The moon is not the only thing that now illuminates the dark sky. Baba Athka’s smile brings with it a light that I haven’t been able to conjure for the past three days. So many questions flood my mind, but Baba answers before I can open my mouth.

“It is indeed much to take in, Umkele,” he says in a jovial tone.

“We had to wait until you ascended the throne to bring this truth to you, my boy.”

I do not know what to say to him. My mouth is clamped shut, still dazed by what I had just seen. I force myself to speak, even though words struggle to come to mind.

“How … what … Baba Athka, how is this even possible?” I frown. “I thought it was nothing but a myth amongst our people.”

“It is a gift that was bestowed upon our family generations ago. They say the first great impisi was born out of trickery. The God of Animals tricked one of our ancestors and impregnated her, but the child was born with claws instead of nails, hairy features, instead of those of a normal babe.” He continues: “Every single man in the family can shape into a werewolf when he comes of age.”

Family. Baba said ‘family’. I thought he was no more than father’s trusted advisor.

“Yes, family,” he says, before I ask the question. “I am your father’s brother, my boy. It was a secret that we swore to keep until the day he passed. You see, he knew that someone in the family would betray you the minute you were supposed to step on that dais and ascend that throne.”

Everything he says sends my mind into a frenzy. In my family, a line of werewolves that goes back hundreds of years!? But over-riding that is the truth of how my family, my own flesh and blood, betrayed me. All for power.

“I do not understand it, Uncle” I say, my voice quivering. “How can my own brother betray me? How can the person who gave birth to me allow this to happen?”

Baba Athka lets out a resigned sigh as he stares at the ground. “Power is a dangerous thing, my boy. I have seen the greatest men rise and fall because of the greed for power. The Gods gave us many gifts, but so did those who opposed them.”

He continues: “See, the Gods gave us lands, gave us animals, gave us knowledge, and the wisdom to understand it. We have tamed it all, my boy. We have tamed everything but ourselves.”

His words do comfort me, but there is so much that I still do not know. It is as if Baba reads my mind when he speaks again.

“Your mother has always been a troubled woman. She believed that you were a curse on the family. Nothing more than a ‘defect’ who didn’t belong. But your father loved you from the moment he laid eyes on you. Your tiny, pearly hands and feet enchanted him, dangling as he held you.

“I know this must all be difficult to take in, my boy, but the love your father bore you should be enough to inspire you to avenge his memory,” Baba Athka says with conviction.

His words ignite within me a fire that can never be extinguished. I will avenge father’s memory. I will take what is rightfully mine. I am the Hope of Delardo. My skin will be my power, my flaw my greatest strength. Father’s love will carry me, from now until I have restored balance; the correct natural order.

“I will!” is all I can muster. Anger, love, resentment – all course through my veins. I will take what is mine. A low growl escapes my throat.

***

Tell us: Do you agree that greed for power makes people do terrible things?