24. Underneath Your Clothes.

They were finally home. Mariella let out a contented sigh as they touched down in Ireland's magnificent castle. The familiar scent of their home filled her nostrils, and she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This was exactly where she wanted to be.

Damons, eager to replenish their supplies, headed straight to the kitchen in search of food and drinks. Meanwhile, Mariella and the wolves found themselves simply sitting and taking in the comforting atmosphere. It was a moment of pure bliss, knowing they were finally back where they belonged.

As they sat down to eat after a few hours, Damon was engrossed in his phone, eagerly planning their upcoming gigs. He would take on the role of the interrogator, while another team member would handle the medical facility. The rest of the group had their own tasks to attend to as well.

The wolves had secured several PR gigs, scattered here and there, and Mariella had her own firm to manage. She casually informed Damon of her plans to visit Magic House, where she could assess what needed to be done and potentially meet with clients. Damon responded with a nonchalant grunt, but everyone was genuinely excited about the prospect of these new gigs.

Of course, Adam Charles and the boys were already making plans to visit the nice Sarks or maybe even the bustling fleas. Mariella, too, had her own intentions. It was all falling into place perfectly. And while they had an intense time in the bedroom after their meal, Damon's focus remained on the upcoming missions and interrogations. Mariella was equally prepared and focused.

Interestingly, Damon hadn't mentioned Mimi or anyone else. Number four seemed to hold Mariella in high regard, but he also had his responsibilities to fulfill. Mariella knew she needed to establish a connection with the fleas through the Magic House. She wanted to go through the entire process, be tested, and ultimately be accepted. And then, she could finally reunite with Mimi. Her determination to learn, improve herself, and make a positive impact burned within her. 

After a few days, most of the Salvatores had returned to their jobs, leaving Mariella to wonder when Damon would have the time to meet up. In a cool tone, she told him she might be too busy to fawn over him.

She visited the magic house, a defense house that seemed like a sign from above. To her surprise, Dresden, the sulky tall wizard, approached her with a smile on his face. It was a rare sight to see him smile.

He said, "Come on, I have something to tell you, and then we can talk more."

Mariella nodded and followed him to a room. As she sat down, she observed Dresden flipping through an old, thick notepad.

He then mentioned, "Did you know Mimi has special twin babies?"

Mariella rolled her eyes and replied, "Let her keep them. I've had enough of being a mother and wife during those damn three years. So I'm not jealous."

Dresden seemed amused by Mariella's frustration.

Finally, he found what he was looking for and looked at her, saying, "I've been receiving messages from upstairs long before Damien was separated, and I knew he was a separate being. But they told me not to tell anyone. Anyway, I have a message for you."

Mariella frowned, annoyed by the prophecies and whatnot. She was ready for whatever this message would be, hoping it would reveal that she would not be pregnant soon.

Dresden smirked and began to read, "As the Moon bears witness to the twins of liberation, bestowing mercy, a guardian comes to Grey, hearing her call. She must envision a new future and ensure that the chosen one does not deny love. The guardian must ensure that love prevails. The twins of liberation will aid those who love the chosen one and, with their love, heal her as she faces a twisted future. They will guide her to see the truth, but only if the soul of the chosen one allows the guardian to fulfill her duty."

Mariella let out a sigh. It was a jumble of gibberish and cryptic messages. There was a message hidden within, but it wouldn't be easy to decipher.

Dresden looked at her and spoke softly, "In short, this means that if Damon allows you to fulfill your duty, Mimi's twins have the power to boost Jake and Rob, the souls who love her, so they can save her from the same twisted future. What that future entails, I do not know."

Mariella sat deep in thought, her mind racing with the realization that someday Damon would discover her true identity as a member of the fleas. It felt like her fate, a truth that was difficult to unravel. But now, at least, she was aware. Determination filled her as she knew she had to pursue this path.

Curiosity sparked within her as she asked Dresden, "Do you have any idea where one could gain acceptance into the fleas?"

Dresden's lazy smile both irritated and humbled her, revealing the boundaries she had yet to understand. This sense of humility would become a familiar companion in the months to come.

Soon, Mariella obtained information on who to contact for her first steps into the world of the fleas. Her eagerness grew, propelling her back to her house, where she dialed the provided phone number. On the other end, a person named Fred answered, offering instructions and a warning about the time it would take. Not everyone could enter, and there may come a point where she would want to give up.

Bran had recounted stories to her, mentioning the tough road that led to his village, a test to determine the genuine need. Mariella saw parallels in her own journey. She was prepared to demonstrate her willingness and necessity. She would meet with one person, engage in honest conversations, and prove her worth. She suspected that there had been many attempts at infiltration over the years, and thus security was of utmost importance.

She decided not to rely on her connection with Mimi to gain entry, but instead wanted to be accepted based on her own merits. Unless it became necessary, she wouldn't even mention her affiliation with Mimi. This was her calling, and she could almost imagine the contentment of a big, fat, white, long-haired cat purring with joy as she finally embarked on the path she should follow. 

She walked up to the quaint cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Her button-down shirt, jeans, and rarely used boots, a gift from Mimi, adorned her. Her long red hair was neatly braided, nothing extravagant.

As she settled at the table, a waitress approached, the sound of her footsteps echoing on the tiled floor.

"What can I get you?" the waitress asked.

With a pensive look, she requested only a cup of coffee and sat lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a woman entered. Tall and strict-looking with her brown hair, she exuded professionalism. One glance from the woman made Mariella feel exposed, though she couldn't quite recall where she had seen her before.

Taking a seat opposite Mariella, the woman spoke with authority, "Alright, tell me, why do you want to be a part of my organization?"

Mariella smiled and replied, "You seem familiar. This is my calling, to be a savior. I may not have the perfect physique or essential skills, but I'm willing to learn, improve, and adapt. I understand it will take time for me to be field-ready, but I possess energy, immortality, and the abilities of a witch. These can be valuable assets."

The woman's smile was thin, almost sly. "You appear eager, but can you kill?" she inquired.

Mariella nodded, and the woman continued, "Very well. Are you sure?"

From her bag, she produced two files and handed them to Mariella. "Here are your targets. Explain how you would eliminate them and cover your tracks."

Mariella opened the files, her eyes scanning the contents. After a moment, she spoke firmly, "I would not kill these individuals, as they are not evil. I am not a mindless drone. I can and will obey, but not blindly. If you require a contract killer, I suggest seeking the Assassin's Guild."

The woman visibly relaxed, a smirk playing at her lips. "Ah, I see you possess a brain. Excellent. Now tell me, how did you know these targets are innocent?"

Mariella calmly replied, "Because I possess the ability to see both the past and the future. Moreover, I know these two individuals. They are affiliated with the magic house and happen to be clients of my dating service."

The woman locked eyes with Mariella, her gaze piercing. "Fine," she said with a hint of annoyance, "you can call me Miss Parker." As she spoke, the faint scent of perfume lingered in the air. "I will give you your next contact soon. Keep up the good work, and maybe you'll earn a place in our ranks."

Mariella remained silent, her heart pounding in her chest. This was Jarod's wife, a distant memory of their wedding flickering in her mind. But the drugs had clouded her recollection, making it difficult to recognize her instantly. Maintaining a neutral expression, Mariella concealed her recognition. Miss Parker rummaged through her bag and produced an envelope, handing it to Mariella.

With a stern expression, she stood up and uttered, "There is time and place. Good luck, you'll need it."

Without waiting for a response, Miss Parker swiftly exited the room. Mariella made her way to her car, the sound of footsteps fading into the distance. She drove back to the house, the engine humming softly.

Once inside, she prepared a meal, the aroma of food filling the kitchen. The impending return of the wolves loomed in her mind as she cooked, the anticipation heightening her senses. Living together as men were on their assignments brought a sense of freedom, a feeling she relished.

She couldn't help but revel in the thrill of keeping secrets from Damon, a newfound rebellious spirit awakening within her. Understanding Mimi's struggles now, Mariella realized how she had made things difficult for her over the years. It had taken her far too long to come to her senses. A slow learner indeed. 

Five days later, Mariella stood outside the building, her car parked nearby. As she took a deep breath, she glanced down at the card in her hand, which held the address and directions. The anticipation and slight nervousness coursed through her veins, fueling her excitement at the upcoming meeting.

Entering the building, Mariella stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. The doors slid shut, and she felt the slight vibration as the elevator ascended. The doors opened, revealing a well-lit corridor. With determination in her eyes, she began searching for the right room, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor.

Finally, she found it. Raising her hand to knock, the door creaked open before her fist could make contact. Surprised, she cautiously stepped inside, only to have the door slam shut behind her. Startled, Mariella flinched, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was empty, except for the figure emerging from the shadows on the other side.

It was Magnum, walking lazily towards her. His expression was devoid of a smirk, his gaze fixed upon her.

Breaking the silence, he spoke, his voice filled with a mixture of challenge and skepticism. "So, you want to be a part of the fleas, princess? Let's see if I can change your mind. Miss Parker has vouched for you, acting as our living lie detector. No need for us to question your motives, as you are not working for the evil sarks and your reputation precedes you."

Mariella placed her bag down, her attire not ideal for combat, but her confidence in her skills remained unwavering. Though the thought of fighting unnerved her, she reminded herself of her previous experiences with Mimi and Damon. After all, Magnum was mostly human.

With a sure voice, Mariella responded, "I've fought with Mimi and Damon, so I'm not to be taken lightly."

Magnum remained silent, launching into an attack without warning. Mariella barely had time to react, her instincts kicking in as she attempted to dodge his blows. However, her efforts proved futile, and soon she found herself face down on the mat, her hands tightly bound with zip ties. The lingering sting of the taser still pulsed through her muscles.

Mocking her, Magnum taunted, "Princess, show me you're not as sloppy as you seem. This is pathetic. Come on, give me a challenge. After all, I'm just a mere human armed with a taser and my skills."

His words dripped with sarcasm, further fueling Mariella's determination. With a burst of energy, she tore the zip ties apart, standing up defiantly. She prepared to cast a spell, but before she could unleash its power, she found herself back on the mat once again. Frustration and humility washed over her. Damon had never made her feel this way. 

Magnum relentlessly tormented Mariella for hours, her body aching and exhausted.

He sneered, "You have potential, but it will take time for me to bring it out. Be prepared to despise me soon enough. Mimi is preoccupied and oblivious to your desire to join the fleas. Take a few days to contemplate, but next in line is Murdock, testing your shooting skills. I can arrange it, but remember, we won't inform Mimi. She has her troubles to worry about."

Mariella nodded wearily, her fatigue clear. She had lost count of the times Magnum had restrained her, taunting her and criticizing her lack of precision.

She replied, "Set it up. You've never been in the Operating Room with Mimi, but I have, and it was dreadful. She's a dragon, but I'm ready to face it all. I am the savior, not just a century-long mistake. I've discovered my own will. I am not Damon's puppet. I am more than ready."

Magnum looked at her, raising an eyebrow and smirking with a boyish charm. Mariella couldn't help but imagine what it would feel like to be with him. If he would come, slam her against the wall, kissing her brutally. She now saw that Magnum was not truly human, despite his deceptive appearance. He tapped his phone and handed Mariella a piece of paper, on which he had written something.

Mariella took it, realizing that the meeting would take place in about four days. As the door opened, she walked away, her body sore and humiliated, yet feeling more alive than ever. She was prepared to face Murdock at some point, but a warm bath would do wonders for her well-being.