Chapter Twenty Two: All Roads Lead to Scandinavia

I sat and watched them dance around. It was so much fun, honestly, but I couldn’t stand any more. My feet were swelling up very quickly, and I don’t think any of them had actually noticed that I was sitting down.

Of course he did though.

One Week Earlier

I clutched onto Max’s arm as we continued down the creepy street. The place was quiet, but we could see that people actually lived here. We were both curious about why the end towards Vista territory was abandoned, but we figured we’d find out sooner or later.

A sound to our left brought our attention. For a while, nothing happened, until a little girl stepped out. She walked to us daintily, and I won’t lie and say I wasn’t envious of how tranquil and graceful she looked. She looked to be about ten or eleven years old. She stopped right before us, looking at us in awe.

“Weren’t you all killed?” she asked.

“All?” Max and I asked.

“Naturalists,” she elaborated.

“It’s a long story,” I offered.

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you here to harm us?”

“We don’t even know where we are. We have no intentions of harming anyone. We’re just here looking for answers I guess,” I told her.

She cocked her head to the side. “And who sent you?”

“The Vaulsino,” I replied. Her eyes widened.

“The time has come,” she whispered.

“The time for what?” Max and I asked.

“THE TIME HAS COME!” she shouted.

We were confused about why she was shouting, until all the lights around us suddenly switched on. The whole place came alive. I had never seen anything more beautiful. There was vibrancy in the air, but it was still just the three of us on the street.

Suddenly, different beings stepped out of hiding, and Max and I were stunned. There were beings that I was even sure were folklore and myths. They were all different, and they were stunning. There were about seventy or so of them.

“What is this place?” I whispered.

“Welcome to Utopia,” the girl smiled.

“As in the place written about by Sir Thomas More?” Max asked.

Of course he would know that.

A huge man stepped up to us. “Not exactly! We adapted the new name to make it easier for everyone to pronounce.”

“What is this place exactly?” I asked.

“You’re pregnant, dearie. How about we set the two of you up first and then we can all have a merry discussion?” an older lady advised. I realized then that my feet were actually sore from how long I’d been standing and walking.

“We’d love that,” Max smiled. Some girls in the distance swooned and giggled to themselves at the sight of his smile.

Really?

Max?

“It looks like them girls fancy ya mate!” the huge man guffawed.

“Mate? We’re not mates! That’s just... EUW! HEY!”

Max and I clearly share a brain.

A younger guy chuckled. “Siblings.”

“Yep!” Max and I nodded, making them laugh.

“Well, we’re being inhospitable nonetheless. Please, follow me this way,” the older lady said before leading Max and I to a huge mansion.

“Children, go and sit with Pearl. We will call you later,” the huge man announced. More than half of the beings disappeared, before the rest of them followed us in.

While normal people would’ve been stunned by the size of the mansion, I was more stunned by the beauty of it all. It was made out of colored stained glass. How many people can say they have seen such a place, much less have been in one?

A young blonde woman smiled at me. “You look so fascinated.”

“This is incredible!” I commented in awe.

“It’s been standing for over two hundred years and not once has any part of it smashed to pieces. It’s our treasure,” she informed me proudly.

“Come, come,” the older woman from before, led me to a couch. She placed my legs on the couch and put pillows behind me so that I was comfortable. She even gave me sweet tea.

I was curious. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“You’re carrying twins, dearie. That has only ever happened once, and that means you’re one of the most important people on Earth,” she smiled.

“How did you know?” I asked wide-eyed, remembering the little boy from The Passage of Secrets.

“She’s a Teller,” the huge man replied.

“A what?” Max and I asked.

“Look at our rudeness! My name is Esmeralda, and this oaf is my husband Blade. We’re the leaders of this place,” Esmeralda, the ‘Teller’, introduced.

“And what is this place?” Max asked.

“It’s Utopia, the Land of the Forgotten,” Blade informed us.

“Well, we’re Juniper and Maximillan, but we come to you in our witch forms, who are Marissa and Millen,” I introduced.

Esmeralda frowned. “You’re wolves as well?”

“Yes! We still don’t know how either, hence our presence here,” I replied.

“Well, I doubt you’ll find any answers here. I have a feeling you were sent here for an entirely different reason,” the young blonde commented. I realized that there were only ten of us in the room. Blade must’ve seen the confusion on my face, because he smiled before looking at everyone.

“That’s Rogan and Rela. They’re Stardust fairies. That’s Fenix and Lowan. They’re Gremlins. That’s Iola and that’s Ulia. They’re Maycers. As mentioned, my wife is a Teller, and I’m a giant,” he introduced. Ulia is the blonde who’d been speaking to me.

“It’s nice to meet you guys, but we have no idea what any of you are, except maybe for Blade,” Max replied on our behalf.

“That’s understandable. Before we explain, do you at least know what you are?” Esmeralda asked.

We nodded. “We do.”

“Good! Now, I’m a Teller. Tellers were the oldest form of Oracles, but we were wiped out long ago. I’m the last surviving Teller. My husband is a giant, despite his size right now. He’s the most powerful giant alive, and I believe he’s even a myth on Earth. While other giants exist on Earth, his kind, much like mine, were wiped out long ago. Stardust fairies are fairies that harness their powers from the stars of the galaxy. Being in this place for the past half century means that Rogan and Rela haven’t been able to gain any of their power. We’re not sure if their species still exist on Earth. We found Rogan and Rela close to death and brought them here for safety. Gremlins are mischievous beings, yet, but believe it or not, only when they are provoked, so Fenix and Lowan shouldn’t be of any harm to you. Iola and Ulia are sisters. Maycers are a very rare species of mermaids. We saved Iola and Ulia when they’d been captured by humans centuries ago,” Esmeralda explained.

“Wait! So you guys are all really old then?” I asked.

“Not necessarily, but we do have long life spans. My husband and I are the eldest, while Rogan, Rela, Fenix and Lowan are the youngest of the bunch,” Esmeralda replied.

“So, this place is like a refuge for those who are survivors?” Max asked.

“You could put it like that. We’re all either survivors of an attack that wiped out our species, or we were saved by Esmeralda and Blade and aren’t sure if our kind still lives on or not,” Iola smiled.

“Well, I don’t know about Gremlins and Maycers, but I know Stardust fairies are still in existence,” Max informed them.

I didn’t know that.

Rogan and Rela beamed. “Really?”

“Yeah! I saw some just a few weeks back,” Max smiled.

“You have no idea what that means to us,” Rela said with tears in her eyes. The way Rogan comforted her made me realize that they’re lovers.

“I can’t say I know why you were sent here, but we’re going to help as much as we can,” Esmeralda smiled. Before I could say anything, the door flung open and laughter filled the room.

“Did you see the fear in his eyes?” a somewhat familiar voice asked.

“He looked like he was going to piss his pants!” a more familiar voice joined.

“Aiko! Roman! Behave yourselves! We have guests!” Esmeralda shouted.

Aiko? ROMAN?

“Sorry Mom!” the two mumbled.

Just as my brain was mulling over their voices, they came into view. I didn’t know who was who, but they were both magnificent looking creatures. They both look younger than twenty-five. The older one has white blonde hair with a dimple and blue-green eyes. He’s built and would be classified as a hottie in a heartbeat.

Hell, I’m pretty sure he’d be famous on Earth.

My eyes scanned over the other guy. Now I was getting strong vibes from him, and even my babies were reacting to him. He’s just as built as the other guy, but he has a dark aura about him. He was dressed in all black, but that wasn’t the only thing I noticed. His entire body seemed to be covered by a rough and dark gray looking exterior.

There was something about the exterior that made me bite my lip as my eyes roamed further. They landed on the scar on his cheek, as well as his surprisingly sexy lips. I finally looked into his eyes and my whole world stood still.

Good lord!

He has the most breathtakingly striking red eyes I’ve ever seen.

Wait!

WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING?

“June?” the blonde called me. I turned my attention back to him, before having to clutch my head. My brain was suddenly tingling.

I gasped. “Ike?”

“I never thought I’d see you again!” he smiled before coming to hug me. I got up to hug him back.

I frowned. “Why did you leave?”

“My kind was wiped out. I’m the last of them,” he said sadly.

I hugged him again. “I’m so sorry Ike.”

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you guys know each other,” Max commented.

I rolled my eyes at him, making Ulia laugh. “Thank you Captain Obvious!”

“How?” Blade asked.

“We used to be best friends when we were kids. We had this spot at her home where we would hang out, but when my home was attacked, I never went back. No-one knew about our friendship, so I hoped and prayed that she would forget about me and move on with her life,” Ike explained.

“To think Mateo thought I was crazy when I took him there and told him that I used to go there with my best friend. He thought I made you up because I couldn’t remember what you looked like,” I smiled.

“Mateo?” Rela, Rogan and Fenix asked.

“My mate,” I replied.

“Santiago?” Blade asked. I nodded.

“You’re Mateo Santiago’s mate? The most feared Alpha on Earth?” Iola asked, wide-eyed.

“You guys know about him?” Max asked.

“We may live underground, but we know about Mateo Santiago alright. His beast is too much of a big deal for us to not know anything about him,” Blade explained.

I rolled my eyes. “Zeus isn’t all that scary.”

“To you he isn’t, June Bug, and that’s obviously because you’re his mate and wife. If you were like the rest of us, you’d fear him, even if it’s a little fear,” Max argued. There was nodding around the room, except for the guy in black who was instead staring at me intently.

“Roman, are you okay?” Ulia asked him.

So he’s Roman?

“Peachy!” Roman growled out before storming out of the room.

“What’s up with him?” I asked. Esmeralda’s eyes looked glazed over before she shook her head.

She offered a comforting smile. “He’ll be fine.”

Not that I believed her or anything.

“I can’t believe you’re really here! And you’re pregnant?” Ike asked excitedly.

“I can’t believe your name is Aiko and you never once told me this,” I giggled.

He made a face. “I don’t like that name.”

“It’s your name, Ike. You don’t have a choice,” I teased.

“Yeah, yeah! How did you find this place?” he asked me.

“We were led here. By the way, that’s my brother Max,” I told him.

Ike turned to him with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you man.”

He was always the bubbly one.

Max returned the smile. “You too!”

“Well, I’m sure the two of you are exhausted, so I suggest you rest, and then we can take this up tomorrow,” Esmeralda suggested.

“I’m not tired at all, but the suggestion looks like it sounds like heaven to June,” Max chuckled, probably referring to my excited face at the word rest.

I really was feeling tired.

“I’ll take you to your room,” Ulia smiled.

“Thanks!” I said.

After bidding everyone goodnight, I followed Ulia upstairs. She actually helped me up the stairs, and I realized that I was getting bigger by the second. I wasn’t due any time soon, but I guess carrying twins has its disadvantages. We finally reached the simply decorated room.

“I’ll see if I can find you comfortable clothing if you’d like?” she offered.

“Nah, I’m good! Sleeping in my mate’s clothes comforts me,” I replied.

“Fair enough! I guess I’ll look for an outfit for you for tomorrow,” she said.

“That would be nice. Can I ask two questions?” I smiled.

She nodded. “Sure.”

“One, how do you guys know when its morning and night, and two, how are you and Iola living outside of water?” I asked.

“Hmm, good questions. We may not have sunshine or moonlight, but we have clocks, so we operate on a twenty-four hour day like people on Earth. It takes time, but you get used to not having that light around. As for Iola and I, there’s a tank with sea water that we get to go into if our human forms become too much. That usually happens when out legs start burning. It’s our sign as mermaids that we need sea water,” she explained.

“That is so cool! So you guys only live with lights and all?” I asked.

“Pretty much! They’ve installed a sky light that makes it look like we have day time, so you’ll see what I mean tomorrow. For now, just rest and then you can ask questions tomorrow,” she scolded.

“Alright, alright, I get the hint,” I giggled.

She hugged me. “Goodnight Juniper.”

I hugged her back. “Thanks for everything Ulia. Goodnight.”

She left soon after that, but for the life of me, I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, and even took off Mateo’s jumper, thinking that I was perhaps feeling hot, but it didn’t help. My feet were also slightly sore, and my babies were unsettled for some reason.

That was until I felt completely calm.

All my worries were suddenly forgotten and I sighed in contentment, until I realized that the source of my calm was currently massaging my feet. I sat up, but that didn’t deter him from his task. I’d never had a foot massage like this before.

Not even from Mateo.

“What are you?” I asked him.

“This is my demon form,” he replied, his eyes concentrated on my feet. My own eyes closed as I enjoyed the massage.

This was so wrong, but it felt so right.

I sighed. “It’s magnificent.”

“You think my demon form is beautiful? I look like a monster,” he mumbled.

“It’s who you are Roman,” I pointed out. He paused his massage. I wondered why, and I opened my eyes to find his looking at me with a feral intensity that had me clenching.

“Say my name again,” he said lowly.

Oh my forsaken libido!

“Roman,” I said, a little more breathlessly than I intended.

Instead of his eyes darkening, they brightened considerably. Without even knowing it, I changed forms. My white hair was flowing down my chest, and he growled lowly at the sight of it. I didn’t know what was happening, but I was loving every minute of it.

As bad as that seems.

“How are your feet now?” he asked, his voice sounding strained.

“They feel wonderful thanks,” I smiled. His breathing hitched before he got up from the foot of the bed. He headed towards me before bending down.

“Goodnight Juniper, Marissa and Starlet,” he whispered in my ear before kissing my forehead. I felt a rush of warmth.

How did he know about Rissa and Star?

“Goodnight Roman,” I replied. He kissed my forehead once more before flashing out of the room.

I sat there for the longest time, not understanding what had just happened. Why had I felt like that? I have Mateo, so I shouldn’t be feeling this way towards anyone else, but I couldn’t shake the feeling. There was just something about Roman that made things stir in me.

“Guys, what’s going on?” I asked Marissa and Starlet.

“Like we have a clue!” Star replied.

“Why do I feel that way? Even the babies react to him, and not in a bad way either,” I pointed out.

“There’s definitely something about him. We’ll have to investigate while we’re still here,” Marissa said.

“No doubt about that,” I agreed before falling asleep.

I woke up the following day to the smell of a heavenly breakfast. I opened my eyes to find a tray next to me. I sat up and analyzed the food. There were eggs, bacon, beans, hash browns, toast and two slices of tomato. There were pancakes on a side plate with chocolate syrup.

My attention moved to the figure in the room. There was light shining into the room from outside. I assumed it was the ‘daylight’ Ulia was talking about. It made him look even more breathtaking as he stood at the window. He was in dark jeans that were riding low on his hips.

And that’s all he had on.

He was even barefoot. His tough exterior was adorned with what I could only think were showings of a rough life. The scars were many, and they were all over his back. I yearned to see what he looked like in front, and he seemed to be listening to my thoughts because he turned.

I was blessed with the sight of paradise.

He raised an amused eyebrow. “Did you enjoy the show?”

“I don’t know. Did I?” I cheekily asked, my cheeks flushed.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he chuckled.

“Good morning, dark prince,” I smiled.

He smirked. “Dark prince? Very fitting for a King.”

I choked on air. “King?”

“Roman De la Tore, King of Demons,” he introduced, smiling.

He should smile more.

“Wait, you’re the King of demons? I thought the King was Cynthia’s mate; Damien I think,” I said, trying to remember.

He returned a confused scowl. “So, you know my parents then?”

“Your parents?” I asked wide-eyed.

“Wait, do you, or do you not know my parents?” he asked.

“I don’t, but I’ve heard of them,” I replied, remembering how Cynthia had an affair with Balthazar.

“Well, they’re my parents,” Roman replied.

“So, why do you live here?” I asked.

He shrugged as he came to sit on the bed. “I don’t.”

“But you’re here,” I pointed out.

“I know of the place and I have valuable friends here, so I visit,” he explained.

“So who’s in charge when you’re here?” I asked.

“Lots of people,” he vaguely replied.

“That’s vague,” I commented.

“It’s all you’re going to get,” he played back.

Well then!

“You called Esmeralda mom,” I noted.

“You’re an attentive one, aren’t you?” he teased.

“I guess,” I blushed.

“I called her mom because she’s like a mother to me and everyone else here. She’s adopted them all, except me. I just call her mom by choice,” he explained.

“And what about your parents?” I asked.

“They are currently in Bali if I’m not mistaken. They gave the throne up to me about four years ago before taking off. I see them every now and then if I’m lucky,” he smiled.

“How old are you?” I questioned. Instead of answering, he grabbed the tray and placed it on my lap.

“Eat,” he commanded. I would’ve had some witty comeback if my stomach didn’t choose that moment to growl.

“I’m twenty-three years old,” he replied once I’d started eating.

“How did you find this place?” I asked.

“Aiko! He was messing with some humans about eight years ago and we clicked. He’s been my best friend since,” he told, shaking his head with a smile. I could tell that he really values his friendship with Ike.

“And, any lovers?” I nudged him, only for him to freeze.

“I’ll see you later,” he mumbled before disappearing.

What have I done?

I grumpily finished off my meal by myself before getting up. I spotted a long summer dress sitting on the couch at the side of the room, together with a note next to it. I read the note and found that the dress and shoes were from Ulia. She told me that the en-suite bathroom was stocked with everything else I would need.

I went into the huge bathroom and took a nice and long hot shower. My muscles relaxed under the water that was shooting from all directions of the shower. I would have to invest in one like this.

I left the room and dried myself before applying lotion and getting dressed. I left my hair to dry by itself. I tried to put on the sandals Ulia had brought me, but they wouldn’t fit because of my swollen feet, so I left the room barefoot.

I headed downstairs to find the whole house busy. There were little kids running around, while the teenagers socialized. They all smiled as I walked past them, heading towards the lounge that I could remember. I arrived to find Max sitting there with Ulia, Iola, Rela, Fenix, Blade and Aiko.

Max beamed. “Good morning June Bug!”

“Morning guys,” I smiled before sitting down.

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” Aiko questioned. I raised the dress up a little.

“Swollen feet,” I informed.

“Do they hurt?” Iola asked worriedly.

“A little, but nothing I can’t handle,” I smiled.

“Then you shouldn’t be walking around,” Blade admonished.

“And what exactly can I do? I can’t expect to be carried the whole day, and piggy backing is completely out of the question,” I argued.

“But a wheelchair isn’t,” Roman joined us, wheeling in the damned contraption.

I shook my head. “Not happening!”

“I agree with Roman on this one dearie. A wheelchair is better than nothing,” Esmeralda said as she walked in the room.

“And I’ll personally chauffeur you,” Roman smirked. I glared daggers at him, and he actually looked amused.

“June Bug shall be in a wheelchair until she can walk again!” Max declared.

“Aaaaw, cheer up JuJu Bear!” a voice invaded my mind.

“You can link me?” I asked him in shock, ignoring what he called me.

“Perks of being a powerful King,” he replied.

“So, what would you like to do today?” Fenix asked me before I could respond.

“I’m taking her on a tour,” Roman announced.

“You are?” basically everyone, including myself, asked.

“Yep!” Roman agreed, leaving no space for further questioning.

“Well then! I’m going to show Max what we spoke about last night,” Iola announced. I sent my best friend a look, which he skilfully ignored.

“Iola?” I linked him.

“We’re not mates if that’s what you’re thinking. What’s up with you and Roman?” he questioned.

I scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

“I know you like the back of my hand, June Bug,” he said before shutting off our link.

“...and you must all be back for lunch,” I caught the last of Esmeralda’s instructions.

“We’ll talk more when you return,” Blade told me. I just nodded in return.

“Wonderful! Well, breakfast is ready, so let’s head on,” Esmeralda announced.

“Oh, I already ate,” I said.

“You did?” Max, Ulia and Aiko asked.

I nodded awkwardly. “Uh, yeah!”

“Huh!” Aiko said as he raised an eyebrow at his best friend, but Roman suddenly found the ceiling very interesting.

“Well, let’s head out then,” he said before swiftly picking me up and putting me in the wheelchair.

I glared at him. “I could’ve put myself in it.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second JuJu Bear,” he smirked.

Can I kill him?

Max burst out laughing. “JuJu Bear?”

“She just loves it!” Roman smiled.

“You’re most definitely on her ‘to kill’ list,” Max commented.

“Nah, she can’t kill me. She woves me too much,” Roman said in a baby voice.

“She’s known you for less than twenty-four hours. I’m pretty sure she could kill you,” Aiko argued.

“Whatever! I’m too charming to kill anyway,” Roman ended the discussion by wheeling me away.

“You’re an asshole!” I mumbled.

“You’re a vagina hole,” he countered.

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Who says such a thing?”

“That’s the same thing the first person who was called an asshole must’ve asked themselves,” he countered.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked when we got outside the mansion. The ‘daylight’ was brighter than I expected, but my eyes adjusted pretty quickly.

“Everywhere I guess,” he replied.

“I’m pretty heavy now. Are you sure you’ll manage?” I asked.

“You don’t know much about demons, do you?” he chuckled.

I frowned as we went down the street. “What am I missing?”

“Well, JuJu Bear, demons are the strongest beings in existence, so you weigh nothing to me right now,” he commented.

“Oh, I knew that,” I babbled.

“Sure you did,” he teased.

“Shut up! We’re passing by the buildings and you’re not teaching me anything,” I pointed out.

“Someone is very impatient! For your information, I’m leading you to the beginning so that I can educate you from that point on,” he informed me.

I was silent after that, and thankfully he let me be. We passed by the different buildings and landscapes and I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking any questions about what each place was. The beings around looked our way with confused faces. They were probably wondering what the Demon King was doing with me of all people.

We finally reached the end of the way. I knew it was the end because of how dark it was further ahead.

That’s the way Max and I had come.

“So, your lesson starts here. You and Max came this way because you used the only entrance that hasn’t been used in about eighty years. The entrance is at Vistas Pack territory because it was the first entrance to this place believe it or not. Anyway, they stopped using it because of an incident that went down, which I believe you’re familiar with,” Roman came around and started talking.

“What incident?” I asked.

“The elimination of Naturalist witches. As you know, that particular entrance needs Naturalist witches to unlock it, which is probably why you and Max were led there. At the time of the incident, many of the witches wanted to come down here, but Odessa got to them before they could activate the entrance, thus why it hasn’t been used in so long,” he explained.

“Wouldn’t Odessa be able to access it?” I frowned.

“The whole of Utopia has been spelled against anything Odessa related. She can’t get in,” he replied. I found that amazing.

“So she can actually be countered?” I asked wide-eyed.

“I thought you would know that, since you and Max banished her,” he pointed out, smirking.

“You know about that?” I mumbled.

“I know all there is to know in the supernatural world. It’s kind of my job as King of the Underworld to know,” he smiled.

“So, that side has been avoided for all these years?” I asked.

He nodded. “Pretty much.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense,” I commented.

“Let’s get on with the tour then,” he smiled before going back behind me.

The tour was loads of fun as Roman educated me about the place that he refers to as his second home. He really loves these people, and it didn’t take a genius to know that he loves the beings as his second family. He taught me that everyone here is one big family.

“This is the Memorial Museum,” he announced quietly as we walked into the big building.

There were pictures, shrines and anything that could be used in memory everywhere of the different supernatural creatures that had been wiped out, and the ones that hadn’t been confirmed. There was a special section for all the lost family members, and I found myself in tears at the whole thing.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” Roman whispered in my ear as his arms wrapped around me.

I was standing to view all the names on the silver placards placed on the wall. Again, that surge of warmth and comfort wrapped around me, and I leaned into him. His scent is something else. It’s like musk with smoke and something sweet. I shouldn’t be as comfortable as I am with him, and yet I am.

“Why?” I whispered.

“You didn’t even know these people, and yet here you are, crying with their loved ones,” he replied.

“It’s sad Roman. I can’t imagine losing someone I love,” I said, a ball lodged in my throat.

I already know what that feels like.

“I understand, and that’s what makes you so amazing. Not many people would weep with others over people they didn’t know,” he said as his hands soothingly rubbed my belly. My babies were excited from that.

Just like they are with Mateo.

“I’m not all that amazing Roman,” I mumbled. He did the unexpected and kissed my shoulder.

“I beg to differ JuJu Bear,” he said lowly in my ear before walking to the other side of the room.

My mind and body were in turmoil. My mind was flashing lights, reminding me of my mate and husband, while my body was singing Roman hallelujahs. I was sure of it at that moment - I was heavily sexually attracted to the Demon King.

I didn’t flinch when he kissed my shoulder, something that’s supposed to repulse me when someone but my husband does it.

***

It’s been a week since Max and I have been here, and it’s honestly been one of the greatest times of my life. We were having a great party to celebrate Esmeralda’s five thousandth birthday. Yes, she’s that old. Blade is only twenty years older than her.

I’d learnt so much about everything and everyone. I learnt about all the creatures and their backgrounds. Max and I even helped to confirm some of those creatures that were alive. There are seventy-three beings in Utopia, and of the seventy three, there are thirteen different species. Of the thirteen, Max and I managed to confirm the existence of seven. Only three of them we couldn’t, while the other three were wiped out completely - being the Tellers, the dragons and the Fire Elves.

“What are you so deep in thought about?” a certain Demon King joined me on the couch as the festivities carried on. As had become ritual, he grabbed my feet and placed them on his lap to massage them.

My relationship with Roman has been the most frustrating thing. We’ve grown a lot closer in a week, and Max thinks there’s something highly fishy about that. I wish I could agree, but Roman just makes me feel things.

Things that Mateo doesn’t make me feel.

I’ve driven myself crazy making the comparisons between the two of them, and I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re both important to me, and they are completely different from each other, but they both make me feel special in their own kind of way.

“You never did tell me why you warned Max and I to leave,” I told him.

He frowned. “I did what, now?”

“Yeah! A week ago, when Max and I were coming here, you told us that coming here was a bad idea because we wouldn’t like what we find,” I reminded.

“JuJu Bear, the first time I spoke to you was that night in your room. I didn’t even know that you and Max were coming here at any point,” he told me.

“But then, we heard your voice, and when we asked who it was, it told us it was Roman,” I explained.

“It wasn’t me. I swear on my life it wasn’t me. I wasn’t even around when you guys got here remember? Aiko and I were in Australia,” he replied.

“Huh, that’s peculiar! I swear it was your voice that we heard,” I mumbled.

“It was probably someone messing with you, which probably means that someone is dragging me into this for some reason or another,” he said thoughtfully.

“You think?” I asked.

He sighed. “I’m pretty sure of it. I’ll have to come with you and Max when you guys leave.”

“You would do that?” I smiled. I’d already told him all about my life outside, and he wasn’t too keen to learn about Mateo, but he made me tell him anyway.

“I’d do anything for my JuJu Bear,” he smirked, making me blush.

Yep! I’m in trouble!

***

Mateo barged into the mansion in Rome with Domitius behind him. Domitius had left his mate and daughter behind as soon as his best friend had called him to tell him that he remembered everything and needed to get to Rome.

“Dude!” Jacob jumped up when Mateo stormed into the lounge.

“Where are the Elders?” Mateo asked.

Domitius sighed. “Calm down Mateo.”

“Don’t even try me, Dom,” Mateo warned.

“What’s going on?” Anastasia asked.

“He remembers,” Domitius informed them.

“Well, congratulations to you!” Boris said. Before anyone could say anything, a frantic Mark walked into the room with Leona behind him.

“Guys, we have a BIG problem!” he announced.

“What is it?” Mateo asked.

Mark frowned. “Wait, you’re here?”

“Yeah, and I remember everything. Now, what’s the problem?” Mateo asked.

“Orion just told me that Dayton, Royce and Saila were freed from the holding cells,” Mark informed.

“WHAT?” everyone shouted.

“Your imposter is in the States dude. He walked in and freed them. Obviously the guards didn’t argue because they thought it was you,” Mark explained.

“Damnit! We don’t need this right now! Kiddo and Max are still missing as it is,” Boris muttered.

“What’s with the ruckus?” Gail asked, as she walked into the lounge to find a disheveled Mateo pacing. He turned to her and beamed.

“I remember everything!” he smiled.

Gail gasped. “Really?”

“Yeah! I’m confused as to why June couldn’t just tell me though,” he pointed out.

“Maybe we should wait for Balthazar, Mama Deo and Merlin to get here,” Gail said nervously. It wasn’t much of a wait since they walked in seconds later.

“Mateo?” Balthazar questioned.

“Love, he remembers, but he wants answers,” Gail told him.

“You might want to sit down for this,” Merlin suggested. Mateo did as told. Everyone else just watched on in silence.

“Have you already wondered why you and June got married as quickly as you did?” Mama Deo asked him. He nodded.

“Well, we all knew that you were going to forget about her days later, so we planted the idea in your head and made it seem like yours so that when you forgot about her, she would at least have your last name. She thought that she’d give birth to the twins without you there, and she wanted them to have your last name as well, but not have to wonder why she has a different last name. She didn’t know how long it would take before your memory would come back,” Mama Deo explained.

“Why did it leave in the first place?” he asked in confusion.

“You were drugged and you died before her very eyes. She brought you back to life, but the consequence was that you, and everyone in your pack, would have their memories of her and anyone associated with her, wiped from your minds. Since you have your memories, we can only guess that you have a whole lot of confused pack members as well,” Balthazar commented.

“I’ve already handled them, even though I had no idea why our memories were wiped to begin with. So, what you’re saying is that I was murdered?” Mateo asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Balthazar nodded.

“Where is she now?” Mateo asked.

“She’s on a mission with Max. Since your death, her mission has been to find out the truth about you and your family’s past, but with this recent mission, we’ve been led to believe that you are no longer the center of her task. You are but a part of a bigger picture. Max and June are about to uncover the biggest secrets yet if they’re successful with their mission,” Merlin told him.

“You just told me what they’re doing, not where they are,” Mateo pointed out.

“We can’t tell you where they are, no matter how much you feel like we’re obliged to doing so,” Balthazar replied.

“Shouldn’t he know?” Leona asked.

Balthazar shook his head. “He’s not supposed to.”

“I have the right to know!” Mateo growled.

“You actually don’t. This doesn’t concern you,” Merlin countered.

“June is my mate and my wife. This concerns me!” Mateo snapped.

“Her well-being concerns you, but not her whereabouts,” Mama Deo added.

“Can you at least tell me where she’s going?” Mateo asked frustratingly.

“Scandinavia,” the Elders replied.

To Scandinavia he would go.

***

“Are you sure you have to leave?” Ulia pouted.

“We do Ulia! While we haven’t exactly figured out why we were sent here, we’ve gained enough knowledge. Besides, we’ve already searched for signs as to why we were sent here, and since we didn’t find any, we’ve come to the conclusion that maybe meeting everyone and learning about this place was the whole point,” I told her.

“We’re going to miss you guys! Please promise that you’ll visit?” Iola sniffed.

“Guys, we’ll visit once we’ve solved our mission. We’re going to free you guys from this place,” Max promised. Everyone looked excited about the prospect of being outside again. I learnt that as much as they love this place, they were eager to go back to Earth.

“Whenever you need help, just link me and we’ll help in any way that we can,” Esmeralda said as she hugged us.

“Watch over them, Roman,” Blade told him.

“I will,” Roman nodded.

“Why can’t I go with them again?” Ike whined.

“Because you’re needed here,” Roman told him.

“But I want to go,” Ike pouted.

“You’re not going anywhere Aiko,” Blade told him sternly.

“No fair!” Ike huffed.

“I promise I’ll come and get you and we’ll go to our favorite place,” I promised him.

“Sounds like a plan! I’ll hold you to it,” he smirked.

“I don’t doubt that for a moment,” I giggled.

After some very heartfelt goodbyes, we finally left. Roman led us out through one of the exits before we found ourselves in Italy. From there, it was easy to teleport to Scandinavia; not that we actually knew where in Scandinavia we had to go.

“So, The Passage of Secrets just told you to come to Scandinavia? Didn’t say where or why?” Roman asked me.

“Yep!” I nodded.

“How are we supposed to figure it out?” Max asked.

We looked around us, and all we could see was green grass. There were buildings in the distance as well, but something told me that what we were looking for was nowhere there. There was a reason why we’d landed in a remote area.

“The clue lies with where we are,” I commented, confusing the two guys I was with.

“Huh?” was their intelligent response.

I ignored them when I realized that we were standing on a line. I followed the line and watched it curve multiple times. I looked around us and there were more lines. If I was correct, then we were standing on the answer to our question.

“Any reason why you’ve gone witch?” Roman asked.

“What?” I asked, looking at him. He pointed to the white hair cascading down my back and chest.

“Oh, I didn’t even realize,” I blushed.

“I see what you’re seeing,” Max commented. He too had gone witch.

“I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I just see grass,” Roman said as he looked around him.

“Naturalist sight!” Max and I realized.

“What?” Roman asked in confusion.

“That’s why you can’t see what we’re seeing. Whatever we’re on is in Old Naturalist writing. We need to get to higher ground to see what’s on the grass,” I explained.

“Well, there’s a tree over there, but there’s no way you’re climbing it,” Roman told me.

“I guess that’s why I was brought along,” Max chuckled. We walked over to the tree and Max got up to the highest point.

“Can you see anything?” I asked him.

“I can see everything, but I’m deciphering it,” he replied. I knew what he meant.

He was putting it in simple English.

“It says ‘That which has been written, will only be revealed to those who are worthy. That which has to be found will be found by those who need to find whatever it is that must be found. Those who are not welcomed will suffer the consequences.’ We have to say a portal-entry spell,” Max informed us as he came down from the tree.

“What does the statement mean?” Roman asked.

“We’re clearly the worthy ones, and if we find what must be found, we’ll be the ones who were meant to find it,” I replied.

“That’s confusing, but also not confusing,” Max chuckled.

“I was thinking the same thing!” Roman joined him.

“You guys are dorks! Are you ready?” I asked Max. We’d both learnt about the portal-entry spell from my dad.

He nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”

We held hands before we started chanting the spell. Roman stood aside and watched us in silence as we chanted for a good thirty minutes. It was a good thing we were in a remote area where we wouldn’t be interrupted.

After we said the final words of the spell, the ground shook before five rock pillars rose from the ground. They rose high above us before they stopped. We thought that was it, until they moved. We watched them assemble, until they finally resembled a portal entrance. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life.

“That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life!” Roman voiced my thoughts.

“I was just thinking the same thing!” Max and I said simultaneously.

“Well, let’s go on then,” Roman announced.

We didn’t waste time heading in and we were shocked at what we found. There was absolutely nothing but a podium in the middle of the room with a big book on it. We approached the book and Max and I used our Naturalist sight to decipher the words on the cover.

“The Book of Originals,” we said concurrently.

“Originals? As in the origins of all supernatural creatures?” Roman asked.

“Yep!” I said in awe. Before I could marvel at the treasure, the place rumbled a little. Sand fell from the roof.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Someone who isn’t meant to be here just arrived,” Max announced before my mate ran into the place.

“June!” he said, looking relieved to have found me. The place rumbled some more.

I frowned. “Mateo?”

“That’s your mate?” Roman asked, even though he already knew. I sent him a glare.

“Who’s that?” Mateo growled. The place shook even more.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him instead.

“I’m here to get you. I remember everything!” he smiled. Again, the place shook.

“You’re not supposed to be here, Mateo,” Max told him as the place continued to shake.

“I’m not leaving without June!” Mateo said defiantly.

“You’re putting her in danger by being here,” Roman was the one to growl.

“I don’t know who you think you are to tell me what to do,” Mateo returned the growl, his eyes darkening.

I took a step towards Mateo with the intention of telling him that I’m okay, and that he should go on without me, but I didn’t make it. Instead, I was greeted by darkness.

***

The three males watched as part of the stone roof caved in. Juniper got hit by a pretty big rock, but her head was the only part that suffered injury. Roman sprang into action and went to her side before carrying her away from the falling roof.

Mateo tried to go further into the room, but he was being prevented by a magical barrier, which only added to his frustrations. He watched as the strange man in the room cuddled his mate’s bleeding head to his chest, mumbling to her.

“Come on JuJu Bear. You have to get up. You have to be okay,” Roman pleaded, the tears already in his eyes.

They were all thankful when Juniper groaned. Her eyes fluttered open and Roman had never been happier to see the red orbs staring back at him. Confusion clouded her face and she closed her eyes and groaned again.

“Help her stand,” Max told Roman. They both helped her stand before she coughed from the dust around.

“June!” Mateo called to her. She opened her eyes and looked at him, but only confusion was in her eyes.

“JuJu Bear,” Roman whispered. She turned to him and the confusion stayed.

“Mate,” she whispered.

And she wasn’t saying it to Mateo.