From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Another 30 minutes of traveling and the car slowed down as they approached a small hill on which stood a gigantic white mansion.

Joan’s eyes widened when she caught sight of it. Judging from the direction they were driving and the fact there were no other houses around, she knew that was where they were headed. Could that be his house?

That part of the city was reserved and occupied by the wealthiest and most influential people in the country. She had been there once for special duties but never imagined that something as grand and extravagant as that mansion existed there. Probably because it was farther away from the other houses in the area.

As they approached, a grand wrought iron gate adorned with intricate scrollwork swung open, welcoming them into the realm of opulence.

The architectural grandeur and meticulous designs of the mansion’s exterior left her in awe. Majestic columns, Marble-framed windows, lush, well-lightened gardens, fountains, and sculptures. The roof features elaborate turrets and gargoyles. Every aspect of the surroundings screamed wealth and sophistication, a symbol of luxury and timeless beauty.

“Welcome home, darling.” Roman’s voice reached her ears, reminding her that she wasn’t alone in the car. She turned her head to catch him flash her a soft smile.

Home. Why did he use that word? He should have just said welcome to my house. That would have been better.

She had always wanted a home, one similar to what most of her friends had. One similar to what Grace had. She had been friends with Grace for more than a decade and was no stranger to the kind of love and adoration her best friend’s parents showered on her.

Joan had always wanted that. A home where she could return to at any time of the day and feel loved, cherished, protected, and above all, not feel the need to pay back for the life she was given.

And here, a total stranger was offering her a home. If he knew what that word means to her he wouldn’t have used it.

The car doors on her side and Roman’s side were opened at the same time and Roman stepped out. Joan stepped out too only to be met with another handsome face smiling delightedly at her.

He looked to be in his late teenage years and had an innocent and handsome feature, something all the people surrounding Roman had in common.

“Welcome, Madam.” He greeted her with a pleasant voice. It was so easy to smile back and reciprocate his positive energy but due to the state her mind was in at that time, Joan only gave him a nod before Roman arrived at her side.

“Come on, let’s go in.” He urged, gesturing with his hand toward the main door and she followed him without question.

As they passed the two guards outside the towering oak doors, the gigantic barriers swung open by another pleasant looking stoic man, who like the guards outside, bowed his head to Roman.

“Welcome, boss, Madam.” He greeted them.

“Thank you, Cody.” Roman responded, walking further into the house.

Joan was transported into a world of unparalleled luxury and refinement when she laid eyes on the interior of the mansion. The foyer welcomed her with a grand sweeping staircase, its banisters adorned with intricate carvings and its steps clad in the finest marble.

While Joan feasted on the beauty she was beholding, catching a glimpse of some other parts of the house from a distance, she realized that Roman suddenly stopped walking. Trevor and the pleasant young man who were following them also halted their steps.

She turned around just as they did and looked toward the entrance door which they were also looking at. There was nobody there except for Cody, the door man. What was going on? What were they looking at? Was this some kind of a ritual?

These questions whirled around in her head for a few seconds before she saw Cody move his hands to the doors and pulled one side open.

Williams Xander, someone she had only seen on TV during interviews, walked into the house, however he was not alone. In his right hand was a bulky, lifeless looking man, who he held by the nape and dragged along with him.

Blood drained from Joan’s face instantly. The sight would have been less shocking but for the red liquid which she knew was blood trailing the sides of the neck of the man being dragged and dropping on the off-white marble floor.

Williams’ expression shifted from the initial unreadable one to a frown when he set his eyes on Joan. Until he dropped the man’s unconscious body before Roman’s feet, he kept his gaze on her and Joan couldn’t fathom why. He gave off some serious scary vibe even without saying a word that she wanted to take a step away.

And she did just that, however, it wasn’t because of Williams, but because the air, once again became unbreathable, making it feel like her lungs were blocked.

When she started to wheeze, Roman shifted his attention to her, worry overtaking the initial anger that roused in his heart on sighting the person Williams brought to his presence.

“Breathe, Joan. Breathe.” He said to her, lifting her head so he could see her face. He managed a ghost of a smile when she opened her eyes and started breathing properly again. This was going to be a problem. How could he not get angry in his mate’s presence? His life was filled with chaos and chaotic situations that always made him angry. Infact, just thinking about this whole situation, he was getting pissed. However, unlike him in the past, he was trying to keep it down so it wouldn’t affect her.

He soon realized how difficult it was to keep his emotions down. Seeing it was already bubbling to the surface, he moved his gaze to Trevor.

“Show her to her room.” Roman instructed and Trevor moved, wiping all emotions from his face so as not to make Joan feel uncomfortable.

“Please come with me, Madam.” Trevor said.

Joan reluctantly followed him up the stairs, but said nothing in protest. However, she turned back twice to look at Roman and Williams, who still hadn’t taken his eyes off her. The second time she turned around, she saw two men standing at the right side of the house, bearing cleaning tools. They looked like they were waiting for the duo to finish up so they could clean up the mess.

Intense fear gripped Joan. What exactly had she gotten herself into?

Roman kept a smile on his face as he watched her go until she disappeared from his line of sight. The smile stayed on for a few more seconds and finally disappeared when he was sure she was out of hearing range. He turned around without warning and with his right leg, he stepped on the head of the unconscious man, pressing down until the sound of cracking bones echoed around the place, and blood splattered on the floor.

“What the hell, Rome? I brought him here for questioning.” Williams spoke, shocked at Roman’s action.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Well, he’s dead now. Punishment for making me hurt my wife.”

“What are you talking about? What wife? When did you get married? And who’s the human?” Williams asked in incredulity.

“I got married today and the human is my wife.” Roman answered, then flashed Williams a delighted smile. “I’m the latest husband in town. You should respect me more now. Until you find your mate, we are not on the same level.”

Williams rolled his eyes internally, but wore a serious expression on the outside. “You touched her. Does that mean the curse is broken? She is your mate?” He asked.

“That’s right.” Roman responded with a pride-laced voice and expression.

“How is that possible, Rome? Your mate is supposed to be a Tribrid. That woman is human.”

“I’m not sure why that is and I intend to find out.”

“Something is wrong somewhere. This must be the witches’ doing. She could be an imposter. I have to speak with her.” Williams made to move toward the staircase but Roman blocked him.

“I forbid it. Not even you are allowed to stress her tonight. You want to make any findings, you know where to go for that. I won’t let you make her feel uncomfortable in her house.” Roman declared, shooting a warning gaze at Williams, tensing up the atmosphere as the latter also narrowed his eyes dangerously.