The mistress held her gaze on Merl for a while, as if trying to read his thoughts. Her eyes were sharp and piercing, like two daggers that could cut through anything. She seemed to be looking for something in him, something that he might not even know about himself.
She did not blink or smile, but her face was not angry or hostile either. It was calm and composed, but also mysterious and intriguing.
Then she turned around and gestured for them to follow her. "Come along, then. There is much to discuss."
The Mystic Haven contrasted with the rest of the street, which was quiet and dark, with only a few lights and shadows flickering by. The street was deserted as if everyone had gone to sleep or hidden from something. The street was eerie and ominous as if it harbored secrets and dangers that lurked in the night.
The mistress seemed to ignore the street and its atmosphere as if she was not afraid or concerned, well why would she be? She is darkness herself. She walked with confidence and grace as if she owned the place, thinking technically, she did own the place. She did not look back or wait for Casey and Merl, who had to hurry after her.
Casey and Merl exchanged a nervous glance, then hurried after her. As they stepped inside the Mystic Haven, there was a strong stench of blood coming from somewhere. It hit them like a wall, making them gag and cough.
It was a sickening smell, like rotten meat mixed with iron and salt. It filled their nostrils and mouths, making them taste it as well as smell it. It was a smell that spoke of death and violence, of pain and fear.
Casey wrinkled her nose and felt a surge of nausea. She wondered what had happened here, and why the mistress had brought them to this place. Was there a fight or an accident? Was someone hurt or killed? Was it someone they knew or cared about?
She thought of Aricen, the beautiful and handsome elf who was along her side in every situation. He was her best friend and partner, and she had a crush on him for as long as she could remember.
How could she not, when he had those gorgeous eyes that made her feel like she would sink and drown and die in them? He had those charming smiles that made her heart flutter and skip a beat. He had those gentle touches that made her skin tingle and burn.
They had promised to make it out of the mistress's grasp together. They were a team. He had assured her that it would be alright, that they would find a way to escape. He had given her hope and courage when she felt none. He had given her love and comfort when she needed it.
But now she feared he was gone, taken away by the mistress. She feared he was in danger, or worse. She feared he was dead, or worse. She wondered if the mistress had deliberately sent Casey on a mission so that she could kill Aricen with ease. She wondered if the mistress had planned this all along, to separate them and break them.
She felt a surge of anger and grief, of guilt and despair. She wished she could have done something to prevent this, to protect him. She wished she could have told him how she felt, how much she cared. She wished she could have seen him one last time, to say goodbye.
She hoped he was still alive, but she doubted it. She hoped he was still waiting for her, but she feared not. She hoped they would be reunited, but she knew not.
Casey felt a cold sweat on her forehead and a tight knot in her stomach. She wished she could turn back and run away, but she knew it was too late. She had to follow the mistress and face whatever awaited them in the Mystic Haven.
The mistress seemed unfazed by the smell, and led them through a series of corridors and staircases, passing by various rooms and halls. Casey followed her reluctantly, her eyes darting from side to side, trying to make sense of the strange and wondrous things she saw. She felt like she had entered a different world, a world of magic and mystery, of wonder and horror.
She saw books and scrolls piled up on shelves and tables, some of them glowing or whispering softly. She wondered what secrets they contained, what knowledge they offered.
She wondered if Aricen had read any of them and if he had learned anything useful or dangerous. She wondered if he had left any clues or messages for her or if he had tried to communicate with her.
She saw crystals and orbs that emitted different colours and sounds, some of them pulsing or spinning rapidly. She wondered what power they held, what purpose they served.
She wondered if Aricen had touched any of them and if he had activated or deactivated anything. She wondered if he had triggered any trap or curse if he had caused or prevented anything.
She saw people and creatures that looked human or animal or something in between, some of them wearing robes or armour or nothing at all, some of them busy or idle or asleep. She wondered who they were and what they did.
She wondered if Aricen had encountered any of them and if he had talked to or listened to anyone. She wondered if he had found any ally or enemy and if he had helped or harmed anyone.
Merl followed her nervously, his tail twitching, ready to use his claws if needed. He felt like he had entered a trap, a trap that was closing in on them. He felt like he was being watched, being hunted.
He saw the same things as Casey did, but he did not wonder about them. He have seen much more than this, all that mattered right now was Mistress. He had his own doubts that he already knew Mistress, but he could not figure out from where and possibly how.
The mistress finally stopped and opened the door of a room. She gestured for Casey and Merl to enter, then followed them and closed the door behind her. The room was dimly lit by a few candles, casting shadows on the walls.
The room was small and cluttered, with a desk, a chair, a bookshelf, and a wardrobe. The room looked like an office or a study, but also like a prison or a torture chamber.
The mistress sat down on the chair and looked at Casey and Merl with a cold and calculating gaze. She spoke in a calm and authoritative tone. "So, have you taken care of the mission I gave you?"
Casey hesitated, thinking. She didn't even waste a minute to get to the point. She didn't answer her directly, instead, she turned around the table and focused on thinking rationally rather than just following her orders. She tried to sound confident and defiant, but she felt scared and desperate.
"Where is Aricen? What have you done to him? I want to see him right now!"
The mistress didn't even blink. "Sorry, but you can't see him right now. He's… busy with something very important. Something that you should thank me for." She sounded bored and smug, but also a little curious.
Casey snapped back, "You're lying! You're hiding something! I won't tell you anything until I see him! He's my mate, and I have the right to see him!" She felt furious and betrayed, but also hopeful and stubborn.
The mistress raised an eyebrow and smirked. She seemed to like the challenge and the drama, but also to have the advantage and power.
"Your mate? How fascinating. And how do you know that he's your mate? Did he tell you that? Did he show you that? Or did you just assume that?"
Casey felt a flush of heat on her cheeks and a twinge of doubt in her heart. She remembered the moments she had shared with Aricen, the hugs and his warmth, the words and promises, the feelings and emotions. She remembered how he had made her feel special and loved, how he had made her feel alive and happy.
Her voice cracked as she tried to be as stable as possible, "What do you mean by that? If I may ask?" she clenched her fist.