["So, it's not just me."] Then he felt it too?!
But let's keep it quiet right now. I'm not sure yet, but I do have a big and strong feeling that we are talking with someone that is even way stronger than my kind. Sighing, I weighed her words, "Does that mean I'll be in such a grave danger that I might end up almost dying, thus a possible definitive extinction of my kind again?"
"If you insists in doing this just in a group of three, yes," what? "You can not run away from things just because there's a risk of death in the way for your companions, Wilhelmina, my dear. I've lost way more than you can imagine, so, believe my words. There are things that need to happen for the world to live a better age, and most of the times it is not pleasant."
I feel attacked. "Do I need a group of 26 like my mom told me?"
"Shay wouldn't have told you that, if it wasn't needed it!" Ouch.
["As I've been telling you!"] Jack mocked me.
I don't want to talk about this. "I need the tattoo, Mia. The one you made on Oliver for him to control his purple flame. Can you give me one?"
She closed one eye and gave me a naughty look, "So, you've been mapping my pupil's body, uh?" I'm sure I turned strawberry red, but I kept silent. "Naughtier than you look, that is for sure. So, you want the tattoo?"
A nod. "Yes."
"There is a price this time," she grinned.
Of course, there is. "To pay before or after?"
"After. I know you are extremely strong with your word and all you promise someone," good, I would be mad if she thought otherwise. "There's something I want there is in the Emerald Sky City. In the Queen's indoor garden, she cultivated these blood roses, which the other races that were in opposition to your kind, called the vampire rose. Queen Wilhelmina Cara Miralanthor was the one who cultivated them with her best friend, Grand Duchess Melina Aussaresses of the red winged serpents," oh?
I've read about this. "I found about them in one of the botanical records you noted. It was in a black page written with white ink. It said that it's a rose that cannot see daylight, and needs to be feed with a small amount of blood in a daily basis. Stores magic and can both heal illnesses and also cause the worse of the diseases on those who drink a tea made of it's rose petals, but it all depends on the one who uses it!" In the 5th book that I read.
"Good, I'm glad you've read that book, it was very cool to write as I enjoy botanical a lot," she pointed at the teacup, "and tea. The roses in her indoor garden are special if compared to all the others blood roses out there, which the current Queen of the Vampire Court, Violet, Oli's mother, also cultivates." I stiffened at the mention of that bitch. "Since both the Queen and the Grand Duchess, feed their blood to the roses daily. If never exposed to the sunlight, they never die, meaning they are still in there, thriving. So, I want you to pluck eight and bring them to me. Keep them on your ring. That will be the payment I want for the tattoo."
"But only the ones who feed their blood and cultivated the roses can make use of it's magical abilities, Mia," I frowned.
Her smile was almost obscene, "And who's blood do you have?"
What? "You think I would be able to use it, because she's my great-something-grandmother? Would it work because I'm from her bloodline?"
"Of course. Blood is blood, Hel."
But why would she want such a thing? "And… you want me to brew a tea of the roses for you? I mean, I can do that. It'll make me feel better for all the help you are giving me. But what if it doesn't work?"
"The reason why I want them remains to be seen. Nevertheless, I would not mind if you brew me a tea of one of the roses. Better yet, you can get me ten, then I use three for tea. You know," she feigned weakness of body, "I'm old, and I need all the protection from diseases I can get."
"I don't buy that, but alright. Brewing you a tea won't make so my hand will fall or anything. But," I finished my tea and paused the teacup on her desk softly, "will you tattoo me with what I need, if I do it?"
A nod, "Of course. In fact, I didn't even need to ask for a price, as I was already planning to give it to you. But now that you asked me for it, I couldn't not use this for my own gain, you know?" She winked, the old sly witch… that might very well not be a witch at all, and possibly the mother of witches… and vampires… and one of the three mother of my kin.
I gulped, "Hah," sigh. "I would do the same. I'll get those ten roses for you, no worries. It's on the Queen's indoor garden, right?"
"Yes. 7th wing in the north of the Palace, in a magical glass house where the sun does not shine, to protect the roses from dying. Their magic will call for you, and for your blood. Because of that, I doubt it will be hard for you to find them, my dear," not ominous at all.
"Bloodthirsty roses, awesome," I mocked. "And do I feed them my blood or something?"
"A drop on the center of the crown of each rose. Make sure only you are in there when you go, their magic will get hostile when someone else who they don't recognize, get near. And they will only recognize you, my dear," fair enough. Thanks for this, grandma. "When feed, they will glow beautifully like rubies, and will shine their light on the entire dark garden. Wait five minutes after they start glowing, then you thank them for their light and pluck ten for me. They will stay alive, but their blood thirst will subside."
Okay, let's follow her lead. "I'll do as you say."
Smiling, she got up and when she snapped her fingers, the entire office disappeared and I found myself on a bed similar to the one Abellona has for the subjects of her magical tattoos. When she snapped her fingers again, I found myself only in my underwear. "Let's do this while I'm still in the mood, shall we? Belle did an amazing job at this serpent tattoo on your back, dear, it's really gorgeous. I can't wait to see you shifting in the tournament!"
I gasped, "Could have warned me that I would be almost naked."
She giggled, "No need to feel embarrassed. You have a outstanding body. Oli, that idiot, is a lucky vampire, got his hands full," Goddess above, or should I say… her above? Ugh. This is embarrassing. "Same tribalistic style, but smaller. There's free space over your hips, above your bun, and under your serpent tattoo that takes almost your entire back."
"Right above my arse?" I gasped even more embarrassed.
And the damn old fox chuckled, "Sexy, uh? It'll suit you."
Then she spread some peculiar magic all around us, snapped her fingers and I was knocked unconscious.
✵ 𖣔 ✵
"Done!" She exclaimed softly when I jumped conscious again.
Ugh. "What about a warning?" I scoffed.
"I like the element of surprise," no shite?
"Really? I hadn't noticed," I mumbled, and noticing I was with all my clothes on again. "It doesn't hurt. Oliver told me you do it in a magical way, is that it?" A nod. "How do I use it?"
She tilted her head, "Those tattoos are what some people would call a magical hack. Right now, they are already absorbing all of your chaotic purple flame in it, and when you conjured it again it won't be a mess. It'll be easy peasy to control it now. I know you can do it!"
Well that sounds better than I could have imagined, "Just like that?'
Grinning, she nodded, "As I said, it's a magical hack. The quicker you get used to the feel of it, and the flame in you, the quicker you will be able to master it. I'm the best there is on whatever is it that I do, and I made these myself. But it's a secret only Oli knew, so keep it, alright?"
"Because we are… your favorites?" I smiled mischievously.
And hear me out, the bloody granny blushed! "I can see that you've inherited your mother's mischievousness. I've only had five favorite people so far, three are alive," is it her mate, mom, Abellona, Oliver, and me? "But don't let it get to your head," she glared at me, but I could see she was trying to fight a smile. "I'm just weak to broken things, darling. And you and Oli happen to be the most broken kids I've ever met."
"How fortunate that we are mated to each other," I mocked.
But she softened, "It is a fortune indeed, my dear."
Moving uncomfortably, I moved my ring on my finger, "Did you knew I'm a Queen?" I looked up to meet her eyes that were still on me.
"Yes."
"Do you… do you know the aether magic user, Mia?" Let's just get this out of my chest. If there's someone who might know about this, it is her, undoubtedly.
Her grin widened wolfishly. "I do, yes."
Gasping, I leaned closer, "Is he on Belladonna Academy?"
She tilted her head, "She. And yes, she is in here."
Oh my fucking bloody lady. "Where?"
"In here," she said bluntly.
I closed my eyes, remembering whom I'm talking to, and how she will never make things easier for me. "Ugh. You won't tell me, will you?"
"You just have to open your eyes and see, Hel. Everyone you see in here, has seen her. But you have to open your eyes and see it too. You have to allow yourself to see it, if not, you will stay as blind as you are now!" What the hell?
Clenching my jaw, I glared at her, "I don't understand, Mia."
"But you will. When the time comes, you will. But right now, dear, you have other matters to be taken care off. Don't bind yourself to solely finding the aether user, when you can't even allow yourself to see her yet. Focus on what can be done right now."
Sigh, "I still don't understand, but alright. Thank you, Mia. You've helped me immensely, once again."
She winked, "That's what a godmother should do!"
When she snapped her fingers again, I found myself in the middle of the class, floating right in front of my seat. "Ugh, why doesn't she warn me when she does these shite?" I groaned, taking control of the air with my magic and landing swiftly on the ground. "Sorry for the delay, Mr. Yves!"