Chapter 9 FLAMES OF BETRAYAL

The village was aflame.

Not with fire, but with whispers.

Rumors spread faster than the dry season wind....blaming Ejike for stirring old curses, for dragging doom into their homes.

He walked through the streets, faces turned away, children hissing like snakes, elders clutching charms tighter.

The night was thick with thunder, as if the sky itself mourned the breaking of promises.

Ejike stood before the village council, accused, alone.

Voices shouted, fingers pointed.

But then, a sudden hush fell.

From the shadows stepped Ngozi's brother, Chinedu with his face pale, eyes burning with fury.

"I know who betrayed us," he said.

Gasps echoed.

Chinedu revealed a secret meeting under the ancient iroko tree, a pact made in blood, betrayal sealed with kola nuts.

Ejike's heart pounded. The truth was worse than he imagined.

The traitor was not a stranger, but a man sworn to protect the village.

And the final betrayal?

It was tied to Ejike's own bloodline.

The council erupted.

Ejike looked at Chinedu. "Tell me everything."

Chinedu nodded. "But once you hear, there's no going back."

At the heart of the chaos stood Chief Amadi, his eyes cold and accusing.

"Ejike," he said, voice like cracked stone, "you bring shadows where there were none. You endanger us all."

Ejike clenched his fists. "I'm trying to save us."

"No," the Chief spat, "you're the poison. And it must be cut out."

Behind the Chief, Mama Eke stepped forward, bandaged wrist now bleeding anew.

Her voice was low, venomous. "He lies. He knows more than he lets on."

Ejike's heart broke.

Not because of their words, but because he realized that the betrayal was closer than he ever feared.