Sebastian comes back to the living room with an old, thick, and massive book in his hands and slams it on the coffee table. My fish and I jump because of the loud noise. I scold him.
Khawla: Seb, you've scared the fish!
Fish: ...!
Sebastian answers me playfully while collapsing on the sofa beside me.
Sebastian: Don't worry, little fairy. It'll forget in three seconds.
I roll my eyes to the heavens, but he isn't wrong. Golden fishes have a memory that lasts only for three seconds. Soon, it'll be recovered from the fright, not remembering even if it got scared one day.
Fish: ...
I get my attention to the cover of the book that my wolf has just brought. Huge, thick, heavy, black, with letters written in red blood-like color, where can be read, The Guide for New Vampires – How to control your new powers, by V. Bartholy.
I stare at Sebastian, not believing in my very eyes.
"Firstly, how does he get these secular books? Secondly, is it for real that there is a book about this theme? Thirdly, is the old fox a best-seller author? Fourthly and the most important thing, I'm not a vampire, I wasn't transformed, and the fact that I have hung up with these bloodthirsty creatures for my entire life doesn't make me one of them."
Khawla: I'm not a vampire.
I state to him with conviction, and Sebastian mocks me back.
Sebastian: No. But you need to learn how to control your abilities.
Khawla: I KNOW how to control them.
Sebastian: Oh, really, little fairy? It wasn't what you have told me a few minutes back.
I let out an annoyed sigh, regretting sharing with him what is happening to me and my worries. I would never expect his irony and sarcasm, rather, his comprehension, caring, and protection.
Khawla: Seb, look at me.
Sebastian turns and faces me. I can see apprehension and increasing worry in his fierce amber eyes, which don't match his sarcastic behavior. He is trying to hide all his feelings because he is as scared as me. He is trying to hide himself in his protective shell, attacking me, like a corned wounded animal.
Khawla: It isn't only about losing control. I have been sick and weak lately, and then, healing at speed. I have been having types of dreams that I don't use to. I have beginning to read minds.... Something is happing to my body!
Sebastian answers me harshly, with a cold tone of voice, as icy cold as winter winds that make me shudder.
Sebastian: Maybe only what you must have to do is stop drinking and doing drugs, so you can be healthy and have control over yourself again.
"Ouch!"
With these very words, he unmutes the television and restarts watching the hockey match, ignoring my presence and all problems that I mean to him.
I think a punch in the stomach would hurt less than his accusation. I let out a defeated sad sigh, and shake my head from one side to another in a no. No. He can't understand me. He can't understand my feelings, my pain, and my struggles.
I get the heavy book and head to the bed to read it, as the curiosity is gaining me. But I can't help feeling broken-hearted with Sebastian incomprehension and harshness. I wished that his studio has doors so I can lock myself out of his view. Well, the only door is the bathroom's one, but I won't read inside of it, mainly because, as per some religions, some demons inhabit there, and it is more than enough my inner demons; I don't need more of them around me.
***
I'm already immersed in the book for hours now. Most of the techniques described are about meditation, self-suggestions, hypnosis, and their variants. Perhaps this is what I'm needing, my usual druid's meditation practices, to connect myself with nature and to my essence of a creature from the forests.
I close the book and start to get ready to go out. I need to visit my chosen meditation tree and get my strengths from it. I wear my black jeans, a black long-sleeve T-shirt, and I grab a black woolen jacket, as the weather in Mystery Spell is turning into icy cold, as we are well advanced in fall, and, soon, winter will come. I put my black boots on, and I get my black purse to go out.
I'm so focused on what I'm doing that I don't notice that Sebastian observes me from his studying desk like a predator does with its prey. None of my movements passes unnoticed to him. Well, I didn't notice he was observing me either because I wasn't in the mood to look at his face after what he has said to me earlier.
His strong masculine voice catches me while I unlock the door of his studio to leave.
Sebastian: Where are you going, Khawla?
"It's none of your business!"
Khawla: To the Manor. I forgot something there.
I answer him shrugging my shoulders as I was sneaking out to do something not important. He doesn't need to know that it isn't precisely the Bartholy's mansion that I'm going to, but to the woods behind it.
Sebastian: Give me one minute, and I'll drive you there.
Khawla: No need. It's not late, and I can go on foot.
It's only 19:00 on a Friday night. I can be back by 22:00 or 23:00. Not a big deal, indeed.
Sebastian: I insist. It's dangerous out there.
I open the door, showing that I won't wait for him, that I don't need, and I don't want his company.
Khawla: Yeah... Very dangerous! Full of vampires, werewolves, witches, and druids...
With these very words, I leave and slam the door behind me. I'm so pissed that he wants to be with me all the time, controlling my steps as the control-freak he is.
"Can't Seb understand that I need some time to myself?"
I let out a frustrated sigh and start walking through the streets. A cold gusting wind catches me and makes me shudder from head to toe. Indeed, Mystery Spell seems gloomy, dark, and dangerous, whenever the time of the day. The streets are empty as if it were late at night. I'm shivering, but this time, not because of the cold, rather, because I can feel something threatening in the air.
I put my hands in the pockets of my coat and speed up my pace. It will be a long 30 minutes walking because my heart is bouncing in my chest as the fear is gaining me. I begin regretting not accepting Sebastian's ride.
All my six senses are at their peak, and I have the sensation of being observed, and I speed up my pace even more. I'm apprehensive, breathing heavily, and my heart races to one hundred miles per minute. Then I feel a hand pulling me by my elbow. I chill to the bones due to the fright.
Peter: Khawla, where are you going alone? Don't you know that Mystery Spell is dangerous at night?
"It's only Peter. Phew!"
But I can't help feeling a little bit trembling and mad at the same time. Why everyone insists on saying that Mystery Spell is dangerous for a mythological, legendary, and folklore creature? I'm able to defend myself if needed, with my abilities and some self-defense techniques.
Peter and I keep walking side by side, but now, at an average speed.
I answer his question, visibly annoyed in being reminded of the dangers that lurk around the city.
Khawla: Yeah, yeah... I know.
Peter: Where are you going?
Khawla: To the woods. I need my tree for my druid's practices.
Peter makes me stopping walking and face him.
Peter: Khawla, you can't do it. The Descendants of Templar have patrols in the forest behind our home. Even we aren't going there. Father has given strict orders to us not to hunt and don't do anything while they're here.
Khawla: Oh, no!
A sensation of despair takes over me. I do need to meditate. I do need to regain control over my abilities, mainly because the Descendants of Templar are around. If they see me in my druidess form, it's a sure-fire I'll be their target.
Khawla: What am I going to do now?!
Although I have asked myself, Peter answers me, trying to be helpful. He is so sweet, but I'm not fond of him since that day he has blamed me for Loan's bad behavior towards me. I'm still hurt for him blaming the victim.
Peter: Why don't you speak with Nicolae?
I raise an enquiring eyebrow, and a smirk forms on my lips. I reply ironically to Peter's idea.
Khawla: And what Nicolae can do for me, Peter? Shift himself into a tree?
I let out small ironic laughter after my sentence. Peter gets embarrassed, bites his lower lip, and then answers me full of sureness.
Peter: I didn't mean it, Khawla. But he can help you with whatever you need.
I let out a defeated sigh. I have no idea how Nicolae can help me, but I'll give it a try. I'm halfway to the manor anyway. Let's pay the price and see.
Khawla: You're right.
Peter nods, and we restart walking to the mansion, without any more words. I'm feeling safe in being beside a vampire. The sensation of fear stars to vanish, as I'm not alone anymore, that I'm with a bodyguard now.
***
Nicolae: Khawla, what are you doing here? You aren't supposed to be at the manor!
"What a warm reception!"
Nicolae doesn't seem happy in seeing me again. The worry in his piercing blue eyes is glaring, and his aura gets dark, somber, and dangerous. I can't help feeling flushed and wet in being in front of such an imposing creature. But my sarcasm and irony are at their peak.
Khawla: Thank you! I missed you too, Nicolae.
Peter and Nicolae exchange looks. Well, I can bet my life that it isn't only looks that they are exchanging but communicating in a frequency that my telepathic abilities don't catch. Then, Peter heads upstairs and leaves me alone with the sexy oldest brother.
Nicolae: Please, follow me, my child.
With these very words, Nicolae takes me to the office and locks the door as soon as we enter the room. I get apprehensive, remembering the times he has locked the door of my room while under his Father's influence, and wanted to make me his prey.
The sexy vampire can sense my uneasiness and rushes to explain.
Nicolae: I won't do anything. It's only to avoid interruption, as I'm sure it is something important that has brought you here, against Father's orders, I would add.
"Yes, something very, very, very important!"
I nod, feeling alleviated, as I don't see any trace of a predator in his piercing blue eyes, rather, worry and curiosity. I let out a defeated sigh while collapsing on the small sofa. Nicolae sits beside me, observing me, studying me, and trying to read my mind, without any success, of course.
Khawla: Nicolae, stop trying to read my mind. You know you can't. Why do you insist?
Nicolae raises an ironic eyebrow and smirks.
Nicolae: Habit.
I begin to regret coming here. It won't be fruitful at all! What I need is my tree and to meditate to regain some control over my abilities. What Nicolae can do for me?
Khawla: I intended to go to meditate. I need my druid's practices to get stronger. But Peter told me the Descendants of Templar are in the woods.
Nicolae becomes sad. He isn't happy in having people around the manor, preventing them from hunting and enjoying the little pleasures of being vampires. I let out a sad sigh. I'm also sad about having people around, corning us, wishing our deaths.
Even without reading my mind, the sexy oldest brother can sense that something is wrong with me.
Nicolae: Khawla, what is wrong?
"Everything!"
I let out another sad sigh. How to explain to him that I have lost control over myself and that Sebastian has given me the book about new vampires to me learn how to handle my powers? I let out sigh after sigh, getting the courage to start spilling the beans.
Khawla: I have lost control...
That's all I could say. I don't have the strength to enter into details or tell him that I'm a mind reader as he is. Okay, not a mind reader, only a memory reader...
Nicolae raises a mockery brow and smirks while answering me with touches of fine irony.
Nicolae: And since when you have control, my child? You have a very wicked temper.
Khawla: It's not about my temper, Nicolae...
I get exasperated. No one is able to understand me. Yeah. It was a bad idea to come to the manor. Nicolae can't help me, and he is judging me, in the same way Sebastian did earlier. My wolf's words are still hurting in my soul and ego.
Nicolae can sense the seriousness of the matter, and the playful tone and attitude vanish.
Nicolae: Can you be more specific? What has happened?
I let out a defeated sigh. Why must everything be so complicated in my life?
Khawla: My powers... I've lost control over them. I've assumed my druidess form twice without being in command of my actions.
Nicolae opens his piercing blue eyes wide in fear. He is paralyzed as if Medusa has just turned him into a stone statue. It takes him some seconds to absorb the information and its implications. The surprise is glaring, and it is worrying him to the bones.
Nicolae: Khawla, how did it happen?
I shrug my shoulders. If I knew, it would be easier to find the solution. Wouldn't it?
Nicolae: Were you drunk?
"Oh, great! Another one thinking that I'm an alcoholic..."
Khawla: I was very well sober and master of my actions and of my cognitive activities. And, suddenly, bam! I'm a druidess!
Nicolae is pensive. Mr. Know-It-All seems not to know what's up. What isn't reassuring at all.
Nicolae: And what did you want in the forest, my child?
Khawla: To mediate to regain some control over myself again. There is a while that I don't go through my druid's practices. Perhaps, it's all I need.
Nicolae nods and gets pensive as he is trying to find out a solution. His aura is getting more dangerous and threatening, and, somehow, it's driving me crazy. My pussy tingles, and I bite my lower lip. I thank God that he is so focused on his thoughts that he can't notice how my body is in frisson, or he would try to use his seductive vampiric abilities to get me to his bed.
Then, his face lightens up. He has an epiphany.
Nicolae: I have an idea. It may work almost like a meditation.
I raise an enquiring eyebrow, curious to know what he is talking about and, at the same time, a little bit suspicious.
Khawla: And what's that?
Nicolae beat the bush without even blinking.
Nicolae: Hypnosis.