Eyes that bled grief part 12

The following is an original short story and I will upload parts of it as I write it. Enjoy!

(Warning for violence and adult themes. Material for readers over 18years old).

C.T.K.

Ch.12: Ikrov’s boys

Master Ikrov was nothing like master Saika. The man lived with his followers in a mansion in a secluded part of Russia. He possessed great riches and power and had a number of regular humans working for him, unaware of who he really was. As soon as Mainda and Issah landed, a black car waited for them outside the airport. The driver was one of the followers. It was only a few hours ago that the female had been given the touch of an apostle, her master had made sure to send them out immediately. Issah was unreadable as always, sharing very few words with her and they were only related to procedural issues. She couldn’t help but wonder how he and the rest of the followers were going to act around her now that she was rightfully an apostle.

She gripped on her suitcase and approached the car, leaving all her thoughts behind as she faced a tall male with blonde short cut hair and a piercing gaze. His blue eyes were like pieces of crystal. He gave them a slight smirk and opened the door for them to enter. Mainda nodded back and after placing the suitcases in the trunk, sat at the backseat. The drive to the mansion was relatively long, over four hours and they crossed main roads and smaller roads as well. When they reached the location, Mainda was left in shock. The residence was enormous, like a palace with a huge garden surrounding it. The entire place was guarded by tall metal fences. The gloomy weather fit perfectly with the style of the mansion that might as well belong to count Dracula. Mainda buttoned her jacket again, as the car turned and entered the gate, guarded by two men in black armor, similar to the one special forces would wear.

The female glanced up to check Issah’s reaction, only to see his regular indifferent face. His bright green eyes darted to her, as if he could tell that she had been looking at him. He held the eye contact and it was the longest he paid attention to her in the last two months. The car stopped and Mainda couldn’t avert her gaze from the male as he gave her a light smirk. She frowned, wondering once more what was in his mind. Her thought process stopped when the door opened and Issah disappeared from her eyes as he stepped out of the car.

The two followers of master Saika were led by the driver into the mansion. The inside was very luxurious, from the marble colorful floors, the golden staircase railings of the main hall, leading to the upper floor, to the decorative ceiling and chandeliers. Mainda tried her best not to gape at her surroundings. Assistants and residents of the house, walked around the hallways, giving the two foreigners no more but a single glance. All Mainda heard was heavy Russian being spoken between them and actually thought about learning other languages, since her brainpower had increased and she would have a lot of opportunities in her lifetime, as long as she managed to survive the missions. She wanted to be the best she could for her master. She held back a chuckle in the thought. It was so unlike her past self.

‘’Master Ikrov welcomes you in his home.’’, the man in front of them spoke and opened two double doors at the end of the hallway to reveal a long table, three maids placing plates with all kinds of food on it. The other side of the room was a living room with red fabric couches, antique style. A fireplace was lit in the corner and between that and the large window to the left was standing a tall male. His attention was outside the room, his eyes gazing through the window. There was no need for introductions, since Mainda could feel it. That man was Ikrov, another master.

‘’Master Ikrov!’’, the male spoke and straightened up, before giving a short bow. ‘’Your guests are here.’’, he added and took two steps to the side to present Mainda and Issah. Mainda made a short bow, and so did Issah. The master turned his head to face them and gave them a bright smile.

‘’Welcome!’’, he exclaimed and left a short, crystal glass he had been holding on the small bench over the fireplace.

Ikrov was a tall, sturdy man, nearly as tall as that Viking like male Mainda had met as his followers during the mission in Hiiumaa. He looked fit and sturdy, the beige suite he wore probably hid his actual physique. He had short blonde hair, a few strands charmingly falling over his forehead. His eyes were crystal blue and the few wrinkles on his face added to his charm. He had a strong jawline and masculine characteristics.

‘’You must be the apostle.’’, he immediately commented, his eyes traveling all over Mainda. She straightened up and nodded. ‘’A lovely lady. How exciting to think how fierce you can be.’’, he added to his words and genuine excitement showed through his smile. Mainda felt uncomfortable, but nodded once more.

‘’You should meet my current apostle, since you will be cooperating for this mission.’’, he spoke once more and his words concerned her, making her wonder the gravity of the situation that required apostle cooperation. Her thoughts of concern froze when she saw a familiar face in the room. She blinked in confusion at the sight of the tall blonde male, called Tori. His grey eyes focused on her deep blue one’s and he gave her a smirk, small dimples forming on his cheeks.

‘’Don’t tell me this girl is Saika’s apostle.’’, he said with his heavy voice, that nearly matched his master’s.

‘’Master Saika.’’, Mainda couldn’t help herself, and corrected the male with a frown decorating her face. Tori chuckled and nodded to himself.

‘’I apologize, I would be pissed too.’’

‘’Now now. Before we get to the details, I would like to dine with you.’’, master Ikrov spoke once more and headed for the table, motioning them to follow him.

The dinner was done in silence and Mainda enjoyed the variety of cuisines presented. When they were finished, the plates were gathered and Ikrov asked for some coffee and tea for all of them.

‘’Where are the rest of your followers master Ikrov?’’, Issah suddenly asked, nearly making Mainda jump in her place, upon finally hearing his voice a bit louder. The male wore a mask of indifference, yet his eyes scanned everything around him, taking it all in. Ikrov lifted his brows and after preparing his tea, leaned back on his seat at the head of the large table. It was nearly empty, only the four of them dining together.

‘’Some of them are around the mansion, others are away in missions, as you can guess. There was no need for them to attend this dinner. This mission is very important and you are the only ones required to know about it.’’, he spoke seriously and the air suddenly got heavier. Mainda’s eyes focused outside the window, gazing over the heavy forestation and the way the blue sky darkened as night approached. The room was lit by the fireplace and the chandeliers over their heads.

‘’I presume you have another one joining us?’’, Issah pressed on and Ikrov chuckled.

‘’I see Saika has informed you about everything.’’, he commented and sighed, suddenly looking tired. It dawned upon the female apostle how depressing it must be for the masters to live for that long. Life was a gift, but living forever was definitely not.

‘’Koro is kinda antisocial.’’, Tori commented, obviously referring to the other person attending the mission. Mainda shivered as her brother’s name was heard once more. The person he referred to was probably the blue eyed male she met back at Hiiumaa along with Tori. Suddenly the sound of the door opening up echoed through the room and all eyes focused there.

‘’Finally.’’, Tori chuckled and with an ironic smile focused on the person walking through the door. Mainda felt her heart stop. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened at the sight of a person she never thought she would see again. She stood from her seat, barely managing to hold herself together as she was met with the same eyes as hers, a frown clouding them.

‘’Hey… sister…’’, Koro uttered and shivers traveled all over her body. This man was her late brother, living, standing in front of her, a capable warrior working for a master, just like her. He was all she had, since they had grown up in an orphanage. They were only a year apart, him being older. A work accident had forced him in the hospital and after a month he passed away. Mainda had signed his cremation papers. And yet there he stood.

‘’What the…’’, Tori’s voice sounded one more, laced with genuine shock. Mainda’s eyes didn’t leave her brother’s and she even feared of blinking in case he disappeared. She run up to him and hugged him, feeling the tension allover his now warrior like body. Tears run down her face and she didn’t care about the details. She was glad her brother had been chosen as a follower and managed to survive.

‘’What a lovely surprise.’’, master Ikrov was heard and Mainda stepped back to look up at her brother, scanning every facial feature of his, hungry to remember him again. They were very similar, anyone could tell they were related. She smiled, tears still running down her cheeks and messed his curly black hair with her hand. Her brother smiled weakly, shyly.

‘’I can’t believe you became an apostle you dweeb.’’, he commented and Mainda smiled with all her heart. She had her brother back. Fate worked in the weirdest ways.