Robi ONyamasero - Netherworld

Summary

Boke is a witch determined to survive despite the odds stacked against her.

In a society that fears and despises her, any mishap could be fatal for her and her kind. Her father killed her mother, but desperation to survive forces her to accept him as patron.

Unfortunately, her past shakes up her slim chance for survival, and shes forced to make a drastic decision that could forever change the trajectory of her life

Chapter 1

W ell? The councilman was more impatient than usual that morning. You told me you could handle her on your own. Whats your brilliant plan?

Klaus fought the nervous urge to squirm on his seat. He succeeded, appearing unperturbed as he claimed, Ill visit her tomorrow.

The councilman turned her studious gaze back to him, reading him well enough to guess at his doubts.

Does she trust you enough to let you into Mongena?

Klaus decided against lying. Itd be futile, when his mother was watching carefully for every tell.

You told me you could handle her yourself, but the more time passes, the more Im convinced youll lose the girl.

She has no other friends...

She has Markus freaking Nyberg! his mother snapped, her voice thundering across the oversized meal hall. You think the Nyberg heir hangs around her because he has nothing to do?

Boke wont marry an Avalon, Klaus told her. Not after what happened to her mother.

Is that so? She sat back with her teacup and watched him over the rim, face stoic despite her rage.

I meant...

Maseke proved that the Maiga can marry Avalons, she spoke over his weak counter.

And she paid for the folly when the count killed her, Klaus said. Boke... shes very level-headed.

His mother was about to say something, then decided against it, seating back. Are you sure no one is paying her unnecessary attention?

I am, Klaus confirmed.

Good, she murmured, relaxing long enough to turn back to her tea. I dont want her to have any magical friends other than you.

Klaus response was schooled and precise. Theres Sophie...

Shes of little consequence.

Boke took her into the death recall spell.

His mothers face blanched, and her teacup flew with a silent spell from her hands, settling on the table as she braced it to rise. Then, with a booming voice, she barked, Boke did a death recall spell and youre only mentioning it now?

Klaus steadied his shaking hands and pushed as far back against his seat as he could. I didnt think it important.

His mother was the most frightening woman he knew. Still glaring at him, half risen from her seat, she seemed exaggerated in size, larger than human.

You didnt think it important? She pitted the question like an insult on his judgement. Next time you think something is unimportant, pass it by me first.

Wordlessly, Klaus nodded, watching his mother reclaim her seat, and her teacup fly back into her hands. She sipped the tea slowly as a minute passed, and yet another. Perhaps on their fifth minute of silence, just as hed mustered enough courage to excuse himself from the table, the councilman, her gaze hardening as she sought his eyes, asked, What did she see?

She told us she watched her mother die.

The councilmans voice was cold as ice as she asked, Nothing more? When he shook his head, she asked, Does she treat you differently after the spell?

Klaus shook his head again.

Interesting... the councilman mumbled, almost to herself. She was lost in thought for a while, and when she spoke up again it was with such unexpected enthusiasm that Klaus nearly upset his table set.

I cant trust you to win her heart... youre too slow, just like your father.

She rarely mentioned his father except when insulting him.

You must visit her tomorrow, and ensure she lets you into Mongena.

Ill do that.

And Klaus, next term ensure Boke feels like youre her closest ally.

Why, mother?

Because this is the year I announce her as your betrothed.

Chapter 2

B oke ported home during the ferry trip to Hamburg on closing day, and no one had heard from her since.

She doesnt even know the society is wild with her story, Sophie said to herself as she picked up the Otherworld Today .

Count Eirikr Sanguine declares Maiga as daughter and heir

She flipped the pages to the lifestyle section and found Bokes photo, taken in the dining hall last term. She stood in the meal queue behind Klaus, chuckling to something Lola was saying and leaning casually towards Klaus.

Across the world, Klaus was looking at the same photo, his mothers doing. Shed used her influence on the media to dictate the photos they should publish of Boke, most with Klaus nearby. Shed delayed using this one because Markus was in it too.

Is the media usually this interested in royalty affairs? Sophie began a text to Klaus, but was interrupted by a phone call from him.

Hey, you! she answered cheerfully, surprised. I was just about to text you.

Let me guess... about Boke?

Silly girl wont reply my chats, Sophie grumbled.

Same here, and Markus complained too when I spoke to him this morning.

Lola said the same thing, Sophie said with a deepening frown. You think shes okay?

Thats what I want to talk to you about. Uh... Can I come over?

To Sydney? Sophie asked, taken aback.

Yeah.

In Australia? she couldnt help but confirm again.

I know where Sydney is, he said. Markus wants to visit too.

But... how will you get here? Sophie asked puzzled. Its an insanely long flight.

Youre a terrible magical being, you know that? Well port there.

You dont know how to port, she reminded him.

I got permission to visit from my mother. Our house secretary will port us over.

Is there a job like that? A house secretary? Sophie teased.

Klaus ignored it. Well be there in five.

Magic both fascinated and scared her. Spells replaced phones and air travel, hastened healing, and cleaned a room.

After ending the call, she left her room to find her parents. Her mother was talking to a customer in the apothecary, formerly their living room, so she went to the backyard to find her father.