Chapter 194 The second Guardian

Chapter 194 The second Guardian
Alessia's POV
In the evening Padre and Selina arrive for our second translation marathon . Hugh gets the door and steps aside politely, Padre walks in first this time in a green tweed suit with suspenders holding his beloved brief case ,and Selina skips in behind him in a pale grey wraparound dress. She roams the room immediately until her eyes locate me seated near Alex.

Then she smiles “Good evening to you all.”

Lucy waves from her seat on the sofa near Angelica and Luca “Evening to you too ,we have been looking forward to your visit.”

“Speak for yourself” I whisper silently as my heart skips a few beats . I know that the script padre went to decipher will point me as the second guardian and I don't know how I feel about that being out in the open yet but nevertheless the truth must come out . 

My father hears the commotion and steps out of his room just as we start heading for the dining room . 
After a round of greetings Alex settles at the head with Padre on his right . I chose the chair on his left followed by my father who spent the day in his room resting doing some quiet reflections . I watch him closely and he gives me a smile , today his cheeks are looking not as hollow and his eyes a bit brighter . He is healing ,slowly but surely ..It's just like they say small steps make up an ocean.

The rest span out around the table. Padre places the briefcase on the table “So now that we are all here once more.” he says shifting his glasses back . “I spent the night going through the script.”

“Let's get into it then.” Alex says quietly as Padre rubs his hands together in excitement .He opens his briefcase and retrieves his gloves and magnifying glass. We all watch him with rapt attention . 

Luca leans forward "Please tell me the translated scripts will lead us to a treasure"

Padre ignores him while Angelica seems to pinch his elbow as Luca exclaims in pain.

“Ouch " cradling his elbow with a look of horror.

I shake my head ,These two are something else.

Angelica drags her chair closer to Selina and leans forward eagerly.

“The picture you took is the point we stopped.”

“Yes Angelica.” Padre mutters already going through the pages once more. Selina slides out of her chair and slowly starts pacing around the table 

Then she stops behind me and I tense “Alessia” she says softly . I and My father both turn to face her “May I have a word with you in private ..?”

Alex looks up but says nothing ,turning to my father and he gives me a sharp nod . I slip out of my chair 

“Sure this way.” I lead her out of the room. I feel Alex's intense gaze on me as we walk back into the living room and stand by the window .

Then she faces me “Yesterday” she begins “I asked if you could sense the protective magic on the scripts.”

I nod “Yes and I told you I could not.”

“Because your inner eyes was closed.” I raise my brow. “I thought it can only be open when actually practicing magic”

“For beginners ,yes” she says 

She tilts her head to the side studying me “But you Alessia are not a beginner.” 

I feel my hackles rise ,but I do not say a word. She continues to watch me quietly. “You are a princess , powers like yours should never be dormant .” She continues “You should always be ready.”

“How can I do that ?”

“By learning how to keep your inner eye open always even when you are not casting.”

Behind us I hear Angelica's excited gasp  “Mr Padre !”

Selina turns my face back to hers gently “Alessia focus it's important.” She whispers softly 

“Shut your eyes” she instructs

I do

“Now take a deep breath”

I inhale and exhale deeply 

“Every magic cast will leave a trace, she says "On people , on objects  , places .”

I hear the tinkling of her bangles as she raises her hands and touches my forehead lightly “It's your job as a Magic wielder to always sense it ..” I open my inner eyes immediately.. for a moment I can't feel the signature but then it brushes against my vision

“A faint silvery glow” I murmur

“You have seen it” she says gently 

“Yes ,Now tell your inner eye to remain open in the background similar to how you use glamour .” 

I nod and focus my intentions on my inner eyes. I feel it blink once. Then I slowly open my eyes.

“Was that the magic you sensed from the scripts ?” I ask 

“Yes,is your inner eye still open?” 

“Yes ,it is”

“Keep it - " she doesn't get to finish as I hear Alex's voice from the doorway 

“Alessia.” his tone is urgent and I turn around quickly. Suddenly I lose my concentration and my inner eye closes.

" Oh drat ." I will practice some other time.

“We need you” he adds 

“Coming.” I whisper 

I return to the table and everyone is staring at Padre as if he has grown two heads.

Uh-oh I think I have been found out ,Sighing I slip into my chair between Alex and my father.

Angelica is shifting in her seat as if she is going to explode.Padre removes his glasses slowly as Selina settles into the chair beside him.

.“I think” he says carefully “we have found something important.”

Padre Taps on the section he could not translate yesterday. Everyone moves forward crowning around him but I remain in my seat.

Lucy asks “What does it say then?”

Padre starts reading slowly as my heart rate speeds up. I turn to Alex meeting his gaze.. 

Padre starts reading slowly "La Rosa will always be guarded by two people"

The room is deathly quiet no one wants to miss a thing. I do not take my eyes of Alex as Padre continues "One is  by bloodline - Ferrini"

Alex shifts in his seat
Every nerve endings in my body is alive 

Padre goes on "One the direct decendant of the creator "

Alex's eyes widen as I calmly lean back in my chair and give him a wink. 

“Damn right Alex I knew..”I whisper silently

Angelica scrunches up her nose “Do you mean?”

Padre lifts up the next page "Natura, The first is from the house that bears the Albatross” Luca exhales “The second guardian is the living descendant of Natura "

Padre lays it out in the open like a deck of cards 

Everything inside me finally calms down 

And every single pair of eyes falls on me in the room including Selina.

Padre then reads the last line 

“And if the two are bonded.” 

He looks at me then Alex “The true magical  essence of la Rosa will be unlocked .”

Alex meets my gaze and gives me a knowing smile  ...

“Check mate” I whisper silently