Back in the library, Madeline and Cassian just finished wrapping up the mystery behind Late William’s book. The air around them felt slightly tense as they tried to get their heads together, and no one said a word to the other as they succumbed to the silence that lingered in the library.
Cassian took his seat beside Madeline whose palms covered her face as a result of her exhaustion, and then she sighed wearily, brushing her hair back away from her face as she reclined against her seat.
"Who knew so many past secrets surrounded my boring life before I even noticed?" She glanced at Cassian who idly stared into space, but then the young lad was brought to the present when she rested her head against his shoulder like a comforting pillow.
"My uncle died because he kept me hidden and locked. They weren’t after him in the first place, but me." Madeline could still vividly remember the sight of her dead uncle, and maybe if they had left her and her property alone, he would still be alive, but if he had left her alone, she wouldn’t even be alive to know Cassian, or the truth surrounding her mysterious existence.
"In a way, not every bad luck is as terrible as we picture it. Some bad luck is there as a secret blessing that we know not." Madeline thoughtfully concluded with a wave of her arm, and the young lad smiled softly at the woman who was still daydreaming.
"Was it?" Cassian glanced at Madeline before letting his arm go around her, pulling her close. Madeline comfortably settled her head on his chest, feeling more satisfied with this intimate position. "All I can say is we’ve come far, and I’m proud of the both of us."
Madeline’s smile broadened as she felt a fluttering feeling in her heart. She tilted her head up to look at him, leading the young lad to peck her lips in return. It was a light, but meaningful kiss that made her senses tingle with pure delight, and she felt his love that smoldered her from within.
The sound of the library door opening made them turn their heads in its direction, and Osvaldo stepped in.
"Finally found you." He approached the couple who diverted their attention to him, and then he said. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No, not at all."
"You did." Cassian hit Madeline with a slight glare. She doesn’t need to make him feel better after interrupting their peaceful moment together. They were both finally starting to relax, but with the presence of Osvaldo, it could only mean some terrible news was about to be revealed to the both of them. His calm demeanor always held a big difference to the negativity that comes out of his mouth.
"I see, that doesn’t matter for now, I have something important to discuss with the both of you." Saying this, Osvaldo walked past them and quickly surveyed the books on the shelves, his fingers brushing through each book like he was searching for a particular one.
"And what is it this time?" Cassian asked, feeling his earlier exhaustion return, same with Madeline as they watched the agile Osvaldo carry on with his business.
"After the incident at the choosing ceremony, we knew we’d be having more...visitors that will make a grand welcoming. Afterall, no one graces a good ceremony than the enemy. Napoleon and I saw it coming, actually, only Napoleon saw it coming. I was just supportive of his idea." Osvaldo tattled on, leaving Madeline and Cassian to exchange glances before returning their confused gazes to Osvaldo.
"You mean to say the choosing ceremony was all a plan?" Cassian asked Osvaldo who suddenly paused in his search, and then he clicked his tongue.
"Do not tell my brother I said this but let’s be honest here, does he look like someone who has plans of ever getting married?" He whispered as though the person he was talking about could hear him from the next room if he whispered any louder, and their hesitant silence to his question gave him the answer he needed.
"Yes, it was all planned." Osvaldo’s hazel eyes brightened when he caught sight of the gray-colored book he was searching for, and he picked it from the shelf. "My brother conducted a small secretive magical test to see if we can locate the body where the Ekiminus dwells in. It was an extremely difficult process but fortunately, it worked!" The slight awe in Osvaldo’s tone was not missed.
"Huh?!" Madeline and Cassian exclaimed in unison, and Osvaldo returned to where they sat while he skimmed through the book in his hand.
"I told you, the body it possesses ends up having a three star at the back of its neck. Am I right or am I wrong?" He snapped the book shut, startling Madeline and Cassian who were too tired to complain, so they nodded silently, and Osvaldo’s expression turned serious.
"Well, we found only one human who possessed such quality," he revealed, "and that human shares a bloodline with Whitebridge too." He pursed his lips. "I didn’t know why I never thought of this sooner, I didn’t even see it in my vision, but the creature we’re dealing with is quite smart to use the vessel of a human who shares a bloodline with Whitebridge. The human was also present at the choosing ceremony that happened a week ago."
A deep silence ensued the minute he was done, Madeline’s face slightly panicked as her pupils dilated in horror. "Am I possessed?!"
"Pardon?"
"I’m half human, and I share a bloodline with Whitebridge, Cas, check my back for any signs." Madeline already turned her back, signaling the young lad should search for any three star sign.
Cassian, who was already checking Madeline’s neck, paused when Osvaldo shook his head, nearly facepalming at the two of them.
"Not you. Your body won’t accept something as dark as an Ekiminus to make a vessel out of it. I’m talking about someone else."
"Then who?" Madeline asked, unable to hide her perplexity, and when Osvaldo’s gaze shifted to Cassian, the young lad’s eyes slightly widened when he understood the message Osvaldo was trying to pass.
"Abbot?"