CHAPTER 243: NIGHT VISITS

Eighteen minutes more. I mused, watching the clock. Eighteen minutes until I sneaked out of the house and into the forest.

I looked at the backpack lying idly on the bed beside me. I had everything arranged for this little journey—prepared for whatever consequences might happen along the way. There were even snacks—because a woman could never be caught hungry, right?

But I was tired of sitting and waiting. It wasn’t a surprise then, when El slipped into my mind and reminded me of the Queen’s letter and her impossible request.

Maybe I should send her a reply now, I concluded, a furrow marring my forehead. I shouldn’t have to meet her physically.

A large smile broke out on my lips as the mystical process of ensuring the communication took shape in my mind. I love magic!

With the picture in my head—and with El’s help—I visualized the possible description of the Queen, her hands; while my hands reached for a paper and pen.

Without much ado, I wrote my answer—I won’t be taking up the offer, Queen Aliana. I have no desire to speak at your party. Let your daughter do it—folded it like a paper plane, and began chanting the words required for teleportation, smiling like a kid given a lollipop.

It wasn’t as difficult as I had bargained for; within the next few seconds of the chant, the paper left the confines of my hand—and hopefully, into the hands of the wicked Queen. Spectacular!

"It’s easier because of the high magic potential of your house... Do you remember..."

Of course I remembered, prompted by El’s words. The first time I had teleported from the community to the pack, for the annual peace party, I recalled Laura had said something about the high potential of the house being the reason it had been chosen as the location for teleportation.

Hopefully, the Queen gets my letter—and not some other person.

I looked at the clock—twelve minutes more. I got out of bed. Surely, twelve minutes wouldn’t make a difference.

As I reached for my backpack, my senses picked up movement from behind my door, and immediately I was on alert because none of my family members was awake at this time.

It couldn’t be Diana—if she wanted to see me, she would have come through the door that separated our rooms. Who could be knocking?

I bit my lips, forsaking my bag, and started toward the door with a ball of flame whispering on my right hand. Just because. It could be a vampire.

"Who is there?" My voice sounded curious, mixed with a little tinge of fear. But no answer greeted me. So I repeated my question, this time steadier, louder.

Fortunately, someone answered—a voice that made me shudder—not in fright, but with excitement. No matter, it was frowned upon the next second. For why would I be excited to see Adam?

Still, I opened the door with more enthusiasm than necessary, trying at least to keep my façade of aloofness. A façade that threatened to break away when I beheld the handsomeness that was Adam—clothed in a black sweater that emphasized his beautiful collarbones, and in black trousers and combat shoes.

Why the black theme? Was there some party going on that I wasn’t aware of?

"Dora." His honeyed voice reached into my ear and stayed.

"Adam. What are you doing here?" I praised myself for maintaining a calm voice—just before my eyes connected with the people a few steps behind him.

It was the gang—his brothers, Naomi with Timothy, Claire, and the Queen’s twins.

What in the world was going on? Why were they at my door? I raised an eyebrow when Adam wasn’t forthcoming with an answer.

"If you are here to stare, you might as well stare at my door when I’ve shut it."

Adam smiled then, almost disarming me—almost being the keyword.

"Forgive me. You just look better than most... or you haven’t been sleeping? Come to think of it, you are dressed like one going out..."

I didn’t bother giving him an answer. Instead I repeated my first question, this time sternly, ignoring Naomi’s smile.

As much as I was glad to see an old friend, I had plans for tonight—and they were being spoiled. Shouldn’t Rachel and Raul be sleeping? When did the triplets arrive? Why are they so early? Did something worthy of note happen?

"We are here to hang out. Would you be interested in a bonfire?"

I frowned before I could think, my eyes leaving Adam to stare at the others. A bonfire? Why hadn’t the twins mentioned it earlier? Did they leave me out—only to be overruled by Adam?

"Are you interested? The others are already there."

Others? Which others? But I asked, "A bonfire for what? Is it part of the Queen’s celebration?"

Adam cocked his head slightly to the side. "Not really. This is something for us. I just thought you would be interested—that we would have your company alone, without the interference of your cousin."

Adam’s smile as he mentioned the last phrase prompted a smile from my lips too, as I imagined Diana’s reaction if she heard this remark.

"So, we’ll just hang out, drink most likely..." I left the sentence hanging.

"Yeah." Adam concurred.

My eyes found his crowd—and then the sky, noting there was no full moon, so I was safe—before returning to his face.

"Okay, then. Let me get something from inside..."

Without waiting for his response, I shut the door in his face and inhaled deeply. A bonfire night? What could go wrong?

I shrugged my shoulders and picked up my backpack. Bonfire or not, nothing was going to stop me from my earlier mission. I just had to be better at sneaking away.

Taking one last look in the mirror, satisfied with my all-black outfit, I met Adam outside the door. This time, Naomi was waiting with him. And she immediately engulfed me in a hug.

"Dora, I have missed you so much!!"