Author's note: this is from Lazarus's point of view

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"Can you two be quiet?", Aldus hissed. "Thank you for being here Lazarus, Graike. If you have any matters to tend to, you can leave. Graike, with this, our score is settled. Lazarus, I will let you know of any changes."

I couldn't believe this. He is chasing me out!

"You want me to leave?", I asked, unable to conceal my irritation.

"You are noisy, and I can't work.", Aldus responded curtly.

"I will be quiet. I want to be here for Serina.", I said quickly.

Aldus let out a long exhale. "Fine. You can stay."

"I will also stay.", Graike said while giving me a smug side-glance, taking advantage of the fact that Aldus was focused on the unconscious Serina. "You said that I can check if she is a thunder mage and also, I need to ensure that my patient is well and awake so that she can thank me properly."

A growl formed in the back of my throat when I saw his lecherous gaze directed at Serina and my anger was amplified by Alex's desire to punch the daylights out of Graike.

Sure, I'm no match for a dragon, but only if he shifts into his true form. We are in the basement, and he has no space to shift, while I can. Here, Alex and I can do a good number on him.

"Lazarus!", Aldus pulled me out of my thoughts about tearing Graike's limbs off. "You said that Serina was on the phone before the incident. I need you to tell me the details of that phone call."

I repeated how much I remembered. That it was from a female called Mona and that she spoke about a spa. I skipped the part about coupons for Serina's parents because Aldus introduced Serina to Graike as his daughter and I didn't want to make things weird. I didn't think it was important, anyway. But I mentioned that Serina asked about Duke and that Mona said his name is Drago Orsini, and all the other nasty bits about the scoundrel.

Aldus listened carefully and when I was done, he stepped out saying that he needs to make a few phone calls.

On his way out, Aldus warned me and Graike to behave and not to get close to Serina.

I didn't like sharing a room with Graike, but I didn't want to leave Serina on her own with him. Who knows what he will do?

"So…", Graike drawled. "You came here to take this girl on a date, and she talks on the phone about another guy?"

His mocking words drilled into a sore spot, but I didn't want to show it. "I'm not a hypocrite to believe that I am the only man she knows."

Graike snickered. "When I get into a woman's life, she forgets all other men."

"Mind your own business, lizard!", I spat at him.

Graike narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tongue, mutt!"

My growl was cut short when the door opened, and Aldus glared at me and Graike.

I didn't want Aldus to kick me out, so I took a deep breath to compose myself.

"Don't you think we should get her to a hospital?", I suggested to Aldus.

Aldus rejected. "They can't help with this. A specialist is on her way here."

Aldus turned to Graike. "Can you check if she has anything related to the lightning element inside her?"

Graike approached Serina and placed his hands about ten centimeters above her abdomen.

I could hear him murmuring something unintelligible and golden-green scales rippled over his body before morphing back into the skin. It even went over the pants! Wait! Does that mean Graike is technically naked? I didn't want to think about it.

"No.", Graike said after some time. "There is no lightning, but if I'm not mistaken, she has a good affinity for air element."

Aldus's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Graike…" I swear that Aldus smiled a little.

One hour later…

Graike and I were observing Aldus in silence and snacking on dried meats, fruits, and cheese that the staff brought for us.

Aldus would check on Serina's pulse, blood pressure, and temperature every few minutes, and then he would focus on his computer.

Alex was restless to get some answers, but there was nothing much we could do as we were waiting for the specialist that Aldus announced.

The door opened and a woman entered the room. She was wearing a hood and I couldn't see her face.

"It must be important if you let me use…" She stopped talking when her eyes fell on Serina. "What happened?"

She removed the hood and I stared at the witch. Why is Vesper here?

"I'm not sure exactly…", Aldus responded to Vesper's question. "Serina was in an electric storm that looked like a tornado. Graike got rid of electricity and she seems fine but is not waking up. I want you to tell me what's going on with her."

Vesper frowned. "I am not a scanner."

"Scanners are useless here. I need your skills, Vesper.", his words were a final order that couldn't be rejected.

Vesper removed her hooded cloak and kept it on the side.

She glanced at me and Graike without bothering to pretend to conceal her disgust.

"An interesting bunch gathered here…", she mumbled as she pulled a chair and sat next to Serina's bed. Did she think I won't hear her?

Vesper looked at Aldus. "Can we talk in front of them?"

Aldus paused for a moment and I could see that he was about to kick us out.

I didn't care if Graike leaves, but I wanted to stay.

"I already saw Serina being in the middle of a storm that blew up part of your house and coming out without a scratch. Is there some other secret I shouldn't hear?"

Aldus's frown told me that there is, and Graike picked up on my intention and added, "I got the electricity out of her system. I should stay and see if I can help otherwise. What if I took too much or I can help otherwise?"

Aldus groaned and turned to Vesper who nodded in understanding.

I realized that Vesper and Aldus have a connection that includes Serina, something I'm not involved with. And Graike is probably an outsider as well.

Whatever is going on with Serina, it's big enough to make Aldus work with a witch. Interesting.

"What am I looking for?", Vesper asked Aldus.

"I believe that she had an emotional overload that triggered an electric storm."

Vesper's eyes widened. "Another ability?"

My mind exploded. Another? How many abilities Serina has? Wait! I was not aware that she has any abilities!

I saw that Aldus shrugged, indicating that he is not sure, and he gestured to Vesper to do her thing.

Vesper glanced at me and Graike. "I need you to be quiet and don't disturb me. No matter what happens, don't touch me."

I didn't get it. Why would I touch her? She is absolutely not my type.

'She is actually good looking…', Alex chimed in my head. 'You are saying she is not your type only because she is next to Serina.'

Well, he had a point. Next to Serina, all other women pale in comparison.

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