CHAPTER 37
With the news of Damian’s condition, Iliana dreaded her inability to call or freely leave the pack. “Did it happen last night?” She began to wonder who the mole in the Shadow pack would be but her thoughts still came to naught. There was nothing in her power she could do but hope that Damian stays alive, in first place, he was supposed to be dead. Iliana moved Damian’s conditioner to the back of her mind and thought of what she had as a priority. She had too many feelings when she thought of talking to Rajesh. He does not get drunk so letting him have a couple drinks and passing out was out of the options. Confronting in in person was the only option to get a little information but the worst option in getting this key. She had no idea what this key looked like or where it could be or what is made, or even, who.
Stuck in her thoughts Iliana decided to go out on a walk to get her head clear and her plans in order before telling Alexander about it. She hopes he agrees. She is still alive so Alexander mighty agree to her plan.
“What if he doesn’t agree?” Iliana disturbed herself with the thought of Alexander’s disagreement that was yet to come. She bothered herself with her being found out in the library by none other than Rajesh. She thought about the punishment that may proceed. Iliana saw that taking Alexander on the mission was of great importance.
While on her walk, Iliana spotted Catherine alone. It was her perfect chance to ask Catherine but the masked man’s claim held Iliana back. She ignored the claims and walked to Catherine.
“Catherine.”
“Oh!” Catherine was not expecting anybody “Rachel, it’s you. How are you, my dear?”
“I’m alright. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m just worked up, but I’ll be fine.”
“I have been looking for you. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Not here. Follow me.” Catherine led Iliana into a building. It was bright inside and had people working. It was a salon. Catherine walked through the workers and into a room. Iliana followed. The room looked like an office, then it dawned on Iliana that Catherine owned the place. “It’s a pretty nice place, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Sit. Sit. Feel comfortable here.” Catherine pointed a couch that stays beside the right wall of the office. Iliana sat on it. “Would you like to eat or drink anything?”
“Oh, thank you, but I’m fine.”
“I insist. You’re in my facility and you would have nothing? Oh, my darling, I will not feel any good of myself.”
“Please, don’t bother yourself. I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“Are you sure?”
Iliana nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Okay.” Catherine walked to sit on her chair. “So what do you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to know something…concerning Rajesh.”
Catherine adjusted her sitting position. “What about him?”
“There’s this man Rajesh talked about one time. His name is Don. I was wondering if you know this Don.”
“Rachel, let me tell you something. Even though he doesn’t look it, Rajesh is more than a hundred years old. I’ve not heard him talk about this Don, but I’ve heard him talk about Jonah. I can tell you about that one.”
“Oh. I already know about that one. Rajesh have talked about him.”
“I believe some things are best kept secret. If Rajesh once mentioned Don but did not talk about him, then it’s a secret. Now I wouldn’t want you to go asking him by yourself, but that’s what can be done if you want to know.”
“There are no libraries or books?”
“…there are none.”
“I see. Thank you. I will be leaving now.”
“Let me give you something. You can’t come here empty handed and leave empty handed.” Catherine stood from her seat and opened a cabinet behind her. She pulled out a full glass of wine and walked to Rachel with it. “Here, take this.” Catherine handed it to Iliana
“Thank you, but I—”
“Oh no, not again. Take it.” Catherine smiled at Iliana
“Thank you” Iliana collected the bottle with a smile.
Iliana left the salon and headed back to the motel. She cannot walk around with a bottle of wine in her hand. As she arrived at the motel she heard footsteps that followed after hers. She turned and it was Alexander.
“Alexander.”
“Did I get you on guard?”
“Kind of.”
“I apologize.”
“No, it’s fine. Join me for a drink.”
“…okay.”
Iliana and Alexander walked into the room. Iliana headed the wine to Alexander while she went to grab cups she never thought she had—ceramic mugs. Alexander pulled the cork out of the wine seamlessly. Iliana set the mugs on the floor by the bed. Alexander sat in the floor and poured the wine into each cups. Iliana was also seated on the floor.
“Cheers.” Iliana said as she drank from her cup.
“So, tell me something new” Alexander asked.
“Well, I’ve had this weird dream twice. In the dream, there were three interesting character; Ana, Raj and Don. I’m most interested in Don. Raj is most likely Rajesh and he alone would know about this Don. There were no images, just voices.”
“I’m not very comfortable with the idea of you going to Rajesh for anything. If you would go, I want to be with you.”
“Exactly. Someone told me that there is a secret library underneath the catacombs that Rajesh has access to. Rajesh locked it away so he’s the one with the key. If I can get that key, I could go to the library find out what I need and return the key without his knowledge.”
“Who…told you that?” Alexander furrowed his brows as he drank from his cup.
Iliana froze “I…don’t…know.”
“Weird. I’ve never heard of any library under the catacombs, but if there is we’ll find out.”
“Yes. How?”
“Well…I have no plan for that. If only we could just make him talk.”
“We can.”
“How?”
“Erik.”
“Your brother?”
“I’ll convince him.”
“Ah, okay.”
Iliana and Alexander spent the rest of the day talking about other plans and people of the Shadow Creek. They shared a drink and shared laughter. It was a joyous warming moment they had.
“You’ve barely had two cups while I…am done with the bottle.” Iliana joked.
“I’m…not that much of a…drinker.” Alexander speech partly seized. “I…should get going.” Alexander stood from the ground. Iliana watched him as he looked different.
“Are you okay?” Iliana asked.
“I’m fine. I’m fine.”
Iliana got up on her feet and walked to the door. She opened it and was greeted by the cold night breeze. Alexander followed her.
“Look, Alexander, it’s night.”
“Already?” Alexander scoffed. “Time moves faster when I’m around you, Rachel.”
Iliana felt something grow inside of her as she heard those words. She looked at Alexander in the eye for a few seconds.
“You’re alcohol intolerant!” Iliana laughed “No wonder.”
“You caught me.” Alexander chuckled. “Let’s do this more often.”
“Yes.”
“Goodnight, Rachel.”
Iliana went in to embrace Alexander. “Goodnight, Alexander.”
Alexander embraced her back. They smiled at each other and parted ways.
Alexander arrived near the forest but came to a halt
“Sophia.”
Sophia came into sight.
“Whenever I am with Rachel, never keep an eye on us.”
“I’m sorry but I can—”
“Did I ask if you can or can’t? Perhaps I stuttered?”
“No.”
“Good.” Alexander continued his walk. “I have changed my mind…stay away from Rachel, unless you want your eyes plucked out by me. You are relieved of this mission “ Alexander walked into the darkness of the forest.