Chapter 5 Pretend

LEILA CROSS

I woke up feeling more energetic than before. Why wouldn't I?

I found the one I'm looking for and I can't wait to leave this place. No matter how ecstatic and majestic Wyatt's looks like, it doesn't stop me from escaping and knowing more about the mystery of my death.

Weirdly, I am talking about my death when in fact I am damn alive and kicking. It's just that, in another body.

I stretch my arms as I jump to reduce the tension all over my body. I even bend for few minutes and shake the stress away.

I frown when I feel tired already. It's just the basic exercise that I am used to doing every morning yet this body is weak. I hiss and shake my head as I make my way to the bathroom carrying my dress for the day.

After getting myself ready, I walk towards my bedside table where the flowers I kept from the garden yesterday are. I lift it into my arms and went out of my room.

As I walk through the corridors down to Wyatt's study room, I can't help but forms an excited smile on my lips. His room is at the far end of the floor. His study room is huge for him but maybe it is like this in this world. Nothing's to be shocked for, they say.

I hum a song while happily walks my way. Everyone who will see me will surely be weirded out. Well, I don't care.

When I'm in front of the door, I relax my nerves and shake all the negativities that are starting to block my sight.

Inhale. Exhale.

I did it three times and leave a deep breath before finding myself knocking three times at the door.

I hid the flowers behind my back as I twist the doorknob open and insert my head into the little space to look if he's inside.

My smile widens when I saw him busy working on papers in front of his table. He looks hot with eyeglasses while wearing his oh-so-serious yet cold expression on his face.

I slowly take a step forward and closes the door.

"Good Morning!" I greet him as I tightly grip the flowers behind me.

He didn't look at me that's why I have the chance to slip those flowers at the center table. I mix it with the flowers inside a vase which looks like what I am carrying. The flower is in the color of bluish-purple. Others may say that it's a verbena but it's not, actually.

It's a flower I discovered when I was young to scare Vampires. Because, back then, I was always surrounded by Vampires. It's also the reason why I became interested to become a Vampire Hunter someday. And who would have thought that I really became one? Not to mention, the strongest one.

That's why it's a pity that I ended up with this weak body. But I think, I can do some tricks on it. I'll train again as I trained myself years ago when I'm still alive. I think I can bring back to my old self. It's just that, the difference is, with a different body.

I look up to see if he notices what I did but he's just too immersed in what he's doing that he did not notice my presence.

I take a step forward and settle those flowers until it'll take their effect.

When I'm already in front of his table just then he notices me. I clear my throat and smile when his eyes meet mine.

"Good Morning!" I wave and greet him again.

His eyebrows slowly raise, eyes are asking why am I here.

"You're up to what?" He asks. I shrug my shoulder and look around his study room.

Just now I have taken a good look inside. Aside from his center table surrounds by a long sofa and a single couch around it before his office table just at the far left side of the room. My eyes glisten in joy when I see a mini-library on the right side as the view outside between the glass window, shows up in my eyes.

"I want to explore your library. I might take it as well for my study for magic. As you know, I am not that experience using magic. May I take a look?" I ask him while still staring at the books on the shelves.

There are three shelves which are in order like I am really inside a school library. The shelves are even reaching the ceiling of the room. Almost.

I did not take a look at the chandelier up in the middle because that's too ordinary for me. It's elegant, of course. But the library caught my interest more as I think, it can help me more with my plan of escaping.

I am glad, no one can hear my thoughts, or else I'm doomed.

Usually, with this kind of situation, some people can do so many things and I'm afraid that it'll be too dangerous for me that's why I am doing my best to stay alert and expect the unexpected. Really.

"Why are you here, really? Haven't I told you to rest and prepare for the wedding?" He asks. I raise my brow and look at him.

My admiration towards his library slightly fades in my mind. I walk near him and puts my hands on top of his table. Lowering my head to face him clearly.

"Well, as you know, I'm still shocked about this wedding. And I can't just marry a man I barely knew, right? So, let me know you, more than I can. That's exciting, don't you think?" I smile at him and excitedly make my way towards his library.?

I did not hear anything from him. I shrug and continue looking and admiring those magical books and all that concerns all the history of the Vampire Realm.

My eyes travel around the shelves and my hands trail every book that I passed by.

The feeling of it in my hands feels thrilling. I couldn't wait to find out something that can really help me with my escape plan.

I turn to the last shelves where strong magics and spells are gathers in line.

Creation and Destruction. QueenVie

I raise a brow when the title seems too deep and too short to make you more interested in its contents. I carefully lift it and rest it on my hands.

My eyes scan every page until one magic catches my curiosity.

I walk to Wyatt's table without looking ahead that's why I nearly hit my body into the first shelf. It's a good thing, a sudden force makes me stop myself.

I look at Wyatt's who's now looking at me with furrowed brows.

"Don't you know how to look in front of you? What if you get hurt without me knowing?" I clear my throat and grip the book in my hands.

I blink my eyes and cheekily smile at him to hide the sudden nervousness and the loud beating of my heart when I heard what he said.

"Sorry. By the way, take a look at it. Do you know this?" I ask him and show him the spell that I've found.

Excruciating Fire of Pain.

That's what it's called. It's a fire spell that can burn and kill Vampires. You can summon fire and instantly kill a Vampire that is a strong defense for a mere human hunter like me. Uh, I forgot. For now, I'm a Vampire in the body.

Or even actually, for a long time because I don't think I can turn to be human. My hope dies along with my sudden death.

"I know that one. That's easy," I curtly nod my head and look at the context on it.

"Uhm, can you teach me how to do it?"? I ask him. I can't control my eagerness of learning that spell. I only smile at him when he stares at me.

I hope he can't see my true intention of learning it.

"You need to clear your mind. Close your eyes. Feel the power that resides inside your body and soul. Feel the hot sensation and when you can already see the true form of your soul, you can summon fire. Or even water, air, or earth magic. Just feel it and you can do this spell in a second," I nod at him as I try what he says.

I settle myself in the middle of his study room and put my hands in front of me. Palms spreading in front as I slowly close my eyes. I did what he told me.

I can feel the sensation that he was saying and it's not that hot. It's like the hotness of it is healing me. I feel at peace. And I did not believe when I can totally see the form of my soul. Not that it's physical but in a spiritual look.

It's bluish with a red smoke-like surrounding a ball of light.

I gulp. I don't know what is happening with my body right now but I can feel at ease. Really. It was like I am not in danger and I am inside a paradise.

A thought stopped me from reaching my soul.

I open my eyes and I gasp for air. I nearly fall on the floor when a strong arm catches me.

"Hey, are you okay? It's okay if you can't do it now. You can practice more," I blink. The feeling I felt earlier like I'm inside a trance fades.

My body is shaking and I am breathing hard. My body can't take such an action. I gulp and grip his arm to support my weight. He helps me stand straight. I am still holding his arm for support.

"No...," I shake my head and raise my hands to do what I did earlier.

I need to show him that I can summon fire but am not able to do it. That's when he'll think I can't really do it. I want him to think that way.

I made myself looks like trying to summon fire but couldn't. I'm just acting yet, I feel like I'd faint any moment now.

"Stop it! Go to your room and get your rest. You can do it tomorrow. Don't force yourself okay?" I didn't expect the sweetness and gentleness over his voice.

I gave up and nodded at him.

He let me go and assist me in walking but I insist that I can walk by myself.

When I enter my room, I look around and feel the surroundings if there's anyone with me but I feel nothing.

A smile forms on my lips as I raise my hand.

I close my eyes as Wyatt instructed me earlier and feel the hot sensation that runs in my veins.

Through enough concentration and full focus on what I am trying to do, I can do exactly what he said.

The ball of light which looks like the structure of my soul is floating at the center.

It looks like I am walking into endless space. A dimension. A trance. I slowly walk towards it and stretch my hand forward to reach it.

My eyes flicker as I feel it. It's cold but I endure it as I feel my sweat trails my face down to my neck. The energy runs in my blood until it reaches my hands.

My eyes flash open as a bluish fire appears in my hands. A smile appears on my lips as I stare at it.

The fire looks like it can't hurt anybody as the presence of it is not that noticeable. If you have such a strong sense you can feel its presence. It's like the fire is invisible and it's most likely perfect for my plan.

Does he think I can't do it? I just made him think like that. Now, that adds more to the thrill of my escape.

I can't wait for that day.