Eevie
Everything had happened so quickly. I couldn’t believe I was standing in Nori’s house. Nori and I had almost been exercised, and we would have been if Nori and Aiko hadn’t acted so quickly. I didn’t like that I hadn’t been able to sense them, but then we had been around my purifying circle, so maybe that had blocked some of it. And it wasn’t like Nori and I hadn’t be distracted.
Being with Nori, I had of course imagined what his family home looked like. But that was before I knew which family from which he descended. I had never been in this part of the demon regions, as I wasn’t allowed to leave the Montiliyet region without an escort, and everyone knew how much I hated that. But I’d never had a reason to do so before.
It was a little surreal to be here now. I wasn’t looking forward to meeting Nori’s parents. What if we really were betrothed as Nori and I both suspected that we were? It didn’t change my resolve not to get Nori involved with my family. But it was one thing to suspect we were betrothed. It’d be a whole other thing to hear it being said out loud. And I wondered if when Nori’s parents saw me if they would say anything.
For now, I decided to let Elena stay switched. If they never saw me, we wouldn’t have to deal with it. But we did need to get back to the school. The longer we were gone, the more suspicious Alexa and Austin would be when we never came home. I knew how Elena and I could get out. We would just need to get a hold of Alistair, and he’d be able to come get us. I didn’t listen to my own parents, I sure wasn’t going to listen to Nori’s if they told us they didn’t want us to leave.
Exorcists or not, we needed to get home and fix the situation. I was beginning to wonder if there was a way to work with them, as we did, ultimately, have the same goal in mind. The difference was just that Nori and I knew there was such a thing as good demons whereas, the exorcists saw all demons as bad. I wondered if there was a way to get in contact with their leader and come to a peaceful solution. It seemed to easy, which is why I assumed it wouldn’t work. It’d be hard to change the mind of someone who only had known one way their entire life.
Nori and his sister were talking about what to do with Nori’s father, and Elena and I took the time to look around the place and take it in. It was definitely nicer than my family’s home. But I didn’t think Nori’s family had an issues with money like my family had.
His place is so huge! I wouldn’t know what to do with all of this space, Elena commented, breaking the silence between us that had been present ever since Nori’s and my conversation on the rooftop.
Do we need to talk about my decision with Nori? I decided to just come right out and ask rather than let it fester between us if she had an issue with it.
Only if you want to. She replied. Elena didn’t seem upset, more like she was curious, which was understandable. I had completely shut her out with my decision.
I just don’t want there to be any division between us, I told her honestly. If we were divided about anything, it would just weaken us, and cause bigger issues later. And I was overwhelmed enough with my feelings for Nori and trying to decide what the best course of action would be with him. I didn’t want to have to deal with Elena as well.
There’s not. I’m still on your side. Your decision doesn’t affect yours and my relationship in any way, she promised, and I could tell she wasn’t lying.
I still feel like I owe you an explanation of sorts, I answered, and when she didn’t say anything, I continued, You know my home life is anything but ideal. And as much as I think Nori’s and my relationship could turn into something amazing, I can’t, in good conscious, subject him to my family. And what if I tell him about all the horrible things I’ve done in my past? I know you understand, but you kind of have to because of our situation. Nori doesn’t. And I can’t imagine a person who loves their siblings as I know Nori does to understand what I did to mine. I can’t forgive myself for what I had done to my family. How can expect him to?
You know, when I first met you, Elena started, I thought you were this tough girl with no weaknesses. You were the strongest person I had ever met. You were fierce, a force to be reckoned with, and I never thought there was anything that scared you. You seemed so self-assured. Almost as though you weren’t personable. You seemed like one of those stoic characters in movies with no depth. Knowing what I know now, you are still all of those things, but you have depth now. You’re a real person with feelings, and that is what makes you such a force to be reckoned with. And Nori knows all of that. If you just explain to him what you went through. I guarantee he’d understand.
I didn’t want to keep fighting about this. A part of me understood what she was saying. But I didn’t believe that he could forgive me. And even if he did, what did that say about a person who could forgive and even maybe love a monster like me? I desperately wanted to tell Nori everything, but I was too scared to know what he truly felt about me.
Thankfully, we were interrupted then when Nori came over and apologized to Elena about missing school but that he’d try to talk to his father to let us all go back to school. Elena’s and my conversation was done for now. It was good to know we were still a united force. And I was glad to be done talking about it.
Elena
I was actually really excited about being at Nori's house. It was furnished so beautifully. As great as Eevie's place had been decorated, Nori's house put it to shame. But then I figured that had something to do with Nori's social standing compared to Eevie's.
I really wanted them to get together, and I prayed that they were secretly engaged to each other. It would be the perfect love story! But Eevie seemed to want no part of it, despite her feelings for Nori. I wished I could talk to Nori without Eevie in my head to let him know how she really felt since Eevie wasn't very good about coming forward with the information. Poor Nori must be so confused on where he stands with her.
Shaking my head at myself, I probably shouldn't be saying anything. Noel and I were in a similar situation. Minus the arranged marriage. I was dancing around my feelings for him because I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I was pretty sure I knew how I actually felt. I was just a little nervous telling Noel.
"Your place is really beautiful, Nori," I smiled up at him as I looked around the place.
"Thanks, Elena," he returned the smile before switching with Noel to give us some time to ourselves before Nori's sister and parents came back.
"Do you really think Nori's dad is going to make us stay here?" I asked nervously. I didn't really want Eevie to break us out of here. That would be impolite.
Noel shrugged, "I'm not sure. He might. He wouldn't want to risk our safety."
You can tell Noel I'd rather stay at Alistair's than here, Eevie told me.
What's wrong with staying here? I asked.
I don't really want them to know who I am, yet.
Nodding, I replied, "Eevie is refusing to stay here. She's saying she'll go stay at Alistair's if we have to stay in the demon realm."
Noel frowned slightly after a moment. "Who's Alistair?" he asked.
"A friend of Eevie's," I replied wondering if Nori was getting jealous.
"Welcome to our lovely estate," came a deep voice. Glancing up, we saw Nori's sister and parents standing before us, and I was suddenly nervous.
