Thirty two
Treading carefully out of the bathroom, I make my way into- what could easily be used as a ballroom- living/kitchen/ reception room.
Graham puts the book he is reading away, and looks at me up and down, while Mason is fussing in the kitchen. I think he is making food.
" I've laid down some clothes for you in the spare bedroom, and Mason is making you a quick bite to eat. If you need any more help to peel items of clothing off you, I'm your man," He announces in a jaunty tone, to which Mason grumbles under his breath something about being overly familiar.
I thought, it would be awkward between me and Graham after he'd seen me half naked, but he has returned to his old cheeky self.
" Thank you," I suppress a smile," I'm good now. I will not need any help taking anything off. I'll go and change," I say I as begin to plod along towards the bedroom on the left side of the bathroom.
It takes me longer than expected to rid myself of my wet undergarments, but I finally manage to change into dry clothes, that don't actually fit me.
" You should eat something. I made you a sandwich," I turn around to find Mason sitting on the threshold holding a plate with a sandwich on it. He'd been sitting there for a while, but I decided to let him speak first.
" Thank you. Come in," I lower myself on the edge of the bed as he saunters into the room, and hands me the plate.
He seems to be in a good mood, or guilty, so I'll take advantage that grumpy Mason has retired for the day. I suppose being a constant pain in the ass can be quite exhausting.
" Tell me about the seals of Yaruun?" It is an attempt to cement the fragile peace between us, and a distraction for me to keep my mind from wandering in places that doesn't belong. I keep telling myself that, but it never works.
He drags a very cushy armchair from the corner of the room and settles in front of me, "I'd never heard of them until Micah approached me. There isn't much lore on the matter. Not that I could find at least. They were created by a priestess who dabbled in the dark arts. Dark magic, dealings with beings outside this realm. In short, she was a witch. Or so she led people to believe. She created the seals with the purpose of trapping someone or something, it's still unclear. And harnessing their powers without having to concede anything on her part. Whether she succeeded or not, is also unclear. But, Micah believes that when all the seals are together they behave as a prison, and a syphon at the same time. Hence the reason why he is so adamant in getting them and using them on you,"
" Can't he just use the same spell my mother used to bind my powers to you?" I decided to ask the moment he paused to catch his breath.
" No. I cannot wield your powers. I only take excess, and channel it back where it came from. When your mother thought, I wasn't enough, she sought to find someone else that could carry the burden along with me. Anam Cara not only ties, your power to me but has created some sort of mental bridge between us. It is more powerful than that, is not simple. I'm guessing that it requires some kind of compatibility between you and the person your powers are bound to," It does make sense to some extent. But it doesn't explain how come he is the only one compatible.
" I wonder how did she know we are compatible? I was only a baby when it happened," He shrugs, and sighs.
" It is a question that only she can answer or another T'aersy. It's a tricky one since they are not allowed to leave the temple, like the V'asay do," Oh, this is news to me. So those women are indoctrinated to their bones. They will believe whatever Micah tells them, and take it as the absolute truth. Crazy cult people.
I was hungrier than I thought I would be and the sandwich was demolished before Mason finished his first sentence.
" Do you want another one?" He asks warily eyeing the empty plate.
" No. I think I'll go to sleep now," As soon as I say those words, I yawn, and Mason smiles.
" Go ahead," He urges me as he pushes himself off the armchair and tugs on the covers," I will answer more questions tomorrow," He must've sensed my hesitation. I have more questions but for now, I also want to sleep. Hard choice to make.
" Will you be here to answer them?" I slide under the cover, while Mason plops back in his chair, kicks off his shoes, and puts them on the bed.
" I will be right here when you wake up," He says calmly and shuffles on the armchair, sinking deeper in the cushions.
Speechless at the sudden change, I bite my tongue and keep any comment regarding Ava or Enid to myself.
" Marie is keeping Enid company. She has no use for me," Mason answers and I have a feeling that some of my thoughts must've trickled through.
"It's hard not to. You're thinking very loudly," He says emphatically, and smiles.
" Sorry," I mumble and squirm to get myself comfortable.
" It's alright. I'm getting used to it now. It's not as irritating as it used to be. Except for the times you call me names," He says with a sly smile, and I'm ready to crawl in a hole and stay there, so I can die of mortification in peace without anyone hearing my fucking thoughts.
He turns off the bedside lamp, and laughs," Yes, you are right. You are blushing rather brightly. We don't need the lamp anymore. You provide enough light, to power the entire Quarter," He laughs and I blush even harder. Damn it.
" You don't have to stay with me," I mumble from under the cover, where I'm currently hiding.
" And miss this, not a chance," He is laughing at me again. Bastard.
He laughs again, and I already know he has heard that too. Dear lord have mercy on this poor soul.
" Praying won't do you any good," Oh, joy.
Stop thinking. Stop thinking. Stop thinking.
And with that phrase chanting in my head, I fall into an exhausted sleep.