CHAPTER TWO
2
Morwenna
My head throbbed intensely, causing a momentary pause, yet the pain persisted fiercely. Ragged breaths caught in my throat, while my once blurry vision gradually cleared.
Suddenly, a blinding light struck my face, emanating from a vehicle ahead.
Squinting, I tried to adjust to the sudden assault. It emanated from a vehicle, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a beacon. The car was barreling right towards me, its tires spitting gravel as they chewed closer. My feet felt glued to the asphalt, refusing to obey my panicked mind. My brain, it seemed, had taken a vacation.
For a horrifying moment, I entertained the notion of some supernatural trickery messing with my senses again. This wasn’t the Vimic’s mansion, though. This was a lonely road, and I was smack dab in the middle of it, a forgotten soul facing imminent doom. The vehicle loomed closer, and a strangled gasp escaped my lips. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow. This was it. The end.
Then, as abruptly as it had seized, my brain jolted back to life, yanking me back to the present. Disoriented, I realized I was still standing in the middle of the road, the memory of the near-death experience sending shivers down my spine. Just as I lunged to cross, the screech of tires tore through the night, followed by the jarring halt of the vehicle.
“Oh, thank goodness!” I exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Morwenna!” My name echoed as the driver, who had nearly collided with me, emerged from his vehicle, slamming the door with a bang. I recognized the voice immediately.
“Dan!” I exclaimed, realizing it was my boyfriend. He hurried towards me, a mix of concern and urgency evident on his face. Despite the strange inertia that had held me in place moments earlier, I found myself able to move freely. It seemed the strange charm’s influence had waned, at least for now.
As Daniel approached, my weary feet finally found their rhythm, and I met him halfway, bridging the gap between us. “Oh, Dan!” I gasped, exhausted, as he enveloped me in a tight embrace. His hand caressed my hair as my head rested on his shoulder, each breath a struggle for air.
“Where have you been, Morwenna?” His voice, laced with worry, broke through the embrace. I hesitated, debating whether to reveal the truth about me transpassing to the Vimic family estate. Mentioning it would surely spark panic, and my mother’s reaction…well, that was a nightmare best avoided. Before I could respond, he spoke again, his concern palpable. “You’ve been gone for ten hours, Morwenna. I was worried sick...” His hand gently cupped my face, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.
“Don’t worry,” I reassured him, hoping to quell his concern before he felt compelled to report my absence to Mom. I had left promptly at 5:00 p.m., just after Theresa’s departure. If I had been away for ten hours, it must be nearing 3 or 4 a.m. by now. “I’m fine,” I added, though inwardly, I knew I was far from it. How could time have slipped away so easily? Was the vampire’s realm operating on a different time zone than Chimera? Daniel, accustomed to my early nights, would undoubtedly be surprised by my prolonged absence.
Suddenly, my thoughts turned to Mom. “Does my mom know I was gone?” I inquired anxiously. The last thing I wanted was for Mom to discover my absence; her interrogation would be relentless, a million questions fired like machine-gun rounds. Mom had a knack for persistence, and once she started asking questions, there was no stopping her.
“I tried calling her to let her know you were missing, but she didn’t pick up,” Daniel began.
“So, technically, no!” I interjected with a gasp of relief, grateful for the temporary reprieve from Mom’s inquisition. Now, at least, I could think clearly without the fear of her discovering my absence.
“Wellllll...” Daniel’s words trailed off with a familiar tone, one that signaled trouble or exception. I focused intently on him, sensing something amiss.
“I left a voicemail for your mom,” he admitted, and I couldn’t help but break free from his embrace.
“A voicemail?!” I echoed, incredulous. “Why would you do that...?”
“Because you were gone for ten hours, and she’s going to be my mother-in-law soon,” he explained matter-of-factly. “Your mom needs to trust me, not just as your boyfriend, but as your future husband. I want to protect you, Morwenna.”
“Future husband?!” I raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his declaration.
“Yes,” he affirmed, pulling me back into his arms. “You’re going to be my wife someday, you know.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as an exasperated sigh escaped my lips. Here we go again, Daniel trying to be Mr. Perfect Fiancé. He could be a little controlling sometimes, but there was no denying he cared. Plus, he was the only one who could handle my stubborn streak – a feat that left even my mom and Theresa baffled.
We’d been dating for six months, but we’ve known each other forever. He finally confessed his crush after years of friendship, and he was the only one who stood by me when everyone else called me crazy. He’d even taken a few beatings for me – well, mostly shoves and taunts – back in the day. Plus, the guy practically lived at the gym and knew his way around a karate move or two. Bullies steered clear of me with Daniel around.
Plus, the mystery chocolates in my locker – a long-standing source of confusion – finally made sense. Turns out, they weren’t just random acts of kindness. He was trying to win me over.
Then there were the sports. He joined every team, clearly hoping to impress me with his athletic prowess (and those muscles that always seemed to attract cheerleaders). Thankfully, Theresa helped me decipher his hidden motives. All those “friendly” shots he took at competitions? Totally aimed at me. Six months later, we were finally a couple, but I’d made it clear I wanted to take things slow, and he respected that. I hoped so.
“No,” I responded firmly to his question.
“I know you’re just saying ‘no’ as a way of saying yes to being my future wife and me being your future husband,” he said, a smile playing on his lips.
I sighed, trying to brush off his mention of marriage. The very thought made me feel uneasy, reminding me of my parents’ abusive relationship. Even after Mom cut ties with Dad, he remained obsessed and abusive.
His actions led to Mom losing vision in her left eye during one of their violent altercations. She could still see through it, but it was blurry, hence the eye patch she wore to cover it. There was even a terrifying incident when Dad attempted to burn down our house, prompting Mom to seek refuge with the Vimic family after we lost everything in the fire caused by Dad’s actions. The Vimic family protected us, and in return, they dealt with Dad’s henchmen who had threatened us. This terrifying chapter of my parents’ relationship left me with a deep fear that I might never find a healthy relationship, even with Daniel.
But I was grateful for Daniel. Yet, whenever he became angry or displayed controlling behavior, it triggered memories of my father’s abusive outbursts. I would retreat to my room, locking the door and covering my ears, desperate to block out the echoes of their yelling and the sound of breaking bottles. And though Daniel and I had been dating for six months, we hadn’t been intimate. It was something he desired, something I wasn’t ready for.
“Whatever,” I dismissed Daniel’s talk of marriage. “Next time, don’t tell my mom if you don’t see me at home,” I raised a finger to silence him, “and I don’t care if you’re trying to impress her as a potential son-in-law.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Fine,” he conceded, and with that settled, I braced myself for the impending onslaught of questions from Mom. I sighed wearily.
Then Daniel’s gaze fell on me. “Why do you look like that?” he asked, his curiosity evident.
“Like what?” I raised an eyebrow in response.
He gestured towards me, and I followed his gaze to the black cloak I wore as a disguise, attempting to blend in at the Vimic family’s coronation ball. “You look like a goddamn vampire!” he exclaimed, clearly intending it as a joke, considering he knew my preference for loose, simple clothing. I hoped he wouldn’t suspect my uninvited visit to the Vimic estate. While I had managed to come out unscathed, I dreaded Daniel’s suspicions and the possibility of him reporting me to Mom.
“No, I’m not,” I insisted, feeling his hand on my forehead as he noticed my furrowed brow.
“I was just kidding, Morwenna,” he reassured me.
“If you want to joke, find something else,” I retorted.
“Fine, Morwenna,” he acquiesced, knowing better than to argue with my stubborn nature. “You look tired,” he observed. “Let’s go home, I’ve made hot pasta just for you, and this time, I didn’t buy it from a restaurant,” he added, emphasizing the last part, knowing his culinary skills were limited to takeout or his aunt’s cooking.
“Really?” I questioned skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes,” he affirmed, his gaze unwavering. “And I promise, you’ll enjoy it.”
“Okay,” I whispered, reluctantly conceding to his insistence that he could cook pasta.
“And after that,” he continued, his voice trailing off, “maybe we can cuddle up in bed and, you know,” he paused, swallowing nervously, “explore each other’s bodies.”
“Explore each other’s bodies?” I repeated his words, feeling a knot of unease forming in my stomach.
“Yeah, you know, like couples do.”
He swallowed again, aware that our physical intimacy wasn’t quite what he hoped for. While I didn’t dislike being intimate with Daniel, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disconnect whenever we were together in bed.
The problem was, with Daniel, it just...fell flat. We’d kissed, a few times, but the spark was missing. It never progressed beyond quick pecks, and the thought of anything more left me feeling...unfulfilled. Not because of Daniel himself, but because the passion simply wasn’t there.
I couldn’t tell him, of course. I liked Daniel, but it wasn’t the kind of love that consumed you, the kind that made you miss someone the second they walked out the door. I didn’t yearn for him in the same way he did for me. In fact, I often felt a strange sense of relief when he left for work. It made me question everything. Was I...gay? Right now, in this confusing moment, I wasn’t sure what to feel.
“Maybe,” he added tentatively, sensing my hesitation.
“Just cuddle,” I suggested firmly, understanding that Daniel’s suggestion of exploring our bodies was his way of hinting at sex.
Daniel’s eyes met mine, and then his gaze drifted to my lips. “And kiss too,” he added, leaning in as if to initiate a kiss.
My stomach lurched. As his lips neared mine, a wave of revulsion washed over me. Here I was, about to be kissed by Daniel, and all I could think about were those... those other lips. The vampire’s. Damn it, I still didn’t remember his first name! I don’t care. I hated him, hated his stupid last name more, but for some reason, my traitorous brain was picturing his infuriatingly sexy lips on mine instead of Daniel’s.
‘No, no, no!’ I shrieked silently. Get a grip, Morwenna! Why on earth am I thinking about him? He was the last creature I should be fantasizing about.
As Daniel’s lips hovered close to mine, a searing pain erupted in my head. The world tilted, and I stumbled, vision blurring. Before I could hit the ground, Daniel’s strong arms caught me. Dizziness swam through me, but a deeper, throbbering pain pulsed behind my eyes. This was more than just a dizzy spell. Something else was wrong. My right arm...
“Morwenna!” Daniel exclaimed, noticing my weakened state. “Are you okay, Morwenna?” he asked, searching my face for any signs of distress. My hand instinctively moved under the black cloak that draped over me, reaching for my right arm where the pain throbbed. I remembered the sharp sting of his nail-like finger slicing through my skin. I hadn’t felt the pain intensely while talking to Daniel, but as I leaned in to kiss him, it flared up again. Was he here, the vampire?
My eyes scanned our surroundings, noting the unsettling stillness of the street. Despite the late hour, the atmosphere felt unnaturally quiet and eerie, shrouded in darkness. A realization dawned on me.
“We need to leave,” I whispered urgently to Daniel.
“What?” he sounded bewildered.
“We need to get out of here,” I repeated, my voice firm. “We’re on the outskirts of the City!” I explained, prompting Daniel to scan the streets, confirming my words.
“You’re right,” he confirmed, his hand resting on my waist as he helped me steady myself. My hand found its place on his neck as we made our way to his vehicle.
We were in the Vimic’s family estate, their territory looming dark and imposing, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn’t recall leaving the mansion, but somehow, I must have been charmed by the Vimic I encountered.
My memories were fragmented, like shards of glass, with only fleeting recollections remaining. But I could still picture his face vividly.
Then, the Vimic’s ominous words echoed in my throbbing head: “I’m going to come find you, Morwenna!”
Daniel and I settled into the vehicle, with him guiding me into the passenger seat before shutting the door and taking his place behind the wheel. My heart continued to race in my chest as we remained in the outskirts, still within the Vimic’s domain.
My only relief would come once we were far away from here. Yet, a troubling thought nagged at me: why was Daniel here? He could have searched anywhere for me, but not the Vimic’s estate. Chimerans feared stepping foot here, knowing the grave consequences. So why was Daniel here, especially at this late hour? Was he invited to the Vimic family’s coronation, or did he have some undisclosed business with them, something I knew nothing about?
Daniel started the engine of the vehicle, and we set off, the sound of the struggling engine pounding in rhythm with my relentless heartbeat. The old vehicle took its time to pick up speed, causing me to briefly worry if it was low on fuel or if there was an issue with the engine. My thoughts flashed back to the Vimic’s threat as I held onto my right arm, now bleeding. The metallic tang of blood would surely attract vampires, signaling my presence to him.
As soon as the engine roared to life, Daniel drove off, but my heart continued to race.
Looking into the rearview mirror, he reassured me, “Relax, Morwenna. We’re no longer in the Vimic’s territory.” His words were an attempt to calm my nerves. “Besides, they won’t harm us once we’re out of their territory. That was a close call,” he added, and my breathing began to steady. I wasn’t afraid of being in the Vimic’s dangerous territory; I was afraid of the vampire’s words echoing in my head, causing my headache to intensify. It felt as though he was trying to communicate with me through my thoughts.
I repeated the mantra in my head six times: “I hate him, so I shouldn’t fear him.”
“Does your arm still hurt?” Daniel’s voice broke the silence, and I met his gaze in the rearview mirror, nodding in response.
“I’ll take you to my aunt. She’s a doctor and can have a look at it,” he suggested, concern evident in his tone.
“No, no, no,” I dismissed almost reflexively. Involving anyone in my predicament would only raise suspicions about my ten-hour disappearance.
“Why?” he pressed, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Because I don’t want anyone to know, and besides, I can handle it myself,” I insisted, trying to fend off his concern.
“Morwenna, you’re hurt, and you need a doctor to look at it,” Daniel argued, his worry palpable. “That’s why you have my aunt; she’ll take good care of you,” he reasoned.
I knew further arguing with Daniel would be futile. He had a stubborn streak, especially when it came to my well-being. He might even resort to invoking our future as husband and wife, a tactic I knew all too well. I also doubted Theresa’s availability or concern for me, given her busy life.
The remainder of the drive was quiet, and my breathing gradually calmed. Although relieved, I knew the ordeal was far from over.
I wanted to ask Daniel why he was in the dangerous Vimics’ territory, but I hesitated. I couldn’t have been tracked; I didn’t have my phone, only my purse and camera. So what was he doing there? I tried to push the thought aside, hoping he wasn’t somehow involved with my greatest enemy, the Vimics.
I tried not to dwell on it, but the uncertainty lingered, a nagging presence at the back of my mind.
I rested my head against the headrest of the seat, letting out another gasp as another image flashed in my mind. I jerked my head away from the seat, startled. In my mind’s eye, I saw his face lurking in the shadows, red and filled with hunger, as if he wanted to devour me. I shook off the unsettling thought, chiding myself for overthinking.
“You okay?” Daniel’s voice broke the silence, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror as he drove cautiously.
“Yeah,” I nodded, giving a small reassurance. His attention returned to the road ahead, and I gazed out at the quiet street, feeling a sense of relief as familiar houses passed by. I took a deep breath, realizing I was back in my normal neighborhood. There was no need to worry about vampires infiltrating this space.
As we continued driving, my gaze drifted, and then I saw him.
His imposing figure stood tall against the backdrop of the night, dressed all in black with a red cloak billowing around him.
His hair, red like flames, danced in the wind, framing his pale face as he hovered effortlessly above the ground. His skin... it shimmered with an otherworldly luminescence.
Despite the danger he represented, he was undeniably attractive and despite myself, a flicker of heat sparked within me. But I quickly quelled it. This was no time for such thoughts.
As our eyes met from a distance, he smirked, and my breath caught in my throat. I had thought vampires weren’t allowed in human neighborhoods, yet here he was. With the Vimics’ at his command, anything seemed possible, and now I feared he might mark my home.
Trying to tear my gaze from him proved an impossible feat. His charm was an inescapable force, a mesmerizing hold. Even at that distance, I felt the intensity of his stare. Then, a voice echoed in my head, his voice, a husky whisper that pierced my defenses: “Morwenna...” It resonated deep within me, a haunting promise. His next words settled like a weight on my chest: “I’ll always find you.”
Always. It could only mean one thing.
My blood, the blood his needle-like fingernail had drawn from my arm, must have been the key.
A sickening realization dawned - it was a beacon leading him to me.
I tried to shake off the fear, reminding myself not to succumb to it.
A silent mantra played on repeat: I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid.
But then, another whisper, seductive and raw, ripped through the air, sending shivers down my spine. It was his voice again, swirling around me like a sharp wind: “...mineeee!”
The possessive echo hung heavy, a chilling reminder of the danger I was in.
“...All mine.”