Miria's room had become strangely... alive.
Miria, Marlie, Alix and Kira sat in a circle on the carpet, cushions scattered around them, laughing and talking freely. The atmosphere was light, almost euphoric, as if the revealed truths had freed something in each of them.
"Seriously," Kira said, shaking her head, "I still can't believe we're all… this."
"Welcome to the supernatural club," Alix replied, raising her hands. We should make badges.
Marlie burst out laughing.
"Honestly, I expected anything but that when I came, Miria.
Miria smiles, leaning back against the bed.
—That's why I wanted you to meet Alix and Kira. Here, secrets have a very limited lifespan.
—And Diana? Alix asked.
"She knows," Marlie replied. Well… almost everything.
Then she grimaced.
— Except for Ray and Isabella.
Kira raised an eyebrow.
— Why them?
Miria crossed her arms, a falsely innocent smile on her lips.
— Let's just say… I want to test his love.
A silence.
Then Alix burst out laughing.
— Test your love? Let me guess… you especially want to get rid of him without him causing a scene.
"Exactly," Miria admitted without shame. And then, Ray will never admit his Lycan origins. He's too afraid of losing me.
Miria sighed softly.
— He doesn't even know that I'm supernatural like him... ironic, right?
"Tragically ironic," Kira confirmed.
There was a knock at the door.
The girls froze.
"Maybe it's Asher…" Miria whispered.
She got up and went to open it.
Not surprisingly, Asher entered the room, perfectly relaxed, dressed in black as always.
"My greetings to all," he said with an elegant bow.
Then, turning to Marlie:
—And welcome, Lady Marlie, to my humble abode.
Marlie blinked…then smiled.
— Honestly… I understand why she is under your spell. A gentleman like that, who would refuse?
- It's clear ! said Alix and Kira in unison.
Asher put a hand to his heart, falsely touched.
"Ladies, please... you might make me blush.
He paused, a mysterious smile on his lips.
—That said… I think I have a surprise for you.
- We ? the girls asked at the same time.
"Actually…some of you."
He moved away slightly.
Two figures appeared behind him.
Miria and Marlie's eyes widened.
—Axel…
— Scabies…?!
"Good evening," they said almost in unison.
Marlie didn't think another second: she literally threw herself at Axel.
—Ah my love! Where were you? Do you know the fear you gave me?
Axel awkwardly put an arm around her.
— Sorry… I had some things to sort out.
Miria frowned.
—Wait a second. How did you get here?
Then she looked at Asher.
—And why do you seem so… accomplices?
Asher smiled calmly.
— Quite simply because we know each other. We are friends.
- Friends ? Marlie repeated.
Then, hesitantly:
— But then… Ray…?
"Ray and Isabella, no," Asher said. I don't know them.
— But Gale and Klaus, yes. I saved their lives once.
He turned to Axel.
—And Axel, it's simple, he's the son of—
— From a friend! cut Axel hurriedly.
—A friend… My father and he know each other, that's all.
Asher stared at him, surprised… then nodded.
- Exactly. A friend.
Marlie observed them for a few seconds, suspicious… then sighed.
- OK, agreed.