Hellbound Heart

"So, what's the reason for your unannounced visit?" Alex asked. The four of them, Alexander, Abigail, Alicia and Zeres, were seated around a bonfire outside the house. "Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that you're here to visit. But I'm quite sure you aren't just here for that. There should be more to this visit, am I right?"

Izabelle had been dragged off by the kids into the house a while ago as they had wanted to show her, their latest academic achievements. Once they left. The atmosphere had very quickly turned a little serious.

Alexander was staring intently at his friend. As though he was trying to decipher something in his face. But even so, he was not able to read his poker face.

"I found that Lilith is back here in the Black Forest. Is that right? I have some ... business with her." Zeres replied. It had been so many years since Zeres and Iryz just kind of disappeared. They just thought the two of them had decided to go travel the world together without leaving any word to the others, but the fact that they did not even return to visit or made their presence known was a bit unsettling to Alex and everyone.

"So, if Lilith's not here, you're not going to visit, are you? Just what have you been up to?" Alexander continued questioning. He did not even bother hiding what he was feeling from Zeres.

"I'm sorry if I made you guys worry. But please don't worry. Everything's alright on my end."

Zeres' response made the muscles on Alexander's face twitch a bit. But he did not continue to press on the matter anymore.

"How about Iryz? How is she?" Abigail spoke. "We haven't seen her in a long time. Why didn't you bring her along to visit as well?"

Iryz had become part of their inner circle ever since Zeres announced their engagement. The sweet girl had also been the kids' favorite auntie and that was why they had been so sad when she and Zeres just stopped coming to their home.

"She's busy."

The simple reply had Abigail's brows creasing a little. They had been thinking of looking for Zeres and Iryz. They had planned to at least find out where they were even if they could not go visit. But the people Alexander had sent to look for them came back unsuccessful every time. Alex and the two of them could not go because their hands were full, especially with Alicia and Azy needing them. Still, Alexander had sought the witches' help to look for them. But years passed and they were still nowhere to be found.

And here was Zeres today, suddenly showing up. Uninvited, but very much welcomed. He looked alright, at least on the outside. His hair was back to its usual length and there seemed to not be anything suspicious about his strength and power. Still, the three of them could not help but think there was something amiss about him right now. They just could not put their finger on it.

"You two are still together, right Zeres?" Alicia was the one who questioned him this time. There was no need to mention who she was talking about.

"She's still with me."

Again, his response made the three of them speechless.

"I can't feel Lilith's presence. She's not here anymore, isn't she?" Zeres continued talking, ignoring the probing gazes that Alex, Abi and Alicia were throwing him.

"Lilith left just this morning. She said there's something that she needs to deal with. Also, she did not say where she went or when she'll return." Alicia told him.

Zeres sighed and threw his head back as though to express his exasperation. Then he stood up in the next second without saying a thing.

"I'm leaving then. I'll come back again â€"" those words are just blurted out.

"Wait a moment, Zeres." Alexander cut him off. His dark eyes now turning really serious. "What's with you? Don't even think you can fool us with that bad acting of yours."

Zeres rubbed the back of his neck. "I know, Alex. But I'm really fine. Whatever problem I have is not something you guys need to know, okay?"

They all lifted their brows at him. Zeres is having a problem?

"Like I said. My problem is something personal. And I'm gonna deal with it on my own, do you three understand?"

"Are you and Iryz about to split or something?" Alexander asked straightforwardly. "Is she leaving you? Wait... could it be that she's pregnant?"

Zeres' lips parted but then he closed it. He turned around and shook his head. "I'll come back to visit again soon." He said and with those last parting words, he was gone.

"Do you think he's really alright?" Abigail asked worriedly after looking at the empty spot that Zeres had recently occupied. "It's definitely just maybe a couple's fight, right?"

"Or maybe, Iryz might really be pregnant." Alex was rubbing his chin. "They've been living together for a long time already after all. Maybe those two really got married in secret."

"But I still find it questionable that he just one day upped and disappeared with her for years. And why can't he tell us more?" Alicia pondered out loud. "He's trying to avoid us at all costs."

"I'm sending someone to tail him. Though it might be almost impossible for them to follow him, it's better that we try." Alex said and the two ladies agreed, also feeling helpless with Zeres.

Meanwhile, Elle who had just returned to join the adults, saw how Zeres literally disappeared into smoke and she just stood there, utterly shocked, until Abigail saw her and called her over to join them.

"Oh Elle... how long have you been standing there? Come over here and have a seat , dear."

Elle sat down on her seat and Alicia started to tell her about what she just saw.

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A/N: Thank u for your patience! The chapter for yesterday will be released along with tomorrow's chapter. And I am very sorry for the delay of the mass release. Please rest assured it will be out this week. Thank you once again and love you guys! <3 <3