Mitchel

"Why are you here again?" the captive snarled.

Even if it had only been hours after breakfast, the room still had nothing to illuminate it but the flare from the melting candles of the candelabra. Yet Evelina could see him more clearly now, for the room was solemn, no interruptions. Her gaze trailed from the man's dark circles under his eyes, standing out more than their blueness. He had bruises on his cheek and a cut on his upper lip, these being his most protruding features. His stubble seemed thicker than when she last saw him, whilst a frown was stretching his lips.

The man was dirty, but his being was not a new sight for Evelina. She had encountered plenty of bruised beggars before, some once belonged in gangs but left alone to starve, and most of them she used to feed on.

"Food," Leila answered simply, motioning to the tray that Evelina was carrying. "You didn't eat this morning. I assume you would want one for lunch."

He narrowed his look, his expression still guarded. "How do I know you've not put poison in them? After all, you have the nerve to put me in a hypnotic state, have you not?"

Leila groaned. "You were a suspicious person. We have to know what you want with us."

"And being a witch is nowhere near suspicious? Is that right?"

Evelina felt like she had no right to speak for watching the two had already put the room in tension.

"Shall I remind you that you have not only followed us inside our place, but you've also threatened us. You've threatened to kill me."

"Don't worry, it's nothing like how you've tortured us."

The vampiress turned to the witch, confused. She knew that their kind were not known for torture unless they were the one being tortured, especially not Eglantine. It did not even feel like they knew who he was. But the man's voice held certainty. Something was not right, yet the blame made no sense either. To condemn the witches like that was a bit…

But how would she know if they have or have not done something? Why did it feel like she was defending them, in the first place?

Fortunately, Evelina did not need to ask. Not when the lady before her already had enough of the captive's bat craze.

"You have been repeating that again and again!" her brown eyes cradled fury as she squints at the man with a scowl. "You can't just push the blame in our coven when we clearly have done nothing wrong with you. We are serving humans when it was you who betrayed our kind, what more could you ask from us?"

The man laughed grimly. "Oh, we betrayed your kind in history. That was why you were seeking revenge on us, is that right?"

"My, you are as hard-headed as her!"

Evelina dropped the spoon from its tray.

Pardon?

"If you were referring to me-"

"It is without offense, of course." Leila gave her a pretty smile. "You are doing good, don't worry." She returned her gaze towards the man. "Mitchel, however, you might as well tell us now what your problem is. We can't keep you here forever but we, at least, have to know what it might be that's been bothering you so that we may be able to clean our names."

"There's nothing to clean. You lot are fools!"

The human was indeed a headache, she would give him that. He had been hinting at them his pain yet when asked what it was, he was closed off, stubborn, and wild. They cannot push him to spill everything to them, though what Leila only needed was one thing.

Losing her patience, Evelina pressed the tray on his lap. "Eat. Perhaps your anger will pass when you already have your meal."

"Do you think of my problem so little that the only solution you offer me is to eat my meal?" He was getting more and more aggrieved and the vampiress could sense his blood boiling, his scent giving off an impression that was far away from being scrumptious.

"Have you heard me say something about having a solution?" But Evelina was crossed as well, and she could easily challenge him to a battle of who should be heard, whose pride should win. "The lady had been giving you a chance to tell her what it was that caused this predicament of yours, yet you have given no answer! You dare tell us that we are offering you a solution? We have none because whatever it must be, it is you who got yourself in this mess. Stop pushing others to be the reason why your life is going terribly wrong."

Was it offensive of her to say that? Possibly. But she would not regret saying those words. Not when he had been nothing but an imbecile.

The man stared at her with his mouth gaping, a scrunch on his forehead. He aimed to speak but found no words coming out of him. Evelina was satisfied.

"Dear," Leila released a loud breath. "We're going nowhere with this. Evelina, meeting will start before sundown. Better get ready for that." She spared him one last glance before telling the vampiress, "Let's go."

But the moment they reached for the door, his voice halted them.

"Wait."

"Yes?" They were not facing him, and Evelina had her eyes to the knob. But Leila's voice was clear as day, it was holding a smile. Either she expected that and she was just as cunning or she was relieved that the man changed his mind.

"I… Fine. I'll tell you what it is."

Leila nodded. "Alright. I'm glad. Shall we meet later, then? Because I insist that you eat your meal before anything else."

He did not answer but beyond his silence was understanding, as the utensils on the tray gave a soft clang when brushed against the plate.

When the witch closed the door, Evelina felt like a heavy feeling was taken off her chest. The room outside was unlike the room they were in before. From where she stood, she could hear Ruben's laughter echoing along with Nelle's. West seemed to be present, too, but he did not sound like he was included in the fun. In fact, it was as if he was scolding the two.

The corners of her lips rose.

"Do you want to meet me again here, too?" Leila asked, drawing her attention from her surroundings.

But Evelina found the question odd. Why?

"Should I?"

She shook his head. "No. But I do want to thank you for knocking a sense out of him."

"You insulted me, too, you know."

But the tone of her voice did not succeed in making the witch feel guilty for what she said before because only a giggle was returned towards the vampiress.

"Sorry. But I must admit that I do see you in him. Maybe a little. Don't tell me, is he your father or something?"

"Don't kid with me!"

It got another giggle from her. Evelina stared at her, thinking how she might have gone mad. A pretty, out of her mind witch. It was bizarre like a cat wearing a big grin, so strange and new. When she was done with her laughing fest, Leila wiped a tear from her eyes. "He is right. There's really a side of you that's more than what you're showing."

Evelina could not understand. What she was showing them already painted who she was. But who was it that they were talking about? A side of her? For all she knew, she was conscious of what she was saying and doing. She meant every word and action, never daring to look back to them. She had expected their responses and never really cared. But...

"What?"

"Evelina, prepare yourself for the meetings." She avoided her question, a glint in her eyes. "They will be a big help to you, I'm sure."

Right. Sure...