Talia opened her eyes and looked around the unknown room that had pastel green walls and the window allowed for the light from outside to seep in, but it was somewhat dimmed, and Talia guessed that it was either cloudy or maybe it was getting dark.
Her movements were somewhat sluggish but other than that she felt fine.
How did she find herself here?
"Talia?", a female voice came from the side and Talia blinked to get into focus Meg's welcoming expression.
Meg's presence confirmed that Talia reached her destination, the Midnight Guardians pack. Well, at least she was greeted by a familiar face.
"Meg? Where am I?", Talia croaked while pushing herself up on the elbows. She was lying on the bed.
"Easy…", Meg said while helping Talia get into a seated position. "Here drink this." She passed her a glass with transparent liquid and Talia gave it a sniff.
"It's water.", Meg said with amusement in her voice, and when Talia started drinking, Meg answered Talia's original question. "You are in the Midnight Guardians pack. This is the center for people who need help with their powers. I know you are confused but give it a minute. It's a standard procedure for newcomers to be unconscious while passing the portal. It's for everyone's safety."
Talia cursed internally. Axel told her that they will need to blindfold her, and she agreed as long as she gets to hold onto Damon, yet they did something to knock her out. How long was she unconscious?
Talia jerked glass away from her lips. "Damon…"
"He is fine.", Meg said with haste and then added, "I mean… maybe."
"What do you mean, maybe? I want to see him.", Talia demanded. She kept the glass back on the bedside table and started scooting off the bed. She was eager to reunite with Damon. Why did they separate them?
"He is with healers.", Meg said. "Cassandra is personally looking after him."
"The oracle.", Talia said, and Meg nodded in confirmation.
"Don't you have other people who could help Damon?"
"We do, but it's not every day that Alpha is awakening his powers. Cassandra wanted to make sure nothing goes wrong. She is the best. She took care of me when I arrived. It's an honor.", Meg said. "I am so excited that you finally went through with the marking, but I must say that I'm surprised that you marked him."
Talia looked at Meg while wondering how much sincerity was behind that smile. Sure, Talia knew Meg from before, and she had a good opinion of her, but the truth was that they spent one shopping trip together, and then Meg recognized Kai as her mate and... that was not much to establish a trustworthy relationship.
"You know I marked him?", Talia asked.
Meg nodded. "Axel told me when he said you and Damon are coming."
Talia was not sure what to believe anymore. It all made sense, maybe too much.
She wanted to call to her wolf, but somehow she got a feeling that she shouldn't, and she remembered Liseli's words to not reveal more than necessary. Who knows, maybe these magical people have a way of detecting that her wolf is special.
Little steps, Talia told herself. She will be careful, but if she treats everyone like they are enemies, she won't accomplish anything.
"How long are we here?"
"Two, maybe three hours.", Meg responded.
"Can I see Damon?"
"Of course. But maybe you should wait a bit. It takes a few minutes for the drowsiness to clear up."
One word stood out for Talia, drowsiness. Did they drug her? What the hell!?
"I'm fine.", Talia said. She was not fine. Her arms and legs were heavy and stiff, and her stomach was churning, but she needed to see Damon.
Meg looked at Talia skeptically, but she understood Talia's urgency. "Let me take you to him."
Talia followed Meg through the narrow hallway, and Meg chattered happily, yet Talia didn't hear a word of what Meg said. It was difficult to focus. She was anxious about this whole situation, they separated her from Damon, and her mind was still cloudy.
They took a flight of stairs down and then Meg stopped in front of one door.
"Talia…", Meg called to get her attention. "It might be difficult to see what's in this room. But remember, people here are trying to help Damon, and please… don't touch anything."
Talia gave a stiff nod. Did Meg think that those words will calm her down?
The door opened and Talia held her breath.
"Follow me", Meg said and stepped into the room.
They found themselves in a small hallway that had a big glass window on the right, looking into a room.
Talia's eyes fell on Damon who was lying on the platform that was made out of one big flat rock, and it had mysterious patterns etched into it. The patterns pulsated in silvery light making it look like they are taking energy from Damon and carrying it into the ground.
The shimmer around his body was much fainter than it was on the meadow, but it was still there.
Talia put her palms on the glass, wishing to pass through it.
"You can come inside…"
Meg's voice got Talia's attention and Meg gestured toward the door on the side that will take them to the room where Damon was.
Talia's eyes went back to Damon as she moved toward the door, and then into the room that was filled with various herbal scents which seeped from incense burners that were placed in each corner.
Talia didn't stop until she was next to the platform where Damon was. She reached for his hand.
"Don't!", Meg exclaimed, but Talia was already holding Damon's hand, and lifted it up to lean her cheek at the back of his palm.
"You shouldn't touch him.", Meg spoke from behind Talia.
"It's fine, Meg…", a deep female voice sounded in the room. "You must be Talia."
Talia blinked and turned to face an older woman with waist-long black hair who smiled at her. The woman wore a white sleeveless dress that had a wide red sash at the waist level, and numerous bracelets and necklaces made out of small rocks, shells, and bones. Her face didn't look older than fifty years old, but her dark eyes spoke of centuries-deep wisdom.
"I am Cassandra. I heard a lot about you from Axel."
Talia nodded faintly and squeezed Damon's hand firmly like she was afraid to let go.
"I'm sorry oracle", Meg said with her head lowered. "Talia is a good person. She is just in shock."
Talia realized that she was rude for not greeting the oracle with respect, but she didn't like that Meg was making excuses for her.
Talia was not interested in shallow pleasantries when Damon was in trouble, and not when that woman made her wary. Everything about this place made Talia's hairs stand on the ends. They knocked her out without permission, she was in an unknown place, surrounded by strangers, and Damon was unconscious. How can she relax?
And why would Talia bow to the woman when every fiber in her being told her that Cassandra should be the one showing respect?
Cassandra's pic is in the comments.
