Chapter 121: 1. Big Big World.
Mariella was left perplexed, unsure of what to make of the situation unfolding before her. The exhilarating gaming session had brought joy to her, with both men, Damons and Charles, joining in on the fun. Damon had immersed himself in a war game, his fingers rapidly shooting down virtual enemies, while Mariella and Charles engaged in a fierce competition playing Sonic. Laughter and excitement filled the air as they battled it out.
As their gaming time drew to a close, Mariella took a moment to check the top ten rankings for the Sonic game, relishing in her own accomplishments. Afterward, they all sat down to eat, savoring the meal before them. But then, impulsively, they indulged in a quick, passionate encounter. Oblivious to Mimi's absence, Mariella had paid little attention, her focus solely on besting Charles, which she achieved with great satisfaction. However, Damon's attention shifted towards Mimi, his expression contorted with anger and frustration.
Curiosity piqued, Mariella roused Damon from their shared bed, her persistence driving her to uncover the secret Mimi had hidden away in the basement. Adam and Charles were also enlisted, unaware of Mimi's clandestine hobby.
Gathering in the living room, Damon's voice resonated with authority and determination as he addressed the group. "The lady indulges in a hobby that poses a risk to her well-being. You shall witness it now. She can be stubborn at times," he stated firmly, leaving Mariella eager to uncover the cause of Damon's distress.
Damon proceeded to explain, his tone filled with concern and frustration. "She has a room dedicated to crafting jewelry, grinding stones, and such. I have warned her about the dangers of this hobby in the past, but she remains stubborn. Once again, I must assume the role of the bad guy, reminding her of the risks involved."
Mariella's curiosity grew, her mind brimming with questions. What had upset Damon so deeply this time? What dangers lurked in Mimi's hidden sanctuary?
Charles furrowed his brow and said, "What's wrong with cutting stones or making jewelry? If she likes to do it, why not let her?"
Damon's frustrated voice filled the room as he replied, "The first thing that happens to be harmful to our little lady is the dust of the stones. You can smell the stone dust, a pungent scent that lingers in the air. Who knows what minerals and metals those damn stones contain? They can be absorbed so efficiently through the lungs into the blood."
Adam's pensive expression mirrored his growing realization of the dangers involved in Mimi's hobby. However, he believed measures could be taken to ensure her safety.
Damon continued, "Then there's the fact that Mimi is an energy-exploiting power battery. Imagine handling those stones, filled with her raw lust, and the metals they may contain. She's so prone to absorbing everything into her body, often ignoring the mild symptoms. Just think, if you file or grind a ring base, the dust, and filaments can easily be inhaled or enter your skin, providing many ways for metals to enter her system. That's all I've got, but you'll see for yourself when we go down to the basement. There's another corridor with a closed door. It's there to protect your peace of mind."
Adam's determination to defend Mimi grew stronger. He wanted her to have a good time and didn't appreciate how Damon had thrown her out of the gaming room. As they entered the cellar, the musty scent of dampness filled their noses, and the dim lighting created an eerie atmosphere.
Adam realized he hadn't explored this part of the house often. Perhaps, if things went well with Mimi, they could discover more together. The heavy steel door indicated that this room had once been a safe place. Damon forcefully yanked the door open, and they stepped into the room, anticipation filling the air.
Mariella's curiosity piqued as she entered the room, her senses attuned to the presence of both Damons. But Adam, his face filled with unspoken words, held his tongue, hinting at the possibility of a looming conflict. Would Adam and Charles defend Mimi while Damon tried to be the voice of reason? Mariella automatically sided with Damon in this matter.
To her surprise, the room was not the bunker-like space she had imagined. It was vast, airy, and bathed in warm light, emanating a homely atmosphere. The distinct smell of strawberries filled the air, replacing the expected scent of stone dust. Mariella noticed many loaded stones, adding a touch of energy to the surroundings.
Mimi sat gracefully in a luxurious chair, holding a small stone or mineral in her hand. She delicately applied a drop of liquid from one of the bottles on the table. Mariella couldn't determine the nature or safety of the liquid, but the unease on both Damons' faces suggested it wasn't beneficial for Mimi. It seemed that Mimi was keeping this activity a secret.
Looking around, Mariella realized that this space should have been accessible to the entire pack. Damon was skilled in jewelry making and had often expressed frustration when he lacked a proper workspace. Yet, Mimi had been granted a top-notch workplace, complete with eight high-end drums that emitted a muffled sound when played. Clearly, a significant amount of money had been invested in this room.
Observing Damon, Mariella noticed his restraint. He resisted the urge to shout or grab her, instead choosing to stand still and observe. Meanwhile, Charles approached Mimi with a non-angry expression, his demeanor almost seductive.
As I meticulously sorted through the tiniest chips, the sound of Salvatore's soft voice drifted in from the doorway.
"Haven't I told you that this hobby is not good for you?" he said.
I looked up to see him standing there, his voice barely audible.
"Even though you've managed to get the stone dust off, let's see what other problems we have here," he continued.
The entire group had gathered, and I glanced at my watch, realizing I had been engrossed in this for a staggering 18 hours. Time truly flies when you're immersed in something you love, or so they say.
Mariella strolled around the room, her footsteps barely making a sound, and noticed my locker. Curiosity piqued, she beckoned the Salvatores to join her. They delicately touched my stones, turning them into their hands with care. Damon, in particular, found my raw diamonds and excitedly showed them to Mariella, perhaps envisioning a ring for her. I smiled, thinking to myself that she was welcome to them, as there were plenty more where they came from.
Suddenly, Charles approached me, his presence warm and comforting.
"I didn't know about this room, honey," he whispered, his words like a gentle caress in my ear. "You're a sly little creature, keeping some things to yourself."
He wrapped himself around me, his touch sending shivers down my spine as he indulged in a sip of my blood. I looked at him with a knowing smirk, holding up a raw stone in my hand.
"Look at this," I said, my voice filled with excitement. "It's a sapphire, but it needs to be polished. I can make you a ring out of this."
Charles released his hold on me, his eyes fixed on mine with a seductive gaze. "Did you know, honey," he murmured, "that you've loaded up those stones quite a bit?"
I shrugged, dismissing his comment as I opened the door to my workshop. The air inside was filled with the scent of metal and the faint aroma of jewelry polish. I had turned this space into my personal sanctuary, a jewelry workshop. Having accompanied jewelers to PR events, I learned the craft of creating rings and other pieces. In front of us, ready-made ring bases awaited transformation, their surfaces reflecting the glow of the lights I turned on.
Charles let out a low whistle as he delicately ran his fingers over the rings. They were thick and heavy, yet intricately adorned. Each design was unique, a blend of unconventional and classic styles. These were the creations I had designed for myself, and a few talented friends had brought them to life using the gold and platinum I had entrusted to them.
Together, we entered the workshop, our footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. The air was electric with anticipation, as I knew that one day, I would fashion rings specifically for Adam and Charles. These bases required no further filing or grinding; they simply awaited the perfect stone to be embedded within them.
The jewelry gleamed with actual gold, platinum, and silver, their solid weight in my hands. I wanted them to be sturdy, not delicate. Among the pieces were necklaces and brooches, or at least their partially finished forms. My vision was to meticulously carve stones and seamlessly embed them into the jewelry, creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Inspiration for this idea stemmed from the Modesty Blaise book series I had read as a human.
Suddenly, the room filled with the presence of the Damons and Mariella, accompanied by the faint sound of their footsteps. Mariella whispered something so softly that I couldn't catch the words, but the expression on Damon's face revealed his lack of enthusiasm towards my hobby. He probably wasn't impressed with my plan to create rings for Adam and Charles.
Mariella observed as Mimi and Charles exchanged longing gazes, their eyes locked in a passionate embrace. Amidst their conversation, Mimi rose from her seat, and Charles wrapped himself around her, his lips grazing her skin, tasting her blood.
A serene smile adorned Mimi's face as she led Charles towards a door that Mariella had failed to notice. Irritation crept within Mariella, as she wished Mimi would acknowledge Damon's presence and allow him to be her protector. However, Mimi seemed oblivious to Damon's existence.
Two chimed in, remarking, "These stones are infused with a myriad of energies. Some even carry the essence of fucking. No wonder the lady remains untouched, pouring all her energy into these precious gems."
Their irritation transformed into awe, yet Mariella couldn't help but perceive the Salvatores as a covetous bunch, drawn to Mimi's potent energies.
Number One grunted and suggested, "Let's explore the room where Miss took Adam and Charles. I too desire a taste of her blood, but let's follow this path for now."
They walked through the door, illuminating the room with its warm glow. Mariella sensed metal, predominantly gold, platinum, and a hint of silver. The room was meticulously clean, showcasing an array of intricately designed jewelry bases, unlike anything Mariella had ever seen.
She had encountered countless jewelry designs, as Damon often sought inspiration for a creation he intended to make for her. However, these bases appeared custom-made, causing Mariella to feel Damon's irritation and a hint of his suppressed rage. Disappointment seeped into her being as she realized he had unwittingly extracted an idea from Mimi's mind.
Additionally, Mariella found herself irked by the way Mimi presented the bases to Adam and Charles, allowing them to try on rings and make their own choices. It became clear that Mimi intended to craft rings for the two of them. She possessed a few remarkable stones—an enormous sapphire, a vibrant ruby, and a handful of emeralds.
Yet, once again, Damon's existence seemed to elude Mimi's thoughts. Mariella knew Damon to be an exceptional jeweler, having crafted each of Mimi's wedding rings himself. Overwhelmed, Mariella sighed deeply, mustering the courage to approach Mimi and engage in conversation.
I would invite the men to try on the rings and choose their favorites, carefully examining the shining stones. Mariella approached, her eyes scanning the jewelry bases and the eager men. They had discovered my folder, filled with my intricate designs. Some were new, and yet to be shared with my friends for production.
Mariella remarked, "You know Damon is an exceptional jeweler. He has personally crafted every one of your wedding rings. When you make a ring for him, he will offer valuable feedback for improvement."
Damon had indeed shared this fact with me.
I replied, "That's why I hesitate to give my modest attempts to the Maestro. The others may not be as meticulous, but Damon's precision is unmatched."
Mariella shrugged and responded, "As long as you remember to be fair to your husbands, it's all good. Damon now has a workspace where he can bring your designs to life. He had previously expressed his frustration about not having a dedicated space. He will review your designs, perhaps making some alterations or directly creating them. No need to worry about those bases; Damon, being your guardian, knows you possess gold and platinum ingots, providing him with ample materials to work with. And Mimi, you've infused every single stone with energy and emotion. There is quite a collection of stones now. Your stone charging technique becomes somewhat challenging, considering how charged they are. It can be a little risky to handle them, not overly dangerous, but there are consequences."
Well, I hadn't considered that. However, it's fortunate that I create loaded stones. I'm certain they'll be delighted to experience the effects. But that doesn't discourage me. I can handle the stones with pliers. It's too marvelous of a task to pass up.
I retorted to Mariella, "That's fine by me. You all will probably enjoy my loaded creations, and I have pliers if needed. So, I'll continue making you these little treats. As for Damon making jewelry, of course, he can use this room and the metals if necessary. Although, with you here, I doubt he'll spend extended periods."
My response had a hint of snappiness. It's just who I am, not always a pushover who allows this trio to twist my hobbies into personal insults.
We walked from the opulent jewelry room back to the stone side, and immediately I noticed the wolves, tails tucked away, showing that someone had already claimed my energies from those stones, my sex drive, that is. The air was heavy with anticipation, and I could feel a sense of tension in the room. Determined to handle the situation, I planned to confront Cornick at some point, but I knew it would be difficult to escape his clutches for a while.
Despite the mounting pressure, I remained undeterred. My mind was occupied with many projects and my regular work, not to mention the various PR engagements that awaited me. As the Damons traversed the stone shelf, their fingers brushed against some stones briefly, while others received more lingering attention. It was evident that they were replenishing their energies.
Mariella approached, her voice firm and commanding. "Alright, everyone, it's time to leave this place and recharge ourselves elsewhere," she declared. "But before we go, we must embed these stones into the walls of our homes to harness their power. Mimi, gather all the stones from each house, every single one, so we can determine their rightful places. And remember, this is not a request. It's an order. This is what we must do."
Agreeing to the plan, I responded, "Here's most of it. These are primarily stones, not precious gemstones or the like. The more valuable jewels and other items are in the collection room."
Charles's face contorted with displeasure upon hearing that I had displayed my jewels. He wrapped himself around me, his voice low and threatening. "What other items are you referring to, honey?" he hissed, his grip tightening.
I chose not to respond, knowing that engaging in further conversation would only aggravate him. I had no desire to spend a week enduring his inventive punishments.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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