Chapter Thirty-One: A Soul's Scent
When Mandy Anderson wanted something, she was rarely ever denied the entitlement. In fact, she almost couldn't remember the last time that had happened.
5'9'', with shiny dark hair, ravishing blue eyes, and a killer swimmer body, she was a well-developed competitive swimmer who, to add to all her achievements, had even been at the Olympics once.
She had already realized a dream of Will's which she had failed to realize. One day after their shared extended stay in the mountain SPA hotel, the redhead was quickly starting to remember some of the many reasons she had disliked her in their teens.
And their extended stay? The story behind that was simply a joke. Will felt it had to be a joke because it was just that absurd. She had joined her family on this trip for a long weekend getaway only to bump into Mandy on their allegedly last night here. But that wouldn't have mattered on its own. Then Will was bombarded with the revelations of both Matt and Phobos being in the hotel too, each with different reasons but ultimately because of her. She knew that but she didn't know how to deal with it.
Matt wanted to show her he wasn't giving up on them but he also got caught up in an urgent situation with some of the people he was producing. Their manager was out sick and couldn't do their bookings. And as the singers desperately needed a new venue due to their no-return policy, the hotel felicitously was open to it. That was why now Matt waited for his team and had to spend another two nights here; he asked Will to stay and help him with the organization substituting for the manager. Since she could do that; she had done a similar internship after all.
On the other hand, Phobos demanded he stays with her too and requested her help as he had news; he was on Cedric's trail thanks to William's discovery. Cedric's testimony could help his case, especially now that Kandrakar was not independent anymore.
And so her parents and William left, leaving her to her now extended stay here with both Matt and Phobos. Will's head was about to explode. She didn't want to be in this situation, she didn't need to be in this situation but here she was.
On top of everything, Mandy was spending the week here too and that's why they were all having breakfast together now. Despite Will's initial refusal to be a part of this ridicule. Because Mandy really wanted to, obviously, she wanted to be around them all the time; it was very intriguing to her given their history:
"So, you dated for so long and then you separated to be with the transfer student Philip?"- the brunette inquired around the round breakfast table and giggled. "Woah, Will. I knew there were sparks between you even back then,"
Will felt her stomach turn around:
"No, we didn't separate just like that, Mandy,"- Matt replied, irked. "We...had our reasons. After all, we're not children anymore but that doesn't mean that I have stopped or that I'll ever stop loving Will,"
"Yes, they broke up because Matthew has a wandering eye,"- Phobos interjected coldly, winning himself glares from both Matt and Will.
He kept smearing jam on his toast unperturbed but Mandy suddenly waved her knife, nodding all the way:
"I'll say. Not to make this any more uncomfortable; we're all adults and we're just having fun here, right? You said no hard feelings?"- but she didn't wait for them to answer before shooting what Will had already dreaded would be brought up: "Remember that swimming race and how you dragged me behind the lockers and sort of kissed me, Matt? You and Will were dating but..."
Will stared at her, debating whether she should laugh or throw her eggs and bacon in her face. Was Mandy for real? Not only was this over 12 years ago, they had been teenagers and the one who had dragged and kissed her had been Phobos glamoured as Matt because of their then plan to protect the prince from Nerissa and take her Seal. Yeah, their story went a long way and it was bizarre.
As if it wasn't enough that they were all here so many years later, in this situation, Mandy had to make it about her. Maybe because she was Matt's ex-girlfriend or maybe because she was a better swimmer than her, regardless, Will didn't exactly like her.
She had thought she was over it after all these years but evidently, she wasn't. Or maybe Mandy's jokes and insensitivity were to blame for those returning grudgeful feelings.
"Oh, Will, you're too cute,"- Mandy turned to her with a big smile, having sensed Will's growing annoyance. Then she got closer to her as if she wanted only her to hear the next part: "Whatever you choose to do in the end, they're both head over heels for you. And they're both like smoking hot. I know it's hard to make a choice but you're lucky. This is not something that happens every day."
Will had no idea how to retort to that. Yeah. Thanks, I know? Still? Her problem went a bit deeper under the surface and the fact that both her suitors were 'smoking hot'.
"And what about you, Mandy?"- Phobos interjected almost smugly.
"What about me?"
"You cannot possibly be sitting on the fence?"
"Huh?"
"You mean she can't be single?"- Matt asked irritated.
Phobos made a pretentious gesture at him with his intertwined fingers.
"Ah, yes. How good the tengu* comprehends me,"
And while Matt and Will glared at Phobos for his rash use of specific vocabulary in front of a non-magical person, Mandy didn't seem to notice; she was too busy flattering herself:
"Oh, I am. Really, I've been sitting on the fence for a while, you could say. Why?"- she winked at the prince. "You have something in mind? Hey, Will,"- she turned to the other woman conspiratorially. "Maybe I'll be the one to help you simplify the love equation, huh?"
Will just gave a crooked smile in response. Mandy was genuinely good-looking and definitely desirable for what she would imagine a lot of men. Ok, she knew that for a fact. Tall brunettes with long legs and ass are well-liked. The redhead just couldn't understand why she was broadcasting desperate in spite of that, like some old aunt hankering to be young again.
"No, nothing in mind."- Phobos replied. "Your lips are ultimately chapped and you smell of ammonia even when you're not by the pool,"
Matt and Will gaped at each other in pure shock at the open bluntness and Mandy just blinked, too stunned to speak.
"Oh, Mandy!"- Will panicked, standing up. "Why don't we go for more of that sausage before they've closed the buffet? Come with me! You picked the best, hands down-"
"What did he mean?"- Mandy asked, confused, but still stood up, following the redhead. "Do I smell for real?"
"Bravo, jerk. You're so fond of Will, you just can't miss on any opportunity to embarrass her,"- Matt turned to the other man the second they were alone at the table. He pierced him with hateful eyes.
"What does Will have to do with your ex-girlfriend and more importantly why do you think she should care about her?"
"My ex-"- Matt was speechless. "It's not about her, it's about Will's reputation that you keep ruining!"
"Oh, precisely, you were adamantly concerned about her reputation when you cheated on her and got involved in an allegedly covert scandal that unfortunately many caught wind of-"
"Shut your mouth!"- Matt growled and slammed his fist on the table, scattering the food on his plate all over the tablecloth. He was beside himself. As usual when talking to Phobos but this time he was seriously crossing the line.
"Don't you dare speak about any of that, you criminal, when you know how things actually are,"- Matt stood up. He couldn't bear to be around the other man anymore. If he didn't distance himself, he would be unable to stop himself from pouncing on him.
Having sensed the threat, Phobos finally looked up at him, cautiously. He looked him in the eye:
"Why, Matthew? Does it anger you? The fact which we're all aware of, the fact being you slept with Lillian Hale that night. Opium or no opium in your system, she never put anything else in your drink. She didn't use magic to affect your free will. You chose to be with her on your own with you self-deluded brain, addict,"
"Because you were there, all the fucking time, and you drove a wedge between us and made us go so far away from each other in our relationship, weed,"- Matt fumed in his face. "You did your most to break us up but, in the end, Will was still coming for me that day, wasn't she?"
Phobos didn't move back.
"Weed? Why is it that such substances that affects mood or behavior, consumed for nonmedical purposes, especially sold illegally, seem to always be on your mind?"
Matt narrowed his eyes, trying to suppress the boiling hatred in his chest. This was a low blow at him. Phobos's way of provoking him. He was trying to do to him what he had tried to do to Will; derail them and make them come emotionally and mentally undone as to fit his bill. But Matt wasn't going to give him that pleasure:
"Did you read that definition on Wikipedia or something, tootsie? You think that anything you say to me can make me or anyone else for that matter forget what you are?"- Matt sat back in his seat, more collected than before, confident at the prince's raised brow at him.
Arguing with someone like him? Giving in to his cheap, low, desperate provocations? He was picking on his wound. His drug abuse. Something he obviously understood well enough to try to utilize as he did. Phobos was lower than low.
"I abused substances at my lowest. You murdered and tormented people. For over a decade."- Matt pointed out and his Shagon voice really came out clear. "Who do you think is to be given more credibility? I slept with another woman after we nearly broke up and I was a wreck. Again. Maybe I did betray Will by doing that. You? You've tried to kill her numerous times before just because she was an inconvenience to a sick agenda of domination and tyranny. Who's better for her when all that's said and out there? You still think it's you?"
Phobos remained silent for almost an entire minute. Wilhelmina and Mandy were still not coming back. Had they perhaps left the dining room? And just when Matt looked smug, satisfied with his victory in this verbal fight, he said:
"The former part of your tirade has nothing to do with the latter. My part in, at least. I tried to kill her before we were brought together, built a relationship, and then were intimate, yada-yada-yada,"- Phobos smirked somewhat bitterly, meeting the tengu's blue orbs. "I hurt her when we were enemies, you hurt her after over a decade of being her significant other,"
"Because of YOU-"- Matt hurled past him.
He couldn't stay in the dining room any longer. Or he'd murder the prince gnat publicly.
Phobos watched him make a complete circle, turning back. He had almost walked out but was now coming back.
"Forgot to say something, little tengu?"- Phobos taunted, never standing up from his padded chair.
"If you think that by speaking all this crap in front of her, you're going to win her,"- Matt said in his face, hatred visible in every pore. "If you think that by constantly bad-mouthing and blaming me you're going to turn the woman I love against me-"
"Strangely enough she blames herself the most,"- Phobos cut him off.
"You wouldn't have been able to endure even half of what I did,"- Matt hissed. "Most wouldn't! I watched you two so close together, I doubted everything, myself included! After months of being left in the dark... I gave up on pushing. I took the enemy in my apartment for Will's sake, knowing that I'm bringing you closer together again but also knowing that was best for her at the moment. She needed to see and know what you're up to, and I had to tolerate it! Even though I could never be sure-"
"Sounds like your problem to me,"- Phobos hissed back, holding his eyes. "Maybe you should've had more faith in your chosen one,"
"I did. It's you I have zero faith in, and look how successfully you took advantage of it, monster! I hate you so much, I could literally gut you and go to lunch!"
Phobos scoffed. He actually scoffed to the other man's great vexation.
"You know, you and your former mistress are really very alike, regent,"- he pointed out. Matt frowned, not following at first. His enemy quickly made it clearer: "Maybe that's why she made you her right hand with such ease. A being capable of so much hatred he rigorously even feeds on it... My, that's something you don't see all that often. Hatred is ruinous. It can be a driving power but at the cost of long-term success. You, however, turn it into pure magical power."- Phobos's eyes gleamed. "Even now. You are really a good accessory to a Keeper. Nerissa could have never found another like you. You see, Mathew, you're fit for the hag's bidding because she wants people's utter obedience. That's why she's still so fond of you today and you have forgiven and accepted her despite the trauma everyone keeps saying she put on your being. And Wilhelmina, who wants to understand and accommodate? Whose power lies in her pureness which is only matched by the vastness of the Heart of Infinity? She definitely could do better than a tengu of malice."
Matt was beside himself. Both his fists pulsating with his deep aversion and helplessness. He wanted to destroy Phobos. He wanted to see him dead.
This man was a monster. A monster who Will had fallen for, and no matter what he did he couldn't seem to make her see it.
To Phobos, it was a matter of precedence. Like in a duel. And if he had to fight for Wilhelmina in a duel, he would. With all means necessary.
William Collins carried his stuff with a tired face. It was his first day back to school after the long weekend but his GPA was the last thing on his mind. Even though he was going to be in the eighth grade next year, a pretty big step up the ladder for most.
He had chosen a slightly aslant way for himself. Slightly against the flow. But he had his reasons. He had been exposed to magic at an early age and that quite unexpectedly. He had almost lost his life because of magic. Because of the Heart of Kandrakar. Zorarose had kept him her hostage for hours before he had been saved the summer before the last. He had been just eleven. And then his sister asked him why he had turned to the darkness, when she; she had failed at protecting him. Sure, he had done some devious and heinous shit after that and Will nearly despised him but she had betrayed him first, even if she couldn't understand it. She had betrayed their family, putting them in harm's way because of magical matters, more than once and twice; he knew that thanks to Martin's reports and his own findings. Man had he found and learned a lot over that last year.
Despite having suffered in silence, William didn't blame his sister. He soon got to understand he wasn't the only one she failed at protecting. She couldn't even save her unborn baby. And everything else that their life had been met with because of this responsibility of Will's? It was all because of the fucking Heart. All because of Kandrakar. That was why William Collins deemed his sister incapable of doing this any longer. Since it was usually a hit or miss with her anyway, he had thought that perhaps he could take over.
After all, he was now her age when she had first received the Heart. Perhaps it really was time for a younger generation to hold it again, and everyone was simply yet unaware of it? The mystic jewel had always been in the hands of young teens. For centuries. WITCH were well over their mid-twenties. Their time was up, at least as far as WICCA were concerned.
Ian Cromwell watched his friend approach the school gate, the cold wind blowing through his hair. His eyes were fixated on William.
"He seems to...different,"- Casey murmured and Ian actually turned to look at her for a moment.
Yes, her. She had turned back on her trans identity and pronouns and identified as her born sex again. Female. Whether it was all a teenage whim or because of her unsupportive parents, was a story for a whole other day.
Casey was still a tomboy and part of the WICCA boys, even if a girl.
Ian hadn't turned to her because of the change though, he had turned around because he agreed.
William was different.
He had become...too independent for the group.
"Hey, Bill,"
The teens chatted for two minutes, nothing out of the ordinary. But the tension could be felt in the air. There was tension on both sides. On William's side and that of his four friends. Because each side felt the other's detachment and self-imposed intentions. And it had all sprouted out of the little fact that William had known who the Matchmaker was all along, and had sold them out for his own sake.
Yes, later on, he had confessed everything, giving his friends their memories back, or at least partly, as much as the joint meditation had succeeded to yield.
Lillian, the Matchmaker, was out of the picture. So was Avani. But the knowledge their friend had had a pact with them behind their backs was also available to the other WICCAs and that knowledge fueled distrust and resentment, which William couldn't be bothered to fake remorse and meekness for. But in the back of his mind, he still knew.
He and his friends needed each other to be able to do this.
They had to meet halfway somehow, otherwise, they were going to fail.
"You gave them the diary!?"- Ian finally broke down his façade, displaying all his bottled-up anger for William's willfulness. "We never discussed that, Billy, what the fuck? You promised you were done with doing things on your own!"
"It was an impulsive decision, OK? I didn't expect Matt to show up first but it only makes sense since they guard Phobos like dogs most of the time, especially without Will around,"- William defended himself. "I had to give them the diary at some point either way, that's my only hope to win my sister's alms,"- the boy frowned.
"And what about winning against your sister's auntie team and becoming-"- Coen began but William interrupted him strictly:
"You know, I protect you four all the time, I protected you from getting trialed at Kandrakar, but I am still going to face the Council as it seems. And things are not looking good, so stop giving me pressure and looks!"
That made Coen, Casey, and Adam look down but not Ian:
"None of this would be happening if it weren't for your little pact,"- he challenged. "Your sister would've spared you if you hadn't literally meddled in her life like, I don't know, a torpedo. Ruining her relationships, putting her in some whackass situation that she hates. Of course, she'll hate you for it, you went too fucking far alone!"
"Yeah, maybe, but that pact was the only way for us to ever get the Heart in the first place. And I know you wish I had told you everything from the start, but even I didn't know everything at the start!"- William snapped. "I was afraid and under pressure enough, I spared you, please spare me back already, and let's move on!"
"You chose to be like that yourself, Billy,"- Ian shook his head coldly. "So, I think you should stop trying to act as the leader. You know that's my job,"
William almost decided not to answer to that but it bugged him. It bugged him to see that snide look on the taller boy's face:
"If self-proclaiming was a job,"- he huffed. "Why should you be our leader exactly, Ian? Because you look more mature?"
Ian's jaw hung open even though he had pictured this moment a lot over the last months, realizing how changed his friend was. He was not a pushover anymore. Not at all.
"No, not just because of that, I've always been the leader of this group and you all know it!"- he turned to the others, his hands outstretched expectantly.
"Not when magic is involved. I know much more about magic than you,"- William declared, crossing his arms on his chest.
Ian's cheeks went red:
"That's not-"
"Besides you do know that the Heart chooses its Keeper and I'm already in the family it chose,"
"What are you trying to say, William, that you were planning to be our leader all along? To...dethrone me?"
William scoffed. After dealing with Lillian, the Eye, Phobos, and all the other menacing figures around him, Ian's tantrum looked ridiculous and pathetic:
"No, I'm saying that the Heart would never choose you, anyway. My power's the strongest. Yours are evolving but they're far behind mine, right?"- William turned to the three silent teens who could only nod.
Adam dared to look at Ian too. It was like denying that the grass is green...
"After everything I've done for you."- Ian began, flaring his nostrils. "I had your back when you were bullied. I made you part of a group that can be popular in high school-"
"First of all, my Altermeere did the bully the most damage,"- William interrupted him, angry. He was angry over this discussion. "Second, I want to make sure that I won't be given a terrible sentence first. Then we'll discuss everything else, OK? I am not keeping anything from you anymore, the diary exchange was just something I had to do prematurely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to class before they've called my mother again,"
"You know we have to take actions during those trials if we want to ever get the jewel!"- Ian called after him.
"I know,"- William mouthed. He was already at the doors. "But I can't think about this right now,"
"Good thing we've already started thinking,"- Ian murmured once the other boy was inside the building. "Little d-"
"Don't you think you're being excessive? He's right about almost everything,"- Adam couldn't take it any longer. "We're all in this together and he protected us from greater threats, but what we're doing behind his back now-"
"Is the only possible way for us to win. You heard him, he said he can't think about it now, so we're doing it for him. He protected us and started the whole thing, right? We're helping,"- Ian cut him off and turned to the three menacingly.
"But we're not telling him and-"
"He didn't tell us at first either!"
Casey and Coen looked up timidly and Adam closed his mouth as suddenly as he had opened it.
"If you prefer to have a trial like Willy boy go ahead, ruin everything with your second thoughts and dumbness. I'm not going to go down with you, especially since I'm not respected and appreciated for my leadership."
"Hay Lin!"- Taranee squalled, having a hard time keeping up with her friend's pace.
They were at an open market, out of town. Pretty far away from Heatherfield, actually. It had been a three-hour drive.
"Wait up!"
"I can't, Tara!"- Hay Lin was unstoppable. They were both well into the seventh month of their pregnancies, but being an Air wilder, it seemed to have zero effect on Hay Lin's mobility. All Taranee could do was pant behind her, trying to keep up.
"What are you even hoping to find here?"
"Something spectacular!"- was Hay Lin's chirpy reply. "Something I need for the school's Christmas bazar, Taranee. My students are going to collab with Sheffield, this has to work well for them to decide to finance us, and...oh, what I am saying, it has to go well for the artists' sake! This is going to be their first bazar; I can't let it tamper with their feeling of self-worth in a negative way!"
Taranee wanted to argue that there were still weeks to go by before that but gave up in front of Hay Lin's enthusiasm.
It was good to see her like that. Hay Lin had appeared despondent lately. This was so much more her.
If she could find some amazing paint here or a piece of artwork that she and her students could work with, or whatever she envisioned, then so be it, Taranee was going to support.
She was just thankful to her element for never letting her be cold, because today was one of those freezing winter days.
Hay Lin kept going from stand to stand, browsing with undying readiness and attention.
Taranee chose to whip out the thermos full of hot chocolate from her bag. As she sipped on it, her gaze flowed into the distance pensively. She basically reflected on their current life situation and how far they had gone in their journey.
Here they were, about to be mothers while so much had changed, including the status of former villains, who Taranee never in a million years would've imagined as they were now.
Nerissa and Cornelia, no matter their differences and how much they occasionally fought, had an enviable relationship by now. Probably closer and more united than most daughter-mother-in-law pairs out there. Actually, Cornelia hadn't come with her friends today exactly because they had a thing to do, together with her family. Something about the Country club that her parents, the Cooks, were also members of.
Phobos? Taranee's thoughts took her to him. The whole Phobos thing was really, definitely beyond anything at this point. He had gone to Will again; they were at that hotel while she was being targeted by Earth creatures... It was a mess. Everything was a mess with the Prince. Only his trial would be able to decide the narrative's direction and, hopefully, conclusion.
And then there was Taranee's constant fear. Fear that she held inside herself ever since the elders had predicted that her and Hay Lin's babies are preordained. That something was to happen to them. No matter the time loop, no matter anything, this kept Taranee up at night.
It kept her, making her go over thousands of possible scenarios in her head, driving her toward the edge.
"TARA!"
Hay Lin's sudden yell snapped her out of it. Taranee turned in her direction, alarmed:
"Hay Lin? What's the matter-"
Her heart raced hard in her chest but thankfully Hay Lin was fine. She was just animated as she pointed at the distance:
"I just saw Miranda... "
"Cedric kept this diary. While Miranda kept him. It appears that he quickly became resentful of his new situation."- Phobos made a face. "Typically."
"Wait, so Miranda broke Cedric out of the dungeons around the time of Elyon's wedding that you and Leonida stole her powers at-"- Will interrupted, making the connection.
"Precisely,"
"That was over a year and a half ago, but the entries in the diary stop just a couple of months after they relocated in Heatherfield and 'Ye Olde Bookshop'."
"Yes, then they disappeared again. If they veil weakened then perhaps, they've decided to return to Meridian and live in the woods as the bestial outcasts that they are,"
"I don't think so,"
They were in her room in the SPA hotel, going over possibilities. Phobos was calm and collected. He felt like he had Wilhelmina's full attention and favor. He was sticking with this belief, even if there was a big possibility the tide would shift after the Knight tells her about their little verbal sparring from earlier.
"We talked a lot this summer, you know? Your sister, I mean Elyon,"- the guardian went on, as he snapped out of his languorous state at the name of his sister. "She said Miranda came to...rat you out on some things in exchange for a chance to start over on Earth last year. I guess it was about her and her daughter at first but then..."
"She decided to collect Cedric from the dungeons as well and dragged him here, and specifically, the bookshop,"- Phobos finished, his eyes growing colder.
This was a topic he was specifically biased on. He wanted to kill Cedric for the umpteenth betrayal and violation against him but at the same time, he had known about Cedric's daughter.
Cedric had asked of him to draw a little bit of his blood for them. Escanor blood magic, a whole different world, especially from those of his kind. Something the Prince had done for shifters before, it was a way to give them more stamina and the possibility to jump through dimensions...
Perhaps his blood withdrawal had also somehow liberated Cedric of his then vow?
For he had obliged. Phobos had agreed to this for them, especially since Cedric was someone who had once been very important to him. Especially after Mancy had been a useful spy in Elyon's castle for months before...
"Phobos, I don't want to muddy the waters or anything but it's pretty likely Miranda and Leonida pulled this off together to benefit...each other,"- Will finished awkwardly. "I mean, we've always assumed that Leonida just disposed of him but..."
It was always awkward to talk about his ex-crime partner and lover and his old subjects-friends, now when she and the prince were no longer lethal enemies.
"I am aware,"- Phobos grunted. Even Zorarose had said that, thinking he would care. Things had long changed at that stage, too much for Phobos to care about how Leonida had dealt with the traitor, who was obviously very much well and alive. "There was always detestation between Cedric and Leonida, and Miranda hates me from the day I imprisoned her after she and her lover failed me and allowed Elyon to become the victor in the first place,"
"Yeah,"- Will nodded sarcastically. "I was there. Can't blame her about that one. It was pretty shitty."
"Cedric's entries are vague and lusterless,"- Phobos changed the topic, standing up with the diary in hand. "And whatever the reason is for their abrupt halt remains unknown. All of this is just bulshit about his repetitive day-to-day life on Earth. How is that going to help find him!? Your brother conned me,"
"Maybe not,"- Will argued, taking the book from him.
Phobos fell silent and just looked at her. She was so close. So close to him. He could see the top of her head and smell her scent that he loved.
"Didn't you notice the change of tone when he speaks of his new friend?"- the redhead said meaningfully, going to the page she had in mind.
"His chess partner?"- Phobos raised a skeptical brow. "Please. Knowing Cedric, he might have imagined her. He can be ardently delusional,"
"No, she is in more than a few entries and I'm sure it's the same person!"- Will rolled her eyes at his cynicism. "He never calls her by a name or anything but she's this beautiful dark-haired gracious woman, who shares his passion for literature and makes his time in Heatherfield, er, worthwhile or whatever he says."
Phobos looked at her incredulously and then took the book again.
"Why did Miranda allow a random Earthling so close to her prey on a daily basis unless she was a figment of his imagination?"
Will opened her mouth, thinking of a proper answer:
"Well, I don't know... I guess she was overwhelmed with trying to do that whole life on Earth thing she had in mind. I would imagine she couldn't constantly be by his side and had to take care of many things, especially without any significant magic on her,"
Phobos frowned. It did sound likely. If that were the case, getting Cedric to speak on his behalf was once again starting to look revolting:
"No, Phobos, this is the first real possibility in front of you! If you throw it away, you're throwing the pardon away too!"- Will growled when he once again tried to give up on it. "Don't you understand? No rehabilitation will be in the cards with the Twin Conclave around, damn, they even want to trial Nerissa for her past crimes, what is left-"
Phobos stared at her in astonishment. That was news for him. News he was obviously not supposed to hear, judging by Will's grimace at herself.
"She will have a trial. A hearing and a sentence?"
"No,"- Will exclaimed and then pinched the bridge of her nose. She shouldn't have said that. Now they were going to kill her. "We don't know."- she confessed. "Obviously Halinor and the others want to evade that but the thing with the Twin Conclave is they're too powerful. If they wage war on the Fortress, they may usurp it from within and call Kandrakar their territory,"
Phobos who was still surprised by the latest revelation glanced at her in disbelief.
"Even with the guardians and the Heart of Kandrakar active? With the Aurameeres that cannot be taken by force intact?"
"I don't know much,"- Will shook her head. "Especially since I haven't had a one-on-one with Nerissa after she stormed the Fortress. But if the former guardians are so afraid of this Conclave, then, yes. It's something only they've been taught about by Himerish. We don't have this type of inside knowledge or idea of what we're dealing with. And neither do you, Phobos,"- she pointed out sternly. "You're still in an extremely unfavorable position, I want this pardon thing to work after all we went through. That's why we need Cedric-"
"And Magana,"- Matt's voice interfered.
He had just entered the room. With his card. Phobos would have instantly pointed that out had he not been too scandalized by his words.
"Matt,"- Will exclaimed in surprise. She was too interested in what he had to say to be bothered he had obviously eavesdropped, even if a little: "That's right but how can we talk to her when we're banned from Coronia, and-"
"Absolutely not,"- Phobos seethed, interrupting their shared glance. Matt's face hardened as he looked back at him: "You will not drag Leonida into this after she has been able to move on and be contended with her life with our daughter-"
"That's not for you to decide,"- Matt cut him off. "Magana knows full well and gave her word that, when the time comes, she and her family will attend the trials. Her daughter is also going to have to face consequences for your cooperative actions that threatened more than a few realms last year,"- the dark-haired man pointed out sharply, glaring at Phobos the entire time.
"Leonida's crimes went way beyond Coronia for her mother to be able to cover them up completely,"
"Endearing, and you're here to try help my case, yes?"- Phobos almost sneered, not able to mask his anger. "Will you be doing the same for that of Lillian Hale your ex-lover and soon-to-be ex-Queen?"
"Phobos!"- Will shouted.
"You're either too much up your own ass or you're just stupid if you can't understand how severely all these trials just complicated with the Conclave interfering with Kandrakar, asshole,"- Matt said nonchalantly. "It's not just about bringing justice anymore, these trials are going to serve as a first step of a war for integrity,"
Will felt her hair bristle at that. She hated the sound of it but the look on Matt's face was eloquent enough. It was happening. It really was happening. They had spent years proving themselves to Kandrakar and it was still never enough. Never enough to stop fearing the unknown, their judgment, and decision, no matter how much or little it had directly affected their lives.
Now, just when the Fortress had finally become more of a home base, thanks to Halinor and the new Council, the Conclave was there to change things utterly once more.
Phobos could just watch as the tengu made his way towards Wilhelmina, pushing him out of the way. Talking to her about their future plans, about finding Cedric included, about the trials, the Conclave, and even William...
Oh, he was determined. He was determined to win her back and he would do it by using every last opportunity and connection that he had, trying to resolve all her problems and beyond them. Including working for Phobos's pardon. He didn't show it but, on the inside, the Prince was livid.
Annoying intensely feeling tengu...Is there anything you'd stop before to best me and make your way back into her life?
Matt threw him a challenging glare as he kept conserving with Wilhelmina. Almost as if he had heard his thoughts and was replying.
An eloquent hard no. Never.
Nothing will ever make me stop fighting for her.
You're not the only one with determination, Phobos thought. Even if you do the most you can for her, I can do better. Because I love her and I know our love made yours weaker. It changed your relationship. You're her past. I'm her future.
Dream on, Matt replied in his head, despite not knowing the exact words the fair-haired man visualized. His intentions were written on his otherwise impeccable face.
"This new power by Hay Lin's Aurameere...what exactly can it do and why now? Is it because of Miranda?"
Charity the Elder pushed her finished pumpkin soup aside and patted the corners of her mouth with her napkin. It had been savory. Savory enough for an open-market restaurant place that was only endurable thanks to each one of the big outdoor heaters next to each and every one of the twelve white wooden tables under the makeshift porch.
"Possibly. The powers are not always immediately understood,"
Taranee nodded. It made sense. Irma's new power that had helped her see through Lillian's façade had been, but Cornelia's that had helped sense Azor and the major tragedies that would follow hadn't been immediately clear. Perhaps Hay Lin's Aurameere-given new power was going to be more on the abstract side but useful nonetheless.
"I am simply a messenger, here to pass on the new power on the Mistress of Ceremonies' behalf. It wasn't easy for her to make it happen with the Conclave members watching our every step."
Hay Lin gasped as she connected with her new power by holding Charity's extended hand. At first, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Then it got stuck in her throat and she started coughing.
"Hay Lin!'- Taranee exclaimed in alarm, pouring more water into Hay Lin's glass. "Are you OK? Why is this happening?!"- she shot Charity a rebuking look.
The other woman shrugged, cautiously observing the young Air guardian calming down.
"Her Aurameere wanted her to have this ability boost,"- she shook her head. "Nothing should be wrong...Perhaps she's adjusting to it,"
And Hay Lin really felt like she was adjusting. She took another sip of water, nodding reassuringly. Soon enough, her heartbeat and her breathing eased.
Charity got ready to leave. No matter how much the girls wanted to know about the situation on Kandrakar, she made it clear - they weren't going to get any updates from her. Not at this stage.
Taranee was irritated at the once again secrecy shrouding the Fortress, but she knew this time it wasn't just because.
"At least tell me that grandma is OK,"- Hay Lin pleaded. "I hate that she got dragged into this; she had no plans to be on Kandrakar yet. But at the same time, I know she would never leave her friends to deal with it alone because I wouldn't. We are guardians but this is scary,"- the Asian woman met Taranee's gaze and said something that shocked her. "We need a battle plan,"
Charity looked around herself one last time, knowing that could be watched now or most of the time anyway, and shut the younger woman up with a condemning look:
"That is what we're doing,"- she mouthed. "Learn to keep your cool! If you fall into hysteria now, when the time comes for us to battle against their forces, they will already know how to defeat us. Through the weakest links,"
Hay Lin blenched at that and looked down guiltily.
"Good thing we don't have any of those then,"- Taranee said, irked.
Charity didn't need to reply to that. The look she gave them said "oh, you have plenty" for her.
"Excuse me, ladies,"
Taranee looked after her, resting her crossed arms against the table.
"Well, she's certainly something,"
"She's right,"- Hay Lin whispered. "I just couldn't help asking about it. I've been having these dreams. These scary dreams...I wake up with my grandmother's fear inside me. She fears the Twin Conclave. She fears them more than I've ever felt her fear anything."
Taranee's unrest instantly grew at that confession. She knew it wasn't for no reason. She knew that the former guardians' terror over this new threat was one of the most disquieting things they were to ever witness from them, and that was colossal.
But the colossal part of their day didn't come until an hour and a half later, when they had been about to head back for Heatherfield. Hay Lin's new power started working all of a sudden. All of a sudden, she was restless. Nauseous. Before Taranee could even begin to inspect what was this strange smell that was anguishing her friend, Hay Lin had already made the harrowing statement: she could smell Miranda's soul.
And it smelled like anguish, regret, fear, and murder. She knew it was Miranda because she had caught a glimpse of her that day. It had to be her. And the more time passed, the more the Air guardian was sure of that. Miranda was an abusive, homicidal shapeshifter, that was no news to them but actually being able to smell one such soul... it was a bizarre and bugging statement on its own, all the more as she indulged it due to having no other choice. Hay Lin swore she had never felt more intruded and repulsed by a magical sensation.
It was almost too much on her. Almost made her pass out to the point where she had to move forward. She had to get to Miranda to stop feeling this, this putrid, sad sensation that she was obviously feeling with herself if not always, quite often.
Taranee was once again totally taken aback and aghast. This new power, it took Hay Lin's empath aura to a whole new level. A jarring level. They could as well at least try to use this horrific sensation to their advantage.
And as she followed Hay Lin through the cold intermediate city, they found themselves by the end of it. Apparently, today's adventure was going to be much more than just an open market hunt.
"Will, Miranda's not dead,"- Taranee said over the phone, almost breathlessly. She was still trying to keep up with Hay Lin who was deaf for her requests to stop and discuss all this or at least slow down. The smell. The scent. The soul smell was too insistent. "We're going towards her now. I don't know why, but Hay Lin's new power acts like it's mandatory. Her Aurameere gave her, never mind that, we need you. I know she'll put up a fight and me and her are not fit for that right now,"
"Wait, what?!"- Will couldn't believe her ears. When she picked up the phone, she had just gotten out of the shower, hence she had sent both Matt and Phobos away but now she needed them. She needed to go there and capture Miranda immediately. This was even a better opportunity than everything they had discussed earlier today about getting to Cedric, she couldn't miss it.
"Taranee, where are you? Please, send me your location. I'll come right away,"
The intermediate city of Norby was very close to Norwalk. Taranee was familiar with Norwalk and liked it a lot. What's there not to like in a well-known, gorgeous smaller city with 1,050 acres of beautiful public parks for leisure activities. Nearby were not just many, many lands of public parks but also suitable living spaces, way cheaper than in the bigger cities, craft breweries, wine bars, top-notch restaurants, and a train station. Norwalk really was a place that could maybe even give Heatherfield a run for its money.
Norby, on the other hand? Not so much. It was more like a district but it was a town or a city even, on paper.
But it was not only old-fashioned and almost desolate with almost no young people, it had this creepy vibe to it.
Of course, the open market they'd head for would be close to such a place and of course, Miranda would live here as well, Taranee thought grimly as she looked around herself timidly.
It was a little bit before dusk time but there was barely anyone outside. Just her and Hay Lin roaming the desolate little streets. Yes, it was a cold day but still, it was unnecessarily unnerving.
Why Miranda? Why now? Taranee kept wondering. Why is she here, on Earth, could this really help us in any way?
And then they saw her. Dumpster diving in the creepy secluded alley they had found themselves in.
The smell was indeed intense. The dumpster smell. That of her soul?
Miranda turned to them and screamed like a banshee, surprised, livid, and scared, and as she shape-shifted in her horrific spider form, the two guardians couldn't help but scream back, despite all their years of experience.
"Yeah, I just spoke to Will. They arrived and captured Miranda in time. Yes, Miranda, can you imagine. This new...initiative that Will has in mind is for that asshole's better good but I have something in mind about the bigger picture. Yeah, tell your mom,"- Matt Olsen spoke on the phone back at the mountain SPA.
It was a cold snowy evening out but the hotel offered a cozy and relaxing ambiance. Well now that his singers were downstairs, it was going to morph into a party ambiance but still.
"Thanks, man have a good one too,"
"Who's Miranda?"- a curious voice asked just when he was taking the next corner.
Matt would've blenched if he hadn't instantly recognized it:
"What are you doing here, Mandy?"- he almost frowned at the brunette who just flickered his eyelashes at him:
"Sorry, Matt, I was looking for you. Thought that we could watch your artists perform together downstairs. Since we both have nothing to do with Will and Philip going out,"
Matt frowned for real this time, tagging at the polo of his light burgundy sweater.
"Where did they vanish off to like that? I hear there's a snowstorm incoming, the area might be closed off for over 24 hours, how are they going to come back? Or are they not going to-"
"Mandy,"- Matt interrupted her, irked. "They'll be back. We have this thing to do here, as we've already told you. Don't worry about it,"
"I have nothing to worry about, Matt,"- Mandy smiled and followed him.
She obviously knew he was going downstairs and was planning to make her offer happen, even though he hadn't given her a yes.
They reached the elevator, and of course, got in it together. Matt didn't look at the woman, he didn't even smile back from politeness. The truth was his nerves were already strained, and the vibes she was giving him were not something he wanted to engage with now, more than usual.
Mandy tried to make small talk but his non-participation made it awkward and almost rude.
Still and all, she kept smiling. Her smile could be infectious but not right now. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt, but to Matt, it didn't matter.
Just a couple more floors to go. He was beginning to get frustrated, so he finally met her eyes, and said quite rudely:
"Listen here, Mandy, I don't know what you're hoping this will lead to, but I feel the need to tell you right away- I'm not interested."
Mandy was just about to say something to that when they stopped. Stopped moving as the elevator was stuck. Then the lights went out and Mandy immediately snuggled in him and screamed, almost violently.
Matt groaned. He was not only frustrated and taken aback, now he was being assaulted by his obnoxious middle school ex, who claimed to be, can you imagine, ''scared of the dark and severely claustrophobic"
"Mandy, let go!"- Matt cried, trying to push her away without hurting her. It was difficult. Mandy was pretty strong too, being a professional swimmer and persistent. "I can't even reach the alarm button like that, calm down!"
"Matt, no! I'm s-scared, I've always been so scared of dark tight places, please!"- Mandy stammered, starting to cry at this point. "MATT, hold me!"
Matt was tired of this. It was hot and the air was stuff, and quite honestly, he didn't enjoy being stuck here and in this situation any more than her.
Which is why he used his strengthened powers to sedate her. Mandy slumped into the corner of the elevator; that way he could at least wait for their rescue in quiet.
Matt wasn't stupid, he wouldn't just use magic to escape the elevator on his own; he knew there were cameras inside.
So he just hit the alarm button and waited. And waited. But when a few minutes passed and nothing happened and they continued to be stuck, he pressed the button again. Harder. And harder.
And that's when it happened.
First, it was the noise. The chilling noise of breaking metal ropes. And they started falling rapidly.