16 Chapter 16 - The Onsen for Two (1/2)

Alice said she 'had' to go through the front door and let Sophia or Yue know that I was fine and we wouldn't be at dinner. I couldn't argue since dinner was the one meal the whole house tried to share when it was possible, so I watched her leave through the front then made my way for the back. Hopefully, she would also tell them to keep an eye on Gustavo, so that he wouldn't open his mouth while they ate. I shook my head, trying to clear it. I didn't need thoughts about him, or Katye for that matter, floating around in my head tonight.

While I walked, I pulled out a special glass bottle of an emerald green liquid. It was called Kilao, something that Alice brewed from time to time and she likened it to wine. She made it from a number of fruits that grew in the garden, but instead of burning when you drank it, a cooling sensation would spread. It also contained a small amount of mana in it which carried a calming effect, so it was a bit of an insurance plan for the night.

I took a swig as I maneuvered through the bamboo and enjoyed the feeling of the alcohol. The onsen was empty as I expected, so I headed over to the door and hung the silver tassel on the inside handle. I stripped down and storage my clothes away inside my ring. I stepped into the shallow end and made my way over to one of the carved stone chairs. I sat down as I took another sip from the bottle then I set it down on the rocky edge, outside of the water.

Since Alice could be awhile, I pulled out an old iPod and a portable speaker. I got some music going then I leaned back against the wall and took the occasional gulp of the Kilao. My entire body began to relax as I was cooled on the inside while the warmth of the hot spring seeped into my bruised skin. I didn't channel my mana through my body to help speed up the energy that radiated from my wounds since it would also destroy the effect of the alcohol. Instead, I just enjoyed the tingle of the energy and my bottle.

”I didn't mean to keep you waiting,” Alice's voice said as it broke through my semi-trance like state.

”No, I was just relaxing,” I replied as I opened my eyes.

Alice was standing in front of me, naked in nearly knee deep water. Her bronze skin glistened in the misty air as she looked down at me, giving me a beautiful smile. I reached out a hand, which she took, and helped her sit down next to me. Picking up my bottle next, I offered her some and she took it without any complaints. She handed it back to me after taking a small drink and I copied her actions, but she refused it the second time.

”I think only you can drink Kilao heavily without fear of falling asleep,” she said with a light chuckle.

”Benefit of the bloodline, I guess,” I replied.

A similar glass bottle appeared in her hand, but this one was filled with violet liquid. If Kilao was 'Yin', Baruen was 'Yang'. It was warmth to the touch and a fiery sensation would race up your throat before instantly cooling when you opened your mouth. The mana contained within would energize and 'excite' your body. Unfortunately, I only had it once and it was decided that it should be my last time.

”Ha, what a night,” I thought as a smile covered my face.

”Thinking naughty thoughts, are we?” Alice teased after she took a drink.

I stuck my tongue out at her tease then complained, ”Of all the things awakening my bloodline changed, why couldn't it help with the fact I blush at everything?”

She set her bottle down as she leaned in and rang her fingers over my collarbone. ”It's actually a really cute quality,” she whispered in my ear then kissed my neck, ever so lightly, before she sat back down and grabbing her drink.

My whole body shivered despite the warmth and waves of urges and energy rippled throughout every inch of me. The Kilao and the energy from my bloodline were fighting a battle within my body, but since they countered each other, it was the closest I could get to feeling normal... although, I was getting pretty drunk at this point.

I didn't chase after her like I normally would and instead, I just took another drink. Alice gave me a look, but I pretended not to notice as I took a few more gulps. I ended up finishing my bottle, so I stored it away, this whole time, not speaking.

”Do you want me to get Katye, instead?” Alice asked.

I sighed, ”I'm sorry, Alice, I know I 'invited' you...”

She placed a finger on my lips, stopping my words, and gave me a gentle smile. ”Becca, you don't need to apologize or feel guilty, just tell me the truth. Do you like her?”