Chapter 52
Return
A ball of light dropped from the heavens, placing the duo back into Piya’s bedroom after they returned to the physical world. Piya felt a ticklish surge in her veins as her soul reunited with her body. Her eyes opened, vision adjusting to the fading brightness. She couldn’t move, it was too exhausting. Her eyes were swollen and tears had dried on her cheeks. Though everything she saw was in person, it felt like she had dreamt it all. Hence the crying.
Her head throbbed like a beating drum. She reached up and pressed a palm to her temple, inching her way upright against the bed frame.
It was still dark out.
“I suggest resting for some hours. You’re somehow weaker than when we left.”
Horatia was seated in front of her, hands folded on her thighs. Piya managed to nod, and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand.
“It’s probably from the crying.” Piya joked, taking tiny sips.
She started to feel better after a few more minutes of silence.
“I still don’t know why you’re doing this...,”she said.
Horatia touched a finger to her core, coaxing her soul out of hiding again.
“Your soul is one of those special ones. Unless you want to end up like Vaibhav, it was imperative for me to return your memories and make sure Abhay doesn’t try to distance himself from you. He’s your protector, in a sense.”
She brushed a palm over the glowing light.
Special, huh?
“I don’t get powers, do I?”
She watched it fade back into her body.
“No. You’re just a normal human. But enough souls like yours and they can even subjugate us. And controlling time is a forbidden act. We’re more vulnerable than you think.”
She already knew that if Abhay was there to protect her, she would meet no harm. He was adamant about keeping that statement a fact. But he also saw himself as a threat.
You did overcome your fear at the party, Abhay.
Horatia heard a chime in her ears, nodding up at the ceiling. She had been called back. It was time for her to say her goodbyes.
She stepped gracefully on the floor. Piya frowned.
“Are you leaving?”
It was unexpected, but she would miss Horatia’s company.
“I can’t stay here forever. Imagine if those Vitael got their hands on me.”
“Are they still around here?”
She really didn’t want to run into Ayushmaan again. His violating stares were just as bad as Jeh’s.
“They fled. For now.”
Piya nodded, acknowledging the risk regardless. Though, not many people were interested in the past as they were in knowing their futures. If Future was down here too, it would be catastrophic.
She, for one, was grateful to Past.
“Thank you, again. Especially for returning my memory. I would’ve lost someone very precious if you hadn’t.”
Horatia smiled, and nodded once.
“No need. Just make sure I don’t have a reason to come down here again.”
There was one last thing she planned to do. Into her hand appeared a smaller locket, which went into Piya’s palm. It was shaped and colored like the giant hourglass.
“But I’ll make you, and only you, an exception. If you ever need me, just tap the charm twice. I’ll come. Single use only.”
She held up a finger, additionally emphasizing that only Piya was to use it. The charm began to glow the color of her soul, marking Piya as its sole user.
“Don’t worry. Hopefully I’ll never have to use it.”
She tied it to the chain where the S-shaped pendant sat. It was warm to the touch.
“And the beginner strings classes? Have an excuse?”
“Something about me getting adopted. Don’t worry too much about that; I’ll handle it.”
Piya smiled a little and looked towards the window. The mansion was hidden from sight, lights still off.
“They aren’t home.....”
“Just have patience. I’ll leave it up to you now. Goodbye.” She said, leaving as she came in a ball of light.
“Bye.....” she whispered.
Piya curled up in bed, closing her eyes to sleep some more, hugging a pillow and feeling the thumps of her heart. The sun began to rise, higher past the horizon and blinding her eyes.
Horatia said they were bound by fate. It could only mean one thing.
He’s my soulmate.
Her blush colored her face like a strawberry. They were meant to be together. The reason why she felt whole when he was with her. And the reason why she felt incomplete when he wasn’t.
They completed each other.
Come back soon, Abhay. I miss you.
——————————————————————
Prague, Czech Republic.
The last time they set foot inside the courtroom was after Maithili had been killed. Even if they weren’t the accused, the chills remained, built from unjustified mistrust of their kind. And even now, some were still wary of their family.
It smelled of burnt pine and incense. Not real incense, the kind that could burn a vampire’s nose off, but a fake knockoff scent that resembled it. It still irritated the same.
This courtroom, a large echo chamber, was filled with his clan and the disgruntled Dipanita, all before the judge and jury. In order to remain clear of bias, these individuals never revealed their identities and always covered their faces during trials, going as far as to mask their scents and voices too. He only recognized Andreas, who was making rather dramatic expressions whilst the crimes were read. He winked at Abhay, and flashed his perfect teeth. It wasn’t everyday for a spy like him to see an old case reopen.
This trial concluded quickly, given the nature of a repeat transgression, and then some small new accusations. The evidence was all there, and no one to defend the disgraced Alpha. Dipanita remained restrained while before the court, body seething with rage. Not only that, she refused to say anything when pressed with questions. It only incriminated her further.
Multiple voices of different pitches, belonging all to the judge, clashed into one another while announcing the verdict.
“Dipanita Khurana. Guilty.”
With all the evidence and witnesses against her, she was sentenced to eternal torture in the infamous dungeons below the surface, never to see proper light again. The prisons that made every supernatural’s skin crawl. Her eyes widened and froze over contemplating her fate.
This isn’t over, Raichand.
She glared at Abhay as the guards dragged her away. His anger was stronger. He burned her with his contempt. All he saw, was a woman who once tormented his love in the past, and continued to do so now. He was happy two threats were removed from Piya’s life, one dead and one a prisoner for life. She could breathe easy. He ignored her stares and winces of pain and thought of Piya. Their blood bond escaped his mind as of recent, likely due to their proximity. Its strength became routine. It was something he grew so used to that he forgot it was there. An integral part of his being. Through it, he could sense Piya’s confusion swirl of emotions, but couldn’t tell the source of it.
She must have her memories by now.
Seraphina looked up, loitering just outside the courtroom, and pulled him aside as he exited into the hall.
“What?” He asked, coldly. His eyes flashed red for a second. There was no desire in him to see anyone connected to the main council.
“Like you don’t know. I know exactly what you’re going to do after leaving.”
“And?”
Stubborn was his middle name. She gave him a look of warning.
“Listen, Abhay. I don’t think you should see her again after this. Dragomir is already upset with you.”
He can’t harm her. It’s against the rules.
“When has he not been so? That won’t stop me.”
“You act as if her memories can be returned.”
He stopped with a chilling look in his eye. Seraphina thought she struck a weak point, but he seemed more defensive. Because he knew, that she remembered.
Not act. I know.
But he couldn’t mention Time itself was responsible for their return. He was forbidden from speaking about it to outsiders. He shifted his gaze, making sure she didn’t suspect, and pulled his arm away.
“I realize that she’s your soulmate. But others are going to need far more convincing then I did.”
I don’t need to convince anyone of what she means to me.
He had enough.
“I can’t stay for long. Goodbye.” He replied, walking off. She shook her head, realizing it was a waste of her own time to talk sense into him.
You’ll never learn, Sera. You’ll never learn.
The gossip already spread through the mouths of those who worked in this ancient headquarters. He became nameless, only called mockingly as the vampire having a romantic relationship with a human girl.
Maybe he’s just stringing her along as a snack....
What an idiot, threatening our secrets like that.
Humans fear us. And he wants one to love him? Pitiful...
His hands balled into fists. They let their thoughts become vulnerable just so he could hear. The beast was tempted by the insults, wanting to unleash the pent-up anger upon them.
Don’t listen. Don’t react. They don’t know anything.
He knew he wasn’t quite ready enough to see her. Siddharth, Mandu, Danish, and the rest of the clan waited for him near the entrance. Siddharth noticed his sudden anger and pried his fists open.
“Relax, little brother.”
He needed time alone. He couldn’t see her yet. She needed time to process everything. As did he.
“I’m...not coming back. At least, not for a day or two.”
Siddharth expected this, and nodded.
“Where will you go?”
“Shimla. I’ll stay with mom for a bit.”
Haseena lived alone, as to her preference, but never minded if her children came to visit.
Siddharth pat his shoulder, and handed him the separate key to the Shimla house.
“I think she’ll like that too.”
——————————————————————
You would love it here.
Shimla was experiencing a light snowfall this morning. Winters here were pleasant in their own way, something he liked to see. He ran there immediately after returning to the Dehradun mansion, without looking towards Piya’s villa, standing between the trees that enveloped their alternate residence. It was just as far from the rest of the city as every home of theirs was, always hidden in the arms of the forest. No one to bother, no one to entertain. A perfect place for vampires to live out their eternal years.
He leapt over the hilly landscapes and wide rivers, soon reaching the front doors. As habit directed, he turned the key without thought and stepped inside. A burst of pine and oak scents made it feel like the house was grown from the forests itself.
She already sensed him near the house. There was a moment of recognition, and then joy.
“I’ll talk to you later, sweetheart. Abhay is here.”
Haseena set her phone down, turned her head and greeted Abhay with a warm smile. He closed the doors behind him, watching the dumbfounded servants scurry away like mice. They weren’t expecting any visitors, and especially not the landlady’s youngest son.
He wasn’t really close to any of them, even though some had worked there for years. Two new scents briefed his attention, probably some newcomers.
“Did I interrupt your conversation?”
“Not at all. Come inside.”
He joined her by the fire. A pile of photos lay on the table in front of them. Abhay took a closer look, recognizing them from the anniversary party. On top, a photo of Piya, watching him perform.
“I was told that my son has finally found his soulmate.”
He picked up the photo, unable to hold back his smile. It surprised her.
“They told you everything, huh?”
“Yes. And it’s been a while since then. I’m disappointed in you, Abhay. I hoped you would tell me yourself.”
He sat down, leaned his head back against the sofa, and took in the warmth of the fire. Haseena met his eyes.
“Sorry, mom. I didn’t want to you any false joy.”
Haseena was well aware of his internal conflicts. And it only took a quick notice of his gaze at the photo, and the rare smile, to truly see his love for her.
“She sounds lovely, from I hear.”
I know....., he thought. His eyes wandered the ceiling. All the servants were far away, as they should be. He spoke again.
“She knows our secret.”
Haseena remained composed, sifting through the photos again.
“And you’re here?”
“I don’t know how to face her.”
He traced the bracelet with his fingers.
She caressed his hair, looking at the photo herself.
“Don’t worry. I believe that she will accept you.”
“Everyone else is so confident but me.”
“A little optimism couldn’t hurt, right?”
He sighed, eyes wandering around the living room, and made notice of the photo on the mantle. He turned to Haseena.
“Any plans to visit Eliza? Your 20th anniversary is coming up.”
“We were just talking about it. My tickets are booked for next week.” She smiled. “I hope I can bring her the good news of your mate with me by then.”
“It might take longer than that. I apologize in advance.”
Haseena dismissed the servants early for the night, giving them time to talk openly. She filled with blood a tall goblet for the each of them. Abhay stared at the red nectar, swirling it around while gathering his thoughts.
“Have the Vitael left this area as well?” He asked.
“Here, and where I have contact. Eliza also took notice in her area. They seemed to vanish again, all at once. Just like last time. Even the werewolves that joined them disappeared.”
He groaned, and rubbed his face with his palm. It was at least comforting to know that their encounters were not as deadly and costly as the Dehradun ones.
“They’re hiding again. Which means we thwarted them for now.”
“Are they trying to bring Maithili back?”
“I believe so. I learned recently, that her spirit is still in the palace. Sealed away. And that seal was breaking.”
“It’s only a matter of time then. We have to be prepared.”
Only the survivors of the past war remembered what had happened. Abhay didn’t let Siddharth or Mandu step into it, as the two were newly turned and still in grieving. He had seen the casualties first hand, and while they had won, it wasn’t without a price. It was how Ayushmaan learned he lived, and how he then decided to keep his family hidden.
He leaned forward and rested his chin on his clasped palms. There was one thing that didn’t make enough sense to him.
How does Piya fit in this equation? What did Past mean about her soul? Special?
He emptied his goblet and set it aside.
“Let’s hope The Circle can devise a plan against them this time. Reckless and fragmented fighting will get us nowhere.”
“Before it’s too late.”
The danger was just beginning to rear its ugly head. It was only a matter of time, before the next strike.
Pushpa Impossible
CID
864