I have committed the same wickedness throughout this land…
The same merciless commotion that created those vengeful hearts.
My teeth gritted as my hands clutched on to the vines stretching out to the walls of Abberant. As long as there are vines creeping nearby, it was not that impossible to rebuild the walls. Was it a coincidence that only the western part was fallen during the attack?
“Lilith, the vine that holds defenses and base. Destruction and ruins of the past, your tendrils and stems shall clamp and restore what it has to be.”
From the fertile soil down that demolished wall, a creeper of faint purple ascended and started to expand bridging and covering the cracks and ruins of the wall. I kept myself firm amidst the strangling force surrounding my hands. From the single window of the room that keeps me captive, the view of the canvas ahead of me was clearly seen.
“Oh, is this how you repay us?” pops a mocking voice on the now opened door.
“Is there something you need?” Focusing my eyes on sealing the walls, I didn’t take the moment to turn around and face Amalia. She’s not even worth cutting in my attention.
“There is, May I take an hour of your time?”
“An hour?” I grimaced, still not turning to face her. “I wouldn’t mind if it’s a combat you wanted.”
“Quit the smug, Gaia,” she squeaked. “You remind me of someone I deeply hated. You and her, both possess the same level of arrogance. I doubt if you two were related.”
“If there is something you want to tell me, just spill it directly, Amalia.”
I heard her gasp, sensing her footsteps accelerated, and stopped on the couch behind me. “Nothing important. Can’t I hang out just a little time with the timid Luna of this pack?” she asked, reclining and chilling like normal on the soft cushion.
“You know these guys just have nothing to do but run across the forest and walk naked. I am Cedric’s sister, by the way. Since you are the Alpha’s mate, wouldn’t it be a great thing if I should at least be friends with you?”
“It depends.” The smirk on my face grew wider and gently released the Lilith vines from my hands. Leaving the collapsed wall a skeleton-like foundation, “Dynastra, your armor shall block the remains and keep such defense in an order to do its purpose.”
A deep roseate shade of crawling vine emerged from the same spot where the Lilith emanated and disappeared.
“Why not? Say I’m a close one to you. And also Camilla, though she still doesn’t want to face you because of what we did. You know… But what do you think about my proposal?”
This may not be the first time I tried and dared to manipulate the Dynastra that is often called the serpent ivy for its double-crossing function. That the more you exert power to control it, the more it absorbs the remaining vitality and energy the user has.
“Hey, Gaia! Are you in?”
I let out a series of chuckles as I parted my hands away from the remains of the Lilith vine and slammed them on the opposing concrete on both of my sides to where I’m standing. “I do not get what kind of friendship you are proposing to me.”
“I-I um… i-it’s just that,” she voiced stuttering the moment I bent my head and turned halfway in her direction. Directing the most petrifying glimpse she could see in my face.
“Tell me, you made your way into this room to see if I am still alive. And now that I was, you want to cling on. I’ve had my share of traitors, and I don’t need one.” I took my eyes off her and stiffen my hands glued to the mortar now attached with thin pink stems of the serpent ivy.
Amalia was struck into silence and froze sitting on the couch. She is something but a person still not contented with the status she was in. Her motive was to use me, to climb up to a higher one. To climb up to Diego perhaps.
“Your hand… Gaia, you’re bleeding!” she suddenly yelled.
The walls of the room started to crack as immense heat lose from my skin. Indeed, blood starts to gush out and flow down to every stem and tiny leaves of the flushing cardinal-colored vine. A vanquishing smile crept on my face, the western barrier was now closed completely.
Like a canvas, it was a mix of rosette wine and lilac mauve.
The simper on my face fades gradually as footsteps grew louder and nearer. I didn’t move nor release the vines intertwined on both of my hands. A few seconds… just as Amalia reached for the nob, someone burst in like a boulder that had surprisingly broken the door.
“Why would you do— A-Alpha.”
“Get out.” His haughty emotionless tone roared, making Amalia stunned in fear that she quickly strolled her way out.
Hearing the cedar door shut and the lock clicked, I flickered my fingers which results in the serpent vine falling apart and crumbling to dust. “How was it? Thank me anytime. Well, if you can.” My eyes diverted from my blood-soaked hands to the trail he was now standing on.
“What was that?” he gabbed, looks like he’s annoyed. “If you’re trying to be like a heroic legend after wrecking and rebuilding that wall, you better stop it.”
“Am I? I call it a favor returned, Alfarro.” I directed a single step ahead of me as I turn towards the bed. That ivy still I can’t reach and level with it. It still snatches away almost all, more than the energy I used to summon and control that thing. “If you have no plan to at least thank me, leave me alone. I want to rest.”
Wiping away the crimson liquid on my hands, I took my eyes away from him. A slow and gentle movement is what I can only do this time, even talking too many causes my head to turn and my vision to blur. I gently lift the thick aqua coat off my shoulders when my body suddenly gave up and collapsed.
“This is what I’m talking about.”
Before I could even slam myself on the cold floor, I felt warm skin that clasped onto me. “It was only yesterday that you’ve woken up.” The way he carried me, gentle and careful. Even if it was not reflected on his face, it is what I feel. “Glycyne hasn’t been completely eliminated out of you. I want you to do nothing but rest.”
He laid me on the soft comfortable mattress. His hands were about to depart from my skin when I successfully opened the thing called mind-link. “Stay.” My eyes didn’t close but stared plainly at his. Following a simple smile emanated from my lips. “I want to know things about you.”
“At what reason?” he asked.
I beamed my smile and lightly tug his hands that I’m holding. “Anything, can you stay by my side just a little while?” His eyes narrowed like he was inspecting something wrong with me.
“What do you want?”
“Just your voice,” I muttered softly and weakly.
His brows furrowed and let me drag him back to the place he left. Using the remaining strength I have, I quickly let out my fangs and clamped onto his neck resulting in him whimpering and complaining, but then his hand slid supporting my back.
“You could’ve said you want me simply. You always want a surprise attack every time you want my blood.”
“I love the way you react every time, Alfarro.”
I saw how Diego annoyedly rolled his eyes and let my fangs cave in further.
“Edith told me sucking directly from the neck is a life-threatening thing, did you know that? And it damn hurt when you bite me like roasted lamb,” he again protested as I draw out my fangs from his skin.
“It will if I want to.” I’ve had enough. But still, my body can’t move enough just to stand on my own. Diego wiped out the blood on my lips and on his neck before he slowly lowered his arm, letting my back stow on the bouncy bed. “But since I only want your blood, it is not venom that I inject in you.”
“My blood? Was it only me that your teeth—”
“You’re just one of them,” I cut in. Imposing an emotionless face, “Vampires rely on each other if there is nothing to hunt.”
His ears suddenly turned red and in a dash, his body leaped afore me. “Aside from women.” Diego’s eyes again narrowed and stared at me domineeringly, “Whose neck did you pierce other than me?”
“Don’t feel that special, Alfarro. I’ve already bit five of your guards left in here. I am not that stupid to starve myself for days.”