CHAPTER 3

　　Elena's POV

　　All my fears and anxieties instantly left me the moment the stake touched my hands. I held it like a prized trophy, savouring the smoothness and sharpness. I felt the need to say something appreciative.

　　"Such a new fragrance you are wearing. It's lovely."

　　She rolled her eyes and said, "it is mosquito repellant, you filthy liar."

　　"Oh! I love how this is going, I should get some popcorn." Susan clapped excitedly and giggled.

　　We stood six feet apart, eyes locked, waiting for who to engage first.

　　Hilda smirked at me with that dangerous eyes and began to circle me. "Someone out there is holding their breath and waiting for you to fail."

　　"Make sure they suffocate, sugar plum." Susan hollered at me and giggled.

　　I charged forward with my stake and Hilda's stake met with mine. She was so strong that I began to breathe faster.

　　"What's wrong? Having a second thought?" She asked with brows cocked and a cocky smile graced her lip.

　　With anger, I struck at different angles and her rod kept meeting mine. I knew she was good and probably taking it easy with me. I definitely needed other tactics.

　　She lunged with full vigour, screaming into the forest while I dodged and fell from the rock. She jumped from the rock with her rod heading towards the direction of my heart. I rolled to the left and her rod got buried into the soil.

　　"Hmm! I guess I will have to go with my fists then." She gave a devious smile and punched my face. It was painful as hell and I could feel my bones retracting and rearranging.

　　I combated with my fist for a while before tearing her cheek with my stake.

　　"Cat got your tongue? No more bluffing?" I chuckled and watched her wipe her blood from her cheek while I picked up my stake.

　　Her wound began to heal with her skin stretching over till it was normal again.? She flashed a cheeky smile and muttered. "Arrogance is the camouflage of insecurity."

　　"I bet you know that because that is your method." I stood up and dusted my pants.

　　Her smile went still and a deep frown took over. She lunged, missing my hand but caught the sleeve of my jacket, ripping it and grabbed me by my neck.

　　"Oh! Did I hit a nerve?" My voice was laced with pity and sarcasm.

　　"I got you now, so surrender." She hollered with wide eyes and panting breaths.

　　"Over my dead body." I glared and finally snickered.

　　"Oh! That's right. It is already dead." I smashed her face with my head and she released me to the ground while groaning.

　　Her eyes went from black to red, meaning danger. She gripped my legs and dragged me to the mud. "Lesson one; know when to give up when you are clearly beaten. A warrior that runs today lives to fight tomorrow."

　　She extended her hands to me and helped me get up. "Lesson two, your enemy won't let you know when they are about to strike. You must make your moves unpredictable." She walked away without looking back.

　　Slutty Suzy and bulging muscles

　　The quarter is like an ancient castle built with the finest yet oldest bricks and pebbles from thousands of years ago before human existence.

　　Its windows were as shy eyes, large to welcome any ray of sun. The rock walls belonged right where it was as if perchance it had grown up right from that hallowed ground. It was as if it had been called into existence to protect those who came to dwell within, to quell the elements and allow heat to build from hearths into the inhaled woodland air.

　　It was built perfectly for vampires. The walls had little or no cracks despite how many battles and wars have been fought in it. It holds memories that reek of ancient history, secrets, love, betrayal, death, happiness and sin. It is a lair perfect enough for the supernaturals.

　　At every sharp corner of the quarter, we have vampire guards stationed everywhere to protect the household, but my favourite bodyguard is Daniel since he monitors my chamber and he has always been diligent and loyal since the beginning of time.

　　"Hey Dan, your muscles seem to be bulging so hard." Suzy drew little circles on his bare arms, her little way of seducing him.

　　"Thanks, Suzy, it is just muscles. Don't you have something else to do?" Dan stared at everywhere but Suzy. He has always had this huge crush on her.

　　Suzy rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Of course I know it is just muscles but my major concern is if you are okay down there." She eyed his pants.

　　Dan coughed out in embarrassment and muttered. "I think you should leave Susan."

　　Susan raised her brows and grinned. "I love the way my name rolls of your tongue. Perhaps we could put it to better use." She bit her lip seductively.

　　"As nice as that sounds, I refuse to be a case of sexual manipulation." Dan snapped, his white face was becoming pink either as a result of anger or embarrassment.

　　Suzy let out an awkward laugh and shrugged. "Look, I know we don't know each other that well, but I'm still worried about you. No one deserves to be alone for years."

　　"I'm not complaining, am I?" Dan groaned.

　　"No one deserves to be alone, especially not a hot dude like yourself," Suzy whispered in his ears, licked it, and walked away.

　　"Now what was that all about?" I exhaled heavily, staring at an indifferent Suzy.

　　"I just wanted him to loosen up a bit. He is always too prim and proper and has been like that since forever."? She shrugged and led the way to my chamber.

　　"Where is Hilda by the way?" I waved to the bowing guards.

　　"In the council meeting. The Norths came over."

　　The council of vampires consists of the eldest and well-experienced vampires. The vampires are divided into two political parties. The Marshall handles the southern part and the Norths handle the northern part but we are still the sovereign and overall ruler.

　　The council of vampires come to amend the constitution, create laws, and do all sort of governmental job to make the quarter a better place for all supernaturals.

　　"OMG! Who is that hot dude?" Suzy whistled and nudged her head towards the direction of my room door. He leaned his back on my door and has probably been waiting for a very long time.

　　"Cassius Aleister North. As the name implies, he is the heir to the Northern vampires, nothing spectacular." I rolled my eyes.

　　"Isn't he cute?" Suzy gushed and finger-combed her hair, in a bid to look attractive at the dying minute because we were almost near him.

　　"Who?"

　　"Cass, of course." She glared at me.

　　"I'm worried about you," I whispered in her ears and walked towards Cass.

　　"What are you doing here? Got lost again?" I gave out a forceful smile.