Chapter 77 The Unknown
Alex’s POV
I have always hated the unknown.
Especially roads that you do not know where they lead to. I prefer roads that I can control the outcome. This is even more uncontrollable because we are already walking a thin line between reality and magic. I look out briefly, staring at the passing bordered stone fence and dense vegetation.
The guide turns around, fixing his icy blue eyes on me.
“Signor Alex, we will be approaching the last available bed and breakfast in less than an hour. Do we pause for the night or keep moving?”
I turn to Alessia, noticing she has finally settled into a deep, peaceful sleep on my shoulder. I feel a sense of calm overtake me as I look at her innocent, exhausted face. I know this will set us back, but I do not have a choice. She needs to rest for the night.
Turning back to him, “She is exhausted. Let’s lodge for the night. Pick up the trail in the morning.”
“That’s a wise choice,” he murmurs softly, turning back.
I touch Alessia’s smooth face once, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. I know La Casa cannot wait to reunite with their lost princess. But she is still part human. The awakening drained her. She needs to rest. What is one more night? We are already almost upon them. I remove my phone from my pocket, putting it on silent, then I type a message to Luca.
Luca: Alessia is tired.
We rest at the next B&B.
Keep your eyes out.
Immediately he responds as my phone buzzes in my hand.
Alex: Affirmative.
Angelica is asleep too.
I smile. It seems my amigo is finally letting go of his crush on Isabella. Thank the stars, because he deserves better than being second fiddle. I turn to the window again, ever watchful, calculating my next move. I cannot be caught off guard, not where Alessia is concerned. My heart clenches as I once again have a flashback of her coming into her power. She has always been beautiful, but at that moment?
She looked breathtaking.
Her eyes full of glow.
Gold tattoos etched on her face.
Her hair flying behind as if kissed by the wind.
She looked like a goddess.
My goddess.
My dick stirs in my pants. Watching her unravel in my arms had been amazing. The single most pleasurable moment of my life. Will I do it again? Hell yes. Something must definitely kill a man. Perhaps this is how I end. Snickering, I hold on to her as I feel her stirring, as if she can read my mind. I squeeze her hand once as she settles back into sleep.
“How many minutes to the B&B?” I ask the guide, wanting to get Alessia in a bed as soon as possible.
“At the most, an hour,” the guide replies.
I nod, even though he cannot see me. I mumble, “She is tired. The awakening took a lot out of her. She needs to rest.”
“Yes, hers is a peculiar case, because most of us come into our powers at ten,” I freeze in surprise as he continues. “So to come into all that excess energy at once? Her body needs time to catch up.”
I gasp. Her mother really thought she was helping her by shielding her, but it was not the best choice in my opinion. God bless her soul. She should have found another way. Did she never plan to come back? Why did she leave? Was she killed?
I have a lot of questions about Margo Molano, and I will make sure all are answered, if not for my curiosity, then for Alessia. She deserves to know why her mother chose the path she chose. Turning to the window once more.
Silence settles in the car again as I face the window, hoping to catch sight of the B&B soon.
“Signore?”
I turn around quickly.
The guide points with his hand.
“There is the B&B. It is just up ahead.”
I look towards the front mirror, seeing an array of lights just ahead.
I sigh in relief.
At least she will sleep in a bed.
We arrive moments later. It is a modest two floor cottage with a lovely porch wrapping the entire length, built with rock. It looks like it is a part of the floor, solid and warm. Guarded by just one old man. Must be protected with magic.
The SUV comes to a stop. I gently step out first, placing Alessia’s feet on the seat. I look around quickly, inspecting, even though it is pitch black. Then I reach for Alessia, carrying her into the building.
Inside, it is done up in sparse earth toned furnishings. The air is cool and fresh, laced with the smell of something musky and old.
I step up to the reception. “Can we please have some rooms for the night?”
The guide steps up to my side. “Let me handle it, signore,” as he strikes up a language with the owner, tilting his head at Alessia. After a few minutes, two keys appear, and I take one, 1A, then turn towards the stairs.
As the others follow me quietly, on the first floor, I open the room and step inside, placing Alessia on the bed gently. Suddenly my phone starts vibrating. I turn to Alessia to make sure she is fast asleep, then I reach for my phone. Staring at the lighted screen, it is another unknown number.
At 11:00 pm at night, whatever it is, it must be important.
Looking around, I see Luca coming out of the second room across from ours. I tilt my head at him as he approaches me cautiously.
“What’s going on?”
“I have an incoming unknown call again, and I do not want to leave her.”
He swears. “At this time?” He rakes his fingers through his hair.
My thoughts exactly.
I wait, staring at the phone, weighing my options. As I go to answer it, my phone stops ringing, then it buzzes again. I look at Luca, then back at the phone.
This time?
A text message.
My fingers swipe the screen. It is from Padre and he sent just one sentence “In La Casa, don't ever let your guard down. Padre ”