Family secrets

I kept having nightmares, one about that night I fought Aurora. I could vividly remember the pain from the stabbing, the terror I felt as, for the first time in my life, I was truly in danger of dying. Another, less awful dream I had was of me wearing the cute waitress I met yesterday and simply enjoying her life, adoring being inside her skin. The other dreams alternated between dread of being hunted and ecstasy of being a pretty girl.

Due to all these nightmares, I woke up multiple times during the night, and as such, barely slept. I felt so exhausted when I finally got out of bed at six in the morning.

I took a look at my appearance in the small bathroom's mirror. My skin was sickly pale, my veins clearly visible underneath, and my eyes were red. I looked like I hadn't slept or seen the sun in weeks. I already hated my bland reflection this past month, but it was also getting worse. Despite the leather jacket and thick jeans I was wearing, I kept shivering. Never in my life had I felt so cold, even my muscles and bones were freezing. The curse was punishing me for resisting until now. It wanted me to yield.

I won't be able to resist much longer, I need to wear someone soon... I thought, gritting my teeth.

Hopefully, it would be the case today. While imagining myself wearing one of my parents was bringing me all sorts of discomforts, it was necessary for my plan. They didn't deserve all the money they had, it was only fair I'd give some of that fortune they were sitting on to Claire.

After tidying up my room and thanking the receptionist, I drove away. I already knew where I wanted to go. I took the streets leading to my family's mansion, in the richest district of the city. When I reached it, I immediately recognised it. It looked exactly the same as when I left.

Let's see if they'll let me enter without a fuss...

I parked nearby and stood in front of the mansion's gate, observing the gardens and the building and reminiscing about my childhood here, alongside Claire. At first, I recalled some happy times, like Claire and I playing hide and seek in these vast gardens, or chatting with the gardener as she took care of the flowers.

But then, darker memories resurfaced, like the many fights I had with Father, him often beating me with a belt or his fists whenever I was standing up against him. How often has Claire seeked the comfort of our maid or butler, asking for their help in calming our father down? And while he never hit Claire, he always criticised her for being tomboyish. She never was able to flourish under his roof, as she wasn't allowed to be herself. And him wanting to send Claire to convertion therapy after learning she was a lesbian? To be tortured for simply liking girls? It was the last straw, something I would never forgive.

My anger rose as I was getting so close to finally taking my **** on this bastard. I would soon ruin him and use his dirty money for better causes. I was grinning sadistically at the thought, imagining his fear and despair was so satisfying.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, though. I had to keep my composure for the time being. I rang the bell and waited a bit before getting a reply.

"Yes, who is it?" A familiar, womanly voice asked. "Edward?" She then gasped a moment later.

Mother...

"It's me, Mother. May I come in? There are things I'd like to... discuss with you and Father," I replied coolly.

I didn't hate my mother as much as my father. She never did anything to harm me or Claire, and even paid for things we asked without much fuss. But she was distant, she never really protected us from Father's wrath either. I resented her for that. She wasn't even a weak-willed person, far from it, she could have opposed him more. But she never did. I sometimes had the feeling she only had us because Father wanted heirs.

The gates opened, and I smiled, satisfied. Had it been Father who answered, it might not have went so well. Leaning against the front door, Mother was waiting, wearing some sport leggings and a t-shirt. Her hair was shorter than before I left, not even reaching her shoulders, but it was the same light blonde. For her age, she was still a very fit woman.

She's still doing her weekly yoga sessions, I see.

"I didn't expect this when I woke up this morning. What gives me the pleasure of seeing you again after so long, my child?" She gave me an amused smile as she let me in and closed the door behind us.

Another thing that didn't change was her laid-back attitude in private, apparently. She was a serious and competent businesswoman whenever in public. Rare were the people who saw this side of her.

The hall was the same as I remembered, extravagantly decorated with paintings on the walls and a long carpet leading to the living room. I couldn't say it felt nostalgic, though, I always hated this mansion. No one needed a home so massive and fancy, especially when poorer people struggled to live decently.

Now in the privacy of the corridor, with no one else around, I spoke quietly, bracing myself for the disturbing act I was about to commit. "I would have preferred Father, but you'll do too..."

She tilted her head in confusion before I freed the spines of my right hand and attempted to stab her. Her eyes widened, but before I could connect, she swiftly grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"Oh my... What a surprise..." She said, way too calmly considering the situation.

I tried to break free but her hold was surprisingly powerful, I couldn't make her budge despite my struggle. How does she have so much strength?!

My second attempt at skinning her with my free hand was met the same way, and she effortlessly pinned me against the wall, holding my wrists. I couldn't understand how she was able to immobilise me so easily. I always took pride in my strength, I could deal with most men I fought against and resist being pushed around, but I felt utterly powerless against her despite our difference in size and muscles.

"You're not a skinwalker wearing his skin, you're truly Edward, aren't you?" She asked with a smirk, making me freeze.

"H-how do you know about skinwalkers?" I stammered, shocked.

"This pale skin tone, these slightly dilated pupils, and this hunger in your eyes. It's been a long while since I last witnessed them, but those are clearly withdrawal symptoms... You really are Edward!" She exclaimed before bursting out laughing. "I would never have expected such a turn of events!"

Hurried footsteps from down the corridor could be heard, and I spotted Father approaching. Apart from his hair being greyer, he looked exactly as I remembered.

"What's with all this commotion, Patricia?" He stopped and growled when he saw me, his eyes cold and disdainful. "Edward... Why are you here?"

Mother let me go and approached him, her eyes narrowing and her face becoming more serious. "I'd like to have some time alone with my son, so please be kind and shut up, Victor."

Right after saying this, I stared in shock when I saw spines coming out of her fingertips and piercing my father's neck, spines similar to the ones Dahlia and I had...

"No... No way..."

But no matter how much I wished for it to not be true, I couldn't deny what I was witnessing as my father quickly turned into an empty husk before my eyes. She was one...

"There, we won't be bothered again~" she declared with a satisfied grin before turning back at me.

"You're... a skinwalker," I muttered, before gritting my teeth and clenching my fists. "Since... Since when have you been wearing her?"

She chuckled. "Why, but since before you were born, my child."

I kept staring at her, stunned. "That's... not possible..."

She came closer, lifting up my chin and looking me in the eyes. "Oh, but it is. I've always been your mother, I was the one who gave birth to you and your sister, and the one who raised you."

I didn't want to believe that... My mother, a skinwalker? I was born from a monster? I was starting to shiver just thinking about this...

"No... This is a lie... You're lying..." I said weakly, shaking my head and taking a step back.

"I am not, that I can assure you. How exciting to know that my first human child got blessed and became a skinwalker! It's like... I finally feel like a real mother!" She declared with a satisfied grin. "You have to tell me how it happened, Edward, I'm dying to know about your metamorphosis."

Despite the state of utter confusion, fear, and denial I was in, I glanced at Father's deflated skin and spoke. "W-what about him...?"

It was surreal to see my father like this. It was my original plan to skin him, yes, but it was disturbing nonetheless.

"Hmm?" She gave him a disdainful look and smirked. "Oh, right, Victor. You said you'd have preferred him over me, earlier. Do you want his skin, perhaps?"

I was taken aback by her casual offer. "W-what?"

"You came here for ****, didn't you? You believed you'd be able to make your dear Father pay for all he's done to you and Claire, am I right~?" Mother snickered, as if she was reading me like an open book.

"I... I wanted money... to support Claire..." I more shyly admitted, looking away. "And humiliate Father at the same time..."

She laughed. "Ha, so I was partially correct. Using your newfound blessing for ****, somewhat typical but always entertaining~ I could help you with these two goals if you'd like. But come, let's discuss about all of this with some drinks and snacks."

She grabbed my hand and energetically pulled me behind her as she started to walk towards the kitchen. I was far too stunned by what had happened to protest. It was way too difficult to cope with such a massive revelation. It almost felt like my whole childhood had been a lie...

My mother is a skinwalker... I kept repeating in my head.

In the kitchen, she switched on the coffee machine and took a box of cookies out of one of the cupboards.

"What would you prefer to drink, Edward? Coffee, tea, juice?" She asked while grabbing two plates for the cookies.

"C-coffee, please."

When the coffee was ready, she poured it in the mugs and spoke. "With a bit of milk, right?"

"Y-yeah... You remember that?" I asked, surprised.

She giggled and handed me my cup. "Of course. You're one of my children, it's only natural I remember your likes and dislikes, is it not?"

I clenched my fists and muttered under my breath. "Don't act like a good mother, now... You kept ignoring Claire and me whenever we were in trouble with Father..."

"It probably appeared that way, yes. But despite what you believe, I did reign in Victor quite often. I even helped Claire escape after learning of what he had planned for her."

I coughed, almost **** on the coffee I was drinking. "What?"

It amused Mother, apparently. "Yes, it's thanks to me you two were able to be reunited. How is she, by the way?"

I looked away. "Claire is fine, she became a police officer recently."

She giggled. "A police officer, really? Hard to imagine her suited for the job. Did you tell her about your new condition?"

I sighed. "N-no... At first, I was... afraid of her reaction, so I kept postponing it... But now, I can't tell her anymore, for her own sake and safety."

Mother raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"A month ago, as I was still trying to resist the curse and live a normal life, I crossed paths with a woman hunting monsters. She almost killed me-"

As soon as she heard that, and before I could continue, Mother's mug shattered, crushed by her hand and splashing her with what was left of her hot coffee. There were some cuts and burn marks for a brief moment before they quickly started to heal. I was not expecting that reaction at all.

"A hunter almost killed you, huh..." She quietly muttered, her fist still clenched.

"B-but I managed to flee..." I continued, taken aback. "I wore a few skins while recovering, to stay hidden. It's why I decided to come back here... I thought I could live as myself longer in another city, thousands of miles away."

"Do you want **** on this hunter?" Mother asked in a cold tone while standing up, staring me in the eyes.

"Huh? No... Not really... Of course, I hate the situation she put me in, but... she isn't a bad person. I can understand why such a job is necessary, I'm sure there are many dangerous monsters out there."

She sighed, grabbing a broom nearby. "You've always been too naive, my child. But fine. You'll be safe here, Edward, I give you my word. As long as you don't antagonise me or my coven and do anything that might bring harm to us, at least."

"Your... coven?" I asked, confused.

"A coven of seven skinwalkers, myself included, and twenty-six humans serving us," she explained while cleaning the broken pieces of the mug and the coffee stains on the floor.

"S-seven skinwalkers?!" I repeated in shock.

"If you stay here, you could be our eighth member," she declared, giving me a **** smile. "I can guarantee that you'll be treated well. The coven would become a new family for you."

It was terrifying to imagine seven skinwalkers working together... And why would some humans serve beings like them? But despite all that, a tiny part of me was also curious, I had to admit. Mother was acting differently, she didn't seem to be lying when she said I'd be treated well.

"I... I need to think about this..." I said. "I have to... quench these urges first... But I don't want to wear Father."

I already felt uncomfortable imagining wearing him before, but now, it was even worse. And besides, if Mother was willing to help, I didn't need to wear him anymore.

"I can help with that." Mother chuckled and took out her phone, calling someone. "Good morning, Kate. Could you please contact Yumi and ask her to come to my place asap? And tell her to bring one of her best toys with her. Thank you~"

"W-what was that?"

"You will meet one of my skinwalker children soon, someone I blessed myself. I hope the two of you will get along." She explained, smiling at me.

It made me feel uneasy, but I nodded. "I... I see."

I was wondering if coming back here had been the right choice... I had my world shattered discovering that my mother has always been a skinwalker, that I was born from a skin-stealing monster, and that my mother was part of a group of skinwalkers. She did seem friendly, a lot more expressive than before, but it would take time for me to fully trust her.