The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 3: Tales from the void

You're probably wondering where Kaira is hiding now. Given that my friend is practically hunted by the entire U.S. intelligence, she can't risk being seen in public – it's far too dangerous. Fortunately, Caroline has the necessary connections, and for a good fee, she arranged for Kaira to stay in a rented house. This home was originally shared by some local college girls, and, of course, we also paid them a generous amount to keep quiet.

We didn't delve into all the paranormal details that got Kaira into this mess. We simply told those girls not to ask any questions. They didn't attempt to, especially after we paid them a good sum of money. And yes, the owner of the house knew nothing about Kaira's existence and didn't officially register her as a tenant. Sometimes, breaking the law is much safer than following it.

For the first time in the entire period, I set off to visit my friend and see the conditions she was in. The house was small and typical, the kind of place that wouldn't cross the minds of the police when it came to conducting a search. It nestled among others on a quiet suburban street, camouflaged by its everyday appearance.

It was a modest, two-story structure, adorned with a neatly manicured front lawn and flower beds, giving it an air of normalcy. The exterior was painted in soft pastel shades, offering no indication of the mysteries concealed within its walls.

I knocked on the door, but it wasn't opened for a few minutes. The house was so noisy that it was impossible to hear me. As soon as I crossed the threshold, the atmosphere reminded me of my dormitory.

In one room, contemporary music was playing loudly, and the girls were singing along even louder - they had turned it into a real disco. In another room, there were heated discussions about local boys and who to go on a date with.

I cautiously entered Kaira's room, where it was the calmest. My friend was sitting in the corner of her room, immersed in a book, attempting to shield herself from the cacophony outside. She clung to the tranquility of her reading, seeking solace amidst the chaos.

"Oh, Kaira, how do you tolerate this atmosphere?" I laughed.

She pushed her book aside. "Tell me about it, I'm quite the introvert myself."

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it wasn't a book at all, but rather an old, tattered notebook.

"Are you keeping a personal diary?" I inquired.

"I've sneaked a few of my mom's magic journals, and these days, I'm meticulously studying them. Listen, Lia, it seems like I know how to help you read Hazel Fowler's diary."

"Oh God, Kaira, I thought your priority now was your survival, and you..."

"Yes, that's right, but what else am I supposed to do while cooped up in this room all day?" Kaira shrugged. "Lia, I'm going crazy from boredom."

"I'll bring you Stormy."

"Jennie in the adjacent room has a cat allergy, so that option is off the table," she laughed.

"You're playing with fire with those journals," I rolled my eyes. "Okay, so what ideas do you have?"

"This must be something where Mia Lancaster's glance left its mark. You should look at Hazel's diary through Mia's eyes... literally."

"Great advice," I replied with a hint of sarcasm. "And what could that something be and where can I find it?"

"I think it could be something like a mirror. In Di Flores Manor, you'll surely find the item you need."

"Fine, I'll search," I skeptically glanced at my friend. "I doubt this will lead anywhere, but I'll try just to keep you off my back."

"And one more thing," Kaira acted as if she hadn't heard me, "You need to find the descendants of the Everglenn family."