Eldrid Forest

My confusion just grew by the day. What was Eldrid forest? Whose forest was it? Why was Jordan so surprised like that too? What was with the expression of fear?

"I will handle it, take her home." Jordan ordered in another split second and it seemed as if he was getting prepared for a battle, judging from his tone. 

 Kai bowed his head as Jordan stepped out, with me wondering where he was headed to.

Kai led me to the basement parking lot and he drove me out in an expensive looking car. As he drove with a straight face, I felt pushed to just ask him questions.

 "Excuse me." I started with, drawing his attention from the wheel, not totally though.

"Yes?"

 "What is...this Eldrid forest and what does it mean to Mr. Jordan?" I asked innocently, feeling so clueless.

It looked like he was hesitant to reply to me but he eventually did, giving me a solid no. "I am sorry but I can't tell you anything about that, ma'am." He replied and my jaw dropped, leaving an "oh.."

None of us said a word to each other till we got to my apartment complex. He dropped me off and immediately I alighted, I stood in front of the apartment and just watched the car go out of sight. 

I could not lie about being worried about what happened earlier. It seemed like there was trouble but I did not know what it was, really. 

 As I approached the entrance of the complex deep in thoughts, I bumped into someone.

"Ah, I am very sorry. I--" .... "Rowland?" I arched my brows, not that I was surprised about seeing him there because he stayed there too of course but then bumping into him late that night, I did not see it coming.

"I was quite sure it was you. What were you thinking about Mira?" He asked, with his hands in his pocket. "It's nothing, Rowland. Just... random stuff."

 "Hm..hm." he moaned gently and paused before he continued speaking. "Random? Okay. I just saw you alight from a car, who was that?"

At that point, I felt like he was asking too many questions already. "Just someone I know." I did not even try to sound palatable any longer, I passed the response across with quite a bony face, showing that I was not interested in having that conversation.

All of a sudden, he smiled so broadly. "Alright then." He concluded, throwing one of his arms around my shoulder and walking me in. 

 "I have been to your unit but you were not around." He pointed out.

"Really?" I raised my brows, wondering deep down why he came looking for me.

 "Yeah, I brought dinner."

'Oh heavens, these people won't be the death of me, with food!' 

Karima was used to doing that also but it seemed like she had stepped back a bit, she was not acting so clingy like before and I wondered what happened. Maybe it was I that pushed her away?

Everything Rowland was saying after then, I did not hear because I was trying to reflect on my actions and everything I had said to Karima recently, to see if I was the one at fault.

We got into the elevator and I decided to divide my attention between my mind and Rowland. He was being such a talkative this evening and rather than getting worried about it, I was quite pissed. 

I managed staying in that elevator with him till I got to my floor and I stepped out.

 "Can I come with you?" He asked as I walked out and I was quick to turn him down.

 "I am sorry, Rowland. Not tonight." I responded, trying to sound as soft as possible.

"Okay then." He replied and smiled, then the elevator doors closed. After noting it mentally to go check up on Karima later, I walked into my apartment and turned on the lights. 

 A strange, sweet fragrance filled my nostrils immediately. They were so familiar, and I was pretty sure I had experienced something like it that day.

"Jordan." His name slipped off my mouth the moment I remembered. That was the smell of his Cologne, though it was not usually as strong as this physically but this particular one that filled my house was on a different level.

I walked further in, wondering if he was there or maybe he had been there. If yes, what could he have been looking for? After all, I had just left his place. 

As I walked into the living room, I sighted a bulky stack of book on the table. The book looked so old and ancient. Looking stunned and confused, I reached out to get it. 

I thought I would feel dust on my hands the moment I carried it but it was as neat as a new book, though it has had a long shelf life. 

The book’s cover was made of dark, weathered leather, marked with deep, faintly visible cracks and scars from age.

 And centered on the cover was an intricate metal seal in the shape of a mysterious crest, tarnished and dull, yet radiating a sense of power. Around the seal were faded engravings and symbols, barely visible but hinting at arcane knowledge. The corners were reinforced with old brass fittings, adding to its ancient aura.

 There was an already-fading Italian writing on the cover, that indicated, 'Al di là del Velato.'

 It meant, 'Beyond the veil.'

I read out the Italian words and at that moment, the metal seal became illuminated and it shone into my eyes, forcing them close. 

 In a second, the light went out and the seal cracked open. 

I opened the books and saw different writings on the yellowed pages from age. I flipped the pages slowly, and most of the words were written in Italian. There were just a few English words in each page.

 I continued flipping and then my eyes fell on a subject written boldly on one of the pages. "History of the Kierra Valtara, the Silver Claw ancient breed."