Journee's POV
The otherwise peaceful flight to my 'honeymoon' has now become my worst nightmare. Why…why are so many terrible, frightening things happening to me in such a short span? God…are you trying to give me a heart attack? Or is this some training to strengthen me?
I breathed heavily into my knees, squeezing my eyes shut, trying my best to prepare myself mentally to brace for impact.
"Haha…hahahaha" Ma'oz's voice rumbled through the plane. I looked up to see him sipping his Whiskey. The ice has melted, making his Whiskey on the Rocks just Whiskey and water now. "You seem to have forgotten who I am."
"Oh!" Realisation dawned upon me. Ma'oz can stabilise this plane should he wish to. But I am unwilling to make another wish. "So…what will you do?"
"What would you like me to do?" He raised an eyebrow at me and winked.
I felt the plane plunge again and the little hair on my body is standing on ends again for the umpteen time this week.
"Decisions, decisions…I can survive this crash. But you, Journee and the other 3 humans will surely perish." His eyes glowed red again.
"Okay, okay!" Placing my hand together like I usually do in prayer, I looked Ma'oz in the eye. My fear of death is far greater than my worry of how I will repay him right now. "Please…I wish for you to please let this plane land safely."
"Your wish is my command." Ma'oz gave me a nod and the plane's engines turn off.
"What on earth?!" Peeking out the cabin window, I see us suspended in the air for a few minutes before gliding steadily towards Mykonos.
"Thank you." Two simple words, but I mean it from the very bottom of my heart. I am so glad that we are safe.
"Shh." I looked at Ma'oz and see that he has his eyes closed, hand in the air.
Is he guiding the plane using telekinesis?
Obeying him, I keep quiet. Not wanting to distract him and be my own doom.
***
Ma'oz's POV
I guided the aeroplane to land gently on the road base.
"It's a miracle. A miracle!" I hear the air stewardess half shout. The pilots came to the back to check in on us.
"Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Lewis. Are you both alright? We have landed safely in Mykonos." The first stout man spoke, avoiding eye contact with me.
"We apologise for this hiccup. If you would like, we'll arrange for your refreshments at the lobby while we change to another plane." The older man bowed a little to me, ignoring Journee.
If it weren't for the little human, you both would be dead. Hm…humans are as prejudiced and ignorant as ever. My heart ached at this. But I don't know why, why I seem to care how Journee feels. A part of me even feels bad calling her 'the little human.' Her perseverance, her strength in the face of adversity has earned a place of esteem in my eyes.
"Sir? What would you like to do?"
As much of a weakling she is, it is time Journee gains the respect she deserves from these worthless humans who cower only in the face of power. Long have I wished to meet another like Damon. One I can deem an equal in some ways.
"Babe, what do you want to do?" I asked Journee.
She is surprised by my question. "What…what?"
"It's your call. We'll do whatever you wish to do." I winked.
"Oh!" Looking at the pilots, she smiled and instantly I felt a pang of jealousy. It made me want to rip these men's throats out for receiving that sweet smile of hers. Why…what is happening to me?
"I think…" Journee glanced uncertainly at me. "I have had enough excitement for one day. Shall we head home instead?"
"Excellent idea, wife."
We headed back to the Lewis mansion and were greeted by the incredibly surprised Lewis matriarch.
"Monty, Journee… why are both of you home so soon?"
"There were issues with the plane. We'll be staying home instead." I tried to comfort the old lady's worries, but my voice came out like a command instead.
Instead of following me back to her room, Journee draws the matriarch into her arms. "Have you been well, granny?" I recognised the act as needing human touch after the close death scare she just had.
Allowing her a moment of privacy, I headed up to the room to meditate in solitude.
***
Journee's POV
"Not well, my dear. Not well at all" Granny answered. Eyes tinged the corners of her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I perked up, ready to help in anyway I can.
"Look." She pulled me towards the pond in the West-End of the mansion. "All our Koi died."
The heavy smell of rotting fish is what hits me first. A mix of blood and pus hangs heavily in the air.
Using a hand to cover my nose and mouth, the ghastly sight of dead fish is all I can see.
Some are bloated 3 times their original size with eyeballs half hanging out of its sockets.
A few have gnarly gash lines on their fins and across their gills.
Struggling to stay afloat the right side up, I see a few orange and white koi with extra large bumps on their backs.
On the few fishes who have their entrails exposed to the sun, maggots are feasting and growing in number.
"OMG! What happened?" I muttered under my breath.
"My poor, poor babies. We don't know what happened." Granny sobbed. "I was feeding them about 30 minutes ago when everything started to go…wrong."
"Is there anything we can do?" I asked, deeply concerned. This is an abnormally. "Was the water poisoned somehow or did someone drop cosmetics into the water?"
"No, no. We've called Mr. Naya Ishaan. He said not to touch them until he sends us some holy water."
"Holy water? You mean to say this occurrence is occult?" I am slightly alarmed.
Sure, I've heard of such stories from my neighbours where the belief is that someone sent black magic and the pets are the first line of defence. So, the pets will suffer odd maladies and die of curious injuries. I personally don't' really believe in all this hocus pocus.
But…maybe I should. I didn't really believe in demons either. Now, I cohabit with one.
"Be careful, my dear. I'm sure the problem with the plane is connected somehow. Say your prayers before you go to bed every day. Something nasty is about." Granny patted my back.
"Mr. Naya will be coming here next week for a cleansing. Anything impure will be chased away." She then walked away.
I can't help it. Her words keep repeating in my mind. "…the problem with the plane is connected." Can it be Ma'oz?
Rushing back to my room, I see him half suspended in the air. Legs crossed. I know I shouldn't disturb someone in meditation, but this is urgent.
"Ma'oz, I'm so sorry to interrupt…"
He opened his eyes and smiled. It's a warmth that touches his eyes as well and radiates towards me. Again, I find myself enamoured by the secrets he holds, the things he has see and experienced. "I cannot fully meditate while we are still bonded. It's no matter."
"Something strange has happened, and I'm wondering if you had anything to do with it." I asked. It's better to get it out of the way now. rather than later.
"Tell me…what happened?" Ma'oz smiled.
Even from my room, the stench of rotting fish is revolting. I wonder if he is used to such dreadful smell or is he feigning it?
"Everything in the koi pond is dead. And granny says it happened less than an hour ago. That is when the plane malfunctioned…" I stopped, taking a deep breath before accusing him.
"And?" He raised an eyebrow at me again. A trademark I have noticed in his expression. Something he does whenever he is amused and feeling cocky. He knows something, I am sure of it.
"Did you curse the Lewis family? I asked boldly.
That drew a laugh from Ma'oz. "If I decided to curse this family, everyone would be long dead by now."
"I see. Was a prank? I'm sure that what happened to those fishes is connected to you. I'm sure of it."
"You're floating in dreamland, I see." Ma'oz laughed again and left the room.
The stony silence slices the air. I drop into an armchair and massage my temples. I have to get to the bottom of this. I'm very sure Ma'oz is hiding something. I can feel it in my gut even though my eyes and ears believe him.
***
Ma'oz's POV
I head towards the garden and overhear the matriarch speaking to someone. "Yes Mr. Naya. I will place the salt around every room. Are you sure the evil entity will leave?"
I listened closely into the conversation. "Oh. It's just to contain. How long till you get here? Could you not clear your schedule for tomorrow? We'll pay you double."
The matriarch sighed and picked at the branch of the plum tree. "I see. If it's a powerful entity, it can be captured to further our finances. Moe will be happy to hear that."
Not waiting anymore, I mind-linked my minister. "Damon! Get here now!" I then marched back to Journee's room.
They intend to enslave me for their profit, huh? I should kill them all!