Chapter Eleven: Birthday Crashing Part Two

Will refused to believe that any of this had happened. She had no memory of participating in any such act. She would remember. She would definitely remember if she and Phobos had...

But Caleb didn't want to listen to anything she had to say. He just attacked Phobos while he was still in the bed.

Nobody wanted to listen to her. Then the rest of her friends showed up to gawk at the scene, and to top it all, Irma, the only person who would've probably shown faith in her redheaded friend wasn't here; Matt and Lillian were among the others instead. Matt had spent the night in the living room, almost passed out after the intense partying. But the sight of his girlfriend and Phobos in one bed made him sober up instantly:

"Oh, my God!"- Lillian exclaimed, holding the heart-broken man's shoulders. "What the hell is this?! Will, you have to be kidding!"

"I didn't-"- Will tried to defend herself but Caleb spat over her:

"No, she's lost it, don't you understand? He's fucking her mind and her! He's been influencing her for months; this is just another one of his plans to get to power!"

Matt swayed on his feet in shock and weakness. He could use all the support.

"This was the last straw, Phobos, you're so ungrateful and nasty!"- Cornelia seethed and slapped the fair-haired man. It was a rough one that left red finger marks on his cheek. "Why am I even surprised, after everything you've done! I KNOW that you did this, you use my friend and now you've taken advantage of her like that...you pig! I hate you so much!"

"I did nothing of the sort!"- Phobos seethed in response and glared at her. "And I frankly don't give a damn what any of you think of me, Wilhelmina knows that I haven't-"

"Can all of you just PLEASE get out so that I can get fucking dressed!?- Will cried, sick of all this. Sick of this situation. Sick of having to keep herself draped in the sheets as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt disgusting. She felt like dirt more than ever in her life before.

"I...I just can't believe this..."- Taranee didn't know how to process it. Nigel wrapped his arm around her shoulders and exchanged flustered, uncomfortable glances with Eric who just shrugged feeling out of place like he seldom did.

In the end, they indeed left the room and the hassle created by what had just been witnessed died down. Matt was the only one who remained in the room with Will; Phobos, who had already gotten himself decent was dragged out by Caleb, and then the door was shut. Slammed.

"M-matt."- the redhead began in a tiny voice. "I didn't...I didn't do anything with-"

"Are you sure you didn't?"- Matt asked her bitterly. "Because honestly. It would make a lot more sense if you did it before too. A lot more sense than...this ridiculous slow burn."

Will was shocked. She stared at the man like frozen.

"W-hat is that supposed to mean? You think that I'm sleeping with him!?"

"We just saw you together. In bed. Naked."- Matt reminded her through gritted teeth and tightened both his fists. "I'm sorry if that's the first thing that comes to mind given you've been all over Phobos since you got back from Beta-Meridian-"

"Matt, this is not fair, you know that me and him are connected by the sidereal bond, it wasn't my choice! None of this was!"- Will shouted through tears. "It was Avani and the Heart, and...You have to believe me, I have no idea how he got here or why..."

It sounded stupid, she knew. It also sounded like she was lying because it was so ridiculous but that's exactly what should've made all her friends understand that this was not something she had done. She hadn't...

" Just tell me the truth, Will. Has this been going on for longer? Are you...attracted to him or is it just something he's doing in bed that makes you-"

"Oh, my God, I've never had sex with Phobos, I swear! Why don't you understand?!"

She grabbed his hands desperately but he pulled back and shook his head through tears:

"You were naked...he was naked...you...you had locked your door."

Will opened her mouth but nothing came as a reply. She didn't know what to say or how to work through all this. This was a nightmare. Matt looked at her with teary eyes, hurt, and betrayed and it killed her because it wasn't even true. She hadn't betrayed him! She would never do such a thing, especially to him...

The redhead wrapped her hands around her head. It was going to explode. She started pacing around the room, with her white fluffy robe on, trying to remember. Trying to remember last night. What had really happened? She had to get to the bottom of it otherwise she'd go crazy.

"My mother tried to reach us many times but we were all boozed and sleeping, so she couldn't. Her talismans also got cursed when she got into the apartment again, she couldn't come personally. That was obviously part of a plan, as well as the messages that were meant to distract her, a plan to win Phobos time. But mom thought that it was probably Will who has executed everything, she's the only one who could've taken Phobos out of the apartment last night, with all the magic that guarded him."- Caleb retold again. "It has to be her. Whether she was aware of what she was doing or their magic bond is working to Phobos's advantage this much already is unclear, but here we are. Facing the consequences. That dirty bastard took advantage of Will, sexually. He's mocking us in our faces because we spared him!"

"You and your mother are quite good at putting all elements of the puzzle together so that they support your initial perceptions."- Phobos hissed as the other man threatened to punch him in the face again. "But this is a blatant untruth, I didn't scheme any of this, I stand by my words, I have no idea what transpired, the last I recall is getting back to the Earth Knight's apartment after an entire day of following Nerissa around on a leash! She sickened me so much with her routine and her investigation, and her performances and effrontery, that I was looking forward to taking a bath and calling it a night! Then I woke up, by Wilhelmina's side, that's everything! Whether you believe it or not."- he finished coldly and then Caleb punched him to the ground.

"Lying spawn."- the rebel growled. "Investigation. As if my mother would ever work with you. She took you out in order to keep an eye on you because you cannot be trusted! Which brings even more evidence to my words, keeping him in Heatherfield was a bad idea. Phobos belongs in the Tower of Mists or in the grave."

Phobos soaked up the small drops of blood that the punch in the face had left him with and smiled grimly. He wasn't going to bother with disillusioning the foolish rebel leader about his mother's integrity. He had bigger things to think about like the Eye and what had truly led to him and Will...naked in bed next to each other.

"You're lying, Phobos, like you always do, there's no way you didn't make Will bring you here."- Cornelia said icily, looking down at the man with hatred. "You're taking advantage of her like you've taken advantage of every other woman before her, but you'll never have it your way! Never! We are going to find a way to destroy the sidereal bond between you two and then everything will be over!"

"Cornelia...I don't think that he's lying about it."- Hay Lin dared to interfere.

She, Lillian, and Taranee were the only ones left in the spacious living room with them, as the others had gone upstairs to get ready for the day. There wasn't much Eric or Nigel could do or say about Phobos anyway. And Elyon was still sleeping, strangely enough; she hadn't woken up despite all the commotion.

Cornelia looked over at Hay Lin skeptically:

"That's Phobos, Hay Lin. No offense or anything, but even your powers have been wrong about him before."

Hay Lin shook her head. It was true. Despite being able to sense feelings and emotions, and divulge lies and truths, sometimes it was difficult to get to some people. Phobos was one of them, for he had spent years perfecting a blocking ice wall around his soul.

"There's a strong enough feeling in him for me to know for sure this time, it's perplexity."- the Asian argued. "A strive for the truth too. He wouldn't be feeling any of that if he had indeed masterminded all this- "

"He could be faking it right now, to throw you off!"- Caleb objected and looked daggers at the man who was still on the ground. "He's a snake! I refuse to believe him again!"

"It's important for me for Wilhelmina to believe it because it's true."- Phobos sneered. "You? You may believe whatever floats your boat-"

"Shut your trap!"- Cornelia bared her teeth at him.

"Guys, I'm telling you! He's not completely aware of what's happening. I am 100% sure, such feelings can't just be feigned."- Hay Lin insisted.

"Wait a minute, even if he didn't orchestrate everything."- Taranee interjected. "Even if Will didn't know what she was doing...that is even worse. Do you realize what it means? If this wasn't a pre-meditated thing then..."

"Their sidereal bond is growing stronger and more resilient and it's beginning to do all this for them. Higher forces want these things to happen."- Hay Lin finished with a deep sigh. Her breath stopped in her throat as she realized what this meant.

Taranee nodded.

"It makes sense. The legends about this type of magic connection between two marked souls go on to describe similar events. Sleep-walking? Definitely on the list. So are subconscious actions taking precedence over the rational mind. Will could've done this without realizing it, while she was asleep. We have to do something soon because if this is just the beginning and this is already happening..."

"I'm sorry, what?"- Lillian interjected skeptically. "You're kidding, right?"

Everyone looked at her. Even in this early hour, her dark makeup was done. She crossed her arms on her chest and nodded at Phobos:

"You're disregarding the situation just like that and blaming it on their so-called sidereal bond? Was it due to the sidereal bond when Will came back to help Matt in the hospital and then tried to flee?"- she listed in annoyance. "Was it due to the sidereal bond when she stole the bean and tried to vanish on us again or when she let the Altermeeres escape and-"

"Woah, what?"- Taranee interrupted.

"Calm down, Lillian, we're not disregarding the situation."- Hay Lin began. "We're trying to explain what's happening because it doesn't make complete sense otherwise-"

"And who said that Will let the Altermeeres escape that day when we were having lunch at Nerissa's?"- Taranee returned to the point that had bugged her in the blonde's statement.

"Yeah, you weren't with us, but she was. The entire time."- Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Besides, why would she let Wixy and Bogus-William out anyway, that has nothing to do with her and Phobos-"

"I'm just saying that Will's overall behavior is not normal and I don't think that it's just the sidereal bond between her and Phobos that Avani helped thrive."- Lillian declared coldly. "I think that she's out of her mind and I think she's just throwing dust in our eyes with this shit because she grew too attached to him during those months. For real. If you ask me, she's wittingly doing all this because she's trying to work things out and be with fucking Phobos, because she likes him now! She wants him and that has nothing to do with that idiotic bond story that's hardly even a real thing!"

Everyone was taken aback by that closing line, including Phobos.

Cornelia shook her little sister up:

"Are you listening to yourself? This makes no sense, why would she do any of that, Will's been our friend for so many years and we know her, this is just insane, Lillian! Actually, hearing about this bond between them was the first rational thing ever since we saw her again! It explains why she's acting this way!"

"Yeah, and what do you mean it's hardly a real thing. The Council of Kandrakar confirmed it."- Taranee folded her arms. "It's been written about. Malyna and Deimos were sidereal soulmates as well-"

Lillian scoffed:

"The Council of Kandrakar that doesn't have an Oracle? They can't even tell whether tomorrow will rain or not! Listen, girls, I'm the Heart of Earth and I know certain things. I can understand and feel certain things. Will's the Keeper of the only objectified living Heart in today's history, and I know what she thinks-"

"She was the keeper of the Heart."- Cornelia corrected her. "I'm-"

"You're just the new holder of it, but she's still the Keeper!"- Lillian snapped.

"You don't understand, do you? The Heart of Kandrakar is not like other hearts. There are living Hearts, like me and Elyon, and Hearts that are objectified - like those Nerissa holds now. But the Heart of Kandrakar is the only living objectified Heart in the universe! It's a jewel but it holds the Nymph Xin Jing and the four dragons. The Nymph decides who to choose for her Keeper and she has chosen Will. She didn't choose you, Cornelia. Will choose to reassign the Heart to you willingly but not pass it to you forever and even if she had, it's obvious that Xin Jing would never connect with you as she connects with her because you're already destined for her Earth dragon! You're the Earth guardian even with the Heart of Kandrakar around your neck!"

"And what is that supposed to mean?"- Cornelia asked coldly.

Her sister shook her head with a bitter smirk:

"That you'll never be able to bend its will or use its full potential. It will always be loyal to Will. Just like it was loyal to Nerissa before that and didn't even bother to protect Cassidy from her when she attacked her and killed her!"

"How do you know all that?"- Caleb snapped. "You're talking like you've been around the block twice already; you didn't even know about your powers and who you were until two years ago."

"I'm a fast learner, Caleb."- Lillian declared. "Just like your mother. I'm doing my homework and I'm becoming more aware and stronger with every next day, because I have a great responsibility to uphold, you know."

The man frowned and fell silent like his girlfriend, who was still thinking about what she had just heard from her little sister, but Taranee didn't give up:

"How is that, even if it's correct and true, related to Will and Phobos and the bond they share? You know that they were marked by this sidereal magic, right? How does..."

"I don't know."- Lillian said through gritted teeth, holding her challenging gaze. "I don't know, OK? I am trying to get to the bottom of that, but the reason I'm dismissing the story about their so-called bond is that I can feel her. Will. I can feel her magical aura and I know that it's her. This is all her and she is wanting to be with Phobos because his darkness attracts her. It started to corrupt her when they lived together and it will be her undoing like the darkness that pushed Nerissa over the edge fifty years ago."

Irma came back from VMJ's hotel room hours later when the situation had finally thawed a little. Whatever had happened had already happened, and everyone was willing to put extra effort not to spoil the entire Birthday weekend for everyone in spite of it. Phobos was given a separate room, in the attic space, and he was going to remain in Flamboyant Gardens till the end of the trip as well, for safety reasons.

Irma was left open-mouthed when Taranee told her about everything and could only sit at the kitchen table and shake her head with the fresh cup for coffee in her hands:

"Man, this sucks! I was going to tell you all about my hardcore night with VMJ and now this... Do you think Phobos and Will had-"

"I don't know, they say they haven't done anything. Hay Lin says she believes them but I think that she's still not sober enough to have an opinion."- Taranee snorted as she went on with the lunch she was cooking - spring rolls and different salads, as well as a pot of pasta and sauce for those who were hungrier. "Same goes without saying about Lillian. Why is she suddenly so hostile toward Will is beyond me. Her words were...ugly. And if they're true..."

"Hey, forget about it, we'll never allow our friend to succumb to the darkness or whatever's happening here."- Irma exclaimed. "Whatever this is, even if Will's just having a subconscious crush on Phobos, we'll find a way out of the big mess, I'm positive. We always do!"

Taranee sighed. She hoped the Latina was right. She also hoped to never hear again about their friend having a crush on one of their biggest enemies... it sounded just wrong and gut-wrenching on a different level.

Elyon opened the meeting half-heartedly. It was not going to be a positive one, either way, that's why upon receiving the call, she had left Flamboyant Gardens without telling her friends anything. She wanted to settle things alone and possibly inform them after Cornelia's birthday because they deserved it. The good, care-free time away... of course, earlier that day, she hadn't known that her brother would end up in Will's bed, spoiling things almost entirely.

She was on Meridian, in her castle, in one conference room, together with a few of her closest staff members and friends outside the guardians' circle. Elyon dreaded the discovery of the delivery that was also the initial reason behind this sudden meeting:

"As you all know, yesterday I did some...research. About the Eye of God."- Nerissa took the word first. She stood up and rested her hands against the dark table: "Our newest enemy. They've somehow caught wind of that and hence they've sent a response. To my home address in Heatherfield. I find that extremely alarming and hence I called this meeting today. Because the video material that we're about to play is supposedly playable once and is meant for the eyes of the Meridian court as well. So says the note that I showed you. The one I got in the mailbox with this-"

"They weren't our enemy before you tried to do your research."- Mila, Nerissa's identical copy but with shoulder-length hair murmured, irritating her. "How does an Earth-based anti-magical organization target another planet-"

"Like they targeted Beta-Meridian."- Julian offered an explanation.

"But that was due to Will's mistake to leave that portal open."- Raythor argued. "And we-"

"We've established a few heavily-guarded passageways in the veil, to cross between the two worlds now. Will's portal was not guarded and was inconsiderate, but in her defense, the Eye was still acting in secrecy back then."- Aldarn said.

"They wouldn't have made themselves known if Irma hadn't discovered Martin Tubbs's involvement."- Galgheita reasoned. "So, what do you think is the reason? Why are they openly addressing us now?"- she and Alborn looked at each other and then at the rest of the long table but nobody had an answer.

"I suppose because my research got close to something they want to keep under wraps."- Nerissa said in the end. "The Eye is very crude and dangerous to Earth-born magic-users because magic on Earth was almost extinct before the current Heart was born. They never dared to mess with other planets before but for some reason, they're becoming a more serious threat now. I'm assuming that they started working harder the minute they made note that there's a new Heart, a source of Earth magic, something that hasn't existed for years before Lillian Hale, due to the anti-supernatural fanatics chasing magic users around the globe and annihilating them."

"We can almost say earth magic is stronger and more preeminent than ever, especially after the girl got her magical and physical maturity."- Galgheita agreed. "So, it's understandable that enemies of the magic world on Earth are doing everything possible to match that. "

"If they've spied on us and they surely have, they're most probably aware that we have people from Earth involved with Meridian now. Including Lillian."- Julian nodded. "Perhaps that is why they're now addressing us. Directly... Nerissa, who is the Mage, and Meridian, all-together. This might just be the beginning of a power-supremacy game."

"Because the alliances between Earth and Meridian, and all the changes of magic are now daunting those scum-buckets from the Eye and the other frenzied anti-magics..."- Raythor growled, nodding as well.

"We have to get ready for war. If they dare challenge us now this means they have leverage-"- Alborn concluded.

"Or they're growing desperate."- Aldarn argued. "We have to make them understand that fighting against us is worse for them than for us."

"Let's leave the discussion for later. You all make valid points."- Elyon appealed for silence. "Let's see that video first."

But when Nerissa put the DVD in the player, the big flat TV in the conference room remained static. A second later, when she was about to try cleaning the disk, to maybe get it to work this way, a big hologram appeared in the center of the table. A hologram of a figure in a strange neoprene suit, wearing a nude faceless mask...

"What the-"

"The DVD... It was enchanted. "- Nerissa said in dismay, staring at the figure.

"How is that possible?"- Raythor barked and then realized: "Traitors..."

"So, it is true."- Nerissa nodded. "There are strong magic users, who've joined the Eye of God. Disgusting."

"Yes, it is true."- the hologram spoke in its altered voice. "However, I'm not working for the Eye. I'm a separate party with separate interests."

"Is this...a live connection?"- Elyon gasped. "Can you hear us?"- she asked and the masked figure turned towards to her to nod.

"What do you want then and why was the note signed by the Eye."- Nerissa demanded and sat in her seat, piercing the figure with her eyes.

"All that matters is that I'm not your enemy."- the figure declared. "But I'm not your friend either. I'm neutral. I have simple conditions which you will respect. And an even simpler suggestion for you, if you do."

"Really? And what would those be?"- Elyon asked, eyes focused on the figure. It looked female, despite the robotic, purposely distorted voice that was obviously there to mask the person's identity even more.

"First and foremost, I remain anonymous. Second, all communication between the Eye and you will go through me."

Everyone exchanged glances:

"You've replaced the Eye's message with your own disc, haven't you?"- Nerissa gasped. "How dare you, who the hell do you think you are?!"

"I'm the Matchmaker."- the figure declared stoically. "And I'm not done. My third and last condition is also obvious. I want you to stop digging. Stop meddling. If you respect my three conditions, I will help you break down the Eye and get them off your backs once and for all. Naturally, that's my suggestion to you. Teamwork, I guess."

"What makes you think that we need your help to deal with those lunatics?"- Elyon challenged.

"You do."- the Matchmaker snapped. "Because I know things. I know things that can help stop these lunatics as you call them and no one gets hurt. But I can't promise that'll be the case if you get involved again and refuse to work with me."

"Is that a threat?"- Elyon asked dangerously, glaring at the figure. "What do you benefit from all this and how do we know that this is not a setup?"

"It's not a setup, the Eye of God are not able to communicate through dimensions. Nor access your passageways. For now."- the Matchmaker shook her head. "I am not a part of them, I'm against them but the only way to stop them now is to do things as according to my plan."

"How do you know about the passageways?!"- Nerissa raged, standing up. "And why do you insist to be anonymous, coward?! Reveal your identity or you can forget about teamwork!"

"This is too suspicious."- Raythor agreed. "Why contact us if you're able to stop the Eye on your own?"

"Because I'm not."- the Matchmaker snapped. "Or at least not without some help. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. They want you to get more involved with them so that they can have ultimate control over magic on Earth and terminate all alien parties who dare to interfere- "

"That can never happen, don't you worry."- Elyon frowned and exchanged looks with Nerissa and Galgheita. "We are capable of dealing with this."

But for some reason, the Matchmaker's words demanded attention and if she was able to do all this, they had to be cautious around her...

"Maybe not."- the hologram seethed. "But they want you to trade the Heart of Earth for Avani, who they hold captive. Avani, an Escanor of the royal family, if I'm not mistaken."

"What!?"

Now everyone was really agitated and confused. Yes, they had expected that Avani was taken by the Eye but such an open ransom demand...

"And why didn't you let us hear their original message? The one on that disc you replaced with an enchanted one?"- Nerissa raised her eyebrows.

"We would never trade Lillian, especially not for Avani."- Julian interjected. "Is that what you fear? That you'll lose the source of your power on Earth?"

The Matchmaker didn't reply at once. She just stared at them. Or so they assumed since the mask hid her face completely.

"It's not that simple."- she said in the end. "But if you're interested in working together and retrieving that Avani girl and possibly. Possibly getting to the heart and soul of the Eye, if I can express myself like that... Let me know. I'll be waiting, Queen Elyon. You can send your decision to me in any shape or form. But you'll have to give a magical vow on your power that my conditions will be respected."

Elyon stared back, conflicted. She indeed was conflicted. After all, Avani was her niece...

"Where to."- she shot. "Where can I send my decision once we've...considered everything."

"Heatherfield's underground maze in the sewer system."- the Matchmaker replied, disturbing everyone even more. "Send someone to deliver and I'll send someone to fetch it. And no tricks. If you try to cheat me and get to me through my envoy or anything along those lines, I'll take my suggestion back and I'll take Avani for myself."

"Wilhelmina."

She turned around and frowned. It was Phobos, he was approaching her. It was already dark out, and everyone was about to head out for dinner. She had to go with them. She had to, even though she wasn't in the mood. Staying here with the prince was out of the question, especially after the bed scene...

"Wilhelmina, I want to talk to you before you go."- he insisted. "I don't want you to think that I've done any of this. Usually, I would. No doubt, it sounds like me. But not after our time in Avani's castle. After we were...friendly. I don't do any things of this nature to people who've sincerely shown me good. I don't betray them. Those who've truly been good to me without trying to get anything concrete in return are few, anyway."

The prince pulled back and waited for her reply, face neutral. Will finally met his gaze:

"Is that it? Because I have to get ready for dinner."

He opened his mouth but his eyes darkened and he dropped it.

"Yes, that is it."- Phobos replied and gave her his back.

"I believe you."- the woman called after him. "And I believe that whatever happened that led to this...we didn't. We didn't...you know. Do anything in that bed."- she huffed. "I know I don't remember almost anything from last night but I'm sure about this."

Phobos stopped and just nodded, not turning around.

"Indeed. Me too."

"But this...this thing has gotten us here."- Will trailed. "It got too far. I don't know if I believe that the bond made us just pop in bed together for everyone to see, you know? But our life paths are entangled. And we have to learn to live with it without letting it trip us over like that."

Phobos nodded again but this time he turned to face her:

"I apologize for creating any...problems between you and your boyfriend. But I agree. It was important for me that you understand this wasn't me. And I must say that this is all too coincidental."

Will looked over at him a tad surprised:

"Me too...do you think that someone is exaggerating us for some reason. That someone purposely wanted us to be found naked together?"

For a moment there was a strange color going over the man's face as if the thought of them naked and together made him feel staticky. Will noticed it but she noted that he was, after all, a man. Any man attracted to women would have his body react in such a scenario, right?

"I am strongly convinced that's exactly what's happening, Wilhelmina."- he said in a low voice, approaching her. "Anything could be...brewing between us. But do trust me, if I were to get nude with you, I wouldn't do it here for sure. Nor without your consent. I would want it to be sacred and special."

Will felt her cheeks warming up but she just hid them with her hair. She had long admitted in front of herself that Phobos was attractive and him talking like that, now that they were closer...it had an effect on her but it didn't mean she'd betray Matt. She loved Matt. She loved Matt for years...

"...whoever's exaggerating things between me and you has to have some high-priority benefit from it. And it surely has to be someone who's not too far away also..."

Three hours later, Irma was back in her room in the house, brushing her hair. It was still strange adjusting to the change; her hair hadn't been this short for years, it was layered and barely reached her shoulders now, after her break-down moment when she had chopped a great part of it off.

Still and all, she looked pretty good, especially if she was able to sweep Vance Michael Justin off his feet.

Irma smiled at her reflection self-gladly. VMJ had been one of her most favorite teen idols, only three years older than her and a total babe. Of course, now that he was almost thirty, he no longer had that boyish look to himself but he was still as hot and charming as ever, if not even more. And he was interested in her. He was all over her. That was exactly what she had needed after the nightmare ending with Martin.

"Ahh!"- Irma screamed when he pinned himself to her window. "Vance!? You scared me!"

She had barely opened the window for him to enter and he was already kissing her and pushing her on the bed:

"OK, OK, I am getting ready now, you can have all that-"- and she shook her hips. "- later. We're going to have Corny blow her candles at midnight. We have a cake and everything ready."

"I missed you, babe."- Vance kissed her again before resting his head on his elbows. "The blonde babe, huh. Is there any drama?"

Irma furrowed her brows:

"Drama?"- she repeated hesitantly, standing up. "Like what?"

"I don't know, I just heard something."- Vance shrugged a little sheepishly. "It's probably nothing. I just want to, you know. I wanna be sure. That everything's going to be cool."- he then seemed to have changed his mind; he shook his head: "You know what, I probably shouldn't have said that-"

"Wait, is this about Cornelia?"- Irma asked, her curiosity and anxiety sparked at once. "Listen, you have to tell me-"

"It's about you and your last boyfriend. About Martin."- Vance revealed making her face drop: "No, no, it's not what you think. I heard...Cornelia talking to the other girl, Taranee. I didn't eavesdrop or anything, didn't make much of their conversation, all I managed was that your ex-boyfriend betrayed you badly. Whatever he did, he hurt you, which sucks, I've known both of you for years but... I want to be sure you're ready for this."

Irma didn't know what to say. Whether she was angry with VMJ for hearing her friends, or angry with them for even discussing this again. Yes, it was true, Vance was their friend for years, even if not that close due to him constantly traveling. But they had done business together, in the radio, at different premieres and events that were also work-related. She had been just a fangirl of Vance once but he was long not just a celebrity she had a crush on. She hadn't just jumped in bed with a stranger, after all.

"Ready for what."- Irma said in the end, crossing her arms on her chest. "What is this? This between us? We're just having a good time and-"

"No, Irma, we are. We are having a good time."- Vance nodded, gently taking hold of her forearms. "But I want this to be more serious. I like you a lot. I really do, you know we've met before. On more than a few occasions... We've been friendly for years but now that you and Martin aren't together anymore, and this happened...I feel that I have to say this before the moment is gone. I just hope it's not too early."- the man took a deep breath. "I want to be with you, Irma, even after we leave this place. I want us to be exclusive."

Cornelia sulked again. She had blown out her candles. Everyone had wished her; everything was perfect but she was still angry. Livid. Because everything was perfect, no; almost perfect. It would've been completely perfect if Phobos wasn't here to ruin it with his presence.

She threw a hateful glance in his way. He was just sitting there, in the living room with all of them, glooming the mood with his detested face. After he had crashed her birthday weekend and ruined it by mysteriously waking up naked in bed with her friend. How dare he. She hated him. She hated and despised him and hadn't imagined this situation ever, even in a nightmare.

"Cornelia, you haven't even touched your cake."- Hay Lin said in a low voice.

The blonde focused her glitter-covered eyes on her, irked:

"Some people made me lose my appetite for good."- she shot.

Hay Lin sighed. Behind her, the soft music of Vance's songs sounded from the stereo.

"Cornelia, I know this is not ideal but if we can keep an eye on him, maybe we can free Will of his influence sooner."- the Air guardian said. "Maybe we can help our friend return to her normal stance and break their accursed bond..."

"Or maybe she doesn't want to be normal ever again."- Cornelia seethed, glaring at the redhead who stopped by Phobos's chair and engaged herself in a side conversation with him. While Matt was in the kitchen...

The others didn't seem to notice but she did. She noticed their reactions. They pretended they didn't see and get enraged by this, but she couldn't.

Caleb tightened his fists and just grabbed his glass of wine again. Taranee put extra effort to look into whatever Nigel was showing her on his phone, even though it was most probably manga, one of his interests she had particularly no fascination with. Vance and Irma talked to each other in the bottom of the big contemporary living room.

Cornelia stood up abruptly, unable to stand this anymore. Hastily, she smoothed some invisible lines on her soft-green cutout midi Stela McCartney dress, perfect on her body. Her stilettos beat against the wooden floors as she walked away. She needed some air right now. She needed to not see Will acting like an idiotic floozy around the bastard Phobos.

The soft night wind blew in her face. Cornelia spent the next couple of minutes trying to steam off the tension and return to a calmer and collected state of mind. It proved to be pretty difficult to do when all she could think about was how she wanted to hurt Phobos and get rid of him.

And the Heart kept acting odd...it kept giving her this feeling. This unpleasant feeling got stronger as time passed.

"Cornelia?"

The blonde turned around and frowned when she saw Will, dressed in her casual sweater dress with the Cobalt Blue main logo, an old merchandise piece from 2012. Cornelia's face strained even angrier:

"What do you want?"- she shot; voice cold. "Need a minute away from your favorite prince, I find hard to believe."

"Cornelia, look, I'm sorry, OK? I know this is not the ideal scenario for anyone. For you, especially, and not only in general but for your Birthday...I'm sorry about it."- Will sighed. "I'm sorry, I know that whatever happened earlier today affected the ambiance..."

"You think?"- the Earth guardian scoffed.

"No, yeah, I realize it."- Will went, approaching her. "But me and Phobos think that-"

"Oh, my God, don't start again! I can't bear to hear about you and Phobos, don't you see, I am disgusted!"- Cornelia interrupted her, yelling, to the point she actually startled her. Will stared at her friend with her big dark amber eyes. "I cannot BEAR to listen, see, or think of you and Phobos together anymore! Don't you understand that you're progressively ruining everything for everyone but especially for yourself! Bond or no bond, get over yourself already and find the strength to overcome the idea of Phobos before you're lost more than you can imagine, Wilhelmina!"

"Wait a darn minute, Cornelia, I understand all this and I'm trying, but this morning wasn't what you think it was!"- Will exclaimed in response. "That's what I was going to say we talked about."

The night breeze took their hair back as they looked at each other in the impressive darkened yards.

"I didn't call Phobos here nor did he come by himself, you know it's not possible, I think that it was really something else. I think it was a setup-"

"And who the hell would want to set you and him up like that?- Cornelia sneered. "Will, you're lying to yourself and you're letting him use your sidereal bond against you!"- Cornelia's voice was loud and full of emotion. She was livid because she was feeling helpless and that feeling was driving her towards desperation. "He's poisoning your life, your loved ones, and your days for months now, and he won't stop until we all fall dead and he can have you and all the powers of the Heart to himself!"- she screamed. "This is Phobos's revenge! And he's succeeding every step of the way!"

"Stop it, Cornelia, you're out of line!"- Will finally yelled back, tightening her fists. "Of course, this would be your reading of the situation. Of course!"- she almost chuckled. It was ironic, it really was, she had never thought that she'll have this conversation one day. Playing Phobos's attorney. Arguing about his integrity. "You have the least faith in me out of all guardians, and that's only natural, your family has an eternal deadly feud with Phobos. Caleb and his family, I mean... OK, I agree that nothing in the past was good on Phobos's part. He did do terrible things but he's been in prison for over a decade, then, when his major return plans with Leonida were foiled and he could settle for his family he did. "- the redhead shook her head in determination. "Avani's insight and what she did to both me and her father is entirely different and he's not taking advantage of the consequences now, it's not like that!

Cornelia exhaled angrily and put great effort into collecting herself. Then she walked to the shorter woman and met her eyes again:

"You believe that. You believe that he's a better person because you lived with him. Because your bond got stronger."- she listed. "But why should we? Why should we believe in that bastard, huh?"

"I'm not asking you to believe in him, I'm asking you to believe in me."- Will replied stoically and stared back. Stubborn and sure in herself...

Cornelia scoffed and shook her head again:

"Will, I love you. I love you more than a sister. But whether you admit it or not, there is magic involved in this story. Strong astral and dark magic. Magic that made Malyna, the first keeper from Earth, have Deimos's baby. You can't pretend that it doesn't change you, this bond. It does, and it's not your fault, this is why you have to lean in on us and trust us to help you-"

"Malyna saved an entire planet with her actions, she birthed the next heir to the throne after Deimos annihilated every standing Escanor at his time!"- Will pulled free of her hands. She was angry with Cornelia who kept spinning this narrative. "She was a hero, I really doubt it had much to do with their astral bond because as someone who has it with another tyrant, I can assure you it hasn't made me that mad and irrational yet, and it has been a long time! I am in control of my mind-"

"Let me ask you something else-"- Cornelia interrupted her. "How is Matt taking all this? Have you even thought about that? What all this is doing to him?!"

The redhead crossed her arms on her chest and looked down. She had expected that one but it still made her feel strange. Sad and strange...

"Of course, I have thought about that. He's kinda in a dark place... Especially after this morning, I can see how everything's taking a toll on him."- she murmured. "In general,"

"He's been in a dark place ever since you disappeared, don't you think it's time to put him first? Put him BEFORE Phobos?"- Cornelia kept insisting.

"I don't do that, oh, my God, I don't put Phobos before anything, I just-"

The blonde laughed joylessly, cutting her off.

"Please."- she whispered. "If not earlier, now you really are lying to yourself. This has to stop, Will. Because when it's too late, this thing between Phobos and you will destroy us all. But Matt? I can't even imagine what suffering he'll be sentenced to."

"Matt..."- Will murmured to herself a few moments later, when Cornelia proceeded to leave her alone and go back inside the house. Maybe Matt was a more crucial part in all this than anyone thought...

"Corn-"- but the unanticipated magical wave that was flying towards the unsuspecting Cornelia, a few feet away, made Will forget about everything else. The blonde didn't notice it, and even if she did, she had no time to react. Nor time to protect herself. Will had to protect her. She knew it, even though it was impossible, she had less than a second to react...

And then, it happened. The yell of her friend's name stuck in her throat, something coruscated madly in Will's hand, creating a strong, blinding pink dome above Cornelia and neutralizing the attack thrown at her at once.

"Will..."- the Earth guardian could just whisper in astonishment, moments later, when everything died down and she turned around towards the other woman.

Bewildered didn't even begin to describe Will herself, as she followed Cornelia's eyes, looking down at the pink jewel that had obeyed her demand for protection and was now calmly resting in her open palm.