From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Roman was all smiles when he walked back into his room. Before going back to Joan’s room, he had thought of different ways to make her submit to his will, and was at first surprised when the first thought that popped into his head was to follow her gently.

He fought the idea initially, and tried to come up with a less soft way to approach the matter, but every method he thought of didn’t end well in his head. They would only make her fear him, and that wasn’t what he was aiming for. There were already enough people who harboured the fear of Roman Gavriel in their hearts. He didn’t want to see that fear in Joan’s eyes. The fact that she could even talk back at him was already satisfying. He didn’t want that to stop.

So in the end, he decided to go with the gentleman approach. Seeing it work out partially in his favor, he felt ecstatic. He had never had to win a woman’s love in the past. When he was younger, he waited patiently until he found his mate. After her death, women became an abomination. Instead of getting excited by their looks or touch, he became intensely repulsed until he met Joan. Trying to win her love now felt like a challenge, one he was determined to overcome.

But there was just one problem. He knew nothing about courting a woman, especially one he was already married to.

“Lazer, can you hear me?” He asked in his mind, calling out to his wolf. He had tried to reach the beast earlier, but received no response.

Despite their constant squabbles, Lazer was his best friend and number one confidant. They had kept each other company even when the entire world was against them.

Now he needed to talk to the wolf, but the latter was not available. Lazer was becoming distant, and Roman couldn’t blame him. It was a result of forcing his way into Joan’s head and messing with her thoughts. The red moon was still months away, so he had to resort to a temporary fix to speak with his wolf.

Roman grabbed a bottle of wine, and without a glass, he started to drink directly from the bottle. It was a very strong wine, strong enough to get him drunk in a couple of minutes. If his human form became vulnerable enough, he would be able to speak to Lazer in the subconscious.

But his plans were halted halfway when his phone rang and he checked to find it was Williams calling. Recalling that he gave Williams an assignment, he picked up.

“Who is it?” Roman asked for the identity of the culprit.

“It’s not Jorell and it’s not Casper. I think the witches are on to you. I’m in Monero. You should get here as quickly as you can. I’m still trying to find the culprit, but I sense they know I am onto them and they are prepared. I may not be able to handle them alone.” Williams reported.

“I’ll be there soon. Keep me updated.” Roman said, then ended the call and dropped to the bed, shutting his eyes. The drink he just gulped down was already affecting him, and although he didn’t didn’t drink up to his intended quantity, he had taken enough to destabilize him. He would need an hour or two to regain composure.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

‘Monero!!!’ He thought. The town of witches. His archenemies, simply because they were the major reason he had so many problems. They had to have been monitoring him to know he had found her, and to know her exact location. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on the one who tried to abduct her.

***

Joan took her sweet time to walk down the stairs, admiring, once more, the beauty of the house. This time, however, she was doing it with a feeling different from the one she had on the first day.

When she arrived at the ground floor, there was no one there as usual. She instantly thought they must be in the dining room since she could hear faint voices and laughter coming from that direction.

Deciding she wasn’t interested in whatever they were doing or the identity of the people there, she fixed her gaze on the main door and moved toward it. Cody, the doorman, was standing there as usual. This made her wonder if he ever sits down or leaves that position. Does he even eat? How come everyone was eating and he was standing like a statue beside the door?

“Good evening, Madam. Is there something I can help you with?” Cody asked, bowing his head after the greeting.

“Not at all. I’m good. Just open the door.” Joan flashed him a polite smile. Just then, Daniel walked out of the dining room and seeing her talking to Cody, he approached them, but didn’t go to close.

“Why… I mean, where are you going?” Cody asked, a small frown coming to settle on his features. He was aware she had tried to escape that morning, and was attacked in the process. Was she trying to do it again?

Joan raised a brow, then wore a displeased look. His face didn’t look like he was asking with a demeaning intention, but his tone of voice suggested otherwise.

“I’m going to my room.” She answered plainly, inviting confusion to Cody’s face.

“I’m sure your room is upstairs, ma’am.” Cody responded, and Joan wore a surprised look.

“Upstairs? For real? Are you sure this door doesn’t lead to my room?” She probed, feigning ignorance.

Finally catching up to what she was doing, Cody let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Ma’am. It’s just that Boss didn’t inform me that you would be going anywhere.”

“Did he inform you that I am now a prisoner in my house?” Joan probed, her tone and face giving away her annoyance.

“Open the door, Cody.” Daniel spoke out loud, and Cody moved immediately. He opened the door, but Joan didn’t move.

“I’m really sorry, Ma’am.” Cody apologized, but Joan still didn’t move. She stood there for a few more seconds, looking at him with narrowed, angry eyes, then suddenly turned around, going back into the house instead of outside.

Seeing that, fear settled in Cody’s features and he was not alone. Daniel shared the same feeling as he widened his eyes in surprise.