As Priya thought of the words she just spewed out of her mouth, her hands shaking found their way there. The meeting she had with Nathan's parents came to mind and even she couldn't understand why.
'A crazy demon in the human world who wants a devil to pass through the gates of hell' Priya thought 'And Timothy's father who brought devils into the human world and used them for experiments. No matter how you look at it, it's the same thing'. "I don't want to believe it" Priya said "They look so much alike but I don't want to believe it"
"Priya, calm done" Sloane said "You losing your cool won't bring your mother back. Debating over it and rejecting what happened, can cause tremendous trauma. It's not good for your health"
"You...have a point" Priya said as she took deep breaths and calmed herself "It's almost time for lunch"
"There's no need for us to do any basic magic training in the afternoon" Sloane said with a smile "We'll have lunch in the tower library and then, you can focus on your research while I'll focus on working out military tactics"
"Thank you"
******
Training Field
It was taking a lot out of the others to not make their magic spells visible on the outside as they attacked their dolls. It took up a lot of concentration and brain power on their part so the spells remained active internally. One mess up, and the spell they had cast, would form a detailed outline of which parts the spell was being used on.
Jerald and Christian found this part more difficult than anyone else on the field. They weren't concentrating enough and their brain power was actually small compared to their physical and magical strength
"This won't do" Rielle said
"Those two aren't really the type to focus on one task and finish it" Dante sighed
"Even your star student, Nathan, is finding it difficult" Virginia pointed out
"In the past, Nathan's demon seed was under control. He had a lot of talent and being close to Sloane's spirit seed, made his control over his magic power the best I'd seen in years" Dante said "However, the demon seed in him is rampant. It's making it difficult for him to do this without accidentally tapping into the demon seed's power or his Outworld powers"
Zoe opened her mouth to say something but Rielle beat her to it "And then, you have Sloane. Who's in a far more unstable condition than Nathan" she said while looking towards Zoe "And Priya who ran off with someone unstable....Zoe, I think I'm taking Mackenzie's side on you having a big problem with her mother. Everything I just said is certainly what you were about to say"
"As always...spitting your venom everywhere like some snake" Tilly commented and Zoe glared at her
"Sloane...can't be helped" Dante said "If every single day I keep forgetting those important to me, I'd run mad and try to find a way to keep my memories. However..."
"That's suicide in her case" Virginia said while rocking the little baby in her arms "I worry"
Dante soon felt a pulse go through him but it was like a light breeze and he didn't notice anything. However, Nathan was immediately in control of his powers as he continuously hammered at the doll until it passed him to the next level
Nathan's nose sniffed the air and there was a scent he seemed to have come to love
'The smell of roses and ocean breeze' He thought as he looked around him 'It's littered around the place so I can't tell were she is. The tower library....or her room in the palace...where?'
"Nathan, did something happen?" Dante asked and he shook his head
'The scent is lasting longer than usual' Nathan thought as he scanned everyone on the field 'I wonder why that is?'
A maid came rushing out of the palace and instantly bowed in front of Rielle. After exchanging some words, the maid bowed once again before leaving
"Alright everyone, lunch time" Rielle announced
"But...what about the training?" Timothy asked which was something he wouldn't have asked two days ago
"I'm finally getting the hang of it" Jerald agreed
"Well, if you want to keep going at it, you're on your own" Dante said "Immortal as I am, I still like the taste of food and it's my less stress filled moment of the day"
"Damn it" Jerald cursed as he was the first to head inside
Nathan stood on the field as the others headed inside while he stared at the tower library 'Is she there having a meal with Priya?' he wondered as Sloane's scent refused to let him be. In the end, he felt a burning sensation on his back and he reached out to touch it but paused halfway 'That damn seed is acting up again. Luckily, I'm still wearing a shirt so nobody will notice'
"Dad, are you coming?" Mackenzie asked and he nodded before following her
******
Tower Library
Sloane and Priya were already seated at a table enjoying a meal together. An entree of beef and cleanly cut greens for Sloane while Priya was having pasta and sardines with a sauce. Fruit salads were placed at the center of the table between their meals.
"This place is very different when compared to the library we stay in" Priya said as her hand grazed two books on the table, beside her "The items needed for potion making are at the end of this library in a large greenhouse in another dimension. The spirit world is really amazing"
"Nathan told me that I'd find more interesting sights in the spirit world than in the human world" Sloane said "Here, they really make good use of spatial magic"
After Priya finished eating, she simply sat there watching Sloane before asking
"Why exactly did you decide to come with me to the surface?"
"You've been saying surface like we're under water whenever we're in the Beginning And End Library" Sloane said
"You've been saying the same thing too. Well, to me, that's what a library in another dimension is" Priya said "I don't care how magicians explain it" she said and Sloane laughed while she smiled slightly "So, why?"
"My nightmares are getting more frequent" Sloane said and Priya pursed her lips "Whenever I shut my eyes....things get out of control and I feel like I'm being drowned by the darkness with the voices in my head. I'm too afraid to even shut my eyes for a single second...not to talk of nine hours"
"Then, the whole time at the library and with the blindfold-"
"Sometimes I sleep for an hour and other times my eyes remain open" Sloane said "Even with the blindfold. The only time I've ever felt safe or at peace when sleeping was either when Nathan was around...or Kenzie was sleeping with me"
"That's why you're here" Priya said as she came to a realisation and Sloane nodded
"As far as Nathan is within my zone, I'll be able....to sleep peacefully" Sloane said sleepily as she held her head with her hand
"Sloane?" Priya called out before moving the plates in front of Sloane to the side. Sloane's head suddenly landed on the table "Sloane" she said but there was no answer "The pent up stress must have finally hit her hard" she mumbled 'I won't disturb her. She needs the rest' she glanced over to the door leading to the greenhouse and got off her seat 'And I need to get to work' she picked up her books and headed towards the door.
******
Palace Courtyard
Everyone was seated together once again having lunch. Jerald and Christian were practicing casting spells internally while eating, Timothy and Clark had frustrated looks on their faces while flipping through books; to the point they weren't eating again. While the others just watched their frustration with Nathan looking as uninterested as ever.
When Jerald and Christian failed at casting the spells internally, they snapped the utensils in their hands while Timothy and Clark almost tore the pages of the books they were reading
"I don't get it" Timothy groaned as he ran his hand through his hair
"Don't get what?" Lilith asked and Timothy glared at her
"Why? Why is this so hard to do?" Jerald complained
"Just when I thought I had it...why?" Christian murmured
"This book pisses me off" Clark said as he slammed the book shut
"Alright, since you four have gotten everyone's attention, can you please tell us what's bothering you?" Fernanda asked
"Yeah. That's the third spoon you've snapped, Jerald" Rosco said but Nathan still seemed uninterested as he ate
"Those books are hard to come by...Timothy, Clark" Rielle said
Timothy stood up and slammed his hands on the table before looking at Rielle. "I don't get it, Master Rielle. The book only states the effects of each herb and beast parts to the body" Timothy stated "However, that's only when it acts as a separate unit. If you mix said herbs or beast parts with ingredients with the same effect, it has an opposite reaction and usually blows up in my face"
"Even I'm getting frustrated" Clark said "How has Priya been able to understand this stuff? Honestly speaking, I understand....nothing"
"I hate losing to women at something I'm at an advantage in" Timothy and Clark said at the same time
"At least you're losing to a woman" Christian complained
"We're losing to a child. A little girl who isn't even up to half our age" Jerald said as he pointed at Mackenzie
"Well, she's a dragon keeper...but Priya's a human" Clark argued "I'm losing to a freaking human. And I'm a royal warlock. It sounds crazy even just listening to myself"
"This is the first time I've seen Clark lose his cool" Fernanda murmured
"This is the first time I've seen my brother lose his cool" Rosco said
"Christian is just a man child" Josey scoffed
"And my brother is usually calm....except when Priya is involved" Lilith said
Timothy and Clark started arguing with Jerald and Christian who were just across the table
"That's it" Clark was the first to snap as the whites of his eyes turned black and his eyes glowed green
"I like that language better" Christian said as his eyes glowed red and his nails and fangs elongated
"I'm gonna make you cry" Jerald said as steam was being released from his body
"Fine by me" Timothy let out as steam released from his body
Just as they were about to clash at the table, the whites of Nathan's eyes turned black and his pupils looked like lava. Flames began to gather around his body and he released an incredible pressure which was directed at Christian, Clark, Jerald and Timothy
"Just try something stupid at this table and I swear I'll scorch the four of you" Nathan threatened and the four who were arguing a moment ago, glanced at Nathan before slowly sitting down and canceling out whatever technique they were about to use. Nathan did the same as he continued eating and the table went silent
'There goes my less stress filled moment of the day' Dante thought while staring at Nathan 'He doesn't like it when someone interrupts his meal'
Nathan finished his meal and got up with Mackenzie "To Clark and Tim....if you want to figure out how Priya does it, ask her and quit complaining" Nathan said and just as Clark was about to make an argument "She and Sloane are currently at the library tower. They've been there for a while now and haven't left" he sniffed the air "Priya's brewing something. If you're done arguing, start running" he added before excusing himself and Mackenzie from the table