: The First Twist
Chapter 14

One Year Ago

As Jareth hid in the shadows, he observed in silence as two young women emerged from inside Maleyna’s establishment. He recognized one of them, the witch Dasha. Her presence was why he chose not to make himself known. He’d heard of her unscrupulous character amongst others of her kind, and none of it good. He was intrigued by the human that was with her. Despite her distraught appearance, she was still impeccably beautiful with her long crimson locks and powerful, dazzling green irises. Jareth could feel her pain emanating from her every aperture. He was strangely curious as to what would make such a lovely creature appear this wounded. More importantly, why was she in the company of someone the likes of Dasha of all people?

Curious...

Once the two women were far enough away for him to evade the witch’s senses, Jareth ventured into Maleyna’s shop, not being deterred from the original purpose of visiting her humble establishment in the first place.

Maleyna’s shop was quaint enough for Jareth’s liking. He appreciated that she opted to allow her décor to remain free from any of the ridiculous ornamentations that most modern establishments tend to favor. No, this witch was ancient, and as such, her preferences remained suchlike.

Being several centuries old, Jareth was also inclined towards more antiquated adornments himself. Of course, he still kept with the times. How else would a vampire as old as himself manage to survive this long otherwise? Despite his adeptness for freely moving around undetected, Jareth always announced his arrival whenever he frequented Maleyna’s shop. He was sure that she could sense his presence nonetheless, but Jareth was still one for proprieties and felt that announcing oneself was the courteous thing to do.

As he made his way through the humble store, passing several shelves of old books and relics of the sort, Jareth located Maleyna still seated towards in the corner of her store. This area is where she reserved for tarot readings and preparing potions and elixirs for her patrons. The older woman, though normally rather sprite considering she was well over a century herself, appeared aged as if the worry that was draped across her pale, wrinkled face carried such a burden that she was disturbed by it. The old women hadn’t even acknowledged Jareth until he had been standing directly in front of her when he cleared his throat so as not to frighten her. She looked up at him, surprised.

“Oh, hello, Jareth, I deeply apologize for my absentmindedness. It appears that time must have gotten away from me. I hadn’t even been aware that you’d arrived.” She said. “I will go and gather the ingredients you requested. Please sit, and I will return shortly.”

“Thank you, Maleyna, but if you don’t mind, I would prefer to stand. I have never had much of an affinity for such leisurely comportments.”

“As you wish.”

The old hag expressed dismissively as she waved her hand behind her. She began rummaging through some of the many ancient oak shelves that ran along the back wall of her shop, which contained an assortment of herbs and other accoutrements required for her craft.

As Jareth stood waiting for Maleyna to prepare the object of his request, a fertility potion for the Vampire Council’s Queen, his thoughts ventured back to the beautiful crimson-haired woman he had caught sight of earlier. There was something about her that he was drawn to, and it troubled him. Never in all his existence had he exhibited the slightest propensity in the human populous other than to feed or partake in negligible professional transactions. And he’d unquestionably never felt any sort of physical attraction to one. But this woman was unique. For some reason, the sheer sight of the mysterious woman stirred a need inside Jareth to know more about her. He even felt the need to relieve her of her deep sadness. He chuckled at himself, thinking he was behaving like quite a ninny. And, over a mere human at that.

His laughter caught the attention of Maleyna as she approached Jareth with a small, weathered pouch possessing the potion he had been charged with retrieving.

“I sense something is stirring within you, vampire.” She voiced with a bit of concern. “May I ask what is troubling you?”

“I could say the same for you, witch.” Jareth retorted. “When I arrived, you were completely oblivious to my presence. Had I not made myself known, who knows how long I would have been standing before you. Why had I been inclined to, I could have taken advantage of your inattentiveness and partaken in a late-night nosh. Fortunately for you, I am quite appreciative of your talents and do enjoy our quick-witted banter from time to time.”

Maleyna let out a small laugh at Jareth’s ribbing, then sighed as if being reminded of what had been troubling her. She was well aware that her earlier patron, Samantha, had plainly caught the vampire’s attention.

“I sense that the object of my concern may, in fact, be the same thing that is burdening you as well. What do you think, Jareth ... am I correct with my assumptions?”

The vampire stood silent, his hands balled into tense fists at his side. She knew she had struck a nerve in the impervious Jareth Mickelsen.

She analyzed him with her penetrating pale grey eyes, scrutinizing his hesitance to respond to her.

Finally, Jareth broke the silence that permeated the small establishment. His interest in Maleyna’s recent female client was too great to be dismissed.

“Fine then,” he began, “please do me the honor of humoring me and tell me about the woman that just left your shop prior to my particular arrival.”

It wasn’t a request. Maleyna knew by his preceding reputation, Jareth wasn’t one to be underestimated. He was, after all, an ancient, powerful, and very, very ruthless vampire. Nonetheless, it didn’t mean that Maleyna was going to divulge any information freely. After all, where was the fun in that?

Jareth could see that he had struck a chord in the old woman as the smile she once held quickly faded from her lips.

“Jareth, why are you so concerned about my clientele?” She asked smugly. “Surely, this Samantha woman’s wretched life is of no concern to you. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are perhaps interested in ending her life, then I would highly deter you from such a cruel act. Another has already cursed this pitiful creature’s outcome.”

She was cursed by who and for what reason? Jareth pondered. It felt as if a thousand silver daggers shot straight through his chest.

Jareth elected then and there; he needed to save this woman. Indeed, there must be something that could be done to remedy her dire situation. He regarded Maleyna. The predator within him was biting beneath his imperturbable exterior, craving to protect Samantha by any means necessary. There was something about this, Samantha woman, that drew his attention. He wanted her completely in every way possible. He wanted to claim her as his own, feeling her naked body writhing in ecstasy, moaning his name out of her plump lips. God, he was already obsessed and hadn’t even introduced himself to her yet. Jareth’s ability to contain the darkness within him was generally above reproach, but for some anomalous reason, his desire to protect and claim someone he’d only glimpsed but once had overtaken his rationality.

If Maleyna wouldn’t oblige him the information regarding how he could save Samantha freely, he’d have to resort to more ruthless methods to incite her cooperation.

He genuinely hoped, for her sake, that it was not the latter.

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Being a woman of unprecedented survival instincts, Maleyna understood that she was in no position to deny Jareth’s demands. Thus far, she remained alive following those predispositions and intended to continue to do so for several more years. Besides, she wasn’t a fan of Dasha’s underhanded means of deceiving the poor woman who was under the misconception that Dasha was her friend. Samantha couldn’t be further from the truth. Dasha was no one’s friend. To be more precise, the entire bleak situation that Samantha was suffering from had been fully orchestrated by Dasha’s manipulation, and Maleyna was in no position to divulge this information so candidly to the poor unsuspecting woman.

Dasha and Maleyna belonged to the same Coven. Each was bound by an oath to never betray a member of their sacred Coven to a human. To do so was considered a crime that could be punishable by removal of the betrayer’s tongue. So, despite her desire to save the young woman from Dasha’s underhanded intentions, Maleyna was powerless to do so. Nevertheless, Maleyna had always been a cunning witch. She knew where to replace the loopholes within every situation.

Jareth, who was no longer considered human, was that loophole. Not that she would admit to him, however. Maleyna had already planned on exposing Dasha’s misconduct to Jareth. She’d already devised a plan. The spell she’d cast on Samantha in order to attract the ancient vampire would only solidify Jareth’s willingness to protect the ill-fated young woman.

Aware of the outcome of her magics that she had provided Samantha, Maleyna had already devised a plan to ensure Jareth’s ability to remain at Samantha’s side. Of course, despite the possible risk of angering the unsuspecting vampire, Maleyna also cast a spell on Jareth unbeknownst to him. After she explained Samantha’s plight’s specifics, save the particulars regarding the poor human girl’s current mateship to a werewolf, Jareth took his leave of Maleyna’s establishment.

Just as he was about to leave, Maleyna placed her hand on Jareth’s forearm and quietly chanted the words that would allow him to remain unaffected by the timeline’s shift.

Mutata in tempore

Nexus vincula shifting

Praeter Unum

Erit memorias manere

Jareth’s eyes glazed over briefly before he regained his faculties. The incantation of Maleyna’s spell remained undetected. With a quick nod, Jareth was gone.

Maleyna smiled at herself. Dasha underestimated her, but she would soon replace out that Maleyna was more cunning than expected.

Yes, Maleyna truly was a clever, clever witch indeed.

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FYI if you’re wondering - here is the translation of what Maleyna said in English:

Altering time

shifting links in chains

except for one

will memories remain