" Something isn't right about this man. Are you sure we can trust him? ”
Braze brought his lips very close to Mira's ears as they sat huddled together, as if in a detention camp.
Mira shrugged.
" I don't know. Do you have a better suggestion?”
He was fast at work behind a veil, after drawing blood from all of them.
They had been sipping tea and munching on biscuits Martha brought them, while throwing disgusted looks at them.
" I swear I want to k*ll that b*sh! What's her problem? It's not like we are taking her kidneys. Is she a Guardian as well? ” Braze and Kian pulled Xen down for the fifth time and it was getting harder and harder to maintain their cool.
" I was wondering ... " Kian began, " If Mira's mother is also like us, are our parents the same as well? That would mean there are many Chemorian on earth already. Why would he say it was exceptional for the Dark Mages to show up in numbers? I am still trying to understand. "
" No. Your parents are not Chemorian dear boys. They aren't even your real parents, well, technically. You were induced in their wombs when you were sent to this planet. "
All four of them sat up as Yvonne suddenly appeared before them. He had four vials of colorful liquids in his hand.
" Put these on. This should be enough to confuse them and keep them at bay for the time being. But they will come back in other ways. This is a matter for their survival. They will not let this pass. But I am hoping this masking potion will buy you some time. Good luck kids. Hope we will be meeting again. "
Before the four of them could say anything or react, the entire landscape turned and they were teleported somewhere far away from where they were, in the middle of nowhere with the vials in their hands.
Yvonne was gone and so was his tiny space, adjacent to the bazaar.
" What on earth just happened? " Braze turned around several times.
" Where are we? " Kian looked around.
" We teleported. But what exactly are we supposed to do with this thing? Drink it? Apply it? Sip it? What was his hurry? Couldn't he have left us with some instruction? "
Mira seemed lost in her own thoughts.
" He looked scared. Maybe having us around for long would have been risky for him. " She put in.
" I thought Guardians were supposed to be strong and resilient and stuff... huh... what's the use of a Guardian? Are they just potion masters? " Xen scoffed.
They had lost everything that they had. No phones, no cards, no luxuries, just them and their crude powers.
" Alright. Let's get to work. Where are we? "
Braze ran towards the tallest tree and climbed up in no time. The others strained their necks as he looked around.
" We have the sea on one side and there are mountains on the other side. " He jumped down and landed perfectly on all fours.
" Are we on an island? " Mira asked, as if trying to put two plus two together.
" Maybe. We need to take a look beyond those mountains. Why did you ask? Does it mean anything? "
Kian asked.
Mira shook her head and shrugged.
" I don't know but I think those Dark Mages are after what was embedded back in the Mountain of Forgetfulness. Guardian Yvonne sending us to another doesn't look like a coincidence. You all remember what we saw back at the cave, don't you. Well, whatever it is, they are after it and we must not let them have it. "
Mira concluded standing up, with a strange determination sweeping over her as she began scaling the mountain without waiting for the boys.
" What should we protect? What was she talking about? " Kian looked puzzled.
" Dunno. Let's just find out where we are and then we need to find a way to use this. " He threw the vial, only for Kian to gasp before he sprang forward and caught it.
" Careful Xen. We only have so much. If those things attack again, you will regret playing around with ur lifeline. "
Braze ignored both of them as he went after Mira, who had disappeared from their sight.
The mountain looked rough and barren unlike the Mountain of Forgetfulness. It was steep and the further they climbed the cooler it got.
" Mira, wait... where are you rushing? Let's stick together. Mira! " Braze had already closed in the space between them but no matter how much he yelled, Mira did not look back. She kept moving faster... forward.
" Mira! What's wrong with you... Mira...! "
Braze finally caught up and pulled Mira by her shoulder.She looked pale when she turned around.
" Mira. What's wrong? You don't look alright? "
Braze pulled her by her hand but her gaze traveled all the way to the nape of his neck and back to Adam's Apple.
Braze followed her gaze and instead of pulling away he moved in closer.
" You look weak. Do you want to... " He walked closer and offered his neck.
Mira pushed him and ran away.
Braze wasn't close to giving up.
" Mira waited. It's alright. You won't hurt me. If your mother could handle it, I can handle it better. You must drink. You look pale and your face is losing color. "
He protested.
" I need to find Guardian Yvonne. He gave me something that made the thirst go away... I cannot keep doing this... This must not become my normal... You have no idea what I am or I am not capable of... even I have no clue about myself. "
She looked like she was close to tears.
" Mira, we are in the same boat. Remember when I hurt you so badly because I did not want to hurt you in the long run? It is no different for you. It's alright. We will find that Guardian again. But you must drink now if you need to. "
But Mira suddenly pulled her vial out.
" What if he infused that formula in this? Should I give it a try?"
Before Braze could comment Mira took her first sip.