Room twenty-three was silent, except for the sound of water dripping from the faucet and the subway passing by. The room would experience light tremors when the MagicTech train passed by but it didn't rouse the person sleeping on the bed.
The neon sign outside flickered, casting a dim light on the peeling wallpaper, the cracked ceiling and the figure lying on the bed.
Circe who was sleeping peacefully suddenly started breathing heavily her brows knitted tightly like she was getting tormented in her dream. The thin blanket barely covering her shivering body fell to the ground as a wisp of smoke entered through the locked door.
The dark figure appeared in front of her still clad in a hooded cloak that concealed his face. His eyes hidden underneath were like burning coals transfixed on Circe.
He moved closer to the bed, careful not to make a sound. Her taut body had relaxed the moment he appeared in her room. It was as though his presence was wading off her nightmares.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch. He opened it and poured out several gemstones on the table. They clinked softly, but Circe did not stir. The gemstones were his repayment for her kindness.
He looked at her one last time, feeling a surge of emotion. He wanted to touch her, to wake her up, to make her see him. But he knew he couldn't.
He turned away and walked back to the door. He dissolved into smoke and slipped through the crack. Just like that, he was gone. Short of the gemstones it was as though he hadn't been there.
When his figure reappeared outside he glanced at his thin bony fingers. He wanted to reveal himself to her but after hibernating for so long his thin and frail appearance left nothing to be desired. It was too ugly to look at.
He reached out with his mind, looking for his blood slave, Baron. Baron was in his master's study, dusting and arranging books and papers on the desk when he suddenly heard a familiar voice in his head.
"Keeping busy," he whispered in his mind, making the blood slave jump.
"Ma-master!" Boran exclaimed, dropping the book he was holding. He looked around but saw no one. He realised it was his master's voice in his head. He felt a surge of joy. "You are finally awake! Where are you, Master?"
"Never mind that. I need you to prepare the regeneration chamber for me," he said, his voice calm yet stern.
"Of course, master. I'll do it right away. Anything for you, Master," said Baron, his voice full of devotion.
He immediately dropped what he was doing and ran to the basement of Black Rock Castle where the regeneration chamber was located.
"I'll be there soon," he said, ending the telepathic connection. He looked at the room door one last time, then vanished into a wisp of smoke.
***
"Circe."
"Circe."
"Circe!"
Circe woke up with a jolt from the haunting whispers of his mother calling his name. They started as gentle wisps but they became eerie and urgent the longer she didn't respond.
She looked like she had survived a drowning. Gasping for air, she sat at the edge of the bed and grabbed her mobile device. She checked the date and time. It was two days later than she remembered. She had slept for two days straight again.
And just like last time, she felt different. She felt a surge of power coursing through her veins. Her innate magic was increasing. It seemed the universe was fair. After all that suffering in her past life, she at least didn't have to be useless in this life. She smiled villainously as she focused on the lamp in front of her that was off. She didn't need to say a word or make a gesture. She just willed it to light up. The bulb shone dimly at first, then it suddenly shone brightly before exploding. Glass shards flew everywhere, but she didn't flinch. Her smile grew bigger.
Circe ran her fingers in her hair with a soft laugh. She tilted her head slightly and her laughter died down. "You are new," she said to herself as she got up. The gemstones were beautiful and shone like stars. They were extremely valuable but that wasn't what caught her attention. It was the family crest on the pouch that drew her attention.
She couldn't help but feel that it was familiar but where had she seen it? It had two serpentine creatures entwined around a sword with a winged hilt, all encased within a circular border adorned with intricate designs. It had a dark and mystical appearance.
She caressed the embroidery and tried to recall. After raking her brain for an answer for a long time she finally gave up. She tossed the pouch into her stuff before getting up to wash her face.
After she was done she put on her jacket and grabbed all her stuff before exiting the room. She was about to check on her neighbour next door but when she arrived there the door was ajar with housekeeping cleaning the room.
"Hello," she said and the woman took off her earphone before asking her what she wanted.
"The man who was in this room when did he check out?" she asked and the young woman shook her head that she didn't know. Circe thanked her before walking towards the staircase.
When she entered the reception the old lady had been replaced with a stout man with a twisted face that looked like he was smelling something disgusting. There was no point in asking him so she turned to leave feeling a little disappointed.
"Not even a bloody note," she mumbled to herself in dissatisfaction.
She sauntered along the dirty and crowded street with a look of annoyance. She ignored the catcalls and leers from the shady characters that lurked in the shadows. She needed to get home and take a shower. The motel bathroom was so gross that she wouldn't be caught dead showering in there.
Halfway there she suddenly sensed someone following her. She sneered internally wondering who had the balls to sneak up on her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a man in a hooded jacket, keeping a few steps behind her.
Her lips quirked slightly as she suddenly turned into a narrow alley. She waited for him to follow her, then spun around and grabbed him by the collar. She slammed him against the brick wall, pinning him with her forearm.