The week after the battle was uneventful. Will went to school, did her homework, walked home or to the pool, talked with the girls, and worked part-time at the pet shop. She enjoyed the simple routine of not worrying about other people's lives and doing everyday things. On Saturday, the girls gathered at Silver Dragon for their weekly discussions. They selected a table at the back of the restaurant, and Hay Lin brought a few snacks and fragrant tea in beautiful clay pots.
'I have news.' Cornelia started. 'This morning, Caleb sent me an urgent message with information that Phobos dispatched his right hand to Heatherfield. The rebels suspect he is on a mission to find the missing heir, but they are unsure about it. Once again, the army is under the prince's command because he sent the general away.'
'Great, another ugly fugly in our city.' Irma mumbled. 'As if we need more monsters in our lives.' she said, rolling her eyes.
'What about our families? Can they be in danger? Is he aware of our appearance on Earth?' Taranee was worried.
'Probably not. We look a bit different when transformed.' Will explained, taking a sip of green tea. 'But we don't know what the general's powers are or how they work on Earth.' She summarized.
'We should be more careful. "Do not talk to strangers" has never felt so right.' Hay Lin laughed. 'Actually, we can paraphrase it: do not talk to strange guys.' She tapped her chin and took a bite of a cookie. 'I wonder how he looks. I don't know about you guys, but have you noticed that all the humanoid males on Meridian are unusually attractive? Phobos sure is a hottie. I mean, in an aesthetical sense.' She giggled, with mirth shining in her eyes.
'Eww, did you forget he is evil incarnate?' Cornelia cried out with a horrified look.
'Not interested.' Taranee shrugged. 'Caleb is a good-looking guy, but not to my taste. Quit looking at me like that, Cornelia. We know you have a crush on him. I like Nigel; he is nice.' she scolded the blonde girl and blushed, thinking about the one male she felt comfortable with beside her brother.
'Caleb is rather hot and lives in another world, so it's not like I have many opportunities to see him. He does not know me as Cornelia Hale, the girl from Earth. To him, I am only the Earth Guardian. It's complicated…' she sighed regretfully.
'Well, in my not-so-humble opinion...' Irma started, 'Phobos is beautiful on the outside and rotten to the core inside. I think unlimited power can corrupt people, and we will defeat him.' She continued, munching on a breadstick.
'Yeah, he is powerful. Still, the males there are so refined. I guess a different cultural upbringing does that to people.' Hay Lin agreed. 'Will, what do you think?' she promptly asked her friend after seeing her deep in thought and looking outside the window—her tea was getting cold. Will flinched, startled out of her daydreaming. She did not want to join the conversation, as the idea struck too close to home and made her feel guilty. Handsome and refined. Powerful but rotten to the core. All those words fit every Phobos description she knew. Merciful, not really, but he did give her a second chance. Dangerous? Yes, she encountered that herself.
'Intriguing...' Will thought about the perplexing mystery she wanted to solve but was too frightened to try. Yet the more she tried to push those thoughts away, the more they consumed her mind. Will was unsure why she tortured herself, but their encounter piqued her interest. She could not explain to the girls the strange doubts she harbored.
'I don't think about such things.' Will answered as she placed her head on the table, feeling tired. 'One thing I know is that I don't want to meet this general any time soon. We've had enough fighting this month. Where is Elyon? I thought she wanted to meet with us?' she inquired, trying to redirect their attention elsewhere.
'She could not make it. Elyon seems a bit distant lately and does not want to tell me why.' Cornelia answered, feeling a bit miffed. She was her best friend, but they started to see each other less, as if drifting apart.
'Perhaps our secret is putting a strain on your friendship.' Taranee muttered. 'It's not like we can include her in our battle meetings or fights with monsters in another world.'
'Yeah, maybe… Sorry, girls. I agreed to feed the animals in the shop with Mr. Olsen.' Will apologized, glancing at the clock. 'I should leave because I need to get there on time. Call me if you learn anything new. See you later!' she said, urgently grabbing her backpack and running out of the restaurant.
When she showed up at the shop, Mr. Olsen had already erected the closing sign, but there was a light inside. A bell rang when Will stepped through the door.
'Good evening, Mr. Olsen!' She called out to the empty shop front, and several animals responded to her voice with various sounds.
'Hey, guys! I came here to feed you.' Will greeted the pets in the cages and smiled at the big St. Bernard dog, who barked and whipped his tail in joy.
'He's our new patient,' Matt waved, coming from the back door with a sack of dog food. 'Hey, Will! I have already fed the animals in the back, but you can help me here.' He smiled absentmindedly, attempting to place a large bag of kibble on the floor for easier access.
Will's heart fluttered upon seeing Matt. She had a crush on him since the first day of getting to a new school, when he kindly assisted her in finding the class. 'I had no idea you would be here... Where is your grandpa?' Will asked, taking a few bowls of food from him.
'His back is hurting again, so I volunteered to help with the feeding because the sacks can be quite heavy to lift.' Matt shrugged. 'Also, a customer should come to pick up the big dog,' he said, motioning at St. Bernard. Both of them got to work, as they had a few times before. Matt cleaned the cages, and Will delivered bowls of food and water to the pets. She always relaxed around the animals, so conversation flowed back and forth without her being too nervous. They were a good team together and had many similar interests. While Matt was playing with an injured cat, she stared longingly at him. He was so gentle, cradling a pet in his arms. Will shook her head and went to the backroom closet for more food, slightly envious of the cat and cursing herself for thinking such ridiculous thoughts. Distracted Will tripped over a mop handle and fell, landing on her buttocks. The cat food cans fell loudly to the floor and rolled in all directions. Wincing in pain, Will rubbed her sore bottom, hoping nobody saw her embarrassing clumsiness.
'Will are you alright? I heard some noise, and...' Matt ran inside and looked around, seeing the mess on the floor for the first time.
'Klutz attack?' he laughed out loud.
'Sorry… Help me pick it up, please?' Will was embarrassed. She never seemed to be able to act cool around Matt. She always admired him from afar, but whenever they talked, Will stuttered over the words, acting like a total dork, too nervous to respond. It was not fair. She fought in battles but could not talk to a guy without an embarrassing incident. Feeling frustrated, Will picked up a few cans from the ground, stepped on something round, and stumbled again. With a surprised shout, she landed on a warm body. Matt smelled like laundry detergent and soap. She discreetly inhaled the pleasant smell, enjoying his arms around her. Upon realizing what was happening, Will quickly stood up and immediately apologized. As she tried to compose herself from embarrassment, Matt awkwardly sat on the ground, looking a bit rumpled.
'Listen, I know about…' he started saying, looking at her in dismay when a bell in front of the shop jingled. He stood up, patting his clothes down, and walked to the front of the store, casting a guilty look in her direction. Feeling confused, Will gathered the cans, trying to understand what was wrong. Matt was acting a bit strange. Her fall was only an accident, yet he looked uncomfortable around her. Was she so transparent about her feelings? Will was arranging everything in the backroom when she overheard a feminine voice conversing with Matt, and she tiptoed to the door to listen in.
'So, how was my good boy?' the girl asked in a cooing voice.
'Your dog ate something rotten and had a stomach ache. He's alright right now.' Matt reassured.
'Can we go to our date now?' The female almost purred when she asked the question.
'Ok. Let me tell my coworker. She will lock up the shop.' Matt enthusiastically replied and opened the door to the backroom. After seeing her standing there, he looked distraught.
'You heard us... just now?' he asked, suspiciously avoiding looking at her. 'We should talk later… just lock up the shop, please.' He hesitated, then inclined his head in farewell and went out, not waiting for her answer.
Will froze on the spot after the door closed. Her mind was strangely empty, trying to make sense of what she had heard. It hurt. Tears welled up in her eyes as something painfully throbbed inside her chest. Will did not allow them to fall. She was too proud to cry in this place. Will finished feeding the animals methodically, swallowing the burning feelings. They were quiet and subdued, sensing her depressed mood and occasionally licking her fingers in comfort. After finishing the work and locking up, Will slowly walked in the direction of home. Tears spilled on her cheeks as she softly sniffled, trying to appear normal. This was the thing she was missing. Matt had a girlfriend. She was so silly, naively believing that maybe he liked her—a fool crushing on the most popular guy in the school. Life was unfair.
The home was dark and empty. Her mother most likely went on a date. It looked like even her mother was more popular than her. Not hungry, Will skipped dinner, wrapped herself in a thick blanket, and cried, wondering if things would ever get better. She thought about calling Teranee, but it was late, and she did not want to hear empty words of comfort. Deciding to distract herself from a hole in her chest, Will cupped the Heart of Kandrakar in her palms and prayed. 'I have never used your divine powers for selfish reasons, but please lend me your warmth just once. I don't want to be alone tonight. Please, help me…' she sniffed, with tears falling on the damp pillow. Her voice trailed off as she tried to control her sobs, hoping for company and comfort. The medallion remained cold, and the silence in the room only amplified the loneliness, making her feel vulnerable and isolated. Eventually, Will fell asleep with a pendant safely clutched in her palm, then the Heart of Kandrakar lit up in the darkness. It glowed, gradually enveloping her unconscious body in hazy, rosy light. After a few moments, the glow subsided, and Will sighed in her sleep as warmth spread through her body.
The first thing she became aware of was the crackling of the flames in the fireplace. Next was the feeling of the silky, soft carpet underneath her. The room smelled strange, like a combination of beeswax, old books, and smoke, with a whiff of something sweet and flowery. She had never encountered such a unique fragrance. Opening her eyes, Will saw an unfamiliar, old-fashioned workroom. Rows upon rows of books lined the walls, with bookshelves hitting the ceiling. The flickering fireplace provided dim light, casting shadows on the antique furniture scattered around the luxurious room. The dark, wooden table adorned with incarnate carvings seemed to be the centerpiece of the room. A plush armchair sat beside it, its green velvet upholstery untouched by age, vibrant and sharp. Books and papers were scattered on the table, suggesting someone had recently used the room for study. The soft golden glow of the shining floating orb lit the documents left behind. Will knew there was no electricity inside. The only time she saw something similar was in a refugee village on the Meridian. Will could not believe she woke up in a different world!
'This is a strange dream…' she thought, feeling uneasy and pinching herself to feel the pain. It hurt, but Will realized her body was transparent. Also, she was not wearing pajamas anymore—a purple and green uniform hugged her body, intentionally exposing her flat stomach with the swirling design on the skirt. The delicate butterfly's wings fluttered in the air, betraying her agitation. She was not in the mood for any games Kandrakar played. Dismissing the bizarre situation, Will curled up on the carpet and stared at the fireplace, hoping that falling asleep would bring her home. The fire was warm, the rug was soft, and she relaxed, drifting between sleep and awareness.
Will awoke from her light slumber as the door handle clicked and opened. She sat up, startled, and quickly slipped into the deep shadow of the bookcase. Holding her breath, Will watched as a silhouette barely visible in the dim light entered the room. Her heart raced when she recognized who it was. To her horror, Phobos walked into the room holding a crystal glass full of golden liquid. The prince was the last person Will wanted to see, and her hands trembled in fear. His step faltered on the threshold for a split second, and his haughty gaze darted around the room. Will held her breath, but when his eyes landed on her hideout, they trailed off, not noticing her. Will followed his movements, wondering how she remained hidden — she was invisible. Still, her heartbeat refused to slow down from the unexpected fright. Yet he only sat behind the desk and began working, occasionally taking a sip from the glass. Phobos looked calm and collected—an ordinary human, not a monster out of a horror story. It was perplexing. Gone were the heavy royal robes and sharp angles of the crown. He wore a soft green unbuttoned tunic with loose white pants, exposing glimpses of his pale skin and graceful neck, along with a distinct red tattoo. His long silver hair was loosely braided and rested on his shoulder, with a part of it tied into a low topknot. A few pale and silky tresses framed his angular face and prominent cheekbones, casting gentle shadows over his radiant blue eyes.
A comfortable silence filled the room, disturbed only by the scratches of a feather pen on the paper, the turning of book pages, and the sound of wood crackling in the fireplace.
'Maybe I am delirious because this is a very vivid dream,' Will brooded. However, nothing in her magic spoke of danger. Trusting her instincts and reckless courage, she stood and tried to take out one of the books, but the spine shuddered with a simple touch. Abandoning the idea of moving things in fear of being found, Will continued her exploration. One bookcase after another, everything was in strange foreign languages. Some of them originated on Earth, like French and German. The rest of the books had characters that looked like intricate symbols or drawings from another world, which she had never seen before. Soon, Will grew bored and restless, not finding anything useful or entertaining to distract her from the ridiculous situation.
After some time, Phobos stopped writing and went to withdraw a book from the bookcase opposite her. Will glanced at the empty chair and impulsively took a few steps forward, trying to see the papers on the table.
'You know, little Guardian, spying is considered impolite.' Phobos closed the book with a loud thud. 'This is the second time you have disturbed me. Are you aware of the consequences?' he asked casually, looking in her general direction.
Will froze, trapped between him and the massive table. 'This is bad, so bad...' Her mind raced while her eyes darted around, searching for the nearest exit.
'Do not appear so surprised. I have sensed your presence from the start. Your magic tastes like lightning on the tip of the tongue or air after the rainstorm.' His smirk was predatory. 'A small amount of magic focused on the proper location, and I can see you.' Phobos's blue eyes took on a greenish tinge, and he stared straight at her. With a few long steps, he pushed Will into the table, crowding her space and towering over her.
'You cannot hide from me! Astral walking - clever little trick.' He chuckled, grabbing her arm.
With his touch, the invisible tension returned as if his mere presence were sucking the air out of the room, making her feel lightheaded. His magic danced on her skin, casting a spell and sending jolts through her muscles, locking them in place.
'Cat got your tongue?' he inquired, grabbing Will by the chin. His warm fingers roughly pressed into her flesh.
'I don't know…' Will answered, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears gathered in her chocolate-brown eyes and spilled on her pale cheeks. First Matt, now this. It was emotionally exhausting.
'I came here by accident. Please let me go…' Will muttered, realizing the severity of the situation and no longer concerned about displaying weakness—even in her best form, there was not enough strength to fight him. She wanted to go home and forget about this evening.
'Oh…' Phobos scowled, his intense gaze lingering on her chest. He reached down and yanked the pendant out of her purple blouse. Pink light spilled through his fingers as the Heart blinked and swirled with defensive magic. If Phobos takes the Heart of Kandrakar from her, everything will be over. She tried pulling away, but his grip only tightened. Will was powerless to resist the inevitable. Her brown, teary eyes, filled with despair and wistful hope, connected with the icy blue, pleading for understanding.
'What an annoying little thing you are...' Phobos said it with barely concealed amusement in his eyes and pulled on the medallion, tugging her close enough that their bodies almost touched. Will had to tilt her head to look at him because he was taller than her. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and her heart raced as the invisible string stretched between them. For a second, both of them were lost, but the moment was snapped when Phobos shook his head, grinned, and gathered a ball of magic in his hand. Slowly, it grew into a small ice dagger, glinting dangerously in the light.
'I set you free one time ... I cannot make an exception again.' He spoke softly, holding her still and gently caressing her cheek. The unexpectedly gentle touch left a trail of goosebumps on her skin.
'I'm sorry… This will undoubtedly hurt, but it should teach you not to approach me again.' Phobos carelessly released his hold. He struck the clear dagger straight into her stomach with a sudden move. Will screamed and convulsed, clutching her abdomen as the freezing pain spread through the wound. She shivered and collapsed, crumbling to the floor, staring at the bloody dagger in his hand. Maybe it was her imagination, but there was regret on his face, and then everything slowly slipped away.
Will awoke on the bed, uncontrollably gasping for air. Her belly unpleasantly churned when sudden vertigo hit. Scrambling to the bathroom and collapsing on the cold tiles Will vomited into the toilet. Feeling a bit better after emptying her stomach, she patted herself all over, looking for a visible wound but finding none. Phobos had not lied. It hurt a lot. She could still feel the biting sting of the cold and the throbbing pain of the deadly wound. Why did he warn her? Will felt like a mouse who had been teased by a cat. Phobos was a walking contradiction. Cruel, yet almost playful and sensual in his interactions. Will could not understand his behavior toward her. The prince seemed to enjoy toying with her, yet there was something beneath that facade. She shuddered at the memory of his tender caresses and the accompanying tension in the air. It felt like she was getting ignited from the inside as something pulled them together. In both instances, Phobos was responsible. Not even Matt made her so aware of her body. It was such a messed-up situation. Will shook her head, deciding to forget about the troublesome incidents. He was trying to manipulate her, and the violence has to be proof of that. But the look of regret on his face was seared into her memory.
After brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth to remove the foul taste, Will looked in the mirror. Her skin was pale, she had dark circles under her eyes, and her hair was disheveled. She was a mess. Removing the sweaty pajamas, Will took a brief shower to soothe the sore muscles and stressed mind. Drying herself, she patted her abdomen, still feeling the burning remnants of the ice. 'I don't want to get stabbed ever again. What an asshole! Phobos is not on Santa's nice list,' she groaned and chuckled at the absurdity of her life. She narrowly avoided death after two personal encounters with the Prince. The Heart of Kandrakar blinked on her skin as if expressing her agreement.
'Great, even my magic is betraying me…' Will rolled her eyes at the medallion, which sat innocently between her breasts. 'Never do that again, please.' She touched the round pendant and went to bed, hoping for some peaceful rest. Will knew she should never meet Phobos again, but deep in her mind, she foolishly thought it would not be the last time their paths crossed. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought her back.