The Taste of Seduction

Atlas and Marcus looked at the mother-daughter before them. With them standing still expressionless, it took them a few minutes to understand that they are probably communicating with the use of their magic.

"What do you suppose is happening?" Marcus asked, Atlas shrugging his shoulders.

"I dunno," he answered, making a guess. "With Gwen saying to show her, I could assume that maybe she's looking into her daughter's memories."

"I think the same," he agreed, the two watching them as they continued staying still.

Soon, a gasp was heard from Gwen, the woman now looking at her daughter with an alarmed expression on her face.

"You… almost risked your life finding the book," she said in a hushed tone, Meredith now understanding that she looked into her memories for her to further understand what was happening.

"Mother, no worries," she said, looking at Atlas and Marcus. "They were there to protect me."

"Still…" Gwen held her daughter's hand, worried. "You risked your life… and…" her brows furrowed together, angry as she remembered what she saw in her daughter's memories. "That man fooled you into getting what he wants and almost harmed you! If Levi weren't around… I—"

She couldn't continue her statement. She was about to say that she'd do something about Austin's attack, but knowing that she is unconscious and that she had nothing else to do, she let out a sigh, a single tear escaping her eye.

"I couldn't bear to think someone… especially with the likes of him… attacking you."

"Mother…" Meredith reached out to her and held her hand. "I'm here, though… right?"

"Oh, yes… of course," Gwen said, smiling at her as she caressed her cheek with her thumb. "It's not too late… even with the book stolen from us," she added, a nod coming from the three as they agreed with her statement.

"Anyway, we just have to get the crystals before he does, right?" she said, looking at her mother. "We have to know where it is, though. I only know a few details about the crystals from the book," she added, Gwen nodding at her statement.

"We'll go there right now; there is no time to waste as he knows where it is." Gwen's eyebrows creased as she talked about how Austin was so determined. "His selfishness is driving him to this point. As if he could do anything about it—him controlling the continents. Me going with him? Not a chance."

She looked at the three, telling them what they're about to do next.

"There's no time to waste. Now that I'm awake, we have to do what we can before he begins."

With a wave of her hand, she was now wearing appropriate clothing so she could move and fight around better, no longer in a loose dress. She was now wearing a polo shirt tucked in jeans, Gwen wearing boots as well. She tied her hair in a pony tail, Gwen now prepared for what's to come.

Anyone who'd look at them could say that the mother-daughter duo looked like twins. Gwen looked surprisingly young for her age, too! The perks of being a powerful being, right?

"Now, we have to go to the Grand Canyon," Gwen began, telling the three the flow of their plan. "The four crystals are protected there with the help of the shrine. It is kept there instead here in Aarkans because mortals couldn't even penetrate its shield and wouldn't even bother looking for it."

"How are we going there?" Meredith asked, looking at her mother. "The three of us have never been there. I couldn't teleport us there, then."

"You're forgetting about me, huh?" Gwen joked, smiling at them. "I've been there and I was the one who made the shrine for the crystals," she added, already going to the middle. "Now, let's hold each other's hands, and teleport there."

With a nod, the three did as they were told. As they were in a line, holding each other's hands, they were now teleported to the Grand Canyon, the three surprised with the sudden sunlight hitting their skin.

Grand Canyon is considered one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion in the world. Incised by the Colorado River, the canyon is immense, averaging 4,000 feet deep for its entire 277 miles. It is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 18 miles at its widest.

As Meredith, Atlas, and Marcus traveled with Meredith's mother Gwen to the Grand Canyon, a light conversation was exchanged between them.

Gwen couldn't help but look at her daughter, and then back at the men who was following them. As she inched in closer to Meredith, she elbowed her, asking her a question.

"So… among the two… who are you dating?"

"A-aah?"

Meredith stammered, not expecting this question from her mother while they are pursuing for something important. However, with her knowing that she never had a girl talk with her mother, she answered her question, feeling slightly shy.

"Umm… Atlas. And, uh… Marcus tagged along because he promised to help us every step of the way."

Gwen giggled. She really asked if Meredith was in a relationship with one of the men and she did answer with a blush, saying that she is with Atlas and that Marcus was tagging along with them and vowed to help and protect them because he loves her.

"I see… you have many admirers, I see!"

She smiled when she knew how two guys were fawning over her daughter, reminding her of the past that her late husband Luscious and Austin were the same.

However, unlike Marcus, Austin took things bitterly and decided on revenge and forceful acts after Luscious chose Gwen over him.

"Your father Luscious and Austin were like that, too," Gwen said, the three listening to her story as her voice was now louder compared to before so she could include the other men.

It was then that Meredith grew more shy when the two knew that they were talking about them, and her mother is relating her past relationship with theirs.

"The three of us were friends, but Austin was not like Marcus. He chose revenge and selfishness driven by his jealousy." She looked at Meredith and continued. "And I fear he did something worse to your father."