FORBIDDEN CONNECTION

Rachel pulled up to the dormitory entrance, Mia climbed into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt. Rachel's eyes scanned Mia's face, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.

"Hey, I'm glad you're okay," Rachel said, smiling softly. "I was worried sick about you."

Mia smiled back, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her friend. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean to worry you."

Rachel waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay, I just want to make sure you're safe. Now, let's get some food. I'm starving!"

Mia laughed, and the two friends drove to a nearby cafeteria. As they walked in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped them, making their stomachs growl in unison.

They grabbed a table by the window, and Rachel immediately began quizzing Mia about her night. "So, what happened after the party? You just disappeared."

Mia hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She didn't want to lie to Rachel, but she also didn't want to betray Karl's trust.

"I just needed some time alone, I guess," Mia said finally, trying to sound nonchalant as she took a sip from her orange juice.

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical, she knew her bestfriend too well to believe that. "Where did you spend the night because I know it was definitely not at your dorm. One minute you were with Asher at the bar and the next minute you disappeared from the party. I called Eres, she said she hadn't seen you."

Mia's eyes darted around the cafeteria, avoiding Rachel's piercing gaze. She fidgeted with her napkin, her fingers nervously drumming against the table. The sounds of the cafeteria - the clinking of dishes, the hum of conversation, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee - seemed to fade into the background as Mia struggled to come up with a response.

"Rachel, c'mon....you know I am not a fan of parties." Mia stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I needed some fresh air, and I didn't want to disturb anyone."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Mia, I know you're not telling me something."

Mia raised an eyebrow at her. "Fine...fine. I spent the night at Karl's. Happy now?" She asked.

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mixture of shock and curiosity. "Karl's?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "As in, Karl, Karl Valois?"

Mia nodded, her eyes fixed on the table, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah...that Karl."

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "Mia, what's going on? You're not exactly...friends with Karl. At least, not that I know of."

Mia shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off the table. "I don't know, Rachel. I just don't know how I ended up at his place."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, her expression unconvinced. "I don't understand."

Mia's eyes scrunched up, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I remember talking with Asher...we had a few drinks...and then...I don't know, I just got really tipsy, I guess." She giggled nervously, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Rachel's eyes watched her, intent and focused.

Mia's gaze dropped, her voice taking on a slightly hesitant tone. "Asher offered to drop me home...and he did. He pulled up to the dorm, and...and..." Mia's eyes flickered up, her expression sheepish. "Oh, yeah...Karl was there. He was standing at the front of my dorm, and..." Mia's voice trailed off, her eyes darting around the cafeteria as if searching for an escape.

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical.

Mia's gaze snapped back to Rachel's, her eyes locking onto hers with a hint of defiance. "And I passed out, okay? I don't know what happened after that." Mia's voice was firm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.

Rachel's eyes widened in shock, her mouth dropping open in a silent scream. Then, suddenly, she let out a loud, ear-piercing shriek, her voice echoing through the cafeteria. The cafeteria fell silent, all eyes turning to the commotion. Mia's face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to shut Rachel up, her hands grasping for her friend's arms.

"Rachel, shh! Not so loud!" Mia hissed, her eyes darting around the cafeteria in mortification.

Rachel's shriek slowly subsided into a fit of giggles, her eyes shining with amusement. She doubled over, her hands clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably.

Mia's face grew hotter, her embarrassment deepening as she tried to calm Rachel down. "Rachel, stop! You're making a scene!" she hissed, her eyes darting around the cafeteria.

But Rachel couldn't seem to stop laughing. She wiped tears from her eyes, her giggles slowly subsiding into snickers. Finally, she managed to compose herself, her expression turning serious.

Rachel leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Are you serious? You sure it was Karl?" she asked, her eyes wide with incredulity.

Mia couldn't help but laugh at Rachel's over-the-top reaction. She giggled, her eyes shining with amusement, as she tried to calm her friend down.

"Rachel, stop! You're going to give me a headache!" Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she tried to compose herself.

Rachel grinned, her eyes still sparkling with mirth. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just can't believe it! Karl Valois, of all people!"

Mia rolled her eyes, laughing. "I know, I know. Just...please, can we just talk about this calmly?"

Rachel nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay, okay. I'll try. But spill the beans, Mia." Her eyes locked onto Mia's, her expression serious. "Okay, let's start from the beginning. Where exactly did you sleep at Karl's place? Was it in his bedroom, the living room...? Tell me everything, Mia."

Mia's eyes darted around the cafeteria, ensuring they were out of earshot. She leaned in closer to Rachel, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I think I slept in his bedroom. I'm not really sure, though. I was pretty out of it."

Rachel's eyes widened, her expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "And did anything...happen between you and Karl?"

Mia's face flushed, her eyes dropping to the table. "I...I don't know. I don't remember anything after I passed out. Although, I woke up fine this morning with my clothes intact."

Rachel's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she processed the information. "Which means he didn't touch you," Rachel said, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Mia nodded, her eyes still fixed on the table.

Rachel's expression turned thoughtful. "I didn't know Karl was a gentleman," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Mia shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off the table.

Rachel's eyes locked onto Mia's, a sly grin spreading across her face. "This means Karl is officially taking you seriously," she said, her voice dripping with excitement.

Mia's face flushed, her eyes darting around the cafeteria as if searching for an escape.

Rachel's grin widened. "Which means...you and Karl are officially an item!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mia's eyes snapped back to Rachel's, her expression a mixture of shock and embarrassment. "Rachel, don't jump to conclusions," she hissed, her eyes darting around the cafeteria in mortification.

But Rachel just laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm not jumping to conclusions, Mia. I'm just stating the obvious," she said, her voice dripping with conviction. Rachel's grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "I mean, think about it, Mia. The Karl I know is indifferent, he barely even looks at another woman. And yet, he takes you home?" Rachel's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she leaned in closer to Mia. "That's not like Karl at all. He's always been so...detached." Rachel's voice trailed off, her eyes locked onto Mia's as if searching for answers. "But with you, he's different. He's actually showing interest." Rachel's expression turned sly once more. "I'm telling you, Mia, Karl is smitten."

Mia shook her head, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Rachel, stop. You're reading too much into this."

Rachel grinned mischievously. "I'm not reading too much into it, Mia. I'm just stating the obvious. Karl Valois doesn't take just anyone home. He's got standards, and apparently, you meet them."

Mia rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. "Whatever, Rachel. Let's just drop it, okay?"

Rachel held up her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll drop it... for now. But mark my words, Mia: Karl Valois is interested in you, and I'm going to be here to witness the whole thing."

Mia shook her head, laughing. "You're impossible, Rachel."

Rachel grinned, unrepentant. "Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here."

The two friends chatted and laughed for a while longer, enjoying their breakfast and each other's company. But Mia couldn't shake the feeling that Rachel's words had struck a chord deep within her. Was it possible that Karl really was interested in her? But why hadn't he said anything?

***********

Karl stood at the balcony, his gaze lost in the sea of trees that stretched out before him. The soft rustle of leaves and the gentle creaking of branches were familiar sounds that had become a constant companion to his thoughts. Yet, his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts that had nothing to do with the serene beauty of his surroundings or the puzzling events that had been plaguing him for weeks.

No, Karl's mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of a certain young woman. Mia. He couldn't shake the memory of her from his mind, the way she'd look at him with those innocent eyes, or how she spoke so innocent, she was so tender, so innocent, so vulnerable and the funny thing was this he was attracted to these personalities of hers.

Karl's thoughts were deeply entrenched in thoughts of Mia, but he was still aware of his surroundings. He sensed Zarek's approach, hearing the soft footsteps on the balcony floor, and feeling a subtle shift in the air as Zarek drew near. Karl didn't flinch, however, his gaze remaining fixed on the forest below as he waited for Zarek to speak.

"Hey, man," Zarek said, his voice low and even. "You've been standing there for a while. Everything okay?"

Karl turned to face Zarek, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just lost in thought, that's all."

Zarek raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Mia?" he asked, his voice knowing.

Karl's expression remained neutral, his eyes locked on the trees, but he didn't respond. The silence between them was palpable, the only sound being the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind.

Zarek's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I knew it," he said, his voice low and confident. "I knew there was something you felt for her, Karl. I suspected."

Karl's silence was deafening, his expression unyielding. He didn't confirm or deny Zarek's statement, he simply stood there, his eyes fixed on the trees.

Zarek's smile never wavered, he seemed to be enjoying Karl's silence. "You're not going to deny it, are you?" Zarek asked, his voice laced with amusement.

Karl still didn't respond, his silence was his answer. Zarek chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I thought so," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You like her, Karl."

Karl sighed, his shoulders rising and falling with the gentle movement. He turned to face Zarek, his eyes locking onto his friend's with a hint of defense. "There's just something about her, Zarek," Karl said, his voice low and introspective. "Something that keeps pulling me to her. I don't know what it is, but I couldn't explain it even if I tried."

Zarek's smile never wavered, his eyes still sparkling with amusement as he gazed at Karl. "I've never seen you this way, Karl," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

Karl's expression remained defensive, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed back at Zarek. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of wariness.

Zarek chuckled, his smile growing wider. "I mean, you're always so... composed, so in control. But when it comes to this human, you're... different. You're actually showing some real emotion for once. I remember the last time, you said you wanted something deeper.....something like what I and Kaliya share. I guess you feel that deep connection with the human."

Karl's facial expressions turned serious, his eyes dropping to the floor as he struggled to maintain his usual composure. "I don't know what you're talking about, Zarek," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zarek laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I've known you for too long. I can see right through you."

Karl's eyes snapped back up to Zarek's, his expression a mixture of defensiveness and frustration. "What's your point, Zarek?" he asked, his voice firm.

Zarek's smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a serious expression. "My point is, Karl, that you need to be careful. Mia is human, you need not forget that. You should also remember your developing feelings for her is against the law, humans and supernatural beings don't mix. But I keep having a feeling about your relationship."

Karl's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "What are you talking about?"

Zarek's expression turned solemn. "I keep having a feeling that this was meant to be."

Karl looked seriously at Zarek but didn't say anything.

Zarek's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at Karl. "Karl, I need to ask you something," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "How are you planning on dealing with Ember?"

Karl's expression turned guarded, his eyes dropping to the floor as he struggled to come up with a response. Zarek's eyes never left Karl's face, his gaze piercing as he waited for an answer. "I don't know, Zarek," Karl said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I haven't thought that far ahead."

Zarek's expression turned skeptical, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "You haven't thought that far ahead?" he repeated, his voice tinged with incredulity. "Karl, you're a supernatural being, and Mia is human. Ember is not going to take kindly to your relationship with her. You need to have a plan in place to deal with her especially when it's so obvious you will be leaving her for the human."

Karl's expression turned defensive, his eyes snapping back up to Zarek's with a hint of annoyance. "I'll deal with Ember when the time comes," he said, his voice firm and nonchalant. "I'm not worried about her, Zarek. I can handle myself."

Zarek's eyebrows rose in surprise, his expression skeptical. "You're not worried about Ember?" he repeated, his voice tinged with incredulity. "Karl, well you should be. You saw how she reacted when you were grouped with Mia. You saw her reaction when she found out Mia spent the night here."

Karl shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the table. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," he said, his voice still nonchalant. "Besides, I'm not even sure if there's anything to worry about. Mia and I...we're not even a thing yet."

Zarek's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at Karl. "You're not fooling anyone, Karl," he said, his voice low and serious. "Least of all, yourself. You're interested in Mia, and you're going to have to deal with the consequences of that interest. Including Ember."

Karl's expression remained defensive, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "I said I'll handle it, Zarek," he repeated, his voice firm. "Just drop it, okay?"

Zarek's eyes never left Karl's face, his gaze piercing as he searched for any sign of weakness or doubt. But Karl's expression remained resolute, his eyes flashing with determination. Finally, Zarek nodded, his expression serious. "Fine."