Jamal chuckled. "Hw hasn't marked your sister yet. He is not your brother-in-law"
"But he will soon" Jabal replied.
"You can at least wait until then. And by the way, I don't think he sounded rude"
"Do you know what being rude is?" Jabal asked with a frown.
"No, I don't. You can as well tell me"
"You want me to tell you?"
"If you don't mind"
"Well, I do. So I won't tell you"
"Don't you think you are being proud too?" Jamal said and Jabal frowned.
"You think I am proud because of this?"
"Yes. It's the same as you thinking Kelvin is rude"
Jabal scoffed. "Are you supposed to support him over me?"
"I am not supporting anyone. I only wanted you to get something right"
Jabal scoffed. "I shouldn't be having this conversation," he said and walked away.
"Hi, Jabal," Kelvin said when he walked closer to him. "Are you ok? You seem pissed off" Kelvin asked.
"Where is the car?" Jabal asked and Kelvin pointed.
"Over there"
He knew Jabal doesn't want to start a conversation and he wasn't ready to make him start one either. As Jabal walked past him, Kelvin followed him from behind to open the door. He waited patiently for the rest to join them before starting the car and driving out of the school gate. And they were soon on their way home.
"Where are the guys heading to? Home? Munar pack? Or the earth witches' coven?"
"We are all heading to the earth witches' coven. We have a lot to talk about concerning the vampire Queen" Jasmine said.
"Is there any news about her yet?" Jamal asked.
"None we have heard of" Ariana answered.
"Then what do we want to talk about?" Jabal asked.
You can tell he is still pissed off.
"A lot" Jasmine answered. "We need to talk about saving her and taking her back home. We also need to talk about a few things"
"Which includes what?" Jabal asked.
"Going to the demon realm" Kelvin answered. "We need to visit the demon realm. It's going to be my twenty-one birthday in a few days"
Jasmine furrowed her brows. "Aren't you twenty-one already?"
The rest were surprised too. They were also confused about what Kelvin just said.
"In the human realm? Yes, but in the demon realm, I am not twenty-one yet" Kelvin answered.
"What do you mean?" Ariana asked.
Just like the rest, she is not only surprised, she is curious too.
"Time is slower in the demon realm compared to other realms. If I am not mistaken, a week should indicate a day"
Every one of them could not help but batter their lashes. Those who could not hold back their surprise expressed it in the way they could. This was their first time hearing this. Even Jabal who was pissed off a while ago doesn't look pissed off anymore.
"You mean a week here is a day over there?" Jabal asked and Kelvin nodded, trying not to lose focus on his driving.
He would have loved to see the surprised look on their faces.
"Are you telling me, you are gone for only three days?" Jamal asked. He had just counted how many weeks it is since the demon prince had come to the human realm. "Or should I say four?"
Kelvin nodded. "I haven't been gone for long"
"Does that mean I will grow older than Jasmine?" Jabal asked and everyone frowned at him. It is not the time for jokes. "What?" he asked but they ignored him.
"Does that mean you are ready to meet with your uncle?" Jasmine asked.
"He is going to show up on my birthday. I have to see him and pay my respect no matter how much I hate to see him now" Kelvin replied and she sighed.
"Don't worry. We've got you. Let us know when you are ready to leave" Jasmine said.
Everyone nodded, indicating their support, including Jabal.
"What day is your birthday if I may ask?" Ariana asked.
"Tomorrow" he replied and they gasped.
"You mean tomorrow and you are just telling us?" Jamal said.
"My bad. I don't mean tomorrow of the human realm. I mean that of the demons"
"You should tell us when it will be here, so we can know when to leave," Ariana said
"It comes up in four days, the human time"
"How long will it take us to reach there?" Jabal asked.
"A month if we are to go on land"
"What? We can't make it that way" Jasmine said.
"We can go through a portal. It's easier and faster. And you don't have to worry about how the portal will be open"
"That sounds better," Ariana said.
"We can use that opportunity to talk to the demon Queen. She promised to grant us an audience the last time" Jasmine said and they nodded.
"Do you think she will want to talk about the vampire Queen with us?" Ariana asked.
"If it has to do with bringing her friend back. She will definitely, be willing to talk to you guys about it"
"And if the conversation isn't about saving her friend. Will she still talk to us?" Jabal asked and they frowned.
"What sort of question is that?" Jasmine asked.
"You've been acting off. Are you ok?" Ariana asked.
"He is still pissed off with Kelvin" Jamal whispered to Ariana. "He thinks he is rude. He must want to prove that the demons are rude"
Ariana groaned. "I don't think this is good"
Jamal nodded. "It isn't"
Jabal scoffed. "You think my question is off point? I won't be saying anything again"
"That will be better. You can as well be like Ryan. He hasn't said a word since we entered the car. And he isn't dead just because he did not speak. You won't die either" Jasmine said.
Jabal decided to ignore her. He picked up his earpiece, placed them in his ears abd plugged it into his phone. Without saying another word, he played a piece of music and settle down to listen. The rest of the journey was quiet, with Kelvin focusing his attention on driving, Jamal playing a game on his phone, Ariana staring out of the window, and Jasmine reading a book. Ryan on the other hand had closed his eyes from the beginning of the journey. No one knew if he was sleeping or not, but little do they know that he had been listening to every of their conversation.
**
Soon, they arrived at the earth witches' coven and they all came down from the car and headed to the house.
"The kids are back," Ella said to Emerald when she noticed them from tbe window.
"Do you think we should let them know now? Or after they are done eating?" Emerald asked.
They had just received a message from Stella and the kid might have to go back to Alaska.
"Do you think this is going to be good news to them?" Ella asked and Emerald sighed.
Ella had asked this question because she needed to know, so she can answer Emerald's question correctly.
"Well," Emerald began. "They just got back from Alaska and are adjusting back to their normal life. I can't say if they will be happy to go back or not"
Ella shrugged. "Then I can't say much about what their reactions will be"
"Do you know I am less concerned about their reaction? I am more worried about them missing another set of days at school. They are far behind and I really, worry they might not be able to graduate"
Ella smiled. "I understand how you feel and I worry for them too. But I don't think Stella will keep them long enough to stop them from graduating"
Emerald sighed. "We might have to tell them after they are done eating. I don't want them to lose their appetite"
"You are right. We can't say what their reaction will be"
"Mom?" Ariana called.
"Oh my. You are back" Ella cooed.
They exchanged greetings among themselves before settling down.
"You should go and take your bath. I will get you something to eat" Ella said and they nodded.
After Ella left, the kids left too, leaving Kelvin and Emerald.
"Thanks for picking them up from school," Emerald said to Kelvin after a while.
"It's nothing" he muttered.
"How have you been coping here? It's different from the realm you know right?"
Kelvin smiled. "Not much different from the demon realm. Except for the time difference, the weather, and the environment. Every other thing is the same"
"You must feel bored here"
"Not at all. I have friends to keep me company and not make me feel away from home"
"Don't you miss home?"
"I do and at the same time I don't"
Emerald nodded. She somehow feels sorry for the poor child who will have to leave his home for a while just because of the evil thought of his uncle.
"Your uncle," Emerald said and he looked up at her.
"My uncle?"
Emerald nodded. "Yes, your uncle. Stella told me about him". He sighed. "You must have felt betrayed having trusted him"
"I still can't believe he wants me dead. I have always loved him"
Emerald smiled. "I know how you feel. I have felt the same way too"
Kelvin furrowed his brows. "Have you been betrayed before?"
"Do you remember Rose? The one we fought with about a year ago?"
Kelvin nodded. "Yes. She was the reason we had a war?"
She nodded. "Yes. She is. She used to be my friend. Did I say, friend? My best friend. But she betrayed me. I can still remember how I felt that day".
"You must have felt so terrible"
Emerald nodded. "I felt very bad, betrayed, and used. I trusted her, loved her, and believed in her. But what did I get in return? Betrayal. I almost lost my life. So I understand how you feel. If not for Anna who saved me. You know Anna right?"
Kelvin nodded. "The one from the red-haired witches' coven?"
She nodded. "Yes. She is the one. She saved me and took care of me. She made me understand that there are still good friends and people out there. Those who you can trust". Kelvin nodded and she smiled. "You should not let this pull you down, ok? I am sure you will meet up with people that will make you trust again"
"I have already met with people that make me trust again"
"I am happy you finally found them"
He smiled. "I feel better talking to you. Thanks for making me feel better"
Emerald smiled. "You are welcome"
**
They stared at Emerald and Ella waiting for them to speak up. Thet could tell they both had something to say to them and whatever they had to say might not be ok with them. The look on their faces said it all.
"Mom? You can't keep us waiting" Jasmine said.
They had finished eating their food a while ago and had rested a bit because they were been called for. They had been seated for about ten minutes, waiting for them to speak up which they never did, and they are becoming worried.
"Jasmine is right. We are all becoming curious about what you both have to say. Please don't keep us waiting" Ariana said.
"We are worried too," Jamal said.
"Why do I have a feeling it might not be good news?" Jabal said.
"It obviously won't be" Jasmine whispered.
Emerald sighed. "It isn't bad news like you thought. It's just that it involves you missing some days at school"
Jasmine furrowed her brows. "Does Stella wants us back?"
Ella nodded. "Exactly. She did not say why. You must leave today"
Ariana groaned. "But we are going to the demon realm. Did she say how long we will stay there?"
Ella shook her head. "I don't think so. Or did she? Emerald?" she asked Emerald who seems lost in thought. "Emy?"
Emerald sighed. "You called me?"
"The kids just asked a question. They want to know if Stella said how long they will need to stay there" Ella answered.
She nodded. "She did not say. But I think it has to do with the vampire Queen who got missing"
They widened their eyes. "Really?" Ariana asked and Emerald nodded.
"Yes. But you don't have to go if you don't want to. I can talk to Stella to visit instead"
Jasmine smiled. If it has to do with the vampire Queen, then it is worth it. "Can we talk among ourselves first?" she asked and Emerald nodded.
They came together to quickly talk about it and in the end, they agreed it was worth missing school for.
"We are going to Alaska" Jasmine who was to be their spokesperson said and Emerald sighed.
"Are you sure about it?" she asked and they nodded.
"Yes. Then we will visit the demon realm to speak to the demon Queen as well as attend Kelvin's birthday" Jasmine said
"Do you know what that means?" Emerald asked.
"It means I might be getting married soon" she replied sadly.
"And you are ok with it? You still have a lot of work to do"
"That doesn't have to happen now. I can tell them I do not want to get married yet. They will do whatever I want" Kelvin answered quickly.
Jasmine's eyes brightened up. "You will?"
He nodded. "Yes. The realm isn't safe yet. I can't let you get hurt. I also have a lot to do too. We can always get married when you are ready" he answered and Ryan groaned slightly.
It doesn't feel ok to him, hearing Kelvin talk about getting married to Jasmine. Though he had promised to move on, he still couldn't help but get jealous.
"Isn't Ryan the only one who hasn't met with his mate?" Ella asked and they nodded.
"Yes"
Jasmine sighed. She feels bad for Ryan knowing that they both like each other but can not end up with each other.
"He is going to meet with his mate soon" she replied.
"And you won't feel jealous about it?" Jabal asked.
Ariana matched his feet and he groaned. Ryan stared at Jabal and Ariana smiled slightly. "He doesn't mean it that way. He is just joking. You know how much he likes to tease his twin"
Ryan sighed. He isn't bothered about Jabal teasing his twin. He just doesn't want Kelvin to get the wrong impression.
He sighed. "Kelvin, Jabal doesn't..."
"You don't have to explain anything. I understand" Kelvin answered and Ryan sighed.
There was silence for a while, as Emerald and Ella stared at the children to read their countenance.
"Don't tell me I ruined the mood" Jabal spoke up.
"You did not only ruin the mood. You almost caused a rift among them" Ariana said and he scoffed.
"I wasn't totally wrong, you know?" he said.
"You are" the kids all yell at him and he blinked.
**
It was time for them to leave for Alaska and thet thought they were going through the road. Ariana and Jasmine had gone to the kitchen to get some food for the road. They brought out some canned foods and placed them into a bag.
"Did you carry some bottles of spirits? We might have to camp out and not stay in an inn this time" Ariana had told Jasmine.
"There are about five bottles in the bag already" Jasmine had answered.
They made sure to take everything they thought might be important to them and are waiting now for their mothers so they can say their final goodbyes before leaving.
"Oh, mine. You did have a lot of things to carry" Ella said when she saw the bags they had with them.
"You might not be needing all these" Emerald told them. "You will be going through the portal and not the road"
Jasmine groaned. "You should have said this to us"
"I said something about that during our last conversation" Emerald answered.
"But I did not hear that," Jasmine said.
"I think I remember her saying something about the portal. I just did not think she meant we are using it" Ryan said and Kelvin nodded.
"I heard that too. She said we are using it"
"We are aware too," Jamal said, pointing at himself and Jabal.
Jasmine frowned. "How comes Ariana and I are not aware of it? And no one told us about it? "
"Is that the reason none of you talked about food?" Ariana asked.
"Jasmine is the one who likes to eat. I guess that is the reason" Jabal said and Jasmine scoffed.
"I do not have anything to say to you right now" she answered.
"There is nothing to talk about" he answered.
Jasmine frowned. "You had better not get me..."
"How about you these things back to the kitchen?" Ella said, trying to end the argument between the twins.
Ariana nodded quickly. "Jasmine and I will take this back. Ryan and Jamal can take this" she pointed. "Jabal and Kelvin should wait behind," she said.
"I won't take any bag. I took a lot of time and energy getting those bags ready"
"How about Jabal and I go instead?" Kelvin suggested.
"I think that is a good idea," Jamal said and Ryan nodded.
"Then you should be fast about it," Emerald said and they left, leaving Ariana and Jasmine.
"Why are not always saying anything when the twins argue?" Ella asked Emerald in a whisper.
"Because their argument is harmless" she replied.
Ella furrowed her brows. "I know it is harmless. But it will be nice if you always say something"
Emerald smiled. "I can't say something. Don't you know that is their own way of showing how much they care about each other?". Ella furrowed her brows and Emerald smiled. "Behind those arguments of theirs is a love that can never be broken"