Miram's wink was playful, her smile captivating. "Don't worry, my Jyuran, I'll reach adulthood soon," she said in assurance.
Mike's mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the paradox. Miram was old enough to be his mother, yet she claimed to be on the cusp of adulthood?
Christina's irritated muttering pierced Mike's ears, shattering Mike's thoughts. "Who on hell is that?" she demanded.
Her exasperation was evident. "Who's shamelessly flirting with you?" her voice rose.
Mike's eyes widened further, shock written across his features. "You can hear her?" he asked, amazed.
Christina's reply was laced with frustration. "Of course, I heard every word! It's unbearable." She shifted uncomfortably on the bed.
Mike pondered aloud, "Then why can't I hear Rachael and Stefan's voices during our conversation?"
Christina nodded in agreement. "Exactly! I can hear the person beside you, but you can't hear Rachael and Stefan. What's wrong with this connection?" she wondered, confusion and concern etched in her voice.
"I can shed some light on that," Miram interjected, her voice filled with assurance. "You can choose to hear the voices of people around her, as well as block her from eavesdropping on conversations around you."
Mike's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Really?"
Miram nodded. "Yes, my Jyuran. The Lav offers more than just audible conversations. It also enables telepathic communication."
Her gaze locked onto Mike's, seriousness creeping into her tone. "However, engaging in telepathic conversations through the Lav requires sufficient energy. It can be perilous if both users' locations are too vast; the energy drain will be substantial, and potentially lethal."
Miram continued, her instructions precise. "To switch between hearing other voices around her or blocking them, focus on the Lav during your conversation, then press and hold it for approximately five seconds."
Mike's curiosity turned to practicality. "And if I wish to block her from hearing my conversations, what should I do?"
Christina's voice cut in, laced with indignation. "Why would you want to block me?"
Mike's response was swift and heartfelt. "To protect you, Christina. I don't want to put you in a situation where you'd risk your life trying to save me from danger. Your safety is paramount to me."
He stood up, his eyes locked onto Miram's, urgency in his voice. "Teach me how to block her from hearing the voices of people around me," he implored.
In the background, Christina's disgruntled muttering continued, her tone growing increasingly bitter. "I'm the one who confessed my love to give him the strength to defeat Jran's soul... Now he's shutting me out? This is unbearable! After everything I've done for him..."
As Christina's complaints intensified, Mike's expression changed. "I'm not interested in learning it anymore. I'd like things to remain as they are," he said hastily.
Miram, however, seemed unfazed by Mike's sudden change of mind. Though she couldn't hear Christina's voice, her eyes darted between Mike's eyes and a particular spot on his neck, where his Lav is situated.
"Simply double-tap and hold the Lav for the same amount of time," she instructed. "This will create a shield, ensuring your discussions remain private."
Christina's anger boiled over, her voice rising. "He said he's no longer interested in learning about it! Why the hell is this bitch still explaining it? Is she intentionally getting on my nerves?!"
Stefan's brow arched in curiosity. "Why are you getting so annoyed?" he asked.
Christina's frown deepened. "Do I look annoyed?" she retorted.
Stefan's expression remained skeptical. "Of course you are; it's written all over your face."
He pressed on, concern creeping into his voice. "Did something happen between Mike, Djuma's daughter, and you?"
"I don't know!" Christina yelled. She stepped down from the bed and stomped toward the door, her hand grasping the handle.
Rachael, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up, folding her hands as she stood up from the bed. "Are you leaving already, Christina?" she asked.
Christina sighed relentingly and retraced her steps, returning to the bed. She flopped down, her frustration evident.
Rachael, aware of the underlying tensions, scoffed. "Are you even sure you know what's wrong with you?" she asked, her tone tinged with amusement.
Christina rolled her eyes. "Whatever!" she hissed, turning away.
Rachael and Stefan exchanged skeptical glances, shaking their heads. "She's lost it," Stefan muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, in the cave, Miram suddenly sprang to her feet, rushing toward the cave's entrance. She scanned the horizon, her eyes narrowing.
As she turned to face Mike, her eyes glowed with a faint, ominous red light. "We need to leave, my Jyuran," she urged, her voice laced with urgency. She swiftly grabbed one of the animal hide cloaks hung on the wall.
Mike's confusion deepened. "What's going on, Miram?"
Miram's response was grave. "They've caught our scents, and they're closing in."
"Can't you just seal the entrance, like you did before?" Mike suggested.
Miram's expression turned somber. "That tactic only works against ordinary warriors. I sense Dahra's energy; whoever's coming will see through the mountain's concealment. I'm not strong enough to face someone with Dahra's gastra."
Mike's eyes widened, alarm spreading across his face. "Dahra's coming?" he wondered aloud, his voice laced with concern.
Miram's correction was swift. "It's not Dahra. He wouldn't dare confront his father, especially to fight him. He must have empowered his minions to capture you."
Mike's frustration boiled over. "Dammit! This is a disaster!" He launched himself out of the cave, soaring above the mountain. As he hovered, he scanned the surroundings, but the dense blue fog obscured his vision.
"I can't see a damn thing!" He sniffed, his senses straining.
Miram's soft reply carried on the wind, amplified by Mike's superhearing. "You can see through it if you want to, you're the Jyuran!"
Mike took a deep breath, focusing his energy. He closed his eyes, concentrating. When he flipped them open, his Jyuran supersight ignited, illuminating his gaze.
With newfound clarity, Mike pierced the fog, his vision zooming in as if through a telescope. Beyond the swirling mist, he spotted a colony of armed warriors, their wings beating relentlessly as they closed in.
"They're almost here, we have to go – now!" Mike half-shouted, urgency propelling him back toward the cave.
"That was fast," Miram's voice came from behind, calm and collected.
Mike spun around, startled, as Miram stood behind him. He had assumed she was still inside the cave. "Oh! You're here already, that was fast," he blurted, attempting to regain his composure.
Miram's smile hinted at amusement. With a fluid motion, she swung around, her wings propelling her forward. Mike followed, his wings beating relentlessly against the dense blue fog.
Meanwhile, back in Rachael's room, Stefan noticed Christina's concerned expression. "What's the situation over there?" he asked.
Christina's voice was barely above a whisper. "It seems they are being chased by Dahra's minions."
Rachael's pulse quickened, her heartbeat racing. "Where the hell is Djuma?!" she cried, anxiety creeping into her voice.
Stefan's brow furrowed. "Right, he should have reached there by now. It's been almost nine hours."
Suddenly, Mike's voice came through the Lav. "Tell Rachael not to worry about me; I can hear her concerns. I knew this would happen when I asked to learn how to block you off from hearing voices around me. I'll talk to you later."
The Lav disconnected, leaving Christina frantic.
"Mike? Mike!? You can't disconnect now! We need to keep track of your situation! Mike!?" Christina called out repeatedly, but her pleas went unanswered.
Rachael's fear intensified. "Is something wrong with my brother?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Nothing's wrong," Christina reassured. "Mike got worried when he heard you crying and disconnected the Lav."
Rachael's eyes widened in astonishment. "He can hear my voice?" she asked, seeking verification.
Christina nodded. "The witch taught him how to operate the Lav further."
Her expression turned teasing. "You're such a crybaby. How can you cry knowing he has a powerful witch protecting him?"
Rachael swiftly wiped away her tears, her face setting in determination. "If the witch is strong enough to protect him, they shouldn't be fleeing," she countered.
"Still, he's the most powerful…" Christina's response was cut short as her phone rang, shrill in the tense atmosphere. She glanced at the screen, her eyes flicking to the caller ID. Her expression changed, and she swiftly flipped her phone over.
She turned back to Rachael, forcing a smile. "Where was I?" she asked.
Rachael's observation was dry. "The part where you're going to pick your father's call instead of ignoring it," she replied.
Christina's eyes flashed with surprise. "How did you know it's my father calling?" she demanded. "I didn't even save his number as 'Dad'; it's 'Workaholic'. How did you know without seeing my phone?"