The next day, Morgan had left the mansion towards the market at the center town to get himself some things. He took a carriage to leave and stopped at some tailor shop first. The ones he had weren't much cause he brought only a few from Poetwyth. The tailor man took his measurements and told him to come back in a few days time to get the clothes.
Coming out of the shop, he decided to take a stroll and clear his mind from some stuffs before heading back to the mansion. He went towards the forest direction, loving how quiet it was and unknown to h that there was someone tailing him.
He had reached some distance from the center town and noticed a figure standing not quite far from where he stood, he inched closer and when he was just some steps away, the person turned to face him and Morgan's eyes opened in recognition.
At Evelyn's dance school, Crane was there, sitter and waiting as Evelyn had said that Elliot was coming
"You're sure he's going to come" Crane asked for the umpteenth time
"He said he would" Evelyn replied
"That boy better not...." Crane started but stopped when Elliot showed himself
"Looks like some old man missed me" Elliot said making himself comfortable on the couch as though he didn't appear late. Evelyn seeing this, excused herself to give them some privacy but deep down, she couldn't stand seeing his face and not get hurt
"You're good at this hiding thiney" Crane spoke
"What can I say, someone thought me well"
"You do know Evelyn...."
"If we are here to talk about Evelyn, then I would love to take my leave, there are much important things to take care of"
"No, we aren't and what's more important?"
"They are related to Hazel"
"Aren't you taking your job a little bit to serious with that witch?"
"She's more than a job, more like a little sister now"
"Whatever. I need you to come back to the barrier" Crane said going back to the matter at hand
"I can't, I just said I have important things to do and leaving the will be risky for Hazel"
"And what of your case back at the barrier? Aren't you going to prove your innocence?"
"From what I've heard, you guys are doing a good job at it, so I don't see why I'm needed"
"But this is related to you"
"I know"
"So, when will your coming be" Elliot stopped to think for some time before he replied
"Actually, I have a favor to ask from you"
"What's it?"
When they were fine with their discussion, Crane left immediately to the barrier and Eliot came out of the office to find Evelyn coming towards the door. He suddenly felt guilty about the way he behaved and spoke the day before
"Hey" he said lamely
Evelyn felt shocked since he took the initiative to start a conversation, but nevertheless, replied with a nod
"How did it ho with Crane?" She asked
"Good" he said and she waited a bit to see if he would say something else. When he didn't, she nodded and got passed him into the office
Back at the forest, Morgan and the other person stood opposite each other
"Its been a while now, Morgan" the person said
Morgan quickly got over his shock and asked "What are you going here Cross?"
"You still remember me? That's nice"
"Just because you possessed another body, doesn't change you"
"Yeah yeah"
"And to my earlier question?"
"Well, Selles is asking of you" he simply said "you know, there was this plan we all had for a long time now but you just suddenly went missing, who knew that it was because you figured out that your daughter was the key we needed. Although, we later found out you were at Poetwyth but Xavier got to you before we could"
"That doesn't answer my question"
"You are expected to join us back and help get the girl, it would be much easier since you are close to her"
"And what makes you think I'll help you get my daughter"
"Maybe..... Because Family come first, and mind you, we are your real family not the girl, she's Lionel's daughter not yours"
"Do you even hear yourself" Morgan scoffed "my answer is no"
"Morgan" he called releasing a deep sigh "we all will benefit from this and become powerful. I know that this body is your last and you can't posses another, who knows, after we get access to the dark portal, your life can be extended"
"I rather live a short life and experience what a true family and love is, and moreover, I've lived for a while now and contented with it"
Crane bowed his head in disappointment then said
"You leave me with no choice" just then, more figures started to surround them and Morgan recognized then as dark witches "I am to bring you to Selles, with or without your consent, I tried the easy way for old time sake but that didn't work, so permit me to use the hard way"
"You're going yo use me as a bait yo lure Hazel?"
"Something like that" Cross said, and before Morgan could dodge the attack, Cross threw a heavy punch his way to which he blacked out
At the Decron's mansion, Hazel and Xavier were having some cuddling time while talking a bit
"I hope Elliot went to see Crane" Hazel spoke
"If I hadn't known you, I would say, you have some feeling for Elliot"
"Dummy, I just care about him, he has suffered a lot and he deserves some love"
"The least he could do is keep his promise" Xavier said bringing her closer by her waist. They stayed quiet for a while before Hazel spoke again
"I'm kind of nervous"
"Why"
"I don't know exactly when I'll be going to the barrier and how long I'll be there. That place is creepy and worse part is that I can't use my powers there"
"Its okay to be. Do you want to know a secret?"
"Yeah"
"Deep down, I am too"
"Oh, so Lord Xavier can also be nervous" she teased
"Of course, you're my woman and it will be weird if I'm not"
"——"
"When you leave, I'm not sure when we would be able to cuddle like this again"
"Is that what you're worried about?"
"I'm also worried about your life, I don't want to lose you. You've made me see the beautiful side of life and I don't want that to end anytime soon"
"I'll try my best to stay alive then"
"You should or Elliot will pay dearly" he said sternly
"Its won't be Elliot's fault if..."
"I don't care" he grumbled and just then, Hazel stomach decided to join in the conversation
"I'll get Connor to attend to your stomach" he mocked, moving to stand
"Aren't you hungry, it doesn't feel fair as I'm the only one getting hungry all the time" she complained
"You seem to forget that I'm not just a vampire, rabbit, but also a demon"
"So?"
"So, it means, I don't necessarily need food to survive, speaking of which, don't you think, its been a while I last took blood from you, hmmn?"
"Get away from me" Hazel shouted, using the covers to wrap herself
"I'll take it when I'm ready" he said and when he reached the door, he turned back "and you know some piece of cloth can't stop me" he finished, referring to the covers and left the room
After she had lunch, she left to look for Morgan but was told by some guards that he had went out of the mansion. She then looked around for Elliot, she saw him by the garden staring into the space at his front
"A penny for your thoughts" she said taking a seat besides him
"Hey Hazel" he smiled
"You don't look good" she noted
"And, you smell more like Xavier now, did you guys do it"
"Shut up" Hazel shouted turning away
"I'll take that as a yes" he teased
"I said shut up" her face was blush red by that time
"Seems like my little Hazel is now a woman" he continued ignoring her words
"Elliot!"
"Okay okay" he laughed bringing his hands out to show surrender. Hazel waited toll he calmed down before she spoke again
"How did it go with Crane?"
"They can't just do without me at the Barrier"
"..."
"I'm pretty sure they are very close to clearing my name already"
"That's great"
"Hmmn"
"Did you see Evelyn"
"Yeah"
"So...?"
"She's alright" he said, although he so wanted to ask if Evelyn was okay, seeing how she responded when he tried starting a conversation but he held himself
"So.... I heard that there this rule Crane had set about not having any romantic relationship amongst reapers"
"Let me guess,she told you" he said with every smile leaving his face
"I forced her to" she defended
"Of course you did" he scoffed
"That's not an answer"
"Yes, there is"
"Is that why y..."
"Hazel" he shouted scaring her a bit "I would truly appreciate it if you refrain from asking me about this all the time"
"But I see no reason why you are denying it"
"I'm not denying anything!!"
"You like her.... Maybe even love her."
"I don't"
"Lie"
"——"
"And she likes you too,so why?"
"——"
"Elliot!"
"BECAUSE I DON'T DESESERVE HER" He finally let out, frustratingly
"...."