Xifin stopped his black sports car in front of a huge mansion. The dark brown and black exterior gave it a gloomy feeling. It was surrounded by lush green gardens and a twisted tiled path leading to the main door from the entrance door.

A butler with white hair and intelligent eyes, was waiting for him, he quickly opened the door of his car and he stepped outside. "Is father home?" He inquired in a cold voice.

"Yes, young master, he is waiting for you in his study," Butler replied and opened the mansion door for him so he could enter.

Xifin entered the grand living area and without stopping anywhere made his way to the study. The inside of the mansion was cosy with the fireplace crackling to provide warmth. Too bad it proved ineffective in warming the hearts of creatures that dwelled here.

Xifin knocked at the study door which had been built from the finest wood and had a deep brown shade.

"Enter..." An authoritative voice rumbled from inside. He turned the doorknob and pushing the door open, made his way in.

His father sat on an executive chair with a glass of whisky and a book in his hands. He glanced at Xifin who seemed like a carbon copy of his father and a small smile spread on his thin lips. As Xiran had inherited most of his traits and physical features from his mother, Xifin on the other hand was his father’s boy.

"Father," Xifin greeted him by slightly bowing his head.

"My son, have a seat." His father replied and shut the book he was reading.

"How have you been father?" Xifin inquired as he sat down.

"Can’t be better." He spoke while sipping some whisky from the glass he held. "What would you like to have?"

"Some of your speciality." Xifin laid back and relaxed on the leather sofa, while his father smiled at his request.

"Hozain," he called out and the butler with white hair emerged from the door, instantly.

"Bring Xifin our special drink." He ordered the butler.

"Yes, master," he bowed and left.

"Father I had something important to discuss with you." Xifin began once the butler was gone.

"Yes son, I am listening." His father devoted his full attention to his favourite son.

"You know last month I went to the Xiran’s party. Later, we got hold of one of his girls from his secret harem. We drank from her and he got so furious over it that he beat me and Sohlia up pretty bad." Xifin exaggerated Sohlia’s part for Xiran didn’t hit her.

Xifin’s father raised his eyebrows and his forehead got creased listening to his son before he spoke: "He beat you up and Sohlia over some slut he keeps? Why am I hearing about this now? Tell me at least you killed that bit*h."

"That’s the thing father, he erased that memory from our minds. We don’t even remember what we did to the girl, we only remember him beating us up and asking why we drank from his girl. He chose a lowly girl over us, which makes me wonder what was so special about her. And I waited this long because I wanted to gather some evidence about her." Xifin told his side of the story.

"He dared use his powers on his kin and hurt you. Seems like he has forgotten the lessons of his past. Seems like it’s time to teach him a new lesson. Don’t worry I will hand over that bit*h to you." His father’s eyes had gotten dark and his whole body convulsed with pleasure as he thought of different punishments for Xiran. A sly smile spread on his lips.

Xifin had a satisfied expression on his face at his father’s words as he said: "I found no evidence for the girl, you know how secretive he is and how tight his security is. But I like to believe she is alive and means something to him. For I have never seen him the way he behaved with me. His eyes held disgust and he banished us from ever setting foot there."

"Did he now? Seems like he has forgotten his place. It’s time I remind him who the real boss of this household is. I am gonna rip apart that bit*h in front of him so he can never raise his hand on his family again. How dare he banish you?" He spat out, there was a forlorn evil look in his eyes.

The butler arrived with Xifin’s drink and handed it over before leaving. Xifin took a sip and revelled in the taste of the red liquid:

"Ahhh!!! delicious. Father if you find her, hand her over to me. But it’s very much a possibility she is dead because of the way he reacted." His father nodded at his words, deep in thought and spoke after a full half-minute:

"We will see, I have some important business to attend to or I would have personally gone there. But that doesn’t mean I can’t call him here. Seems like it’s time for a father-son reunion." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

----------------------

Xiran pulled Aselia closer and whispered: "Let me tell you a secret..." but his phone began to ring before he could finish.

He took it out and seeing the caller ID, he froze. His whole body became rigid, and his expressions darkened.

Aselia noticed his body going stiff and asked: "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, I will be right back." He got up and stepped outside to answer the call. Aselia couldn’t hear what he was saying because he had shut the door behind him.

He returned after 10 minutes and anger dripped from every pore of his body. Aselia could feel that his relaxed demeanour had changed drastically.

He glanced in her direction and spoke: "Aselia something urgent has come up, I will have to leave tonight and I will be back in a few days. I am sorry, I had planned to stay here for a few more days but it won’t be possible right now. We will return to the hotel and I promise we will come back here once I finish my business."

"What has happened? Is everything alright? Who was on the phone?" She asked him feeling anxious.

"Nothing you need to worry about." He said before glancing at his phone and calling someone else. Aselia had a bad feeling about this. There was something he wasn’t telling her.

"Carios, come and get us. Be quick." He spoke anxiously before cutting the call.

"Can I take a few books with me from here?" Aselia asked seeing he was still lost on his phone.

"Yes, sure but please take care of them. They belonged to my mother."

"I will not let even a blemish taint them. You have my word." With this being said, she took the books she had taken out before back to the room and began to scan the shelf, looking for ones she needed to take with her. She selected five books and placed the rest back, neatly.

Xiran extinguished the fire in the fireplace, while Aselia went upstairs to grab Xiran’s coat and the aquamarine dress she had adorned when she came here. She placed the dress with the books but she kept his coat in her hands, unaware that Xiran was observing her actions.

Carios arrived soon and handed them new masks. They wore them and decided to head out. Aselia had one final look at the house before getting inside the car along with Xiran. She still clutched his coat.

"Aselia, take care of yourself once I am gone. I don’t want any harm to come to you. I will try to be back as soon as possible. Don’t try any self-injury and let Dr. Wanstine handle your wounds, please." He went on and on with his instructions, she could understand the urgency in his words.

"Stop worrying, I am not a kid. I can take care of myself." She frowned at him.

"I can’t, I don’t want to leave you behind like that but it’s an emergency." She noticed he hadn’t smiled since that call came and he was constantly worrying about her because of the stunt she had pulled.

"Xiran I will be fine, I promise. I won’t do anything to cause myself any injury." She placed her hand on his to reassure him that she was telling the truth. He nodded but his eyes still held apprehensions and the way he was shaking his leg told her how restless he was.

They reached back and both of them went to their rooms, Frila took Aselia to her room and stayed with her, while Carios followed Xiran. Aselia placed the books in the cupboard and hung the clothes. Then she sat down with Frila and both began to talk about the past few days.

After half an hour the door opened and Xiran stepped in and said: "Frila give us the room."