The Crown of Humatora

Dear, Grimoire (Part 1)

(Sabine)

I saw the peaceful face of Rafe, sleeping beside me, while the carriage tumbled left and right. I couldn’t imagine, how Rafe have the ability to sleep in this kind of situation, even though he was the one who complained so much, earlier.

I caressed his cheek, and wonder, how fast my feelings grow for the three of them. I do wonder if we got some spell on us, so, the true mate, is it a gift or a curse?

It was already late at night, the red moon almost waning away, I think we almost arrived at our temporary shelter, Gardena told us about her small place that she used whenever she goes to the main camp on the red sun and the red moon time. It took us about two hours of the red moon, to finally reached the place.

It is a garden, full of lush vegetation, with a stone hut in the middle of it. I suspect it was protected by a ward spell since the hut is actually visible to us, but strange enough, it is in a good condition like there are no looters who wreck the hut. Gardena lead us to the main entrance, while I was gawking at the interior of the stone hut.

“This is amazing, is this really your hut?” I asked Gardena while my head turned around to look at everything.

“Yes, I rarely used it, however, only for shelter when I wanted to visit my brother. Just make yourself comfortable, I have plenty of rooms.”

Gardena then walked away into one of the rooms upstairs, I presume as her private quarters. I asked my mates, where should we go to rest, and they pick one large room with two large beds, enough for the three of us.

“I’ll go ahead and take my sleep, I was so exhausted, Gardena is a woman who loved to converse, not to mention how hot and humid it was.” Grunted Riftan, taking one of the beds without any clothes on.

“Oh, f*ck! Dude, at least put some clothes on!”

Riftan pretended that he wasn’t listening to Rafe, just turn his body, and gave us a view of his back and bottom. Rafe raised his middle finger while smirking.

“Alright, Rafe, let’s use the other bed, I was exhausted as well.”

Rafe gave me a naughty smile and presented me with the Grimoire in his hand. “Sorry, I have refreshed already, taking a nap inside the carriage.”

I squinted at him. “Rafe… what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to open it, of course.” Rafe is smiling, ears to ears, while I was horrified, thinking about the unthinkable.

“Rafe… Don’t you know the risk is greater than you have thought.”

“But Sabine, I need the knowledge, beautiful, I need it… badly.”

“Then, do it!” Rafe and I turn our heads, there’s Riftan, laying with one of his hands supporting his body, he is looking at Rafe, directly, “Just remember, if something happened, I don’t want you to be involved Sabine in it, we warned you about it. You just ignore it and wanted to be on your way.”

Rafe, staring back at Riftan, with a determination on his face, “Yes, I will remember it, don’t worry, I’m not going to involve Sabine in this.”

This is the first time, I saw Rafe looking brave and serious. His desire for the Grimoire actually terrified me. Riftan decided to ignore him, and go back to sleep, once again, he gave us his back. I, on the other hand, am a bit curious about how Rafe is going to deal with the Grimoire.

Rafe looking at me with a tilted head. “Aren’t you tired? I thought you were going to sleep?”

“Not anymore, I wanted to see you with the Grimoire,” I said to Rafe with a smile on my face.

“More like, you wanted to supervise me, right?”

“I won’t deny it.”

He took a deep breath and scratches his head, “Fine, you could see me, then, let’s go to the other room.”

The two of us, go to the other room, much smaller than the other but cozier and with a lot of expensive furniture. Rafe put the Grimoire on the bedding, while I sat in the opposite direction.

“Okay, here goes, nothing.” Said Rafe with an excited face.

“Nothing? Well, it’s definitely, something.” I said to him, trying to correct his words.

He chuckles. “Gosh, you’re so cute, it was an expression, another human word.”

My face blushed in all shades of red. “Oh, continue then.”

He shakes his head, and then conjured a spell to open the Grimoire. “Aeeftah, Grimoire!”

The grimoire begins to shake, just like the last time, a black miasma now oozing out from it. If I recalled, it wasn’t the case when Rylan called upon the grimoire. I need to ask Rafe, about this. A face once again appeared from the front cover, he took a glance at me and then Rafe,

“Soooo… You finally acquired a decent sorcerer for meeeeee!” Said the grimoire, with something resembling a smile on its face.

“Decent sorcerer? Who’s the one who called you before me?” Asked Rafe to the grimoire.

“Whaaaaat?! This one doesn’t have anyyyyy decencyyy, nor manner, unlike the other oneeeee!”

“Well, sorry about that,” Rafe told the grimoire, with an apologetic smile on his face.

He then bows to the grimoire, and though felt insincere, the grimoire accept it.

“Alright, I could seeeeeense some old daaaaark magic in your blooood, but… a hybrid? There’s a hint of anotheeeeer ancessstry in yoursssss… a Were? Nooooo, oh, it’s…”

“Look, let us cut to the chase, I need something from you.”

The grimoire looks unhappy, but, strangely it’s obeying Rafe. “I am listening... Whaaaat, do you neeed from meeee?”

Rafe smiled at the grimoire, and then said, “I want you to teach me some spells, at the expense of my soul.”