Chapter 8. Foolish

Max stands in front of a vase field with a confused expression.

"This cannot be a coincidence. This is where Simon also lost track of them. Her scent is stronger here, which means this place is cloaked". Max smiled in amazement. He has seen people hide their location with cloaking spells but, has never seen or heard of making a place disappear. It makes him more curious about the person who was able to cast such a strong protective spell.

"He must be one hell of a person," he said to himself before getting in the car and driving off.

********

"Did you find her?" Mira asked him eagerly.

"Kind of " He replied falling on the couch.

"What do you mean by that?".

"You guys were right. They are hiding where you guys lost track of them". Max said nonchalantly.

"But that place is a field ". Simon cuts in.

"That's what they want you to believe " Max replied.

"So.. did you get inside?" Simon asked him.

"What do think I am ? How can you expect me to break such a strong barrier?. Look, I've done my part in locating her. So can I go back to my life now?". Max didn't want any part in what they are doing. To him, it was a waste of his time.

"We still haven't found her" Mira replied.

"Whatever. I'm out of here" he walked out on them. Mira was dumbstruck. She was at a loss on how to persuade him to stay.

"Did.. did you see that? His arrogance is getting out of hand. I wish I can pouch that pretty face of his to get some sense into him". Simon was irritated.

"Look, I tried " Mira replied him.

"He's going to some club to party and have fun with some girls"

"Please stop it, Simon, I already have enough on my plate. So please, I beg you don't make it worse ". Mira was fed up with the two of them. It's as if she's the only sensible one among them.

*************

Grace is inside her room trying to conjure a portal. She has been practicing for the past few days and the furthest she can go was within the barrier. But this time she was determined to go beyond the barrier.

Looking at the portal, Grace hoped that this one will take her out of this place. She took a deep breath before stepping into the portal. When she opened her eyes she found herself in a dark alley. She heard some loud music coming from a far distance and she followed the direction.

She walked out to a busy street with people lined up waiting for their turn to go inside a building. She wondered what was going on and her interest piqued. She joined the line and followed them inside.

The music was deafening, and Grace covered her ears with her two hands. The place was not that crowded cause it was still early. People were dancing, grinding themselves together, drinking, and doing all sorts of things. She went to the bar and sat down looking everywhere. She saw the VIP launch at the other side of the club. Grace sat on the stool looking at everything with a foreign look. Having grown up at the orphanage has shielded her from this kind of lifestyle, but she always wondered what it would be like. While she was focused on what was happening, a guy came up to her.

"Hey there beautiful," the guy said to her pulling her attention to him. Grace was confused and looked behind her to see if he was talking to someone else. But when she turned around she saw nobody.

"Oh! You're talking to me?" she asked awkwardly.

"Is this your first time here?" He asked her exposing his white teeth.

'is it that obvious?" She replied looking at her dress. She was putting on a simple flower gown just below her knees.

"Yeah, but don't worry you look beautiful in it" He complemented her. She blushed at his remark. This was the first time a guy complimented her looks and she felt good about it.

"You think so," Grace asked wondering how she looks in her new appearance.

"Yes, I do. And so will any guy except he has no brain "

Grace laughed at his sense of humor. "I like this guy". She thought to herself.

"Need a drink?" He asked her. But Grace was reluctant.

"I think it's a good idea 'cause I've never had one" Grace replied feeling a little embarrassed.

"Don't worry I'm sure you will like it" he said confidently. He turned to the bartender and whispered something into his ear. Then he turned and smiled at her.

"He cute and good looking," she thought to herself "but Stave is more good looking" She shooked her to confirm it. "Well not every day a guy offers to buy you a drink" she smiled.

The bartender offers a glass to the guy and another one to her. She hesitated before taking a sip. She was surprised by the test. It's not strong, and it has a unique flavor.

"Wow this teste better than I thought," she said looking at the glass in her hand.

"That one is a special flavor," he said feeling proud of himself. "And what's that your beautiful name ". He added.

"Huh.... Maya". She lied. "Why not pick a new name with this new look?

A few minutes ago, before Grace walked out of the alley she changed her appearance with a little trick she learned while going through one of the books in the library. Now instead of blonde hair, she has black hair.

"Maya.. that's a beautiful name. Jack. I'm Jack by the way".

"Nice meeting you Jack". They both shook hands.

Grace was happy cause now she can leave the mansion without anyone knowing and also have a new identity so she can't be traced back.

"Damn, I'm rocking this" she whispered to herself.

"Want more?" Jack asked her when he noticed her glass was empty.

"Yeah, sure". I'm gonna rock this party. After taking two more glasses, she went to the dance floor with Jack. They both started dancing in the crowd.

"Do you want to go somewhere more fun?" Jack asked leaning close to her.

"Sure " she replied before she took his hand and followed him out.

She followed him into an alley. It's darker outside now because of the time. Grace was confused. " Why is he bringing me out here". She thought.

"Where are we going?" She asked him.

"To have the fun of course" he replied.

" But.. this doesn't look fun" Grace started getting some strange energy from him.

"Not you for sure. But I'm gonna have the best time" he said with a smirk on his face.

"What... What do you mean..." Before Grace could even finish her sentence, she was already pushed against the wall and Jack's eyes turned pitch black. Grace didn't know when she screamed out of shock.

He started sucking her soul out of her. Grace was paralyzed. She can feel her life force being pulled out of her. She knew she should have checked his aura before even engaging in any conversation with him. "Grace you are too foolish" she reprimanded herself.

She knew she had to do something, anything. She has been trained for this. But at this moment, she just couldn't put any of it into use. She couldn't even call forth her sword. She felt hopeless. She regretted ever leaving the house.

"Grace is this how your life will end?" She thought to herself as tears drip down her face.

A/N: Please vote for this book...