Rise of the Darkness — CHAPTER 29

Ethan stopped the truck by a hotel. Calla and Ethan, both hopped out of the truck. Ethan grabbed both of their luggage and they both made their way into the hotel. Ethan booked them a room and then pulled Calla towards their room. Calla opened the door and they both stepped into the room. Calla laid down on the bed with her feet still on the ground. Ethan put the luggage into the closet. He then walked back to the room and sat beside Calla. He ran his fingers through his hair and turned to look at Calla. "Are you asleep, Calla?" He asked. Calla shook her head but didn't open her eyes.

"Tell me you still have the pendant, Sophie gave you. Last time you forgot to wear it and Brandon almost traded you away." Ethan asked. Calla didn't answer him but pulled the pendant out of her shirt and held it high to show it to Ethan.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked in a worried tone. This time Calla opened her eyes and smiled at the concerned look on his face. She sat up on the bed and kissed his cheek.

"I'm fine Ethan, I'm just tired that's why I thought it would be better to lay down for a while." Calla replied.

"Okay." He replied. "Why don't you go and get a warm bath. It will help and you will feel better." He suggested.

"Okay, that's a good idea." She said and stood up from the bed.

"While you will be enjoying your bath, I'll get us something to eat." Ethan informed her and she nodded. She stepped into the bathroom and Ethan went out of the room to get dinner. Calla filled the tub with warm water and added soap and lavender fragrance. She peeled off her clothes and sat into the tub slowly. Warmth of the water soothed her aching back and tensed muscles. She laid into the bathtub and enjoyed her bath. She washed her hair and body.

She stepped out of the water and wrapped a towel around her waist. She felt someone's presence in the room. A smirk made its way to her pink lips as an idea popped up into her mind. Calla quickly wrapped another towel on her head and silently stepped out of the bathroom. She looked around but found nothing. She knew Ethan had told her he would get something for them to eat. She heard some noises like someone was going through the luggage Ethan had left into the closet. She quickly wore her bathrobe and went to the closet.

She found a man in the closet and she was right, he was going through her bags. Her scent reached to his nostrils and he stood up straight. He smirked, knowing she could not fight him. He turned around and looked straight in her eyes. He stared at her eyes for a few seconds. He took a few steps closer to her.

"Where is it? Tell me, where did they leave it?" He asked her.

"What are you looking for?" Calla asked back.

"Answer my question, mortal or you will regret it." He threatened her and she decided to play along. She understood that he was asking for something that could lead them to that mysterious person Calla and Ethan were looking for.

"I don't understand you." She said.

"Where is the ring Braxton had given to Xavier? He wasn't wearing it when he was at the funeral. Where did he leave it before he came here?" He asked her.

"I don't know which ring you are talking about?" Calla replied. Xavier used to wear 3 rings in his left hand. She wanted to be sure which ring that man was talking about.

"Don't play games with me mortal or I will kill you, here and now." He threatened her again.

"I am not playing any games, I don't know anything about the ring you are asking me." Calla replied and started sobbing.

"I am talking about the golden ring with Ruby on it. The ring of the Master. Where is it?" He asked her again.

"When he had visited Pennsylvania, he was wearing it. I hadn't seen it after that." She said.

"Then why Draco is still looking for it, maybe he's wasting my time." He mumbled in his breath but Calla heard every word clearly because he was standing right next to her. "Look at me." He yelled and she did as he had asked her. He again looked straight in her eyes.

"You will not remember me and the chat we had." He said and she slowly nodded her head. In the blink of an eye he zoomed out of the room. Calla grinned mischievously because she had fooled a vampire and he believed her. She went to the closet and wore her clothes. She stepped out of the closet and sat at the edge of the bed. She kept reciting the name and the information about the ring again and again.

Ethan came back with two bags in his hands and a bucket of fresh fruits. He sniffed the air and caught an unknown scent. "Draco, golden with Ruby, ring of the Master." Ethan heard Calla reciting again and again.

"What is it, Calla?" He asked her. Calla turned around and stood up from the bed.

"A man came in. He was looking for the ring of the master. And he mumbled a name, Draco. I think this Draco is looking for the ring." Calla said it all in one breath.

"Are you alright?" Ethan asked In a worried tone.

"I'm fine. He just asked me questions and tried to make me forget all about our conversation. Not so lucky." Calla replied with a grin.

"Draco, I think I know him. He is one of the turned vampires of Braxton. Braxton saved his life by turning him into a vampire when he was dying. But Braxton always thought that turning Draco was the biggest mistake of his life." Ethan explained to her.

"Why is that?" Calla asked.

"Because as far as I know, Draco is a power hungry vampire. He can do anything to get…" Ethan didn't complete his sentence but his eyes widened when he realized that his Master had given him a hint a long time ago.

"You mean Draco?" Calla asked an incomplete question.

"I am not sure, Calla. But he is the only one who could kill Braxton. And if he really killed him then he is the murderer of Mara and Xavier." Ethan explained.

"Wait, why would he kill Mara and daddy? They didn't have anything to do with power and all." Calla asked.

"You don't understand, Calla. If he is looking for the golden ring with Ruby, it means that he wants to become the Master. But Braxton had given it to Xavier. That means Braxton knew about Draco's plan and he nominated Xavier as the next Master of the territory." Ethan explained. A small sob escaped Calla's lips and Ethan's heart stung with pain. He quickly pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"It's okay, Calla. Shhh…. Don't cry. You know I can't see you crying." Ethan cooed her.

"I can't believe he killed them for a stupid ring and so called power." Calla replied. Her tears soaked his shirt.

"I have promised you that he will suffer. And I always keep my promises, Calla. We need to get to Draco. Now it all makes sense. He is the one behind it all that's why I wasn't able to track any of them." He said. Calla looked at him with a confused look on her face.

"He is famous because he has a hundred witches. They all do exactly as he orders them." Ethan explained.

"How do you know this all?" Calla asked.

"Don't forget I am a witch myself and my mother was the most powerful witch of her time. They are smart but they can't keep it hidden for any longer. The truth always makes its way out like water." Ethan said.