Encounter 2

Leonel caught her in his arms. He stared at her serene face for a long time, listening to her heart’s rhythmic beating. Her angelic face caused his chest to tighten, threatening to cut the last thread of restraint he was desperately clinging on to.

Even so, his free hand had moved on its own accord, reaching to touch her cheek. But he caught himself at the last minute, dropping his hand to his side.

A cold chill ran up his spine, pulling him back to the present and alerting him of someone approaching. He immediately draped the woman’s arm over his shoulder, making it appear like she had a lot of liquor.

“I can take her, Leo.” Macy, his companion, offered. But Leonel walked briskly toward the exit, ignoring her statement.

“We have no time to waste, Macy. Prepare the car. Start the engine. A councilor is here, and the organization is also in attendance.”

Without another word, Macy had disappeared to the parking lot. She ran with lightning speed, leaving a cold gust of wind in her wake. Leonel followed after her but kept his momentum at an average pace.

He had to be careful, as he was surrounded by watchful eyes. But once they made it out of sight, Leonel scooped her up, carrying her in his arms, and arrived at the parking lot a few minutes after Macy.

The latter was waiting inside the sleek black car, her hands on the steering wheel. Leonel opened the door at the back, carefully transferring the woman. He let her lie down, protecting her head with his hands.

She looked so small and fragile when compared to his large frame. He wanted nothing but to keep her safe. However, he was well aware that among those in attendance tonight, he was the biggest threat. The reality hit him hard like a slap, cloaking him with an unquenchable longing and sadness.

But the feeling passed, suddenly replaced by the cold chill crawling at the back of his head.

“Stay inside the car, Macy. Lock the doors. Don’t do anything reckless. That’s an order.”

Leonel stepped out, pocketing his hands as he turned around, facing the councilor, who stood at a respectable distance away from him.

The second man eyed the car, raising a brow upon seeing his companion, before shifting his focus to Leonel. The latter didn’t like the strange smile plastered on his cold lips

He never really liked any of the councilors as far as he can remember.

“Alarick,” Leonel greeted him politely nonetheless.

Alarick bowed, paying his respect toward Leonel.

“You looked a bit tense,” Alarick replied. His smooth, soothing voice would have calmed a clueless human being and beast, letting them drop their guard. But that trick never worked on Leonel.

In response to his provocation, Leonel pursed his lips, but refused to take the bait and kept his thoughts to himself.

“Relax. I know you were on official business,” the councilor continued. Leonel didn’t miss the sly smirk curving at the corner of his lips. It was his turn to raise an apprehensive brow, no longer intent on playing along with Alarick’s little game.

“And yet, you are here. To what do I owe the pleasure, councilor?”

The councilor chuckled, eyeing the car once again.

Leonel knew Alarick was up to something. It was no secret that most of the councilors were conspiring to oust him.

They may not be able to kill the prince, but catching him red-handedly disobeying a sacred rule could put Leonel on trial. This trial will strip him of his title and his freedom.

To keep the mortals from hunting their kind and accusing them of all evil deeds, the council with the previous Prince made an oath never to take live subjects against their will.

They take that oath very seriously. If Leonel was found breaking it, he would immediately be put to trial, stripped of his title, and chained in an underground tunnel.

For the councilors who despise him, that would be enough. It was, after all, an equivalent to death.

Keeping Alarick’s focus on him, Leonel narrowed his gaze at the councilor. Despite the majority of them being against him, he never tried to please them nor hide his displeasure.

Alarick took a long, deep breath, exhaling dramatically afterwards.

“I heard the host was gallant enough to afford such a luxurious party. There was a promise of good music and an abundance of rich and flavorful wines. Running into you is purely coincidental.”

Leonel knew Alarick was lying. However, he had no desire to keep the conversation going. His interest in what he was after became clear to Leonel, watching him keeping an eye on the waiting car.

“I highly doubt there was anything coincidental about this meeting. But I have no intention of prolonging my stay. And besides,” Leonel eyed Alarick, smirking as he remembered there was something that could keep the councilor busy.

“The organization is here,” Leonel paused, observing Alarick’s expression. A slight twitch on his features would mean the councilor knew they were present but had chosen to disregard them on the off-chance he could report Leonel for breaking the oath. But tonight, Alarick wasn’t so lucky.

The councilor stared at Leonel for a while. He felt him trying to get a read of his thoughts, but his powers were nothing compared to the prince.

With a dissatisfied sigh, Alarick bowed deeply, smiling at Leonel, unable to discover what the latter was trying to hide.

“I shouldn’t hold you for long then,” Alarick expressed. “I’m looking forward to seeing you at the next council meeting, Prince.”

Leonel waited for the councilor to disappear, leaving a cold gust of wind in his wake and a bitter taste in his mouth.

The Prince, having ensured that no other threats were more harmful than his presence, finally got inside the car. He immediately gestured for Macy to drive.

“This is dangerous, Leo,” his companion muttered, stepping on the gas.

The vehicle lurched forward, gradually leaving the parking lot and coming out toward the open road. Leonel stared outside the car window, seeing nothing as his thoughts got preoccupied with memories of his past replaying in his mind.

“She’s not fully awake yet,” Leonel replied with feigned nonchalance. “And let’s hope she never do.”

Macy blew out a sigh, shaking her head, disagreeing with Leonel’s impulsive decision.

“That’s not enough. We both know it would only be a matter of time before she learns who she is,” Macy paused, taking a deep breath. “Once the council finds out about her, you will not only endanger your life, but also hers.”

Leonel listened to the engine humming, slowly pulling himself from the trip down memory lane. It was both the happiest and most painful experience that marred him forever. Yet, he considered them his most valuable possession.

Leonel’s eyes mirrored the moon, subtly glowing as he breathed in her scent. He resisted staring at the woman still unconscious in the back seat, or he might lose any sense of logic, breaking free from the shackles he had put on himself to keep his sanity in check. But his resistance was weak, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror.

He heaved out a sigh, turning away before he could disappoint his companion even further.

“I know that danger, Macy,” Leonel murmured, allowing himself to get lost watching the city lights dance in his vision. “But I can’t stand by and watch her get hurt.”

There was a brief pause as Leonel fought the urge to join the woman at the back and hold her close to me while he could. Instead of doing what he had in mind, he leaned back and closed his eyes.

“I’m going to protect her at all costs,” Leonel continued. “Which means, she should never, in any circumstance, know about me.”