Chapter 11 : The Veil of Darkness

***Tink / Bellaire Von DeLuca ***

"Um... okayyy, but why?" Mia's brow furrowed, her confusion evident.

"Well, first, because there are literally two strangers in the house," I replied, my voice low and urgent. "And second, I don’t trust that man, Elias. He claims to know about your family line—something we don’t know anything about. Plus, he didn’t even give his full name."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mia blinked, her expression shifting from confusion to mild annoyance.

"Look, I got some weird vibes from him. He’s clearly lying about his identity." My heart raced as I recalled the way Elias had looked at her, as if he were peering right into her soul.

"Hmm? What are you talking about? I like him! In fact, I feel like I know him," she said, a dreamy smile creeping onto her face.

"Okay, girl, look at me in my eyes." As she looked up, I noticed something unsettling—a glassiness that hadn’t been there before our lunch. It was as if a veil had descended over her thoughts, dulling her usual spark. Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation, like someone was peeking through her eyes, and it sent a chill down my spine. Was this why I hadn’t sensed it before?

"I have a bad feeling about this," I muttered under my breath. Turning away, I hurried to my drawer and pulled out my spellbook, keeping it hidden behind my back. "Mia, why don’t you sit on the bed? You might be tired after that long lunch."

"Oh well, I’m clearly exhausted after this long lunch." Her voice was flat, devoid of its usual enthusiasm.

Something is definitely off. Mia was not the type to tire easily after a meal; food was an adventure for her. She always raved about the flavors and textures long after the plates were cleared. As I approached her from behind, a sense of urgency gripped me. I quickly tied a blindfold around her eyes.

"Hey! What are you doing? I can’t see!" Mia screeched, her voice laced with panic.

"Well, that’s the plan," I whispered firmly.

With trembling hands, I began to chant the anti-binding spell from my book. The words flowed out of me like a river—each syllable resonating with intent. Suddenly, there was a sharp snap in the air, like a rubber band breaking. The connection between Mia and whatever malevolent force had ensnared her shattered with a loud crack.

In an instant, she collapsed onto the bed as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. I quickly surrounded her with a protective spell, knowing the aftermath of such severance could leave her vulnerable.

I knew something was terribly wrong the moment she made eye contact with Elias. Her demeanor shifted; she became distant and compliant. During their conversation about locking her in the house, she didn’t voice a single objection. It was as if she were under a spell—a puppet dancing to someone else’s tune.

The memory of my parents’ reactions haunted me; my father’s irritation was palpable whenever Elias was around, while my mother remained eerily silent, as though she were caught in some invisible web of control. My dad is tough; for him to feel cornered like that meant the connection was powerful—dangerously so.

After what felt like an eternity, Mia began to stir. She opened her eyes but remained blindfolded. "Why am I being blindfolded? What kind of experiment are you conducting?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion and indignation.

A surge of relief washed over me at the sound of her familiar tone. "Oh thank goodness," I breathed out, feeling happiness rush through my veins. "You’re back!"

Some might see Mia as a total bookworm who never speaks up, and while that’s true to an extent, she has a sarcastic wit that shines through when she feels safe. She often kept quiet to avoid trouble or conflict around others. But after we became close friends, I learned just how fiercely she could express herself when she wanted to.

FIRST YEAR OF THE SCHOOL

The sun dipped low in the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the park. Tink sat on a bench, her fingers nervously tracing the edges of her notebook. She had been looking forward to this afternoon, hoping to find someone who could understand her love for stories—stories that were all too real for her.

Mia was sprawled out on the grass nearby, her nose buried in a thick fantasy novel. Tink watched her for a moment, marveling at how carefree humans could be. She took a deep breath and approached.

“Hey, um, what are you reading?” Tink asked, trying to sound casual.

Mia looked up, surprised but intrigued. “Oh, it’s this amazing fantasy novel about a girl who discovers she has powers and has to fight against an evil sorceress. It’s so empowering!”

Tink felt a pang of longing at the mention of powers. “That sounds incredible! I love stories where the underdog wins.”

Mia smiled brightly. “Right? I mean, she has to face all these challenges, and everyone doubts her at first. But she proves them wrong!”

Tink leaned closer, captivated. “What’s her secret? How does she find the strength?”

Mia’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. “She learns to believe in herself and embraces her abilities. It’s like she realizes that she’s meant for something greater.”

Tink felt a warmth in her chest. If only Mia knew that she was talking to someone who could do magic. “You really think anyone can be that brave?”

“Absolutely! You just have to find your voice and stand up for what you believe in,” Mia said, her enthusiasm infectious.

Tink hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. “But what if people don’t accept you for who you really are?”

Mia shrugged, her expression turning serious. “Then they’re missing out. You can’t let fear hold you back. I mean, I’ve had my moments too. Like last week when some kids were bullying the new girl—I couldn’t just stand by and let it happen.”

Tink’s heart raced. “What did you do?”

“I told them to back off and that everyone deserves respect,” Mia said proudly. “They were shocked! But I couldn’t stay silent.”

Tink admired Mia’s courage, feeling a mix of envy and inspiration. “That’s amazing! I wish I could be that brave.”

“You can be!” Mia encouraged, leaning closer. “It’s all about believing in yourself. If something matters to you, shout it from the rooftops!”

—

FIRST YEAR OF SCHOOL MID SEMESTER

The cozy café was bustling with the afternoon crowd, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of pastries. Mia and Tink sat at a small table near the window, a half-eaten slice of cake between them.

“So, how was your ‘secret mission’ today?” Mia asked, her voice dripping with mock seriousness as she took a sip of her latte.

Tink grinned, trying to suppress a giggle. “You know, the usual. Just saving the world one enchanted creature at a time.”

Mia raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer. “Oh really? And here I thought you were just running errands for your cat.”

Tink laughed, shaking her head. “Well, my cat does have high expectations. He demands gourmet treats.”

“Of course he does! Because why settle for regular cat food when you can have a five-star dining experience?” Mia replied, feigning shock. “What’s next? A personal chef?”

“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!” Tink shot back playfully. “You’d be surprised how much a cat can appreciate fine cuisine.”

Mia rolled her eyes dramatically. “Right, because cats are known for their sophisticated palates. I’m sure they’re just waiting for their chance to critique Michelin-star restaurants.”

Tink stifled another laugh, enjoying the banter. “You never know! Maybe they’ll start their own food blog: ‘Whiskers and Wonders.’”

Mia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a smirk. “And I can already picture the tagline: ‘Because every cat deserves a taste of luxury!’”

“Exactly!” Tink said, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “And I’ll be their official taste tester. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!”

“Yeah, I can see it now: ‘Tink the Cat Connoisseur’—the most distinguished feline food critic in town,” Mia said, barely able to contain her laughter.

As they both erupted into giggles, Tink felt a warmth spread through her. Mia’s sarcasm had a way of making everything feel lighter, even if she had to keep her magical side hidden.

—

PRESENT

As I removed the blindfold from her eyes, I caught a glimpse of the spark returning to them. "You scared me there for a moment," I said softly. "You weren’t yourself."

"What happened?" she asked, rubbing her eyes as if waking from a deep sleep.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before recounting everything—the lunch with Elias, the strange energy surrounding him, and how he seemed to manipulate those around him. As I spoke, I watched the color drain from Mia's face.

"We need to figure out who he really is and what he wants," she said, determination flickering back into her gaze.

I nodded in agreement. Together, we would unravel this mystery and reclaim our lives from whatever dark influence had dared to intrude.

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