Sebastian is driving me back to the manor. We are both happy and in light spirits after making love on his studying desk. I hope the old books have survived in being thrown on the floor unceremoniously to open space to our passion.
My werewolf is humming a song and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in the same rhythm. I'm sure I know it, but I can't identify what music is being sung. I turn to him to ask, as I'm dying to know which song it is, and the curiosity always gets what is the best in me.
Khawla: I think I know this song.
Sebastian stops humming and glances at me with deep tenderness in his fierce amber eyes. Then, he opens a warm smile, and answers me in a playful tone of voice, getting his attention back to the streets of Mystery Spell.
Sebastian: Of course, you do. It's heavy metal.
"My wolf is absolutely right, if it's heavy metal, for sure I know it."
With these very words, Sebastian starts his CD player without taking his attention from the streets, as he is a careful and conscious driver, the opposite of me, while I'm behind the steering wheel because I love the adrenalin in my veins when I speed or race illegally. Soon, a song from Aerosmith takes over his car. I smile back at him, as this song tells too much about us at this very moment. We both start singing with Steven Tyler.
Sebastian & Khawla: "I could stay awake just to hear you breathing... Watch you smile while you are sleeping... While you're far away dreaming... I could spend my life in this sweet surrender... I could stay lost in this moment forever... Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure...! Don't want to close my eyes... I don't want to fall asleep... 'Cause I'd miss you, baby... And I don't want to miss a thing!" (1)
This song says so much about Sebastian, that keeps awake watching over my sleeping like he's my guardian. How many nights has he hugged me in his protective arms to soothe me and stayed awake to ensure I was okay, not crying anymore or having any other episode of a panic attack? And this song says so much about both of us too because we treasure every single minute we're together, sharing our passion for Myths & Legends, or making so much love.
In no time, we have arrived at the manor. What a pity! These minutes were so special and dearest to us. But we must leave the bubble we are in his orange 4x4 off-road car and go back to reality. I know he goes back to his researches, that, until now, he hasn't unveiled to me what's about, what epiphany he had. I have some quotations to do for the Bartholy's Commercial Center that is being built in the neighboring city. I'm also free tomorrow to train to the Ice Figure Skating competition, and still so much work accumulated at the office.
Sebastian leaves the car and comes to the passenger's side to open the door to me gallantry. Then, he stretches his hand to assist me in going down of his 4x4, in the same way a gentleman does. As soon as I'm on my feet, he shuts the door and corners me between the car and his perfect shredded body. He sets his hands beside my head, our breathes mix, and his dark black locks caress my forehead. His fierce amber eyes wander from my gray-blue ones to my lips, back to my eyes, then, back to my lips. Without saying a word, Sebastian seizes my mouth in a passionate kiss that I respond with much more passion.
I hope no one passes by and sees the scene, as it doesn't bode well, a Professor with his student, although Johnathan Nielson promised to protect us, after Nicolae has reminded him that the Bartholys have me in high esteem, and it wouldn't be good to his career as Principal to have any problem with me or Dr. Jones.
I can feel Sebastian's desire growing against my lower belly, and he steps back, gasping out in a husky voice while trying hard to control his basic instincts of a big bad wolf, ready to devour me.
Sebastian: It's better if you go now.
I nod, unable to say a word, blushing like a shy girl as my body is in frisson with his proximity and kiss. I open the back door to grab my backpack and the ice skates' bag, and I head to the manor, without looking back. I know Sebastian won't leave until I'm indoors, safe and sound. I can feel his fierce amber eyes against my skin, observing my very steps, like a predator scrutinizing his prey.
I cross the monumental front yard, climb the steps that head to the porch two by two, and open the heavy woody door with a gargoyle door knocker. Then, I close it behind me and lean my back and head against it, with a grin on my lips, daydreaming in the remembrance of being in my werewolf's arms. With my right hand, I touch my mouth that is still warm with Sebastian's kiss. I let out a long in love sigh before heading to my bedroom to settle my stuff there, change clothes and go to Nicolae's office, although he had given me the day off, but I have so much work to do.
While getting ready to go downstairs, I start thinking about what has happened today. With a lot of things going on, I'm surprised that my explorer hasn't dug into the part of my sleeping that I was screaming and woke up like a vampire so far. I would say that I'm more of alleviated, as I'm still a little bit confused, as the nightmare sounded more like nonsense.
"Loan, Samantha, the teenager version of Lorie, Viktor, my grandmother, and they all at Igor's mansion?! Nonsense!"
My mind has mixed up everything together, and it has no connection to reality. The only link between them all is me, apart from the teenager undead, as Lorie is only a small kid, and it's intriguing me.
"Can a vampire that was trapped in a child body grow up after some centuries of existence?"
I have never heard such a thing, as I have never seen a transformed vampire child either, Lorie is the first one I get to know, and, as per my knowledge, an undead baby born from vampires parents grow up till the age of 30, where they get stuck for the rest of their existence.
I will ask Igor about the possibility of Lorie developing at some stage of her life, or not-life, as I don't want to overwhelm Sebastian with more riddles and puzzles, as he's going to question me why I'm asking about it, and I'm unable to tell him the truth as everything is still foggy in my mind.
I look at myself in the mirror to ensure no part of my skin is visible, as I know Nicolae is interested in taking me by his wife, as Viktor has said, to make the Bartholy's blood stronger. Another nonsense as well.
"By the way, why am I worrying so much about all these things if I don't use to have prophetic dreams? The last ones were post-traumatic distress and remembrances of my past only. Apart from the wolf being Sebastian..."
I raise an enquiring eyebrow while glancing at the last time at my figure in the mirror before heading to Nicolae's office.
Dreaming of Sebastian and the wolf being the same person was a warning dream, also, something not usual to my patterns of dreaming or having presages. Perhaps, the fact that I was revolving the box that Igor Bolshoyev has shipped to me with so many memories from my past inducted the nightmares of today.
"Maybe..."
***
I enter the office, and Nicolae looks puzzled at me, as he was not expecting me here today, because my work schedule now is Mondays and Fridays, and some other day of the week or weekend when needed. Furthermore, it's already late, out of the commercial time of most of the offices worldwide, and the time, in general, I go back to my bedroom to study for my Master in Myths & Legends.
Khawla: Good evening, Nicolae.
Nicolae: Good evening, Khawla.
Without more words, I sit on my working desk, turn on my desktop, and start reading some documents that I have left on my table to work on them now. Nicolae is still staring at me, like a predator observes his prey, with a raised enquiring eyebrow, not understanding what's going on and unable to read what's up in my mind either thanks to my druid mental shield. His voice shows all his curiosity.
Nicolae: Khawla, are you okay?
Khawla: Yes. Why?
Nicolae: What are you doing here, and at this time?
I raise an enquiring eyebrow, as Nicolae knows very well what I'm doing at his office, and he isn't keen of making stupid or obvious questions.
Khawla: Working...?
Nicolae: But it's your day off because of the training for the winter competition in a few months from now.
Khawla: I have already trained today, Nicolae, and I want to have these quotations before Friday, or we'll be much behind on the schedule to the inauguration of the Commercial Building. I don't think Viktor would be happy with any delay.
Nicolae nods, agreeing. He knows his Father very well, and how the original is a very rigid entrepreneur and businessman. He takes care of his business with an iron hand, being feared not because he's a vampire, as only almost no one knows his condition of the undead, but rather because he's harsh and keeps everything under rigorous control.
Nicolae: Indeed.
The sexy oldest brother turns his attention back to his desk to continue doing whatever he was before my interruption. We work in deadly silence for a couple of hours, each one focused on their own tasks. If a paper leaf falls, it can be heard.
I notice that Nicolae keeps glancing at me from time by time, but I don't give importance to it, as I know he is attracted to me and has said, with all words to Sebastian, that he will fight for my love. I let out an ironic small laugh under this memory, what arouses his curiosity, and makes him stares at me with a raised enquiring eyebrow.
Nicolae: What is funny, my child?
"That you are dying to fuck me... although you had your chance that day, in the living room."
Khawla: Nothing. I was just remembering something.
I get my attention back to one paper that I was reading to disguise any evidence that it was of him that I was thinking about. I don't want to let any room for dubious interpretations from his side, as I belong entirely to Sebastian. I keep my focus on my papers and e-mails, trying to ignore the insistent look of this perfect specimen of the human race, I mean, from the vampiric race.
Nicolae is observing each one of my movements, facial expressions, the way I set my hair locks behind my ears, how I bite the top of the pen while reading and thinking. Even my sighs don't escape from his piercing blue eyes of a predator, that is studying the right moment to attack his prey.
***
It's almost midnight. Time to get ready to meet my beloved Professor, that I'm already missing so much, at our glade, afar from the manor because neither Nicolae nor Viktor Bartholy wants a werewolf rounding their lair.
I turn off the desktop, and stretch all my muscles like a cat waking up; however, before I could be on my feet, Nicolae pins my hands on my desk, and leans against the back of my chair, blocking me of pushing it backward to stand up. I'm shocked by his aggressive behavior, although he's in this mood for a while now, since the visit of his Father to Mystery Spell. I can feel his warm breath on my neck, and I freeze to the bones. I shudder in a mix of fear and excitement because I'm not sure about the intentions of the sexy vampire, as he's behaving oddly lately. His voice is deep and hoarse, as he's trying to use his seduction powers on me.
Nicolae: Thank you, Khawla, to come to work. I'm happy with your professionalism and how you care about our project.
After saying these very words, in a blink of an eye, Nicolae leaves the office. I stay sit for a while, trying to understand what the oldest brother wanted. I pass my hands on my neck to ensure he hasn't bitten me. I'm wholly confused and lost.
"Is Viktor still nearby? Because Nicolae and Lorie are out of their minds!"
I let out an annoyed sigh before standing up and heading to my bedroom for a quick shower to be ready and refreshed to meet my fierce amber eyes werewolf. We have left each other just a few hours back, but I'm already missing him so much. I can't see my life without him anymore. I'm contemplating the idea of moving to his studio, accepting his invitation after all. But what to do with the code of ethics of Mystery Spell University?
I let out a defeated sigh. Sebastian and I have to decide what to do, because our relationship will arrive at the Board of Directors at some moment, sooner or later, and also I'm getting embarrassed and upset with Nicolae's tries of conquering my heart.
***
I enter my bedroom and lock the door behind me, to prevent Nicolae to enter if it is his intention after whatever that happened in his office. Although he doesn't need an invitation to come in, as it's his house, as Drogo has highlighted to me right at the beginning when I have just arrived in Mystery Spell.
"Great!"
I let out an upset sigh, before looking at myself in the mirror, to ensure there are no two small holes on my neck, as I doubt Nicolae would keep the old agreement between vampires and druids while under the influence of the old fox. I sigh alleviated in knowing my neck is safe and sound, that was only his breathing caressing it.
I undress and head to the bathroom, to the shower box. Then, I turn on the faucet and let the water runs freely throughout my body to calm down my nerves and my mind. I rub the soap on the bath sponge until it makes some foam, and I caress my body with it. I'm cleaning any vestiges or smell of the oldest sexy vampire on my body.
After a while, I turn off the faucet; then, I go back to my bedroom, wrapped in the towel, to choose what to dress to wow Sebastian, as I want him to spill the beans regarding his epiphany and researches, and also to make him forget about the part of my sleeping that I was screaming and wake up with two sharp fangs coming out from my mouth, as I don't want to talk about this nonsense.
I apply some makeup too, to disguise the light dark rings that are under my eyes since the nightmares, and the final touch is his favorite perfume, that always drives him crazy. I glance once more to my figure in the mirror.
"Yes, girl! He won't be able to take his hand off of you!"
I wink to myself, before unlocking the door and sneaking out of my room, praying not to bump into Nicolae.
(1) Author's note: If you don't know Aerosmith or Steven Tyler, here you are: