Prologue

Something moved under my feet. Suddenly I found myself falling down and I could smell something unusual. I was looking at the sky but the moon was getting further and further away from me. Why has it gone all red? As red as blood. What’s happening? Where am I? Never in my life have I felt weak. I was unable to move, I couldn’t control my muscles. I have felt scared before, but this was a different kind of fear.

„So this is what death feels like?“

My mind was flooded with questions.

1. Chaos

„Darrek? Finally, you’re here,“ I said out loud. „I’ve been looking for you all over the place!“ I shouted.

„Pardon?“ Darrek asked. „I can’t hear a word, Syra.“

„Would you like something to drink?“

„You bet I do, we’re celebrating! It’s your birthday?“ He smiled and showed his teeth.

He looked silly but that’s how he always was. I grinned back at him and ordered two tequilas. Thanks to Trivian that drinks and shots are here with the minimum alcohol content ,otherwise I would be done after few of them. For real it was a great idea ever alcohol nearly „free“ on drinks served at the bars in the club. Trivian want everybody to be happy as long as they can in here. We’d been in Trivian’s club for over three hours. Everyone insisted I should celebrate my birthday there. I couldn’t object, they had made the decision for me a month ago. The barmaid put two shots on the bar. Miranna appeared from somewhere and when she saw the drinks, she drank both of them. She had the third one ready and handed me another one.

„Happy Birthday, dear!“ she said and smiled.

„I’m sorry, but this place is crazy busy tonight. You’ve become very popular after that thing with the dangerous vial!“ she added and made a serious face. Then she turned around on her high heels and left. At first she only wanted to have fun that night but when she saw how „bad“ everything was organized, she was unstoppable.

„Can I have the same thing again, please?“ I asked the girl at the bar. Then Darrek turned around.

„Did I miss anything?“ he enquired.

Not really, Miranna was here but instead of having fun she decided to remove all imperfections that have occurred in the club while she was away, and she also wants to find somebody capable of managing the place, I told him. „She bought an apartment only a few blocks away from mine and she’s also thinking about opening a similar club in the neighbourhood.“

Darrek smiled.

„So a true piranha is coming to the City of New York!“

„Where’s Lea, anyway? I haven’t seen her around,“ I ignored his remark.

„She should be here any minute, she’s taking a shower. We fooled around a little.“

„Aha...“ I nodded.

I didn’t know what else to say. I knew that Darrek and Lea were very close but I’d never heard him talking so openly about her. Surprised, I was taken back a little. The short silence was interrupted by Darrek.

„Happy birthday, Syra! I hope you liked your birthday present?“ Darrek asked and raised eyebrow.

„Hmm?“

„Darrek, the motorbike is so far the best birthday present I’ve ever got. I took it for a spin on my way here. Last time you gave me a motorbike medallion and this year... “ I didn’t finish.

„I hope you still wear it,“ Darrek said. I nodded, smiled and waved at him with a little pendant that was hanging from my neck.

„…and this year you got me a real bike! I can’t wait for my next birthday,“ I said excited.

„My pleasure,“ he said and sent me one of his air kisses.

„Well, well, well,“ Lea interrupted us, smiling.

She looked amazing in her black and golden minidress, her delicate wavy hair was falling in her face.

„Is he talking about the superb motorbike he got your for your birthday?“

„He is, „ I said and we both rolled our eyes and had a shot of tequilla.

We were all being very silly. The atmosphere in the club was very relaxed and pleasant. Only Trivian was missing. He hadn’t showed up all day and I was begining to think that he’d left again. Lately you would do that quite often. He used to leave for a couple of days and then showed up again just like that. It bothered my but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to argue with him although sometimes I really felt like it.

„There you go,“ The barmaid said and handed us yet another round of drinks.

„I didn’t order anything, I’ve had enough“ I objected.

„That’s on me,“ she smiled. „Happy birthday, Syra!“ she said and left.

The bar was exceptionally busy that night, everyone was there, everyone except for Trivian. I felt sad.

„He’ll come“ Lea interrupted my thoughts. „I’m sure he’s on his way. He didn’t forget, I know it.“

I smiled at her and she was right. I saw him walking down the stairs. He was wearing a black silk shirt and black jeans. Some buttons on the shirt were undone. His hair was in a small braid which allowed his magnetic green eyes to stand out. He was very handsome - he looked attractive and relaxed. I smiled. He didn’t forget. Of all people, I wanted to be with him tonight. I wanted to fly up and join him, give him a kiss but then somebody else showed up by his side. A woman was leaning at his shoulder, holding his arm and they were whispering something to each other.

„Do you know her?“ Lea asked. She must have noticed my puzzled expression.

„Who’s the woman with Trivian?“ she asked again.

„I don’t know Lea, I have no idea. I haven’t met her before,“ I replied.

„That’s Clea’s mother,“ Darrek joined us. „Her name is Anne, or something similar.“ He grinned.

„Wait a minute, what do you mean? Her mother? Are you kidding? This woman is younger than me, not to mention Clea,“ Lea objected.

„That’s right, but she’s her step-mother,“ he laughed.„Nivan got married shortly before his death and this is his lovely wife. Or rather his widow. Hmm.“ Darrek looked intrigued and sarcastic at the same time. Lea gently kicked his foot.

„Why didn’t you say anything?“ she asked.

„I didn’t know it was important fo you to know, but I’m beginning to see that it might be important for somebody else.“ They both looked at me. I pretended not to notice. But what is the little widow doing with Trivian? Lea and Darrek kept staring at me and I was begining to feel uncomfortable.

„What now?“ I gave them an evil look.

They looked away and I was surprised how quickly they backed off.

„I still think that you should...“

„Alright, alright, I’m going,“ I told Darrek through my teeth.

Lea poked him to leave me alone. I was just about to take off when somebody put his hands around my waist and kissed the back of my neck. It was Levant.

„Happy birthday, Syra,“ he whispered in my ear.

I smiled at him. He let go of me and swept my hair to one side. He turned me around to face him and took a hold of my hand. He wrapped an emerald green scarf around my neck. Around the edges of the scarf was an outline of a black crow. The embroidery at the bottom end of the scarf read: To my one and only Syra. L.

„Wow, that’s beautiful,“ Lea gave out a loud sigh.

„Thanks, Levant,“ I said.

He smiled at me contently and left. It was all quite unusual, hypnothising even. Just like the scarf. I felt Trivian’s eyes on me and noticed him looking at me from the other side of the bar. When our eyes met, I tried hard to read his but they were empty. I could see nothing in his eyes. I even had a feeling that he didn’t recognize me. Eventhough we were seeing less of each other these days, our dates were always perfect. I love him and he loves me, he told me only five days ago before he flew to the North. Today we were supposed to meet here. I took a breath and turned away. I couldn’t stand his unexplicable gaze anymore.

„Syra, go to him,“ Lea said. Darrek poked me too, and indicated I should go.

„Alright, I’m going,“ I told them. „I’ll be right back.“

I nodded in the direction of the bar where Trivian was. The three of us looked at each other contently and I took off. But instead of Trivian, I flew out of the club. They didn’t notice. Just as well, I thought. I didn’t feel like talking to him after what I’d seen. He was clearly getting on very well with Anne, the long-legged, perfect woman who attracted everybody’s attention when she got into the club. I was too angry to be able to talk to him normally. I left the cave, longing to be alone. I sat down at the edge of the cave and enjoyed the view of the calm ocean. The breeze was stroking my face and I could taste salt on my lips. The light was very weak so it must have been shortly after the midnight. Every night there was a red belt above the horizon, as if the earth was on fire, but it was just the hidden sun. It always came out for two hours. From what I guessed the next sunrise was in about an hour. I sat there, waiting. The night was very pleasant. I layed down on the ground and watched the sky. It was still and had only one color but when I looked at it for a little longer, I could see various shapes and images. Yes, this is exactly what I need, I thought. I felt dizzy a little. The air was really warm and my breathing was relaxed. I felt an odd pressure on my chest, a sort of burning sensation. I slowly closed my eyes and my legs went numb. I found myself falling into the depths of my mind and sleep. I knew I shouldn’t fall asleep, it was way too dangerous to do so on a cliff. I was very close to the calm ocean but that could change very quickly. It was dangerous. The ocean is like a young child, content when it gets everything it needs. But as soon as something is missing, it becomes restless and fidgety. Yet, I was too sleepy. I was falling down and got scared. I was also sad because I was worried that I was never going to see Trivian again. But then I saw him, he was reaching out for me. He was smiling at me and his naked body was inviting me closer. But he wasn’t alone, he was with a woman who didn’t want to let him go. Her hair was sticking to her face. I didn’t recognize her. Her naked body was cuddled up to Trivian’s and the hand he used to reached out for me started to move away from me, and so did he. Then instead of Trivian I saw the man in a cape, smiling at me. „No, no! Where are you? Why are you leaving me, Trivian?“ I shouted but I knew he couldn’t hear me. I felt somebody hands dragging me and holding me tight. All of a sudden I was safe.

„Wake up, Syra, wake up,“ I heard somebody’s voice. I was shaking and my chest was burning. Somebody turned me on my side and I started to spit out lots of sea water. Then I stopped and I could breath at last.

„What happened?“ I muttered and slowly opened my eyes. „Where am I?“

I looked around. Levant was sitting next to me. His dark hair looked even darker and the sharp countours of his face even sharper. He was looking at me.

„Syra?“ he whispered. „ You fell asleep on the rocks, the ocean could have swept you away. What are you doing?“ he asked, clenching his teeth angrily.

„I got bored in the club,“ he went on. „I wanted to get some fresh air and wait for the sunrise. But then I saw somebody near the rocks soon going to be swept into the ocean’.

„Have you lost your mind? How could you fall asleep here?“

„How did you get me up here?“ I couldn’t understand.

„I lifted you up with my beak. Fortunately you were still wearing the scarf I gave you. it was easy once you transformed in the air. I carried you holding the feathers around your shoulder in my beak. You’re bleeding there little,“ he explained.

„I might be old but I am still strong, there’s only one and a half generation between us. And that is, as you know very well, nothing when it comes to us crows.“

He smiled and his face was still leaning above me, his black hair tickling me. I sneezed loudly.

„Really? Hm...“ I thought about it and he smiled. „Where are we now? Has the sun risen yet?“

„No, but it will soon,“ he said quietly. „I’m glad I can spend the sunrise with you, Syra.“

I said nothing. I didn’t know what to say, this whole situation was very odd and intimate. I didn’t want to spoil it by saying some nonsense. The sun was rising, it was huge. It was extremely strong that morning. I looked at Levant and we smiled at each other. He stroked my hair and touched my cheek with his other hand.

„I’ll never let anything bad happen to you. Now that I’m this close, I would rather kill them with my own hands or tear them with my beak,“ he whispered and quickly looked away.

„Don’t fall asleep again, you could get burnt“ he grinned. He looked at me one more time before transforming and flying away. I didn’t know what he meant by that. He knew that the sun couldn’t harm me. Sometimes I didn’t get his jokes. I sighed. And what the hell did he mean by saying that he was so close? I tried not to think about it and enjoyed the moment. I also thought about going back home, to the West. I wanted to see my parents, Jackuel and Izzara. I smiled to myself. I do have somewhere to go. I will have to see Darrek and tell him that I’ve changed my plans and I’m leaving sooner. We were supposed to go hiking in the mountains, relax, have some fun. But I’ll tell them I’m not joining them. They can go on their own, at least they’ll be able to spend more time together, but what about Trivian? Should I let him know too, I wondered. He didn’t even wish me happy birthday. He didn’t even come to say hello. We didn’t see each other for five days and then he appears with some Anne? My mind was getting unsettled and I also wanted to know what was happening to Trivian. He was my boyfriend, after all. I wanted to hug him and feel his presence. Then I decided. I had to talk to him. I flew back to the club and looked for him, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. I only found the woman he’d arrived with. I went straight to her

„Where’s Trivian?“ I asked with a stony face.

„I don’t know, Syra,“ she said.

„Do I know you?“ I asked with my typical grin.

„You might not but I know you,“ Anne smiled and then she quietly added: „And who wouldn’t know you? Anyway, I’m starting to miss Trivian’s company, he’s always fun.“

„You two arrived together so don’t tell me you don’t know where he is,“ I objected.

„Oh, you don’t have to be so snappy. I just bumped into him at the door so we entered together,“ she said. „By the way, I’m Anne.“

„Hm, nIce to meet you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.“

„That’s alright,“ she said and tried to order another drink. It was then that I saw Trivian flying above the crowd. He landed near me.

„Where did you leave Levant?“ he asked through his teeth.

„Why are you asking about him?“ A stupid answer to a stupid question, I thought.

„Ehm,“ Trivian smiled. „I saw him flying after you as soon as you left the bar, where did you two go?

This conversation was making me nervous and I tried to ignore the fact that Anne clearly having a good time listening to us.

„Are you serious? I thought you didn’t care where and who I am with. You act like that, anyway.“ Trivian looked at me, taken aback as if he didn’t know what I was talking about.

„Shall we have a drink together?“ Anne interrupted us. „We could drink to your birthday, Syra. That’s why we’re here, is that right, Trivie?“ She looked at him. She was clearly making fun of us. Trivie? I thought about the pet name she used. I took Trivian’s hand in mine and whispered in his ear: „What’s going on? Is there anything I should know?“

„No,“ he said. „I have to go now.“ He looked up and flew away. Was I only dreaming or did he really fly away? I didn’t understand it one bit. I wasn’t even sure how I felt. It was as if somebody just stabbed a dagger into my heart. I was sure everybody could see the pain and insecurity I felt. Oh, how I hated being vulnerable and weak.

„Don’t mind him. Darrek’s like that sometimes,“ Lea interrupted my thoughts. „I’m sure you’ll find out what’s going on. You know how impulsive Trivian can be.“

„I’d like to introduce myself,“ Anne joined us. „I’ve met Syra and you must be Lea? I’m trying to remember everyone’s name, I intend to stay here for a little while,“ she said and grinned.

„I’m Anne,“ she said, reaching out her hand to Lea.

„Lea, nice to meet you,“ Lea replied.

„Men...“ Anne said to both of us. „You never know what to expect from them,“ she muttered.

„Let’s drink then!“ the ginger beauty said charmingly and moved two glasses in front of me and Lea. She put one to her lips. „To you, Syra!“ Then, however, she removed the glass from her mouth. „And to the future, it’s always so uncertain,“ she added and quickly drank her tequila. We both followed her.

„I’ve had enough, I need to go now,“ I said with a big effort. Lea called Darrek to escorted me to the room because she wanted to stay with Anna to talk.

„Darrek, don’t drag me like that, it hurts,“ I laughed

„I’m not drunk ,you know alcohol is not strong in here so stop that!“

„Syra, you’re funny when you’re a little dizzy ,haha , did you know that?“

„You women can take so little.“

„Wow, wow, be careful otherwise I’ll fly away from you.“ I started to laugh at the silliness of what I’d just sad. If I decided to fly in that state, I would bang into the first wall in my way. When Darrek imagined that, he started to laugh too and we both collapsed to the ground next to a wall that, indeed, was there. I leaned at his arm and held his hand tightly.

„You’re the only man I’ll never leave. I like you very much and I want you to always remember that,“ I blurred out pointing up my index finger to emphasise my words.

„I know Syra, I like you too, you can’t imagine how much.“

He kissed me on my cheek and looked into my eyes. He took a lock of my hair and squeezed it. Then he lifted me up and carried me to my room. I was singing, if I could call those sounds singing, but then my head started spinning. When Darrek put me on my bed, I felt relief. I sighed and I must have fallen asleep because I couldn’t remember anything afterwards. Darrek he drank twice, maybe three times as much. No wonder he layed down next to me. We couldn’t help but fell asleep.

2. What else?

I was woken up at night by some sort of rustle. I noticed I was holding somebody’s hand. Slowly, I turned around and saw Darrek breathing calmly and regularly. Such a strong man and yet he looks so vulnerable when he’s asleep. Like a child. I carefully let go of him. He looked so innocent it made me smile. The scar that was once so visible, has almost completely disappeared. It was only then that I realized how long his hair that was now a little ruffled, had grown. He always wore it in a tiny braid. It made him look as if his hair was still shaved. He turned his head to the other side and slept on. I wanted to come around a little, I had a gripping headache. I went to the bathroom and washed my face to refresh myself a little. I was just about to close the door when I heard some noises. They were so clear I could swear that somebody was talking in the room. I peeked from behind the door but I didn’t see anybody. But what about the noises? Hm.... what are they? I wondered. Slowly, I opened the apartment door and followed the voices. I couldn’t believe that I still hadn’t bumped into anyone and yet, I could hear them talking even from such a big distance. I walked on. I stopped somewhere at the end of the corridor but suddenly the voices stopped too, and I thought that one of the two people talking might have noticed me. I walked a little closer.I saw Levant walking somebody to the door and I could clearly hear him saying:

„You have to find out for me, is that clear?“

„It is,“ a person disguised in a hood and cape said in a coarse voice. Still, his voice seemed familiar to me. It’s Trivian! Yes, it’s him, but where is he going? He left. He transformed and flew away. Levant watched him for a short while and then he turned in my direction. He didn’t see me because he walked pass me without noticing me. How come he didn’t see me? And then I saw him - the man in the blue cape appeared again. He smiled at me and then he disappeared. Levant, deeply immersed into his thoughts, kept his eyes to the ground. He looked very concerned and distant. I wanted to show myself to him but for some odd reason I didn’t do so. I waited for him to walk away and went back to my room. I leaned back at the door and pinched my arm. Ouch! So I wasn’t dreaming after all. I can’t believe Levant didn’t see me! And what was Trivian the person in the blue cape doing here again? I always feel strange when he’s around. „These can’t be hallucinations,“ I muttered to myself on the way back to bed. I looked at Darrek who was still lying motionless in bed. I was confused, I had headache and I was unable to think straight. I just needed to sleep. Carefully, as not to wake him up, I layed down next to Darrek. I don’t know how long we slept like that, side by side. I woke up on Darrek grabbing me suddenly. He turned me on my belly and started to kiss the back of my neck. He layed down on me. His naked chest was touching my back and I was unable to move. He was holding my waist with one hand and pushing my left arm into the bed with the other one. Our fingers were intertwined. He was lying on top of me. He moved his hand from my waist to the back of my head, passionately kissing my shoulders, my back, my neck. It was as if something had possessed him. His kisses and touches were so regular and perfect. He released my hands and swept my hair to one side. He didn’t stop kissing me, now directed from my ear across the back of my neck. With one hand he took hold of my neck and jaw. He kept kissing me and I couldn’t breath because of the excitement and passion that was now taking over me, too. I was still lying on my belly until he slowly took a hold of my waist. With one move he turned me on my back. He was breathing heavily when he started to move his tongue down to my breasts. I could feel the excitement with which my body was reacting to his. I was unable to stop him or even say anything, it was as if, for that moment, I froze. He stopped unexpectedly and once again got back to my lips, this time kissing me slowly. He opened his eyes that had been closed up to now. He looked into mine and frowned, breathing heavily. I could see the surprise and confusion on his face. I must have looked the same.

„Darrek...“ I said quickly. My mouth was half open and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I was unable to get from under his heavy body because he was still lying on top of me. We were staring at each other intensely. We were both breathing quickly and both were shocked by how passionate and spontaneous it had been between us. We were half asleep, half awake when we started kissing. I was completely taken aback. When Darrek saw that the woman he was kissing was me, not Lea - I presume that’s what he had believed - he paused abruptly. He rested his head on my belly, put both hands around my waist and gently stroked me with his thumbs. He did his best to calm down his breathing. It took him several seconds. We just layed there. Why didn’t I tell him to stop sooner? Why didn’t I shout out and woke him up from that spontaneous experience? I was awake all that time... or wasn’t I? Was I only half-awake, too? All these thoughts went through my head during one short moment. After a short while Darrek sat up on the bed.

„Syra, I thought you were...“ he muttered.

He put his fist to his forehead. He closed his eyes for a while and bit his lower lip.

„I thought you were Lea. I’m sorry!“ He said and looked away.

„I, I... I also thought that ... I’m sorry. We had probably too much to drink,“ I babbled quietly and looked down. A little later I heard the door closed behind him. I stayed there, sitting on the bed. I was still breathing heavily, unable to normalize my heart beat. To put it simply, I was upset. Or excited? I had to get up. The sun was rising anyway. I wanted to go to the West immediately, but how could I - just like that, without talking to him? Is it a good idea, I wondered. The bar was still open. I’ll go there, Miranna might be still in. I hurriedly put my clothes on and left the room. I flew through the corridor very quickly. I must admit that I couldn’t wait to have another drink. I had to drink something, my whole body felt as if it was going to explode. The whole thing with Darrek left me very confused. In the distance, I could hear Miranna talking to somebody in the bar. But how was that be possible? I didn’t understand how come I was able to hear things from such a big. What’s happening to me, I thought. I’d always had the ability to listen to conversations from a big distance but what this... this seemed way too far away. Or did the person in the blue cape have anything to do with it? Everytime the person appeared, something strange happened shortly afterwards. Hm, anyway, I need to have a drink right now, I told myself.

„Syra!“ Miranna exclaimed when she saw me.

When I arrived in the bar, I found her chatting with two men. She was waived at me join them. The club was still quite busy and I was glad to see her. I walked over to them and she handed me a drink. I didn’t even bother to ask what it was.

„Syra, I’m so glad to see you! At last I can give you a big hug and wish you happy birthday. I have a present for you but I’ll give it to you later, okay?“ She smiled at me mysteriously.

„You shouldn’t have. To be honest, this party feels more like a nightmare to me... as if it was cursed...’Ah, I was in a bad mood. I drank the shot and ordered another one.

„Come with me, darling,“ Miranna poked me, „I got a feeling that you have something to tell me.“ I didn’t object and followed her upstairs to the lounge.

„What’s going on? Shortly before you arrived, Darrek had been here and drank four shots one after another and he almost got banned from here for grabbing the barman by the throat. The guys had to help him. Fortunatelly, nothing worse happened and since he’s well known here, they only walked him up here. And then you come, drink a shot of something and look as if you want to hit somebody. Let’s talk...“ Miranna’s eyes were fixed at me, waiting for my reaction.

„I don’t want to...“

„A..a...“ She interrupted me and hissed. „We are going to talk!“

I sat down next to her. She poured me a glass of champaigne, looking at me with such healthy impatience that I simple had to tell her.

„Ah, Miranna, something weird has been happening to me for the last few days! I can hear voices from a long distance, a man wearing a blue hood keeps appearing to me. Everytime something happens, he smiles at me and disappears. I think Trivian is cheating on me with Anne and I even saw him flying somewhere on Levant’s order. Levant keeps mysteriously appearing everytime I’m on my own or when I want to be alone. He saved me when I fell into the ocean. Then he walks by me and can’t see me and I listen to his conversation with Trivian,“ I raised my eyebrows, took a deep breath and looked at her even more intensely.

„And only a little while ago, Darrek and I passionately kissed .“

I told her the whole truth, without feeling embarrassed. I don’t even know why I did. Miranna then put her glass of champagne on the table and her eyes fixed on me.

„I’m sorry, I had to process it. But now I’m feeling better,“ she said and I almost believed her.

„But what about me? How am I supposed to process the whole thing?“ I looked at Miranna who sat down a little further away from me to get some distance.

„Let’s just take it easy. I’ve known Trivian for ten years, he is my good friend, we’ve been through a lot, but that doesn’t really matter right now. You’re right, he’s been acting odd these days and I feel like I don’t know him anymore. He looks at me sometimes as if he’s never seen me before. I have no idea what happened to him or who and how has such an influence on him, but I would like to find out, too,“ Miranna said and went on. „I noticed that sneaky Anne, she’s been around quite a lot lately. But I don’t think that there is something between her and Trivian, maybe he just wants you to be jealous. He might even be jealous himself and he’s trying to get your attention. Up until now I have always thought that he could only be jealous at Levant and I didn’t think it was a big deal. Levant is your mentor and he knows very well that he’ll never mean anything else to you. But Darrek, that’s a different story, a much more serious one...“ Miranna analyzed it.

„But I didn’t do anything before this one time. There is no reason for him to be jealous. When he left and then came back again, he always told me that he loved me very much, and then left again. This happened several times... Only last night was different. Now it feels as if he ignored me all evening and he’s gone again. Levant ordered him to do so,“ I concluded.

„What exactly did you hear, Syra?“

„Only that he had to find out something for him, but I don’t know what that something was,“ I was getting irritated.

„Alright, alright, you have to talk to Levant,“ Miranna suggested.

„And what do you two ladies want to talk to me about?“ said Levant who had just flown into the room and sat on a leather sofa in front of us. He crossed his legs elegantly and stretched his arm on the back of the sofa. Yet again, he appeared at the right time at the right place.

„Hi, Levant,“ Miranna smiled at him and so did I.

„What would you like to talk to me about?“ He repeated and smiled in a strange manner.

„Oh, Miranna just wanted to know where you got the incredibly beautiful scarf that she’d seen me wearing. She loves it,“ I lied. Miranna just nodded with the prettiest smile I’d ever seen on her face. Levant stared at her. Miranna looked away after a while and I noticed that Levant was a little puzzled. I broke the silence.

„How did you find us here? This is not the most visible spot in the club,“ I smiled.

„I always know where to find you, Syra,“ he said in a very calm voice. Miranna and I exchanged looks. At least now she could hear and see that I wasn’t exaggerating when I told her that Levant followed me almost everywhere and always knew where I was.

„So, where did you get the fabulous scarf?“ Miranna tried to engage him in conversation.

„I bought it in an antique shop, very far away from here. On my way to the East. An old man sold it to me and I thought that it would be a great present for you, Syra. I mean, I had to buy it because I couldn’t imagine anyone else wearing it,“ he said like a proper gentleman.

„Ah, please excuse me, I have to leave you now,“ I said after a while. „I have a few hours left to get some sleep, tomorow I’m going home.“

„Oh, are you? I thought you were going to stay longer, darling,“ Miranna made a sad face.

„I’ll come to say goodbye!“ I shouted and left. I kept tossing and turning in my bed but I managed to fall asleep after a while. This time I didn’t have any dreams or hallucinations. Somebody gently shook me and I woke up. It was Lea. I had a terrible headache and I was very thirsty.

„Syra, wake up, it’s 5p.m. How long do you want to stay in bed? That’s not like you,“ Lea emphasized.

„Alright, I’m going. Could you please get me some water? A lot of water? And something to eat? I’m so hungry. God, I’m starving!“

„You’ll have to move your ass and go to the bar to get something to eat. But I can bring you the water,“ Lea said quietly.

„Oh my god, my head is spinning.“ I mumbled when I got up. I had to take a shower straight away. It helped me and I felt so much better, possibly because I spent 20 under the hot water. Lea was waiting for me in the room. At last I was feeling much better.

„Lea, will you have a breakfast with me? I mean lunch? Or would you say it’s dinner time already?“ I smiled at her. And then I remembered everything. Completely everything that had happened the night before and in the early morning. Oh, the thing with Darrek! Miranna knows everything but I can trust her, so that’s ok. Levant was there, too. Did I tell him something? I looked at Lea.

„And where is Darrek? Is he going to eat with us?“ I asked very carefuly.

„I’d love to know that too. I haven’t seen him since he took you to your room last night,“ she said.

„Well, I have no idea where he could be,“ I lied.

I felt awful. None of us said a word on the way to the bar, which was quite unusual.

„I’ll have everything that’s on the menu, I’m starving,“ I said to the barmaid.

She was still sleepy and that cheered me up. She didn’t look like she wanted to be there but she smiled at me anyway.

„Syra, so how did you celebrate your birthday? Was everything alright? And by the way, did you like Miranna’s present?“

What was it that she gave? I hope I didn’t forget? As far as I remember, she didn’t give me anything, or did I just forget what it was? Think, just focus. Oh my god, could I forget Miranna’s present? It was probably because of the Champagne after all that, one is full bodied. And as if that wasn’t enough, I kissed Darrek! I have to eat quickly and then I’ll leave. This place is great but I’ve had way too much fun here.

„Lea, I think I told you that I am going home in an hour,“ I reminded her.

„That’s great, we can go together. I’m also leaving today. But if you want to fly, that’s fine, Syra. Just go, I will join you later, alright?“ she smiled. I wouldn’t let Lea go on her own.

„Really? You’re leaving, too? Let’s go together then, I’d love to get home on my bike.“ I smiled at her. We were slowly finishing our meal when Miranna joined us.

„Syra, did you sleep welll? I have a present for you. I didn’t get the chance to give it to you yesterday but I hope you will like it. Come with me, it’s in my room,“ Miranna smiled and asked me to follow her.

„Lea, wait for me, please, I’ll be right back and we can go then.“

„Sure, I’ll be down, I’ll wait for you at the motorbikes. See you in half an hour,“ Lea chirped. While we were walking to her room, Miranna kept asking me questions .

„So how are you, better? You were right about Levant. There is something fishy about him. And Trivian isn’t here. I asked one of the guys about him but nobody knows anything,“ Miranna said thoughtfuly.

„But neither Darrek is here, maybe they went somewhere together?“ I suggested.

„They probably didn’t. I heard that Darrek left right after almost getting into a fight with the barman.“

„And do you know where he’s gone?“ I asked surprised.

„I don’t. He didn’t say anything.“

„Oh, I bet he’s upset because of what happened between us. I also have a strange feeling when I think about it. I always get butterflies in my stomach.“

Table of Contents

Prologue

1. Chaos

2. What else?