Hellbound Heart

"Is... Alicia sick, Abi?" Elle asked and then blushed in the next minute as she belatedly realized how silly her question might be. Do witches even get sick? She had learned that vampires do not get sick. Not like how humans do. Thus, she was not sure about the witches. But they should have spells and magic to cure themselves, right?

"She's not sick." Abi answered. There was no mocking or teasing manner in her voice at all as she answered Elle's question seriously. "Alicia used to be very powerful. She is the most powerful vampire and witch. But something happened to her a few years ago. She lost most of her magical abilities and even until now, her strength and magic are still deteriorating. We believe that she'd only regain everything once the gates open again."

"G-gate...?" Elle echoed, tilting her head and furrowed her brows a little as she did not understand it. She was completely curious about what gate Abi was talking about.

A soft knock on the door followed Elle's one word question and the kids appeared when the door swung open. Alexis, Alice and Azy all stood at the doorway, looking at her.

"Hello, Princess Elle." They greeted in chorus. Gladness flashing across their clear adorable eyes as they surveyed her with concern while moving into the room and getting closer to where she was. "We are so glad you are finally awake." Alexis continued.

Elle smiled at them. Her heart just never ceased to be melted by these three adorable kids.

She opened her arms wide and they excitedly, yet still very carefully, rushed forward and hugged her one by one.

"It seems that I have made you guys worry about me." Elle said, smiling widely at them. "I'm doing great now. Aunt just needs a little more rest and I would be as right as rain."

The kids rejoiced at what she had said. Alice even asked if they could bring her out of the house to their hideout again, and Elle nodded happily. If there was a chance, Elle would definitely love to stroll around in the beautiful Black Forest with these three again.

After talking to them for a while, Elle could no longer hold back her constant yawning every few minutes as she spoke. Though she tried to hide it, Abi had noticed it and ushered the kids out of the room, telling them that Elle needed to rest now.

"See you later, Princess Elle." Alexis said and they waved at her before they shut the door after they went out.

Elle was still smiling as she stared at the now closed door.

"I'm so glad, Azy looks to be alright now." She uttered.

"Yes." Abi replied. "He's doing so much better now. Though, we still really need to watch over him, closer than ever. You should really rest first, Elle. We'll continue our chat once you're no longer feeling tired and dizzy."

While Abi stood to change the flowers that were placed in the vase, Elle quietly looked out of the window. She had noticed the black tattoos on Azy's arms. Those were tattoos that were completely the same as Sebastian's. In fact, it seemed to be an exact replica.

At first, Elle had thought those were normal tattoos that he had gotten for himself when she saw it on Sebastian initially. But now she realized that those tattoos might not actually be normal after all. Because the last time she was here and remembered interacting with the boy, Azy did not have those tattoos on his arms. It was as though they magically appeared on his skin. Could it be that those tattoos appeared during that time? When Azy was screaming that night?

Elle so badly wanted to ask Abi about it but she refrained from opening her mouth. Maybe she should ask about those tattoos another time. For now, she had a burning question that she must ask first before Abi leaves the room so she could rest.

"Do you know if Sebastian will come here tonight?" she asked, her eyes were hopeful as she looked at Abi.

"I'm not sure." Abi replied. "I'll call my husband later and ask how it's going over on their side. Or do you want to call Sebastian to ask instead?" Abi offered.

Before Elle could respond, Abi had already grabbed a phone and handed it over to her.

Abi had already pressed on a button Elle guessed was his number on speed dial, but Sebastian did not answer her call.

After a second try, Elle returned the phone back to Abi, feeling disappointed that the call did not connect.

"He must be busy. We'll just try again later." Abi comforted her and Elle just nodded rather listlessly.

Once Abi left, Elle quickly fell asleep and when she woke up, it was already twilight. Still, Sebastian was not there in her room. She tried calling him once again, but he still did not pick up her call.

After freshening up, she joined the ladies and kids for dinner downstairs in the dining room.

"I spoke to Alex." Abi told her once the kids left the dinner table. "He said he'd be here tomorrow. He didn't meet with Sebastian yet today, but he informed he was on his way to where Sebastian is a while ago. I'll let you know some news once he calls me back."

"Thank you, Abi." Elle replied. Trying her best to keep her expression neutral.

"Don't worry, dear. Everything will be alright." That was all Abi could comfort her with for now.

"Can I ask you a question, Abi?" Elle spoke after a few minutes of silence.

"Of course, dear."

Elle hesitated for a moment and glanced at Alicia and Abi who were seated across from her for a moment before she finally asked. "Why was... Sebastian locked in an... underground prison for... for seven hundred years?"

Her question made Abi look over at Alicia and Elle instantly understood that the one who could give her any answer was no other than her sister-in-law.