LUNA AKIRA

TEST OF FRIENDSHIP

AKIRA

Roman had said that when he picked up the disgusting scent of rotting flesh near the reception counter, he immediately knew that it was the Lycan who was there. But, the question on everyone's lips was how he found out about the plans to pick up Damon? Only those of us who were gathered in the room knew about it. Then Zion shouted out loud that there was someone else who knew! Skylar's helper, who was in my room, overheard everything. We described her to Skylar, and she said that she had only been working here a couple of days now at the recommendation of a senior helper. She immediately called the senior helper and asked her to bring the girl with her. When the senior helper came in, she looked very stressed and said, "Ma'am, I am sorry, but there seems to be no sign of Maria. Her belongings are gone from her room, too. The guards said that they had not seen her leave the grounds, so I don't know where she could be. Ohhhh Ma'am, I hope she has not done anything foolish. She pleaded with me to help her get the job to pay for her momma's medical bills." We all looked at each other dumbfounded. The battle had already begun, and we had no clue. Skylar completely lost her cool! I would never ever want to see her in that state again! She raised her voice,and the sound of thunder could be heard, and lightening struck as though a very bad storm was brewing. "SO YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT YOU DID NOT BOTHER TO DO THE PROPER SCREENING AND JUST EMPLOYED THIS PERSON OUT OF PITY?! YOU DID NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE RISK TO YOUR LIFE AND EVERY OTHER PERSON LIVING HERE! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REMIND YOU ALL OF THE DANGEROUS FORCES THAT ARE JUST WAITING TO RID US OF THE FACE OF THE EARTH?!" The helper started whimpering and apologized profusely and said that the girl seemed so innocent and convinced her that her mother was in a critical condition and needed medical attention, but it was so expensive. She desperately needed any job to start paying for the bills she was already in arrears with. She said that the doctor would stop treating her mother if she didn't pay. The helper said that she even had given her some money out of her own savings to pay towards the bills. "YOU WERE SCAMMED YOU FOOLISH WOMAN! I AM NO BETTER FOR HAVING BEEN SO STUPID TO TRUST YOUR RECOMMENDATION! WHEN YOU APPROACHED ME TO HIRE HER YOU BEHAVED AS THOUGH SHE WAS YOUR FAMILY AND BECAUSE I TRUSTED YOU, I TRUSTED YOUR CHOICE AND NOW LOOK WHAT THAT HAS GOTTEN ME?" Lucas tried to calm Skylar down, but to no avail, she was livid. He then turned to Roman for help, who went over to her, placed his hands over her shoulders, and gently asked her to calm down and let them handle things now. He then guided her to the couch, and I rushed over to her with a glass of water. Lucas then told the Senior helper to round up all the staff and to do a full sweep of every single room and area of the property. If the guards didn't see her leave, she is still hiding here and needed to be found. He then told Zion to round up the young sorceresses and warriors out front for an emergency meeting. After Zion left, Roman said that he was concerned about what the Lycan was going to do with Damon. He turned to me and, in a serious tone, said that this could be a test of my friendship with Zion. If the Lycan was holding Damon hostage and wanted to exchange him for me, what would Zion do? I prayed it didn't have to come to that, I would never want Zion to be put in that situation. We all went outside once Zion confirmed that everyone was gathered. Lucas looked at Skylar for permission to speak, and she just nodded in agreement. He informed everyone of what had happened and asked that a thorough search be conducted. He also mentioned that if found that there were traitors amongst us, to be warned that the harshest and most brutal punishment would be served. Declarations of loyalty and promises to find the culprits could be heard from the crowd. Lucas ended by informing them to train every spare moment that they could as the enemy may strike at any time and to not be caught off guard.

Just as the crowd dispersed, a security guard ran towards us, and said in an urgent tone, "Master Lucas, Ma'am Skylar, there's a very badly beaten young man at the gate asking for Master Zion. He says his name is Damon." Zion and I looked at each other in total shock and didn't bother waiting to hear from the others. We raced to the gates. When we got there, we were horrified at seeing the condition Damon was in. His face was swollen and badly bruised, and his clothes were covered in blood. We rushed over to him to check if he was okay. Zion asked him who did that to him and how he got here. He just kept saying that he didn't remember. I couldn't quite place it, but something felt off. Roman and the others joined us at the gate. Zion and I were on either side of Damon helping him up, and then he stood up slowly and said that he could manage. As he straightened up, he said that he remembered a bit of what had happened. He was waiting outside his apartment building for Michael, and then someone had robbed him and beat him up. But then Michael pitched up. He scared off the guy, and he then brought him here. I then asked him why Michael would leave him at the gate and not bring him inside, and he said, "Ohhhh, you know Akira, the guy already saved my life, and he's probably really busy. So, as long as he got me safely here, I didn't want to impose. Relax Akira, he said that he would call you later." Just as I thought something was definitely not right with this whole scene. I let go of Damon and asked Zion sternly to step away. The others looked confused even though they had already heard the hogwash he spewed and knew it was not true because Michael was with us. "What's going on, Akira? Aren't you and Zion glad to see me. Never mind what I went through, I am here now, and that's all that matters." he tried to sound convincing, but then I said in an assertive tone, "You are not Damon!" Zion gasped in shock and asked me what was wrong with me and if I could not see what was right in front of me. I then explained that, yes, it was Damon's body, but someone else was speaking through him. Damon never calls me Akira!