№36|Big Fires Everywhere
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Cruella laughed alongside Salis, “oh my gods...Salis you’re too much!”

Salis sighed in delight, “you’re too good, Cruella, I don't know what went through Hex’s mind when he didn’t tell you.”

“Hex is stupid,” Cruella took a swig of her fifth cup of wine, she hiccuped, “but enough about Hexy~”

She trailed her fingers up his shirt, “I wanna know more about you~”

“Is that so?” Salis smirked, leaning in closer.

“Yeahhh,” Cruella slurred, “I want to know everything about you.” Cruella fumbled with the buttons on her shirt, “you know something funny~”

“What?”

“Normally...animalistics don't get drunk...but I forgot how good it feels to be drunk!” Cruella leaped off the couch, dancing around the room.

She’s a nutcase, what did Hex see in her?

“Weee!” Cruella cheered, twirling around the room.

“Cruella! Listen! Get out of the house! Now!” Alvarez warned but Cruella blocked her out.

“La, la, la, la~” Cruella sang, stooping when a knock was heard.

She opened the door to see Hex, she pouted, “oh, it’s you,” she pushed her finger on his chest, “the man with trust issues.”

“Cruella, look, I’m sorry, but I’m ready to tell you,” he looked into the room to see Salis, “YOU!”

Hex bursted open the door, he lunged at Salis, pinning him to the floor, “what the fuck are you doing here?! You know what - forget that - stay away from Cruella!”

“Little Brother? So,” he clasped his hands together, “how ya been? How’s mom and dad?”

“How dare you mention their names?!” Hex scolded, throwing him against the wall, making an indentation.

Hex rushed towards Cruella, her body limply propped against the wall, he looked into her eyes to see they were a pale purple, “what did you do to her?!”

“You know,” Salis dusted off his clothes, “normally animalstics can't get drunk, but if you add a little crystal into their drink when they’re not looking, it makes them delirious! She’s like a puppet right now!”

Salis extended his hand towards Cruella, moving her hands like a puppet.

“Stop that!” Hex shouted, Salis laughed.

“She means a lot to you doesn't she, Hexy~” Salis smirked, playing with Cruella more, “oh Hex, you thought running away from your past would make it disappear.” Salis shook his head, clicking his tongue, “oh how wrong you were.”

Hex held Cruella close to her body, “don't you come near her or my family!”

“I’m your family!” Salis roared.

“You’re the devil!” Hex shot back.

Salis growled, “you’re gonna regret those words Hex!” and with that, Salis disappeared with a puff of black smoke.

“Hexy…” Cruella groaned, “I don't feel...so good…”

Hex picked up Cruella bridal style, rushing to the mechanics. He looked down at the animalistic in his arms, she breathed heavily, her face pale as winter snow. Don't worry Cruella, he won't touch you, I promise.

°•. ✿ .•°

Ector practically jumped up with excitement when the phone rang, “Saree?!”

“Someone’s excited.” Saree chuckled, sitting on the terrace of her coven home, “you were staring at the phone weren’t you?”

“What...no!” Ector scoffed, “I’m not desperate.”

“So you were watching the phone?” Saree chuckled.

Ector sighed, nodding in defeat, “yeah...I’ve been waiting for you to call. I saw on the news there was a fire at your coven. I was so scared you were dead…”

“Honey,” Saree laughed, “a little fire won't kill me.”

“I know...it’s just...I wish I was there with you.” Ector frowned.

“So do I but I have to help out the coven here, my dad completely abandoned them after the fire, they’re all alone.” Saree sighed deeply, frowning.

“Well I’m alone too,” Ector mumbled but Saree heard him.

“Ector don't get like that,” Saree shook her head, “they need me right now.”

“I need you too…” Ector pouted raking his fingers through his hair, “but I know the coven comes first…” Saree could tell Ector was annoyed.

“It’s not like I don't care about you Ector, it’s just...with the fires, we’re both busy. I would love for you to visit, or for me to come to New York, but I have priotes, Ector.” 

“And apparently you’re coven, which you hated for a while, is more important than us, this is the first time we’ve in weeks.” Ector groaned, “I get that your busy but I was worried sick thinking you died.”

“Ector, I’ve been busy, sometimes I’m gonna have to put our relationship on the backburner to help my sister and my family.”

“Oh so our relationship is just second fiddle?” Ector scoffed.

“Right now, yes!” Saree immediately regret those words, “I didn’t mean it like that, look, Ector-”

Before Saree could finish, Ector hung up, “so apparently her coven is more important now? Not too long ago she hated them, now she wants to help?! Ugh, make up your mind, woman!” 

Ector was about to continue his little rant but Hex bursted into the base, frantically looking around. Hex peaked his head out the break room, “bro? What’s wrong?”

“Cruella…poison...Salis...fires...out of...breath…” Hex heaved for air.

Ector noticed the sick Cruella in his arms, “take her upstairs.”

Hex ran upstairs, placing Cruella on the couch, Emma ran over, “mi nina…”

“What happened to her?” Sergio questioned.

“She got poisoned by Salis,” Hex growled, “dammit! Damn him straight to hell!”

Cruella caught his wrist, “hexy...don't leave...please…”

“I’m not going anywhere, Cruella,” he kissed her hand, “I’m gonna stay right here by your side.”

Cruella sat up slowly, “Hex...I think I’m gonna…” she noticed the purse on the coffee table, she sanatched it, vomiting in the purse, “ugh…everything hurt…”

“I know, I know it does, but you're gonna be strong.” Hex kissed her forehead, stroking her black and white hair. He turned towards the door when Gabriella, Diane, Eloise, and Levi walked in.

“Ector filled me in,” Diane crouched down beside Cruella, “how ya feeling?”

“Like my insides are being mushed and forcing me to throw up.” Cruella groaned, holding her stomach.

“The stone Salis poised her with was called Grim Reaper Jewels, if used on regular people it’ll only give them the common cold and stop their magi for maybe a day, but if used on an animalistic it could kill her if she doesn't regurgitate the entire crystal.” Diane explained.

“All of it?” Hex questioned, Diane nodded.

“She can’t have even a single trace in her body or it’ll spread like wildfire.” Diane warned, placing a small garbage can in front of Cruella, “now I don't care how ugly you may look Crulla, you gotta throw up when your body tells you to. Got it?”

Cruella nodded, looking up at the ceiling, her eyes widening as she threw up again into the garbage.

“Hex...I get it if you wanna go, I look disgusting when I throw up…” Cruella whispered, looking away from Hex, ashamed.

Hex chuckled, cleaning the vomit off the corner of her lips, “we all look disgusting when we throw up.”

He sighed, looking down, “I should have told you about Salis.”

Gabriella cocked her head to the side, signaling Diane it was time to go. They need to talk. 

Diane nodded, exiting the room and letting the two be alone.

“Please…” Cruella vomited once more, laying down on his lap, “I know we’re fighting right now, but I just wanna lay here and listen…”

“Listen to me talk?” Hex played with her hair, making Cruella purr.

“Talk, play with my hair, I don't care, just stay.” Cruella sighed in delight, “tell me...tell me what you wanted me to know…”

“Salis is my brother, biological older brother.” Hex sighed, staring off into space, “growing up, it was always me against him, but I knew Mom and Dad loved me more than they loved Salis, and a part of me knew that’s what drove Salis insane.”

“Insane?” Cruella asked, vomminiting once more.

“Yeah, the story begins a long time ago,” Hex recalled, looking around the window longingly.

“Mom! Mom! Look!” the 8-year-old Hex made a little fire in his hand, it seemed to have eyes and a mouth.

“Flame!” it chirped.

Hex’s mother, Lillian Reyes, smiled, watching as the small flame bounced around, surprisingly not burning anything.

It circled around Salis, Hex chuckled, “Salis, look, it likes you.”

Salis dumped his water on the fire, making it disappear, “stop using your magi for meaningless things.”

“Salis, don't be rude, your brother was just trying to make us laugh.” Hex’s father, Victor Reyes, said, pushing Salis' head slightly.

“Whatever,” Salis put his plate in the sink, grabbing his bookbag, “when we get to school, don't talk to me, don't even look at me, got it.”

Hex nodded, looking down, “okay…”

Salis walked out of the house, waiting inside the car.

“Why does Salis not like me?” Hex whimpered, rubbing his feet in little circles on the tiled floor.

“Salis is just mad that’s all,” Victor patted his shoulder, “he didn’t like the fact that we had a second kid, Hex, it’s not your fault though. He just doesn't like change.”

“But if I wasn’t here...Salis wouldn't be so mean to you and mommy.” Hex whispered.

“Don't go thinking like that, Hexy,” Lillian kissed the top of his head, “Salis is just naturally uptight.”

“Go get your bookbag, you start school soon.” Victor patted his back, Hex smiled and went upstairs, trying to find his bookbag.

“Victor,” Lillian cleaned up the table, “have you chosen who’ll get the Eternal Flame yet?”

“No, that’s why I’m taking them hunting in the forest in the backyard this weekend. I’ll decide then.” Victor watched as Hex played with his little flames in the car.

Lillian chuckled, “I see you’ve already chosen.”

“Yeah, but I still wanna see if he’s ready or not.” Victor said, grabbing his jacket as Lillian tossed him the keys to the car.

Victor entered the car to see Hex playing with the little fireballs, trying to make Salis laugh but Salis drounced the flame with his water bottle.

“I told you to stop using fire for frivolous things.” Salis repeated, putting in his headphones, blocking out Hex.

Victor looked at Hex through the rear view mirror, “cheer up Hex, we’re going hunting this weekend and you’ll get to see all the animals.”

Hex’s eyes brightened, “really?!”

“Yeah,” Victor smiled, he stopped at the school parking lot, “Salis, want me to walk you-”

“Nope, see you later old man.” Salis quickly left the car, meeting up with his buddies.

“You can walk me in, dad.” Hex smiled, Victor ruffled his hair.

Victor held his hand as he walked Hex into class, Victor stopped at the door, watching as Hex noticed his friend Roxy, immediately hugging her.

“Roxy!” Hex hugged her tightly, “guess what! I’m going hunting!”

“So you met Roxy in 3rd grade?” Cruella questioned, Hex nodded, stopping stroking her hair, “did I say stop?”

“Sorry, Marshmallow.” Hex chuckled, continued to play with her hair.

“I’m not actually gonna kill any animals, Roxy,” Hex whispered, “you know I wouldn't.” he winked.

Roxy giggled, putting her finger on her lips, “our little secret.”

Hex turned back to his dead, “seen you later, dad.” he hugged his father tightly before going back to the classroom.

°•. ✿ .•°

“Alright, boys! It’s almost sunrise which means it’s perfect time for hunting!” Victor announced, stretching.

“Aren’t you excited, Salis.” Hex smiled up at his brother.

“Just don't get in my way or you’ll end up like the animals on the wall. Stuffed and mounted.” Salis threatened.

“Okay…” Hex walked away from his brother, following his father deeper into the forest where he saw him and Salis crouching behind the bush, watching a deer and it’s kin eating grass.

Hex watched in wonderment as the baby deers pranced around, the younger one chasing the older one.

Hex sighed, he always wanted a relationship like Salis, but all he cared about was getting stronger. Anytime Hex tried to play with him or talk to him, Salis would scowl or throw a fireball at him, yelling at him to go away.

He looked over to his brother to see him prepping a fire arrow, “Salis, what are you doing?” Hex whispered.

“Getting a snack, now shh!” Salis whispered back, aiming the arrow at the baby deer, soon releasing the arrow.

“Salis! No!” Hex stood in front of the deer, protecting it from the arrow, he looked down to see the baby deer trembling in his arms, “what’s wrong with you, big brother?!”

“Why did you protect the food! We’re supposed to be hunting it!” Salis scolded, trying to rip the deer from his arms.

“Stop it!” Hex yelled, fire sprouting from his hands, pushing Salis into a nearby tree, “he did nothing to you!”

Hex held the deer closer, a ring of fire forming around Hex, he cried, “why did you try to hurt him?! He was just to play with the older deer!”

Salis growled, “you ruin everything!” he yelled, walking off back to the house.

Hex dropped to his knees, letting the baby deer run back to its family, “bye bye!” Hex waved goodbye to the deer as it disappeared into the forest.

Victor smiled softly, patting Hex’s shoulder, Hex looked up at him, “sorry for scaring off the food.”

“Hexy, don't be sorry, you passed.” Victor smiled, crouching down in front of him.

“Passed what?” Hex sniffled, wiping his tears.

“This wasn’t any normal hunting day Hex, I wanted to test you and your brother. To see which one of you would use your fire for good. Salis only used it for attacking, you however used it for protection of others. That’s very noble, that’s what I’m looking for in a vessel.”

“Vessel?” Hex tilted his head.

“Hex, have you heard of the Eternal Flame?” Victor asked, sitting beside Hex.

Hex nodded, “they told us in school the Eternal Flame was an untouched flame created by the sun god himself. The god gifted it to a human years ago and ever since it’s passed on to a different person when they have kin.”

“Very good,” Victor smied, “Hex, I want you to have the Eternal Flame.”

“Why?” Hex questioned.

“Hex I trust you’ll use the internal flame for good,” Victor placed his hand on his chest, transporting a red light though his veins into Hex’s body, “just don't be like your brother.”

“I won't, daddy!” Hex smiled brightly.

Little did they know, Salis stood behind a tree, listening to their entire conversation

°•. ✿ .•°

Salis stood over Hex while he slept, “how could he get the Eternal Flame? This runt! He couldn't even hurt a deer and yet the old man gave him the Eternal Flame.”

Hex held the pillow close to him, smiling softly, “Roxy…”

Cruella chuckled, laughing, “awe, you had a crush on Roxy.”

“Yeah,” Hex rubbed the back of his neck, blushing slightly, “but I have you now, but Roxy will always be a part of me. I hope that isn't a problem.”

“It isn't,” Cruella smiled, “I know she was your first love and I also know that I’m your last love, the one who’ll stay forever.”

Hex kissed the top of her head, continuing the story.

“What does the old man see in this runt?” Salis moved his chin slightly, getting a better look at his innocent face, “what makes you so special runt?”

He grimaced, “I’m the oldest, I should have gotten that flame!”

Hex winced, shifting in his bed.

“Alright, mister Eternal Flame,” Salis quickly walked down to the kitchen, giving a bottle of alcohol, a flame lighting in his fist. He walked outside to the front yard, standing in front of the house, “let’s see you handle this!” he lit the bottle on fire before throwing it into the house, causing a massive explosion.

Hex didn’t know what was going on, one moment he was dreaming out Roxy and next thing he knew the house was on fire.

“HEX!” His parent’s voice broke though the flames, Hex’s eyes darted towards the center of his bedroom.

“Mom! Dad!” Hex tried to run towards him but his mom shook her head.

“Don't move! Listen very carefully Hex, I need you to jump from your bed to the alcove, alright?” 

Hex's mind was in a haze of fear and terror but ultimately nodded.

“You’re gonna jump out the window and climb down the storm drain, after that, find St. Jude’s Orphanage-”

“Orphanage?! Why would I need an orphanage? Aren’t you coming with?”

“Hex! We can only keep the flames at bay for you to get out.” Victor told him.

Tears began to swell in the child’s eyes, “no...Mommy...Daddy…” Hex tried to run towards his parents but the flames blocked him, “don't make me go! Please! I don't want to be alone!”

“You won't be alone, Hexy,” Lilliana smiled innocently at her son, “we’ll always be in your heart.”

“Anytime you use those flames, we’ll be with you.” Victor had tears staining his cheeks.

“Dad...I don't want to leave!” Hex sobbed.

“Hexy, you gotta be strong, I know you can be.” Victor said, Hex shook his head rapidly.

“I’m not ready...I don't want to leave! Please!” Hex pleaded, Victor extended his hand towards Hex.

“Don't you ever forget us Hex…” Lillian and Victor said in unison as Victor shot a small blast of fire at Hex, pushing him threw the alcove window.

As Hex fell, his world went in slow motion, his childhood memories of his mother and father passing through his mind as the house was engulfed in flames.

He watched as his parents' bodies were taken by the harsh flames, the couple that raised him reduced to nothing but ashes. His small hands reaching up towards the falling embers

Mom...Dad...I won't ever forget you…

Cruella felt tears falling onto her hair, she sat up slowly, seeing her boyfriend crying.

At that moment, Cruella felt her walls come crashing down, she hugged Hex, his head resting in the comfort of the valley of her chest.

“Shhh…” Cruella stroked his black hair, “it’s alright...I’m right here...I’m never leaving you, Hex.”

Hex wrapped his arms around her, clutching her shirt, “I’m so sorry…” Hex sobbed, “I should have told you about Salis earlier…”

“It’s alright,” Cruella whispered, lifting up his head, staring deep into his hazel eyes, “I’m right here.”

Hex began to cry again, “you’re too good for me, Cruella!”

Cruella chuckled, “don't say that, nobody in this relationship is better than the other. We’re equal, remember?”

They sat in silence, taking in the other’s presence and warmth.

“Should we go in?” Emmanuel questioned, him and the Golden Dragons peaking through the window.

“No,” Emma shook her head, “they just need to be alone together for a while. It’s the best for both of them.”

“I didn’t know Salis had such an impact on Hex…” Marmalade muttered.

“Yeah, and now that he tried to get to Cruella, Hex’s gonna want his head.” Sergio said, sighing slightly.

Cruella laid back on the couch, still holding Hex close to her chest, “they would have loved you,” Hex muttered, Cruella looked up at him.

“You parents?”

Hex nodded, “I know my mom would have fawned over you, asking when she’d see some grandkids. My dad would have loved the fact that your animalstics, he always said they were the best magical race.” he sighed, thinking about a future that would never come to pass.

A future where his mother and father weren’t dead.

“I’m sure they would have loved seeing what you’ve done with the base, how you grew up to be a wonderful man.” Cruella unconsciously stroked his hair.

Hex looked up at Cruella, “Marshmallow,” he stroked her cheek.

She replied with a little, ‘hm?’

“One day, we’re gonna sit down and tell our children this story,” Hex listened to his girlfriend’s heartbeat in perfect time with his, “we’re gonna tell them the story of how their father kicked their uncle’s ass.”

~A/N~

So, what did you think? It took me a while to write this chapter because I was worried about how you would like Hex's backstory

Anyways, so, yesterday I said on my message board I said I would make the queen of hearts story a muder mystery. Hehehe...guess what! I can't write that! Sorry 😖 I tried so the genre and plot for the queen of hearts story is still up in the air.

But it's okay, because Medusa's story is set in stone. Hehe...get it...set in stone! HA! I love puns!

Speaking of Medusa, I am almost done with her first arc in docs. Yeah, I write that fast. Lol. Well I've been writing Medusa's story on docs since early August/late July.

Also! Great news! I've gotten an editor for this book! She just started editing the first chapter of the book on docs! Her name here is sky_is_limit and I am so grateful for her help!!

She's an amazing editor! I don't know what I do without her!!

See you on Monday!