12. Remina

Istepped out of the council building and into the main square of the compound. The cool breeze rustled my hair, and I could hear the distant chirping of birds in the trees. My heart raced, and I couldn"t shake the shock of seeing Frost, or Hael as it turns out, in that council meeting.

The magnitude of my mistake weighed on me as I clenched my fists. I knew I should have looked into his identity and found out more about him. The unease and tension between us from the moment we locked eyes in that meeting were unmistakable, and I was filled with an aching regret for not seeking out the truth sooner.

I strolled through the square, my footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone pavement. The fountain at the center sparkled, and the scent of blooming flowers wafted from the nearby gardens, but I barely noticed. My thoughts swirled with unanswered questions about Hael. The tension that had erupted in the council chamber now hung heavy in the air. I needed to confront him. Figure out whether he was going to say anything or not.

As I made my way to the shifter sector a voice broke through the square. I turned to see Seraphina, the distinguished Light Mage council leader, making her way toward me. Her ethereal aura seemed to shimmer with purity, an enigmatic contrast to my hidden nature.

Her attire, a flowing gown of deep indigo, is adorned with intricate silver patterns that seem to dance with every graceful step she takes.

"Remina," she began, her voice a soothing melody. "I wanted to catch you before you take your well-deserved break. It"s a pleasure to finally meet you. I admit, I have followed your career with the Order for some time now."

"Likewise," I replied, my voice betraying my surprise at her lack of disdain for my position. "Seraphina, right? I"ve also heard of you. Your healing powers are legendary among the Mage community."

Seraphina"s smile was enchanting. "You are too kind. I just do my part with what I have been blessed with, though I must say, I'm not sure I leave as much of an impression on others as you."

My reputation preceded me. The shadows of my past and my dark affiliations seemed to cast a long and inescapable silhouette over me. "The world of the supernatural can be quite small, can"t it?" I remarked, trying to break the tension with a small, uncertain smile.

Seraphina"s laughter tinkled like wind chimes in the breeze. "Indeed, it can. People have a way of taking note of those with power, it seems. Unfortunately, they are not always welcoming to all." Her smile, though radiant, held an underlying warmth that eased the tight knot in my chest.

Seraphina leaned in slightly, her voice soft and sincere "I was made aware of Kique"s warning yesterday. Please don"t let that deter you, Remina. He may be the leader of the Light Fae, but I believe in unity. You"re always welcome in the Light Mage district. Before you embark on your next assignment, I"d like you to visit. I"d love to get to know you better."

My surprise melted into a genuine smile. Seraphina"s kind words and open invitation were a breath of fresh air. Her genuine warmth and diplomacy revealed a leader who, unlike others, valued connection over division. With a nod of gratitude, I accepted her offer.

In the backdrop of our exchange, I noticed the whispers and sidelong glances from others in the square. Some were openly intrigued by our conversation, while others were uncomfortable with my presence.

Seraphina smiled softly; her voice soft but firm. "Ignore them, Remina, they don't understand what you have sacrificed for the rest of us. Especially as the last of your kind."

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced down at my concealed arms, hidden by the amulet that shielded them from prying eyes. I had taken great care to keep my Dark Mage heritage a secret, how could she know?

Seraphina"s emerald eyes bore into mine with a hint of compassion. "You see, I was born with a gift—the ability to see past glamour, past the illusions. Even ones as powerful as yours."

A lump formed in my throat as the weight of my secret suddenly felt burdensome. But Seraphina"s next words surprised me.

"Don"t worry, Remina. I won"t expose your secret. You"re more than your heritage. I only pointed it out as I want you to know you have friends here. If you ever need an ear or a shoulder, you know where to find me. Dark and Light Fae once worked together in unity, there is no reason that we cannot revive that old tradition."

A wave of gratitude washed over me. Seraphina had shown me a kindness that transcended our magical identities. In a world rife with secrets and betrayals, I had found an unexpected ally.

Our conversation continued, and I accepted her invitation to visit the Light Mage district, determined to embrace the opportunity for connection amidst the tangled web of supernatural politics. As I walked away from our meeting, a smile took over my face.

The muted glow of the television filled the apartment as Gi-Gi and I lounged on the overstuffed couch. Empty wine glasses stood beside the unopened bottle, ready for a refill at any moment. The scent of red wine hung in the air, mingling with the comforting aroma of our takeout containers from the local Chinese restaurant.

As the characters on the screen navigated their complicated romance, Gi-Gi and I found ourselves debating the character's decision-making skills.

"Did she seriously just do that?" I exclaimed; my eyes glued to the TV.

Gi-Gi chuckled, a sound that resonated through the room. "Oh, absolutely. People in movies always make the craziest choices."

I laughed. The last two days with Gi-Gi had been perfect. I leaned back into the plush cushions, enjoying the comfort of her company. "You know, this is nice," I said. "Just taking a break from all the chaos out there. God, it's been ages since we did this. Binged movies and lived the couch-potato life."

Gi-Gi nodded in agreement. "It was well overdue, that"s for sure. We all need a little downtime, Rem. Especially with the kind of life you lead."

"I guess you"re right," I admitted, the weight of my duties as a supernatural enforcer briefly slipping from my shoulders. I refilled our wine as the movie continued, the characters" romantic struggles becoming a backdrop to our takeout dinner.

"Remember that time we went on that road trip to the coast?" Gi-Gi asked; a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I chuckled at the memory. "How could I forget? It was the most chaotic trip ever. A flat tire, running out of gas, and that random encounter with that vampire gang."

Gi-Gi laughed, and it was as if the room itself brightened. "Ah, good times. We were lucky we made it back in one piece."

The conversation veered in all directions, from recounting our most memorable mishaps to catching up on what we had missed in our time apart. It was in moments like these that I was thankful for Gi-Gi taking pity on me when I had first arrived at the orphanage all those years ago.

As the credits rolled on the screen, a comfortable silence settled between us. Our wine glasses were once again empty, and I realized we"d been talking for hours.

Gi-Gi stretched and yawned, her arms reaching upward to the ceiling. "I hate to say it, but I think I'm going to hit the hay. Tomorrow, I thought I could show you some of the excitement the compound has to offer."

I nodded in agreement. "Sounds perfect, Gi."

As I prepared to head to bed, I made my nightly rounds and checked everything was secure. My life had taught me to be vigilant, and even in the security of the compound, I double-checked all entry points of Gi-Gi's apartment. I checked the locks and security measures on the windows and headed toward the front door. I instinctively glanced through the peephole. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Still, a voice in the back of my mind whispered to check that both the flywire and wooden doors were locked.

Carefully, I turned the doorknob and opened the door, the slight creak of hinges echoing in the night. As I placed the empty takeout containers in the bin outside the door, my senses went on high alert.

The apartment building was quiet, with other residents" doors closed and life seemingly on hold. While doing one last sweep with my eyes, my gaze fell upon the out-of-place sight on the doormat. It was a piece of meat, a raw and torn fragment that bore the unmistakable marks of teeth. At first, I thought it might be a twisted prank, a grim joke by some neighbor with a morbid sense of humor.

Yet, this had happened the night before as well. I knelt beside the gruesome offering, my fingers gingerly brushing against the cold, rough texture. The meat was unmistakably a portion of a fresh kill, as though a wolf had torn into it. I studied the bloodstains that marred the apartment"s pristine hallway.

I placed the gruesome piece of meat in the bin with the empty takeout containers, determined to ask Gi-Gi about it in the morning. Maybe it was some weird werewolf thing.

Closing the front door behind me, I retreated inside the apartment. As I climbed into the warmth of my bed, thoughts whirled in my mind. Why would someone be leaving meat at Gi-Gi's door? Had anyone else received these gifts in the night?

Sleep was elusive that night, and my thoughts remained tangled in the enigma of the meat left on the doorstep. I couldn"t shake the feeling that something sinister lurked just beyond our awareness.

The following morning, over breakfast, I decided to bring up the peculiar occurrence. Gi-Gi"s brow furrowed as she listened, her gaze far away. "Rem, that"s … odd," she admitted, her usually lively eyes reflecting a hint of discomfort. "Nothing to worry about though, sometimes a shifter will gift their kill. I"ve never received one before, so the shifter most likely got the apartment number wrong. Depends on whether their animal side was in the driver's seat or not."

"Okay," I replied, my voice hushed. "But it happened twice now. I think we should be cautious, keep an eye out."

Gi-Gi nodded, her expression serious. "Agreed. I'll mention it to Slade, and he can mention it to the shifters if it keeps happening."

Gi-Gi, with her vivacious spirit and infectious enthusiasm, seemed determined to chase away my lingering concerns. Her purple pixie cut was in her natural curls today, and her vibrant eyes shone with excitement. "So," she began, her voice filled with anticipation, "I"ve got the day all planned out. There"s so much to see in the compound, Rem! I want to show you all of it."

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "I"m looking forward to it, Gi. You always know the best places to go, and I've been dying to see all the places you've told me about over the years."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she leaned forward, her voice hushed with conspiratorial delight. "Wait until you see the Elemental Garden. It"s breathtaking, and the air there is electrifying. We could even visit the Sirens" Lagoon if you"re up for a swim."

Leaning forward, I placed my hand on Gi-Gi"s arm. "Sounds fabulous, Gi. I'm happy for you to take the lead."

She smiled. "You are going to love it, Rem. Best Day ever."

After finishing our coffee, we prepared to set out on our day of exploration. I was looking forward to seeing the compound through Gi-Gi's eyes.