Investigation

41: Investigation

Lara let out a frustrated groan. She understands everything they're saying. But this... this wasn't the case for her. She knows Cedric and her father both desired the same thing, and that's her security, her safety. However, her desires were not the same as theirs. Lara wanted her freedom back, as well as her right to choose for herself. She understands there's danger lurking in the shadows, but she wasn't a weak, defenseless girl anymore.

"Fine. I'll handle it myself." Lara rose and turned to walk away, but Cedric stopped her. Getting in her way. Since her new goal was to go back as early as possible, as she had to speed up the investigation.

"What are you suddenly up to now?" With a concerned expression on his face, Cedric asked.

"Move. I'm going to work."

"No." Cedric stood his ground and blocked her path. "I told you I won't let you do that. You're not going back, pumpkin. I won't let you."

Lara sighed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "What are you doing? I'm not going back."

Cedric froze. "Then what are you doing?" 

"I'm starting the investigation; I have 14 days to finish this so, move."

Lara walked past him, his sight following her back.

Lara stopped and turned to him. Her face looked bored but with a frown. "Are you coming, or are you not?"

Cedric gulped. Looking at Lara, he's suddenly having this weird feeling inside his chest. 

Whenever he looks at her, he feels like he's talking to a different person. She sounds the same, looked the same. But there are subtle ways in her mannerism that suddenly made her feel… different. Like she's not the friend he used to play with as a child. 

"Who are you?" he asked. At first, it started when he saw her standing outside the office doors. But now, staring at her, the feeling just got stronger.

Lara reacted to his question with a snort. "Fine. I'm leaving you behind then." She said, turning her back to leave. 

But seeing her leaving woke Cedric up from his thoughts. "Wait!" Cedric ran to her, catching up to her steps. 

"Why are you suddenly determined to do this?" He asked, his eyes following her face. "The crime and justice department will handle this themselves. I'm sure they'll find something in their investigation tomorrow."

His words didn't stop Lara from resuming her steps… 

"I trust the department and their methods. But I will not stay here for two weeks doing nothing. If I want to get back to my job without getting fired, I have to speed up the investigative process. To do that, the department will need the extra help they can get."

***

"You sure this will work?" Noah asked Stefani as he stared at the vial in his hands. He had a complicated look on his face. Stefani stifled a laugh. The liquid was black, and when he opened the lid and smelled the liquid inside, he got nauseous.

Stefani gave his reaction with an amused smirk. "Of course, it will work. My friend is very capable after all, and I trust her work."

Noah grumbled. Those words didn't make him feel better though. He still has his doubts in his mind. And staring at the black potion in his hands made those doubts grow stronger. 

"What is the name of this friend of yours again?" he asked, and Stefani replied with a smile on her face.

"Sylvie. Sylvie is her name."

"And she's a witch."

"Yep!" Stefani gave him a playful wink and a thumbs up. "… A very talented witch, in fact." Stefani corrected him with a smirk. "It was hard for me to find her new lair. She's great at hiding, you see."

Noah stared at the potion again, his Adam's apple rising and down from his throat. Will he be able to drink this thing?

Stefani laughed, seeing the complicated expression on his face. "You know. The more you stare at it, the more you'll get scared to drink it." She teased, crossing her arms while looking at this scene of him struggling so much. 

Noah gave Stefani a glare, knowing that she's enjoying herself too much. "I'm not scared."

Stefani teased him more with a grin. "Yeah, you are. Good for you, I knew this was going to happen." She took the vial in his hands and smelled contents inside. "It doesn't smell edible, but I asked Sylvie to make it taste like strawberries at least."

"Strawberries?" Is that supposed to make him feel better?

Stefani handed the vial back to him with a grin. "Yes, strawberries. You like strawberries, right? You're welcome, by the way." She said, like she did him a big favor there.

"Have you tested this potion with a live subject before?" Noah asked, still sounding skeptical about the effects of the potion. It might not work properly when he drinks it and leave some… unwanted side effects.

"No, I haven't tested it yet. But Sylvie assured me that it'll definitely hide your scent and bury your abilities for a week."

Noah stared at the potion again, considering the advantages if he takes it. 

"A week, huh? How about my route to Velhellah, is it already secured?"

Stefani nodded. "Of course! Everything is set and ready. You should really commend me for my performance today. I really pulled out all those favors I've gathered all those years just for you."

Noah gave Stefani a grateful nod. "Thank you."

Stefani grinned and waved her hands back and forth. "Don't mention it. Anyway, an acquaintance of mine has agreed to smuggle you there. Of course, you'll be acting as an unconscious body bag for the plan to work." Stefani laughed. Like the thought of Noah acting as vampire food just to enter Velhellah is funny to her. 

Noah gave her a look, and Stefani met his eyes and shut her mouth.

"What?" She acted like its nothing and shrugged. "Anyway, when you get there, my acquaintance will wake you up and set you free. His warehouse is far from the capital, so you will have to go there on foot since my favor can only get you through the gates, not the royal castle."

Noah raised his brow. "That's it?"

"Yes, that's pretty much it." Stefani said with an open gesture of her hands. She frowned, that's actually how far she could go. "Why? Are you not satisfied?"