I stretch my arms and legs. The Devil also stretches his body. My left-hand almost feels normal. I stomp my feet on the floor. My feet don't hurt either. I sit down on the chair and lift my foot. I pull the bandage to take a peek inside. I can't see any wound. Is it normal?
"I am an adult." Eli says to the person on the phone, "It is my decision to marry her."
He becomes quiet and solemn. I wonder what happened. I rest my elbow on the arm of the chair and watch him. His voice is pleasant to hear. It's amusing to see how he smiles when he's talking to someone he doesn't like. He leans against the wall and glances in my direction. He gives me a flying kiss. When I follow his gaze, I find out that he's not looking at me. He's giving flying kisses to my boobs.
This pervert!
"Is that so?" Eli looks down at the floor. His eyes are calm, but it feels wrong. "Then, change the appointment for travel... Yes, she will… You can ask her when she comes to the Council… Make it today… We will both go together. Yes, I assure her safety."
The two morons are still banging the door.
"Nell, I need to talk to you. I apologize for everything." I hear Nathanial's voice, "This is an emergency. Please talk to us."
"Yes, they are still here." Eli informs the person on the phone, "You are sending someone?... Thank you for arranging the appointment today… Yes, I am sure…"
He hangs up the call and then, he goes to the door with a dark look. He is definitely in a bad mood. When he pulls the door, Nathanial falls forward. He steps aside and let Nathanial drop on the floor. Eli crosses his arms. "The Council is sending someone. Do you want that person to see you like this?"
"It's happening because of you." Valentin points his trembling finger at Eli. "You have done something to Nell. That's why she hates us."
Did this man come to this world with no brain? Why does he keep insulting my husband right in front of me? "We should have called the cops."
"The Council is the cops of the hidden world." Eli tells me with a serious look in his eyes, "Don't worry, Nell. They will get the right punishment. We have an appointment at the Council. You should get dressed. We will have a brunch at Michael's before we go to the Council."
I guess that he's annoyed because of these two men. "Alright."
Nathanial raises his head and looks at me, "Nell, wait. Don't go. I beg you."
"Brother, what are you doing?" Valentin looks like he's going to cry.
"Shut up, you idiot." Nathanial scolds his brother, "Go back to the manor. I am going to talk to them."
"But…" Valentin looks quite reluctant to leave.
"GO NOW!" Nathanial yells at him. Valentin looks daggers at Eli and huffs. Eli stares at him darkly. Valentin breaks the eye contract and leaves without making a noise.
"I need you to come with me." Nathanial presses his palms together and says to me with a pleading voice, "Our manor is on fire."
"Call the fire brigade." I frown at him. "What can I do? I am not a firewoman."
He closes his eyes and purses his lips. Whatever is frustrating him is not my business. I want to know what's going on with Eli. But I can't ask him as long as this moron is here. The Devil yawns, looking bored. Why is this cat not doing anything?
"Woman, can't you solve your problems by yourself?" The Devil snaps at me, annoyed. "Even if I bite his face, he won't leave."
Nathanial sits on his knees. "Nell, it is not usual fire. The reaction between your hair and the family heirloom was too strong. The entire manor has been burning ever since. If you don't come with us, we can't put out the fire."
He pauses and turns his head to Eli. "It's the wrath of the moon."
Eli frowns, but he says nothing.
"At first, there was only fire. It was burning nothing." Nathanial sighs. "Just a while ago, the fire starts to burn everything gradually. I think we have done something to offend you, Nell. I am extremely sorry. Before all the heirlooms turn to dust, help us put it out."
Wrath of the moon? Fire? Heirlooms? I scratch my head. Having a ghoul husband is enough. Do we need a strange fire too? And I am the cause? The genre of my life was realistic fiction until Eli told me that he was a ghoul. Now, I can't tell if it's magical realism or utter crap.
"Why should she help you?" Eli glares at him. "It's not like she asked your brother to check whether she's a Krauss or not. It was your brother's mistake. Then, he should be taking responsibility instead of her."
The meaning is clear. Valentin should be begging and asking for help instead of Nathanial. I agree with Eli. Valentin didn't apologize once. He didn't ask for help either.
"There's no time." Nathanial looks at me with moistened eyes. "Please help us once. If you don't want to help the Krauss family, then don't help them. Help us as a stranger would. Those family heirlooms have a long history. Besides that, everyone's important things are inside the manor. We can still save what can be saved. Please."
I guess It would be bad if they lose everything. If I can do something to help then, I should do it since he's begging like that. "Okay, I will come."
Eli lets out a sigh. "We can't stay there for long."
"It's fine." Nathanial smiles at him. "It won't take long. She needs to speak a few words and it will be over."
Putting out fire with words? I definitely want to see that.
***
In the backseat of the car, Nathanial keeps glancing at the cat spirit napping beside him. He still can't figure out what type of spirit it is. It's smaller than an average cat. The cat is mostly white with patches of brown and black. The fur is glossy and fine-textured.
"Are you in love with me?" The Devil opens his green eyes.
Nathanial purses his lips, not knowing how to answer.
"You are not qualified to become my slave." The Devil shuts his eyes and yawns. "That position belongs to Little Marshmallow. He smells a lot better than you do."
Did he just get rejected by a cat spirit? Nathanial looks at Nell and wonders if she's Little Marshmallow. Nell and this ghoul haven't talked much in front of him. If she's really Zachary's daughter, how could they allow her to marry a ghoul? He understands why Valentin did those things. It would bring great shame to the Krauss family if a woman from the Krauss family marries a dark creature such as a ghoul. They are the lowest of the low.
He has to act nicely until the fire is put out. The family heirlooms must be saved. Then, they can send this ghoul back to where he came from and teach this girl how to become a Krauss.
If she's Zachary's daughter, she might become someone powerful if she receives training. The Krauss family would regain the glory again. If she's Zachary's daughter, she would do what Zachary was supposed to do.