The Phoenix Witch

Chapter 8

Christine's P.O.V

I sighed in annoyance, ready to destroy the person who interrupted our talk and picked up the phone 'Who is it?' In a harsh voice.

'Is that how you greet your boss? Wow, Miss Watson, this ought to be reported to your supervisor' the person answered and a smile instantly made its way onto my face, 'Please sir Miles dont report me, this job is all I have left' I said with mock sadness.

He snorted and said 'Oh please, I would fire that supervisor if he ever tried to fire you, You know the hastings industry runs because of you'

'Right,' I drawled and continued 'What do you want Miles?' I asked seeing through his flattery.

'My, you know me so well ' he said sighing in dramatics, I rolled my eyes at his silliness.
'Duh, I am your best friend, now talk and do it quickly, I'm busy' I said now recalling Matthew's presence and the fact that he's listening to all of this. The thought made a chuckle rise in my throat and I stifled it, tuning in to miles blabber.

'Are you even listening to me, Chris?' I tried to answer but he cut me off and said ' I know you weren't, anyway what I want from you is that there's an important meeting, I need you in. Now I know you're on holiday but it would be best if you came'

I sighed again, my heart and mind wanting to go back to work, to my desk, my computer, and the fresh smell of coffee but I knew I couldn't, not only because of my family but also because some part of my soul wouldn't allow it.

So, reluctantly I said ' I'm sorry Miles, I can't be there ', he went to protest but I continued telling him 'I'm not on holiday, my grandfather died and I have to be there for my family'

After a moment of pause, he said 'Of course, I understand, Take all the time you need Chris but you should have told me sooner, I would have come with you'

'I know I'm sorry Miles, I just hope you understand' I said in a guilty tone.
'Oh, hush Chris you are my best friend it's fine, I'll handle it, you know I can' he said no doubt grinning like a fool.

'Yes yes, you are the great Miles, you can do it, we know that no need to advertise it' I said rolling my eyes.
'On a serious note, call if you need anything Chris ok?' He said turning serious now, I smiled at his behavior and it warmed my heart.

'Thank you Miles but I'll be fine, I have to go now OK? But I'll call you later ' I said truly grateful for his concern.
'Yeah sure we'll talk later and oh you're probably sick of hearing this but im sorry for your loss' he said.
I laughed at him, said goodbye, and hung up the call.

' Miles Hastings is your best friend?' A voice interrupted my stupor and I turned to Matthew embarrassed that I had forgotten he was there and regretful because I didn't want him to know this about my life.

'Yeah, I work there, we became pretty good friends' I said keeping the details to a minimum.

He nodded asking no more as if sensing my discomfort and I wondered how despite my reluctance, sharing this tiny detail of my life with him felt so refreshing, so new yet so old. My mind was sure it was a new feeling yet my soul was telling me something different. I tried and tried to hear it but it was as if there was a barrier surrounding it that I just couldn't cross.

A throat clearing brought me out of my reverie and I groaned internally, my neck heating up as I cursed myself for staring at him for so long. Those emerald eyes stared at me in question and I composed myself saying ' Right the theory, well I think that the murder of the king is somehow connected to that important issue my family was here about, remember the one I was asking you about?' I paused to look at his expression and he nodded, I took this as a gesture to continue and said 'Since you didn't tell me anything, I thought I could do some digging and I uhh was sneaking around that day, and found a secret door' I paused again to see if he was listening and considered asking what he was doing that day but dismissed that thought quickly and went on ' I think that that door leads to the archives but im not sure and hence why I need your help' I concluded.

'You believe the archives have the answers you are looking for?' He asked.

'Im not entirely sure but it's the best chance I've got right now, especially since we are leaving soon' I said trying to keep my voice steady, the mere thought of Terra sent shudders through my body, and bad memories to my head.

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Matthew's P.O.V

Her face showed poorly veiled terror and I couldn't help but frown, an urge to comfort her ran through me and I had to force myself from vamping over and taking her in my arms. I cleared my throat, subduing my feelings, and said 'Christine?'

She snapped out of whatever nightmare of memories she was in and said 'Yeah, uh if we're doing it, we have to do it now, so?' She peered up at me and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by those hazel eyes, I would never say no to her even if I could. 'I agree, let us do it now '. She visibly relaxed and said 'So 11?'
'Yeah, I'll meet you outside your room?'I asked.
'Cool, see you there' she said and walked out of the room.

I looked at her retreating figure and sighed, I knew what I had to but something in my cold, undead heart made me pause all my thoughts and hear, I could listen to every word but I chose to ignore it knowing that I didn't have a choice.