good byes

Bella remained thunder stricken while her thumb was still in his mouth. She couldn't even move as her gaze was just glued unto him.

And the moment she felt his hot tongue licking her wound, something unthinkable just popped in her head. It was a strange thought that immediately astounded her even more.

Then, everything she was feeling was all new and unknown to her that she couldn't even begin to describe them. To her, all those feelings were strange. They are feelings that she thought never exist.

When Alex realised he let Bella's hand go with a jerk. As if his skin being scaled he created as much distance possible between them in the cramped living room.

he was always doing it to his little sister and himself, but he was worried it might not okay for her. Thus, he thought about explaining the pros of licking a wound to escape the awkward situation.

"This might sound stupid and unreal but I swear, licking a wound was actually a good thing. You may not believe it but saliva actually contains antibacterial and antiviral components. Also, it actually also has tissue factors that help clothing.

And it's not only that, licking would also be an another way of wiping off pathogens so it can serve as a substitute of clean water. And also, saliva even has factors that speed wound healing and finally, it's a natural pain killer. I've even read that saliva was six times more powerful than morphine. It's quite amazing right? It's amazing right?"

He coughed as he heard the throaty laugh of Mike and Anna. 

"I was just trying to help" he spoke with a glare but his red ears gave away.

"Bella, I am sorry. I hope you did not find it gross," he spoke as Anna laughed shaking her head.

"You should have asked before doing that brother." she teased further as she finally put a band-aid on the wound.

"Alex, would you come here for a second dear?" called Saint Nicholas.

Though his voice was still calm, his eyes were filled with worry.

He was afraid of these kinds of accidents, that's why he did not want the demon to live there with humans.

This time he was here to salvage the loss, but what if it happened in the future too.

Although reluctant to move, Alex nodded his head as he walked towards Saint Nicholas and asked, "yes uncle."

But before he could speak more Saint Nicholas took his hand and closed his eyes.

"What are you doing…" before he could ask further Evelyn snapped her fingers and they all froze there.

Anna's hand in the mid-air as her lips were open wide. Mike was sitting looking at them with furrowed brows, his body too turned statue.

Only Bella was not turned into a statue yet she was looking lost.

'So you finally know you have to stop time, for urgent matters.' he commented as his face turned serious.

Evelyn bit her lips, she knew she had been reckless in this whole matter but it's not like she had done things intentionally. It just happened.

Saint Nicholas closed his eyes as a faint white glow started to come out of his fingers passing on Alex's hands.

Finally, Bella came out of her stupor and looked at Saint Nicholas who was trying to nullify the effect of poison before it could spread in Alex's body.

Finally, what felt like an eternity he let Alex's hand go. As he looked at the demon.

'Alex did not know who you are, but have you also forgotten you are a demon. Huh? 

Humans can not touch a demon's blood, much less drink it. Have you started taking yourself as human while living between them? You would have killed him.

I think Saint Nicholas is right. You are not fit to live among humans." scolded Evelyn 

Saint Nicholas looking at them silently. He had a complicated look in his eyes. Finally taking a big sigh, he spoke, "it's alright, let her live there."

His words shocked both Bella and Evelyn as they looked at him with stunned expressions.

"But father, Bella.." Evelyn tried to speak but Saint Nicholas raised his hand to stop her from further speaking.

"It's alright. You can live here Bella. But always remember who you are. And never let your identity be disclosed.' he spoke seriously and Bella nodded.

He nodded back as he raised a brow at Evelyn who puffed up her cheeks and snapped her finger again.

With that, a jerk was felt and everyone was back to normal. 

They blinked their eyes as their mind was a bit hazy.

"What happened?' asked Alex looking at both of them.

Saint Nicholas shook his head with a smile, "nothing my child. I was saying it's late. We have to go now."

'Can you stay for Christmas?" asked Mike looking at them as they both stood up.

They shook their heads as Evelyn spoke, "we have to be there for Christmas. But I promise I will come back to meet you." though she was talking to Mike, her eyes were fixed on Bella who nodded.

Evelyn smiled as she hugged all of them "it was such a nice experience to be with all of you." she whispered as they smiled.

'Let's go now" spoke Saint Nicholas putting a hand in his pocket.

He took out 4 small bracelets that were completely similar. Giving each to one of them.

"This is just a small gift of Christmas from this old man. Remember to press it whenever you are in need," he spoke to everyone but his eyes were also fixed on Bella,

As she was the only one who could understand.

"It's ok uncle, your wishes are enough." they tried to deny but the man persisted.

Denying an elder won't look good so they finally relented as they looked at the silver bracelet, which had a dangling snowflake in the middle that was looking like a buzzer of some kind.

Finally, Evelyn and Saint Nicholas walked out of their house as their silhouettes disappeared at a distance