Viktor blinked his eyes and said, "Is that even a question? Of course…why wouldn't I have one with a woman like you? We can have a hundred if you want, haha."
Seeing Viktor's smile, Taya felt even more relieved even though she could tell what kind of answer he was going to give. But hearing from his own mouth was the final assurance she wanted.
*Ring!*
Right then, Viktor was getting a call on his phone, and he subtly smiled, seeing it was Umilia calling him.
"A woman…isn't it?" Taya asked with a sharp gaze, to which Viktor winked and replied, "It's Umi. Relax."
Taya did indeed relax when she heard it was Umilia but perked her ears to see why Umilia was calling Viktor at this hour or if this was a couple thing.
"Umi, what's going on? Missing me already?"
"Come on, Viktor. I always miss you, but I am calling you now to ask you something else. Have you seen Linard?"
Sensing the seriousness in her voice, Viktor mentally shrugged as he said, "Linard? That guy who wanted to get me arrested for kissing you? Pha, why would I even see him again unless he came to me for a beating?"
"Well, he is missing, and his sister has been wandering around, looking for him. I just wanted to confirm things from your side as well, just in case."
"He is missing? Did I scare him too much? Nah…something was wrong with that guy…I am definitely sure. He sure did act crazy, but I just thought that's how he was."
"Yeah…me too. Anyway…when am I going to see you again?"
"Don't worry about that. It will be a surprise," Viktor chuckled, and the two ended the call while Viktor had a pensive look as he thought about Linard's sudden missing situation.
"What was that about?" Taya asked curiously, to which Viktor quickly explained whatever happened that day with Linard to her.
"Well, this is not new. But him going missing seems fishy. I hope his sister finds him. She must be so worried," Taya said with a sympathetic expression.
"Yeah…" Viktor subtly nodded with a thoughtful expression.
After Viktor left, Taya got deep in thought as she remembered the conversation she had with the silver-eyed woman in the hills when she went there with the star crystal,
—-
"Taya…I can keep this for you, but if you use this, then your life will change forever by turning into someone you always wanted to be. But…you might never get the chance to lead a peaceful life with Viktor or something worse. Something big is going to take place, not only in our world but in other worlds or realms. And now they have begun to move, but they won't target you as long as you are not involved in it."
"They? I don't understand…what is this big thing you are talking about? And how will this star crystal exactly change my life?" Taya asked in a confused tone.
"I can't tell you that unless you become a part of it. But in my opinion, it's better you continue with your normal life, especially since you have a lot of people to care about, including her. Maybe Viktor can handle it, but about the others and you…I don't know. But if one day you feel like you are ready to take that extreme step, then find me again. Still, I can't show up if it's anything less important since only I know how much risk I am taking by even coming here. You understand, right?"
Taya nodded as she softly said with a contemplative expression, "I do…also, can you answer one more thing, please. Why is Viktor unable to have a child with me? Is it because I am a human?"
"No…that shouldn't be the case as even half-vampires exist, one of their parents being a human. But tell me…did he ever sleep with any woman from any vampire or werewolf clan before?"
Taya immediately shook his head, "No. He never even came upon any supernatural beings for all these centuries. Otherwise, he would have surely told me. There is no reason for him to hide about things like those, nor did I feel like he was hiding any."
"How strange…Then I am sorry…I have no idea what is going on with him, but I hope one day you find the solution to it and lead the life you always wanted…"
"Can I at least tell him about you now? He can be trusted. He will never tell anyone else about you," Taya asked, her tone a bit desperate.
"Sigh…Taya, you always ask me about this, but my answer is always the same. Even if he is someone who can be trusted, I can't just take that risk. You have no idea how many centuries I have suffered in hiding…along with my family until I took a great risk by revealing myself to you. If it were not my 'situation', I wouldn't even be taking this risk by coming here. Listen, your man is not a human like you. He could very well be in the sights of other supernatural beings without his knowledge, and that is why he can't know about me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to go too far by placing a seal in your mind to prevent you from talking about me to him, just in case you were unable to hold back. But I promise, one day you don't have to burden yourself with these things, and I will always be grateful to you for the things you have done for me. You understand, right?"
"Yes, I do…I am sorry that I keep nagging you about this…"
"No…it's completely fine. I understand how you feel…Sigh…I have to go now…Goodbye…"
—
Remembering this conversation with that mysterious woman on the hill, Taya couldn't help but feel regretful about not asking her what it meant to have one's essence locked?
But even if she wanted to go there and ask this question, she knew that the woman won't show up unless it was something really important.
At the same time, she couldn't help but think how that star crystal would change her life.
