The Love That Remains

I find myself in a parking lot. I hide behind the car. Reis taught this teleportation spell once. I am supposed to use it in emergency cases. Running away from a mad Wang Mei and the devilish Sung Jun rules out to be an emergency.

The magic doesn't come naturally to me. I have some magic from Reis' secret collection of books. I could only learn dark magic because I have an affinity with dark magic. My mother is a dark witch. Her father was a demon. Because my spiritual energy is extremely low because of my rebirth, a part of the magic rebounds on my body.

"You are here." The cat suddenly appears in front of me. His blue and yellow eyes pierce me with accusation. I cough up blood in response. A few drops of blood fall on its white face. The feline creature blinks at me with surprise and disgust. I am too tired to care.

"How did you find me?" I wipe the blood off my mouth. Wang Mei's sword has managed to slice my shoulder a bit. It is not a deep cut, but my white robe is bloodied.

"You used magic." The cat places its paw against my chest. "Were you near someone with high spiritual power?"

Sung Jun. I almost say, but decides against it. "Let's leave."

"It's time that we leave." Rene, the cat nods his head. There is a flash of light and I close my eyes.

"So weak!" Reis wraps his arms around me, letting me lean on his shoulder. "Woman, have you been playing with someone? Why are you dressed in a flimsy robe?"

"What the hell are you saying?" I struggle to keep my eyes closed. He puts me in the car. I wonder whose car we are stealing this time. Though he can just teleport us out of here, he can't because of me. It is never smooth for me.

"I must be wrong. Who can touch a rowdy woman like you?" Reis starts the car.

I almost say that there is someone who can touch a rowdy woman like me. Then, I close my mouth. It's not convenient to be around a god.

"Did someone hold you captive for the last three days?" Reis' voice is chilling to the bone. "It must be someone who knows about gods. He knew how to hide you from me. Did he hurt you?"

"I am fine."

"Let's get you somewhere safe first." I hear him say. "He has touched something that is mine. I can't promise if he will live long."

I open my eyes and looks at him. "You won't harm him."

He stops the car. His eyes meet mine. We glare hard at each other until we realize that I am still clearheaded.

"How is this possible?" I can see him. I mean, I could see him before too...but now, I am not crazy anymore. I can see him without being enchanted by him. Did I raise my spiritual powers accidentally?

Reis frowns. Even his frown is beautiful. He is sculpted art. Beautiful blue and yellow eyes which are similar to his cat form. I have seen him many times, but this is the first time when I am not losing my mind.

His cool fingers hold my jaw while he carefully looks into my eyes for a long moment. I feel slightly awkward. I finally look away.

"Bound..." He whispers. "Married...His imprint is on you."

"Huh?" I gawk at him. "Imprint?"

He clicks his tongue. "His spiritual power is wrapped around you like a blanket. You are married to him by the god of marriage himself."

I purse my lips. Reis doesn't look too happy. I guess, it is surprising.

"The same shield is harming you. Whenever you use your magic, you will be harmed four times harder than before." His tightens his fingers around my jaw. "You also slept with him."

I blush hard. This is the invasion of my privacy. He rubs the corner of my lips with his thumb, wiping away the blood.

He asks me in a low tone, "It's him, isn't?"

I nod. There is a long silence between us before he restarts the car and drives quietly. I sigh and looks at the passing buildings, people and the trees. The car speeds up.

"You are one of my people."

His words are a warning to me. Eight years ago, he and I made a deal. I cannot be free until that deal is complete and I have paid my dues.