Chapter 94

We rode silently through towards the sacred house. I was more disguised in the cotton jumpsuit I wore. And Julian won't be easily noticed by commoners because he did not have his badge on. For the first time, he journeyed in only a shirt. He burned our coats at the brothel to avoid being traced. We both looked like a couple on an adventure. Julian was able to get only a horse. I hung on to his back while he rode.

When we got to the sacred, I left him out to meet my peers. They all looked surprised to see me except Alistair who jumped happily at me. She held me close like she's never letting go.

"Alistair was scared." Emiliar joked. "She got us all scared Katrienair. Thank God you're safe." She joined our embrace and Claire.

"Joel is outside."I announced. "Im staying with you guys now."

A smile formed on their faces. Somehow, I felt loved.

"I'd go see Joel."Alistair left. It's the first time she ever called him Joel. That got me curious. I saw Luna run down the stairs and jump on me. I kissed her hard. Oh my, I've missed her so much. She would not have been safe if she was with me anyways.

"You were really in danger katrienair?" Claire asked. "You must have been through a lot. How did you get escape?"

I tried to keep a smile on. "I didn't escape really..who escapes from the demons cage. They thought I was dead." I swallowed, scanned the faces in the room. The boys were awed. They reminded me of Kabal. I have to get that boy. Ethan was at the door, looking out for Alistair, I guess. "I was thrown into the lake of fire."

"Oh my fu...!"Emiliar screamed.

Claire's eyes widened, even the others in the room.

"How did you...? You are too much like your sister Katrienair." Claire exclaimed.

"I stayed in till they left. At least, that got them the impression that I'd died." Emiliar played with my hair while giggling. "I'm proud of you sis."

*

"Joel, you deserve a kiss." Alistair said to Julian when she got to him. She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thanks a lot. You just saved lives, not one." She tapped his back playful. Julian only smiled.

"So what's your plan now? "

"Katrienair will stay here with you guys. Roger is convinced she's dead."

Alistair smiled. "Wow. I got scared, never knew things will get this good."

"You'll come visit once I'm a while won't you?" She laughed at her own statement.

"Of course I will." Julian was happy. It's the first time they chatted really heartily.

"Be safe Julian. I don't trust your father. Demons bite their own blood. By the way, watch out for rivals. The castle is never a safe place."

Julian nodded.

"I'll be on the lookout for you. You're one of us now."

Alistair is really a darling.

"Thank you."

*

I saw Alistair and Julian in a tight embrace when I walked out. I was glad that they were getting along well. Alistair left him on seeing me.

"Hey!" I noticed he was still feeling bad about what he did. I held up his fallen chin. "It's okay, okay? We're cool. I forgive you. Don't feel bad..I overreacted."

He only smiled. 

"How's your burns?"I bit my lip. "I'm sorry..."

"You don't need to. The scars are gone already. We're cool."

He got down from his horse and held my waist to himself.

"I should be expecting war now right? You army is ready and you."He said.."I'm proud of you Katrienair. You surprise me every single day. Do me a favor. "

"What is it?"I asked.

"Don't take wine again." He imagined how vulnerable she looked when she got home that day. It would have been a different story if she was with another man. "No matter the type. Stick to your old coffee habit okay?"

Katrienair pursed her lip. "I can't promise you that. But I surely won't get drunk ever again."

We stared at each other in a usual silence for sometime. It really would be strange now that he's leaving. I realized how much I've gotten attached to him. At the castle, we were always together.

"I'll miss you so much katrienair Mitchelle."

I blushed. 

"I may not come back for a while but always remember, I have you on my mind. I'd teleport if you want me to." He continued. He was staring into me, I had to warn him.

"No kissing. I'd be so embarrassed. Don't try."I whispered. "You better get going."

He embraced me and I hugged him back. Then I remembered Kabal again. "Joel, when you get back to the castle, keep Kabal close. Protect him like you'd protect me please."

"I'll do just that."

We let go of each other. I watched him climb on his horse. I planted a quick kiss on his ear and whispered. "I love you Joel. Please take care."

Then I walked back into the building.

*

"Alistair, I need to send a letter. Aren't there birds here?" I was in Alistair's room stylishly searching for a bird at the window but didn't get any.

"You were looking out for a bird!"Alistair laughed. "You can't get one easily around here. I'll call Apheles for you. Though it's been a long time since I saw her."

She joined me at the window and made some whistling sound into the air. We waited for a long time. I was already losing my patience when I saw a big bird, an eagle to be precise, fly towards us.

"Is that Apheles?" I asked, shocked.

"Yes. I'm glad she heard me. she's my pet. Dad gave her to me on my tenth birthday. It's..."She trailed off. I understood immediately. Her mood changes whenever she remembers our parents.

I tore off a piece of paper and wrote on it.

"No more negotiations. I told you I won't take much time. It's time for war. You never told me your name. Start the war. I and my company are ready. 

Karen. "

Alistair only smiled at me. I smiled back. She rolled the paper into the eagles claws.

"Apheles, take this to the army head of the white coven." She kissed it. "Be sure to come back..I've missed you so much."

 Apheles nodded her head and then flew away. Alistair faced me with a smile that seemed not to ever leave her face.

"Katrienair, I'm proud of you." She hugged me. "I love you sis."