10 Keep your enemies closer
"She is Ziana's friend." Zayden answered him wondering why she was even here.
"She is the cop Lia was talking about." Xavier answered glaring at the annoying woman.
"Do you guys know each other?" And it was Kate's turn to question them. She crossed her arms and stared at the three in skepticism. Something was off with these people and their activities.
"He is my brother." Zayden answered with a sigh. This would only get complicated as they were already on bad terms. Ziana still needed to clear the air and now, this friend of hers would grow even more suspicious of him.
"And what are you guys doing here?" Kate asked glancing at Xavier who had a scowl on his face. He didn't like her and now that seemed weirder, the feeling was mutual.
"I'd like to ask you the same." Xavier grumbled back.
"You look abnormal so I am keeping an eye on you." She answered right on his face making his fists clench tightly. Once they left the station, she followed them out of suspicion and got lost in this forest. Luckily a few minutes earlier, she saw Zayden and followed him to this strange spot.
Xavier felt his veins bulge at her words. How dare this low, pathetic human call him abnormal?!
"Why are guys here?" she asked again looking around at the thick trees. This dark forest was considered a spot for missing cases. People would get lost here and never return home, so what were these elites doing here?
"That's none of your business." Xavier said and the other two sighed. It was the time to act calm and answer carefully. But would he listen?
"We are here to look at the sight." A soothing voice echoed behind them and Kate turned around in surprise.
Lia and Xavier slightly bowed as the goddess of Afterlife stepped into their protective zone and Zayden nodded at his mother.
Lady Winter smiled at them as Kate gasped at her beauty. She was a woman of pure grace and elegance, with features of epitome. And despite her intimidating presence, her look was warm and gentle that Kate couldn't stop admiring her. She met her eyes with a kind and understanding gaze, completely embracing her with a gentle smile.
Kate felt a sense of respect and unconsciously bowed to the lady.
"We are planning to convert this dead forest into attractive resorts." Lady Winter added walking towards her followed by two men. "People need to enjoy nature's gift and we want to them spend their holidays in this peaceful, divine forest." She explained with a smile.
Lia sighed inwardly in relief. She was confused about how to answer this cop's question and Lady Winter came to her rescue. Handling humans was not her job, and she was very inept at it.
Kate unconsciously nodded and believed her words. This lady sounded so true and divine that her suspicions melted down easily. Wait! What was happening to her?
"And may I know why you find my son abnormal, Miss?" Lady Winter asked and glanced at Xavier who turned away in embarrassment.
"I arrested him in a drug case and his behavior did not justify his innocence. So, I decided to track him and ended up here." Kate answered but felt someone forcing her to say why she was really there. As if a force was trying to decode the truth and she obeyed.
"Oh, that's terrible Xav." Lady Winter mumbled and turning to Kate, she added, "I am sorry on behalf of my son for the trouble. He is a bit aggressive and can be a total jerk sometimes."
Xavier's eyes fumed with anger but he did not comment. He couldn't raise his voice against their leader and also his mother technically in this human world.
"But I assure you my sons do not indulge in illegal activities. Our family won't tolerate such rash behaviors and they are well aware of it." Lady Winter added, her soothing voice making Kate nod in understanding.
She could easily believe this woman's words for some odd reason but why? Lady Winter smiled seeing the confusion on her face. She was manipulating her to believe things and luckily it worked, unlike Xavier's weak trial over her.
"Oh, since you work in the detective field, you must be very familiar with this forest." Lady Winter wondered and when Kate nodded, she smiled, "Then, can you please help us show around the forest? We didn't get any agents and the government isn't cooperating well."
Kate willingly nodded and Lady Winter gestured to Lia to take her away. Lia followed her order and took the other two elders with Kate. They needed to distract Kate until she could have a good look at the destruction.
Once Kate left with Lia, Zayden sighed. Not just Ziana but now, even her best friend looked different from normal humans as she could easily cross their barriers. And only his mother could answer all his questions.
"How could she cross the barriers? And did she not see the gate?"
Lady Winter shook her head and walked towards the wounded gate. "Humans cannot see it but some with good spirits can easily cross our barriers." She answered with a sigh.
"Seriously! What's happening in this world? I heard even some parallel portals were broken last night." He asked again as she touched the transparent blue layer between the pillars. It hummed in response and let her feel its pain.
"All I can say is we will be going through an apocalypse soon. It won't be easy in the coming days, so be prepared." Lady Winter answered with a sigh. The gate was badly wounded and she needed more people to heal it quickly.
"How does Ziana relate to it?" Zayden asked. "I am sure she is somehow connected with it." He added as his mother was not a fool to marry him off, the lord of destruction to some mere human.
Lady Winter sighed out loud. She wanted to hide the reason but he deserved to know it. It would also help him prepare for the coming days.
Taking a deep breath, she answered, "Remember General Kaylan?" And when Zayden nodded, Lady Winter said, "She is his daughter."
Zayden gasped while Xavier blinked in surprise. So she had that great man's blood? He better treat and protect her well in order to honor Kaylan's sacrifices for them.
"And what about this girl? She doesn't look like a human to me." Xavier asked as it was still unbelievable that his compulsion didn't work on her. She could even cross the dangerous barrier and that was not normal.
"She is a human." Lady Winter mumbled and smiled. "But with some special powers."
"Keep her close to Ziana." She added glancing at Zayden who nodded. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That's what humans always believe, right? She wanted to test that theory.
"Can you brainwash her that I am Ziana's good friend?" Zayden asked after a small pause. He needed to share his wife's burden and solve this impossible task for her.
And when Lady Winter blinked in confusion, he added, "She caught me and Ziana together in her house. We need to clear the air and avoid suspicions about our marriage."
"When did you learn to use WE?" Lady Winter commented with a light laugh. So, he was progressing well with her. That was good news.
Zayden smiled at her joke. Well, his dearest Ziana was making him love his vacation. And enjoying her suffering was the best thing of all.
--
Ziana's house.
Ziana happily took out a box of cookies and enjoyed her favorite show. She had woken up a few minutes earlier and felt happy to be alone.
Zayden had left without a word and she wished he would never return. As for Kate, she would cover it somehow.
Handling her best friend was not a big deal!
"Hahaha, yes! Punch him in the face." She mumbled while enjoying her cookies.
"Where is she?" Ziana wondered as she looked at the time. It was past lunch hours and Kate hadn't returned home.
Taking out her phone, she dialed her number but it went to voicemail again.
"Maybe she's busy." Ziana murmured keeping aside the phone and grinned as her favorite boxer punched the opponent. She wished to try it on Zayden if he ever returns.
And her wish came true after a few minutes.
Ring! Ring!
Ziana happily went to the door at the bell and opened it happily thinking it was Kate.
"Where have you been?" She grumbled, but her mind drifted when she saw Zayden standing beside Kate.
He smiled and waved at her making her frown.
Holy cow! Why were they coming together?
