Authors Note: I'm back! Sorry for the lack of uploads, I've had some personal stuff get in the way. I didn't even realize it had been well over a year since the last chapter!
Alex was shocked, this had to be some kind of cruel joke. Hilda couldn't have just admitted to the murder of her parents.
"That's not funny," Alex manages to stammer out.
"I beg to differ, I found it quite humorous when I watched the life drain from their eyes," Hilda replies with a cold smile. Alex feels her surprise turn to a fiery anger. Who did this woman think she was, disrespecting her parents this way? Does Abigail really think of Hilda as a friend?
"Abi, what is going on? Tell your 'friend' to cut this out," Alex snaps at her sister. Abigail can only respond with a laugh.
"Don't bother with her, dear. She's an intelligent girl but my thrall has... quite a detrimental effect on her capabilities," Hilda says.
"Your thrall? Is she under a spell?" Alex can feel her eyes welling with tears of frustration. Steve gently grabs her arm, in an attempt to comfort her.
"It's quite a long story, do you really want me to tell you?"
"You've avoided giving me answers since I got here, of course I want you to tell me!"
"Well you don't have to have an attitude about it, I think I've been quite straightforward with my replies. But if you insist, here is the story you want so badly.
"20 years ago, your parents wandered into my swamp. Whenever I am in my hut, I cast an invisibility spell on it in order to avoid visitors. However, I was out foraging at the time and had left my house visible, so I wasn't even aware that they had let themselves into my home. When I came back, I found 2 of my precious healing potions gone and a couple adventurers napping by my fireplace. I was naturally furious about the intruders so I awoke them and demanded they leave. Those pathetic creatures tried to apologize, claiming they had no idea that anyone lived there. But I knew better. I placed a curse upon their bloodline.
"Each and every one of their offspring would eventually come to serve me. Slowly their minds would be erased and they would join my thrall, obeying my every command. Those fools tried, they begged me to spare their children. All of their whining only annoyed me, so I slaughtered them then and there.
"5 years later, your sister was drawn to my swamp, she has been serving me ever since. But somehow, you have resisted my curse. For years, I've tried to take your mind for my own but each attempt has failed. You're the only one who's been efficient in escaping my powerful magic. Not only that but you did it without even trying. I was starting to lose hope, I was starting to doubt my capabilities. That's when your little boytoy appeared in my swamp. I wanted to have a little fun before I brought on his demise, so I had Abigail let him into my hut. As it turns out, he was looking for her. That's when I realized he would be important in getting to you, my dear Alex.
"So I let him take Abigail away. I knew that if she were gone for too long, it would risk my thrall over her being broken completely. My hold did seem to lose its grasp temporarily during the time she was away. But my power prevailed. She came back and you came chasing after her.
"So here you are, Alex, you've fallen right into my hands. You'll finally be my eternal servant and your little husband will be the first person I have you kill."