𝔅𝔬𝔫𝔡: ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔚𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔰

Chapter Sixteen: Connection

Vale

Ever since Amber left I found myself coming back to this same place. The place that she said gave her peace as a troubled teen. The outskirts of the distant bridge connecting Arroviel to Oxford.

Other than that faithful gloomy day. That day I let her slip away from me, I was showing her, but then again I was too early. She was hurting and I fucked it up again. I told myself I'd get over it, I'd get over her. But how could I? A wounded dove that fights so hard not to be considered a charity case.

I chuckled. I hope she likes the flowers, at least that brings me to a state of solace. My gaze dragged over the calm waters of the canal. "I hope you're resting in peace Nikolai." I said before returning to my vehicle. I have a meeting to attend with my mother and uncle. Everything to do with me taking over as head.

And after that another meeting dealing with a possible partnership with a company in Hibus. Sponsorships I think. I took a few breaths not to overthink stuff. Business is what I should switch my mind to and not any personal affairs.

Amber

Alex took the file with her when she left for her meeting yesterday. She had to carry it back for legal reasons but she'll bring me back a personal copy, that's if I still wanted it. Now she's taking me to the capital to show me something. I have been here but only to one place, but I'm not telling her that.

During the drive there I just stared out of the window. Through the warped curves and cravases of highways and occupied vehicles in the center of it all was a high-rise. Astrids' a beautiful place, and the same as Arroviel. I wonder where we're going though.

She didn't speak much, it was normal for her but at least she would make an effort to have a conversation with me. Through the rear-view mirror her eyes were clouded, focused intently on the road in front of us. "We're almost there. I know you still have questions about yourself, as being one of us. I intend on showing you the answers" she said. The rings around her fingers digging into the steering wheel cover more.

- -

After coming through a lot of security we were finally here. The same high-rise that was at the center of the city. We got out and she gave her keys to the valet, before taking my hand. She guided me inside in front of other elegantly dressed individuals, while I'm just in a pair of denim jeans and a plain grey shirt.

"This is the national embassy for our three separate domains, I guess you know what that means, right?" she asked. I shook my head and she chuckled and I don't get the meaning behind her question.

"Madam Morozova, is there anything you need?" a man asked from the reception desk. "No." He nodded and continued on with his day, as for us we stopped in front of an elevator. Waiting for it to come down I couldn't help but wonder. If I finally learn how to shift that would be cool. The doors opened and we walked inside, her hand trailed to the bottom of the panel that appeared, fingers typing in a code instead then it changed. From the sky blue fluorescent hue to a darker red variant to wine. She hit the number 5 that was backwards.

"Where are we going exactly?" I mumbled, getting her attention. "Only where all hell breeds come from young one," she smiled as the elevator stopped. Stepping out everything was the same, other than the people. Now it felt heated, and everyone either had horns protruding from their skulls or tails waving behind them as they walked. Basically saying everything here was unnatural.

As we went further in I noticed in the center of the room there was a logo I didn't recognize. It wasn't the same as the one from the previous floors. Oddly enough there were more and one had the exact mark that's branded on my neck.