Deceivers

4. Spirit Guardian

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You don't have to be a werewolf to find your mate.

If you feel any sparks when you are holding hands, like a small electric current has passed between the two of you, when you feel your heart getting wild when you see him around, when the world feels like it stopped when you are kissing each other, that's it. You have found your mate.

I am expecting those feelings when I kissed him. The sparks, the wild heart, the butterflies in the stomach, and the world stopping moment. I expected love in his eyes when we part. Recognition, longing and happiness. But instead, what I got is surprise, confusion and the worst part is, he asked me, “What was that for?”

For the sake of the good heavens, I feel ashamed! I started asking myself too, “What the freak was I doing?”

Oh gosh.

And Stephanie who is sitting on Carter's right side is staring at me from the other side of the long, dining table with a smug look and sarcastic smile is not helping me. Clearly, she is aware of what happened. We are only two plates and several dishes apart! Really. Not helping me.

I pursed my lips tighlty.

The normally bright dining room is now slightly dark. The maroon curtains are drawn down. The white table cloth has the fanciest food and cutleries. The finest wine is served and everyone is eating merrily. They have found their mate or a new friend. The twin demons, who are Carter's children are sitting on his left side of the table, they look as if they have the happiest moment of their life. Though they are being ignored by their father.

I think Katherine's right. I should not believe Mrs. Reem's words. Maybe he is not really my mate. It is very impossible that he is Arphanille. I mean, the Southern Empire would never keep a dangerous man like him! What an absurd idea. We are protected because he is dangerous! And maybe. Just maybe. Mrs. Reem has some evil plan for me!

Katherine sat beside me. Her mate is in the corner of the room, talking to his friend as if they have some big black secret. Great. She remembers me when her mate is busy. Well, at least I have some one to focus my attention to.

She asked me what was wrong with me, and I told her ‘laters’. I do not want to see Stephanie laughing at me while I am recounting the events.

Roasted turkey, vegetable salad, lamb, mushroom soup, and several deserts are being served. They all look delicious. But I don't have the appetite to eat. Specially with what happened. I was about to stand up when Mr. Robert, together with Mrs. Reem barged in the room. Immediately, everyone fell silent. The two of them wore a straight expression. But I can see that Mr. Roberts is seething with anger while Mrs. Reem is worried. Something's wrong.

“Thank you, children.” Said Mrs. Reem with confidence and authority. “We are all here, gathered in the Western Sanctuary, for the annual meeting of The Heirs. I hope you had a good rest last night."

"We did.” The boys said.

“Very well.” She nods to herself and continued. “Unfortunately, one of the boys from the Southern Sanctuary has been missing. I believe his name is Mr. Sebastian. A vampire”

The silent room became more silent with the news. I stared at everyone inside the room. Celine, the earth guardian snapped out of her shock and said, “M— missing? What do you mean missing? Missing in the woods, or missing...dead and the body is missing?”

The mansion is located at the top of highest mountain in Western Empire. Actually, every sanctuaries are located on top of the highest mountains from their respective empires. The mansion itself is in the middle of forest circle. You know. The circle of power. It will be easier for the witches to protect the heirs if the set up is like that.