Chapter 24: Childhood Home: Arrival

Mirna

When I heard Elrisha suddenly sneezed, I out of the blue gave her my handkerchief from my pocket then the next thing I heard was the laughing voice of my boss and my sponsor, Syrina Aspire. Watching her I could tell after learning from Elrisha who she really was, Lady Syrina was no different. She really fit the criteria for being a vampire but the only thing I don't want to dwell with was the real vampire side of hers. It's enough for me that she's kind and caring of my well-being even though I am just a human, to begin with.

"So, she wasn't just your girlfriend but your irritating mate." Syrina teased Elrisha as she tried to control her laughter.

"Got a problem with that?" Elrisha glared at her irritated.

"Neh, don't be jealous. I might be mateless but I won't jump to someone's mate. Plus, she's really into you even there were times that she's checking me out." Syrina smirked as she stood up from the seat of the desk across us.

"Syrina." Elrisha warned her as I suppressed my laughter.

"Well, I could read her thoughts and I know that she knew our existence as soon as I stepped foot here." I just shook my head since she's right I am checking her out because I am not sure whether to trust her back then or not. Yet, looked where we are now, she's the one who leads my girlfriend to me.

"Oh! Before I forgot, better to watch your back and don't let your mate got out of your sight." Syrina added seriously before Elrisha could even say something to counter her.

"I will." Elrisha released a defeated sigh as she answered Syrina in her honest tone.

"Good, then see you when I see you. I'll email you two regarding the research." She told us which we just nod at then she left us alone in the library.

As soon as Syrina left her house, Elrisha suddenly surprised me by standing an inch close to where I am sitting. I could feel my breath hitch as it hits my throat as my heartbeat began echoing through my ears which were deafening. The way Elrisha staring into my orbs was totally intensified possessiveness and lust. But there was also control along with them like she was fighting her jealousy and lust that was mixing with the heat that she was emitting. It was indeed affecting me since I gradually feeling the heat was forming all over my body as if it's calling her even more.

"Don't. Not yet." Elrisha lowly growled as she gritted her teeth while she's controlling whatever she wanted to do to me. I might not what could it be but somewhere within me screaming at her to touch me already and at the same time I am grateful for her self-control.

"I understand. You're affecting me with your lust." I honestly told her that she really does affect me with her radiating heat.

"I know that's why I can't. I'd rather make love with you because we both want to and not because one of us affects the other." She smiled and kissed my forehead after she told me her reason.

"I understand." I smiled at her.

"Good. We're going out for lunch." She chuckled as she pulled my hands into her and pulled me up from the couch.

"Huh? Now? Where? I'm not prepared." I giggled as I wondered where she's going to take me while I suddenly felt some heat forming over my neck.

"What you wear was enough and yes, now. We're going now." Elrisha sounded excited but there was some wary along with her tone while she took me somewhere within the library.

"As in? Where are you taking me then?" I chuckled as I asked while we kept walking somewhere in the library which I couldn't tell which way where we came from.

"Surprise. Just come here with me. It'll only take for a few seconds." She reassured me which I can't argue anymore and just let her take me where she intends to until she stopped.

Somewhere within the library room were geometric bookshelves turned into scenery paintings then stopped in front of a very old Victorian door. I know that I am no fan of old and vintage but I could appreciate the beauty of it. Anyway, as Elrisha held the circular knob of a dragon that's eating its tail, a familiar scripture suddenly glowed.

"As we enter, don't let go of my hand." Elrisha reminded me seriously which I just nod at as I did not just take her hand but I even held her arms like I am clinging to it.

When she opened the door, the room was a small radial greenhouse-like but the vibe inside the room was totally cozy like a calm sea. But as I looked around while we're walking inside, I noticed a water reflection everywhere and there was some sparkling jade though there was literally none. There was nothing inside the room – it was just empty space. I wanted to ask her about the room but I decided not to until we stopped at the very center of the room.

"Close your eyes. I'm going to open a portal." Elrisha suddenly told me which I am totally surprised but knowing myself it won't be seen on my face.

"Portal?" I just wanted to make sure that I did hear her right about that part.

"Yes, like in the movies or fantasy novels that you've might read." She compared for me to be able to easily picture what she meant by the portal.

"Where it will take us?" I wondered even though I'm a bit nervous and frightened a little.

"You'll see when we got there and to do that, I need you to trust me and don't ever doubt." She looked straight into my orbs as if she wanted to make sure that I'm on board with trusting her.

"I do. But maybe my curiosity will be the hindrance." I chuckled as I cupped her with my free hand since my other was preoccupied with hers.

"It could be but no. Curiosity didn't mean that you didn't trust me." She chuckled before she kissed my forehead to reassure me that it'll be alright which was doing its work – I'm feeling safe around. Always.

Elrisha

As soon as I finished telling her what I am about to do, both of us closed our eyes. With a couple of breaths that I take and out, I opened my eyes and saw the center circle that we're standing on began to glow from low to bright. It was a warming glow but never too hot that could burn until it came minimal. The blank space of that portal room vanished and shifted into the same room but this room has Alibata scriptures written all over the room.

"Mir, open your eyes. We're here." I calmly whispered to her ears which made her slowly did as I've told her.

She was looking around which I found her really beautiful but when I noticed that her eyebrows began to knot, I became worried. I am not sure why or maybe it was the aftereffect of a human to travel in a portal.

"Are you okay? Did you feel anything?" I was totally worried since she's a human mate of mine and I used magic to travel with her here.

"These scriptures on the walls… it's making me dizzy for some odd reasons." Mirna groaned as her body weight began to lean on me even more.

"How come?" I wondered how the scriptures affect her like this.

"El…I-I can't…hurts…too much…" she was getting weaker and drowsy.

"MIRNA!" I shouted her name as she suddenly collapsed in my arms.

I was about to carry her in my arms like my bride when the same door from my very own portal room at my house, came to open and there's a very familiar figure that I did not see for I don't know how long it has been.

"Oh my, Unega Unatsi." A familiar voice came from the familiar figure as she entered the room.

"Mom." I called the familiar woman who's kneeling before me.

Ayisha Éclaire Cross was my mother that came from the Salem clan and she's mated to my father a duke. Her facial feature didn't change at all which looked like my identical twin apart from her long scar at her right eye. But her personality was a bit twisted and whenever she's explaining things, it was not her best attribute because she always says things indirectly. Yet, she's good with her hands-on tending the garden but not much of a cook like my father.

"Bakunawa…" Mom called my second name that she only called me if things were serious.

"What is it, Mom? What just happened to her?" I asked her in my broken voice while Mirna's unconscious body lying in my arms.

"Stupid child as always. Come and bring her to your room. I'll tell you when she wakes up." Mom shook her head and stood up before patting my shoulder before she turned around to walk ahead.

"MOM! WHY WE'RE EVEN HERE?!" I shouted at her in my pleading and broken voice.

"Fate. It's her fate to come here. Now, off you go." Mom glanced at me before waving her hand which left me no choice but to follow her.

On our way to my room, along with in the corridor of a Victorian house with modern touches in the furniture, I suddenly heard some clattering that snapped me from being broken because of Mirna. Oh, I forgot to mention that my mother was blind. She's totally blind that's why the whole mansion didn't have too much furniture around because she always stumbled on them like what just happened. She tripped at the small coffee table with a flower vase that was now broken into pieces.

"Why it's here? It's supposed to be in his office." Mom clicked her tongue before kicking the small table before stepping on the shattered vase. She just leaves it there broken.

"Aren't you gonna pick it up?" I asked since if my father saw that, he'll be on his rampage. Well, he's short-tempered like her but my father was a neat guy while my mother was like Mirna.

"What are you saying? It's gone, isn't it?" Mom flatly told me which I glance back and I shook my head since there was nothing there anymore. Oh, magic.

The feel of the house didn't change much like my parents. The mansion has two-floored Victorian house with modern furniture in certain rooms and every hall still have their paintings hanged on the walls. Those paintings were made by my mother and it's a warding spell painting or the protection of the house from calamities. There was a time when one painting suddenly burned that alarmed my mother and immediately alerted my father that was about to go to war. Ever since then, my mother taught me bit by bit about some protective magic spells but I never practice anymore as I grew older. One of the reasons why I am here; I need her magical help regarding the missing employees at my company since I couldn't perform it anymore or rather to say that I'm afraid to do it because of my lack of training.

Anyway, as soon we stopped in the familiar room, my mother flicked her fingers and the door suddenly opened. The room of mine was still the same as I do have at my own house and it's untouched. As I stepped inside the light suddenly opened and the candle at my study table began to lighten up.

"Seems like it misses you." Mom chuckled as she saw the candle lightened as well. Well, I accidentally summoned light fairy and I appointed her to keep my room safe from anyone or anything that's not invited by me.

"I know. Mom, I grew four dragon wings when I am saving my beloved one." I bluntly informed my mother as I lay Mirna down on my king-sized bed.

"I see. The blood that caused my eyes finally was being paid off." Mom smiled gladly at me before kissing my cheek.

"Mom?" I was getting curious about what she just stated. See what I mean.

"As I said, when she wakes up, we could talk." She repeated but her smile never left her face which I am grateful for.

"Fine." I dismissed it and saved it for later.

"Don't leave the room or let anyone entered your room." Mom reminded me of that old drill that she did to me to channel my energy and the spirits that have been protecting me.

"Right the old drill. I remember." I smiled back at her as I followed her by the door of my room.

"Good. Rest well and watch her carefully. She's Unega Unatsi." Mom told me and reminded me whose Mirna was which I understood well.

"Always." I only replied then she closed the door while I looked back to my unconscious beloved one.

"Oh, Mirna…my Unega Unatsi, my beloved mate…welcome to my childhood home." I whispered lovingly while I am stroking her hair then I gave a lingering kissed onto her forehead.