Chapter 38 Demon Trap; 💮
About half an hour had passed since Joe crossed over to the realm of spirits. His body lay still on the ground like stone. At intervals, Eva would go over to check on him, but it was clear he was in a deep sleep.
Within the cold walls of the great mountain castle, there was no sound. Kael, meanwhile, with his grumpy, mean wolf gaze, sat perched on the large stone table in the corner, arms crossed over his chest like a sulky child, simply watching Eva.
Elly, on the other hand, was suffering tremendously as the guardian seal was settling in. From the movement of her eyes and her burning hot body, it was clearly evident how much she was struggling.
While Eva was at Joe's side, Elly suddenly let out a muffled moan and Eva immediately rushed to her. Stroking her red hair, she tried to soothe her a bit without using her powers directly. She activated a light wind rune, trying to cool her body with a breeze emanating from her palms. It was clear she wanted to keep her as comfortable as possible until the seal settled. But it saddened her that she couldn't do more.
Thanks to Eva's magic, after a while Elly seemed to be a bit more comfortable. The fever in her body had subsided somewhat, and her trembling had stopped. Eva turned to Kael with a worried expression.
"How long do you think it will take for the seal to settle into her body?" she asked.
Kael shrugged slightly, saying, "In our past life, you were the expert in these matters, my love. Honestly, I don't know much. Under normal circumstances, if they hadn't brought about the end of the ancient races, this would be celebrated like a ceremony and ritual. In the sacred oasis, while the new guardian accepted the seal into their body, all the other guardians and Rose witches would support them with protective and blessing spells. That way it would be easier to endure. But under current circumstances... I suppose we're alone," he said.
Eva nodded in agreement. The worry in her eyes was evident.
"So do you think when you and I complete the seal at midnight tonight, everything will return to normal?" she asked.
A huge smile spread across Kael's face. "For me, yes," he said.
Then he suddenly moved closer. He grabbed Eva by the waist and pulled her toward him, leaning his wife's small body against his own large frame.
Looking into her eyes, he murmured,
"You are my entire world, Eva Rose. My past, my present, my future, my purpose, the air I breathe, the water I drink... you are my everything. That's why the thought that you'll be completely mine when the seal is completed drives me crazy with happiness."
Eva smiled. She truly felt the deep love in Kael's eyes.
"I've also realized that I really love you so much. I loved you in my past life... But now, in this life too, you're here again. Now I understand why I didn't let other men into my life while living unaware of all this. You were always in my dreams. It was as if my heart was preparing me for you. Waiting for you. That's why no man around me seemed attractive," she said.
She reached out her hands and stroked Kael's face. His amber eyes were looking at Eva with deep gazes.
"At first, I thought I had created you in my imaginary world. But I must admit that when I actually met you, I was strangely mesmerized. Still, I held myself back for a while so it wouldn't turn into a terrible nightmare. I tried to stay away from you. Then secrets were revealed one by one... I saw the sacrifices you made for me. And of course those handsome looks of yours..." she said, laughing and gently pinching Kael's nose.
"So, I decided I shouldn't let such a handsome man get away."
Kael smiled.
"You made a wise decision, but I got stuck at the beginning of the sentence," he said.
Eva was laughing.
"Where exactly?"
"At the part about not letting other men into your life..." he whispered in her ear in a slightly growling voice.
Eva burst out laughing.
"Oh come on. Are you jealous of non-existent men now?"
Kael gripped Eva's waist tighter and pressed her against himself. He spoke in a rumbling voice.
"I'd be jealous of even the thought of another man. Don't forget, Rose girl... You belong to me," he said.
Eva giggled with this mad love she felt.
"Hmm... so that's what you're saying, you old wolf," she said and leaning toward his lips, she surrendered herself to him with a passionate kiss.
Kael, passionately taking her lower lip between his lips, was biting it gently. But for a moment he hurt Eva. Suddenly Eva pulled back.
"Ah... you hurt me," she said, grimacing.
When she turned her eyes to Kael, she realized something was wrong.
Because Kael's brows were furrowed; the amber flames in his eyes were glowing strangely. Eva looked at him with concern for a moment, then took Kael's face between her palms.
"Kael... what's wrong? Did I do something? What's happening?" she asked.
But Kael's attention wasn't on her. His eyes were locked on the Homay seal glowing on the castle's high ceiling.
When Eva turned her head in the same direction, she saw a large, black silhouette seeping down from the seal like smoke. Her breath caught slightly. What she saw looked very ominous.
"What is that?" she murmured.
Kael immediately placed Eva behind him, extended his claws, and transformed into his large wolf form. Eva couldn't quite understand what was happening, but the thing seeping down from the rune on the ceiling was slowly starting to take shape. It was like a human silhouette made of black shadow. Its eyes glowed bright red, and its face couldn't be distinguished; standing before them was a being made purely of darkness.
Kael had recognized this sight. He now understood the meaning of the saying that guardians are the lock of Homay. In a deep, rumbling voice he murmured:
"What the guardian keeps locked... It was a demon trap, my love," he said.
Apparently, they could no longer sit back and wait peacefully...