Chapter 11
Zheira clenched her fist. "Why did you bring me here?"
"Since you're about to die, I want to acquaint you from your hometown. Ironically, this place will also be where your ends begin."
"Why do you hate me so much?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I tell you but for your peace of mind, I'll give you a hint. You've taken something from me, and I'll be d.a.m.ned if I don't take the favor back. Instead of his life, I'm going to take yours."
"I don't understand you." Zheira spat. She stood and patted the dirt away from her jacket. "I a.s.sure you, though. You'll be disappointed once more."
"Tsk. The glares of yours wouldn't accomplish anything, Zheira. If you want to fight me, then welcome. You'll just make things harder. I a.s.sure you. You'll never step out of this forest alive—" Her words drowned when Zheira pinned her to the ground. The impact of their fall made the ground shook. Her hands groped Eleanor's neck who trashed to get away from her grip.
However, she toppled when Eleanor kicked her on the head. She couldn't understand how she did that until she saw a lot of Eleanor grooving in front of her. She felt dizzy by just looking at her moves.
"If you wish to defeat me, you'll have to catch me!" Her echoing voice blended with the air. "That's the problem, isn't it? I'm too fast I doubt you can follow me even with that mesmerizing eyes of yours."
Zheira cursed. She didn't want to admit it, but she's right. She has a hunch that what she sees were the marks of Eleanor's last destination. Through her speed, she leaves a mark of her body and that made her hard to catch. Maybe that was why Louise couldn't do anything to her. This lady—a face of innocence—was as dangerous as a pack of wolves.
"Given up already?" Eleanor teased. She was smiling from ear to ear. It made Zheira's insides bubbled with rage. She bit her lip. The blood moon did not grant her immortality. Yes, she could use half of her senses but that's not enough for these circ.u.mstances. The demand was too big for such a short amount of time. If she could just be immortalized, this Eleanor b.i.t.c.h would have tasted defeat.
"Ahw! Are you saying your prayers? You should. The deity might have mercy and save you." She laughed evilly. "Though, I doubt that would do anything."
"Shut up!" She yelled before charging towards her. Her speed was too slow for Eleanor who vanished. She looked left and right, her heart pounding rapidly in its ribcage. Her furs stood at its end when a cold hand caressed her nape.
"I can hear your heart," Eleanor whispered, "it's beating so fast. It's aware it'll soon be immobile."
"Go away!" Zheira turned. She tried hitting her, but she vanished with a whoosh.
"Oops. Too slow!" Eleanor cackled.
"Stop hiding like a d.a.m.n coward, will you?" Zheira shouted, moving back cautiously while trying to listen for any sign of that b.i.t.c.h.
Everything happened in a blur; a wind whoosh towards her direction. Before she knew it, a strong punch in her face
"Did you like that?" Eleanor looked down at her with a grin. "I'd like to have fun but for now, you'll have to sleep."
Zheira's brow furrowed. "W—what?"
Eleanor used her thumb to flick the small stone. It plummeted towards her forehead, penetrating deeper to her skull. Her screams echoed in the forest.
"Shut up!" Eleanor yelled. Zheira's sound wave was too much for her ears. Out of anger, she punched her just below her chest. The impact made her cough with blood. Zheira was catching her breath as she glared at her.
"I—I w—will k—k—kill—" Her eyes shut even before she could finish her threat.
The wind danced, brandis.h.i.+ng Eleanor's black dress. She was staring at Zheira's limp body, focusing intently onto her every bit. Her forefinger scratched her chin, and her furrowed brows wrinkled her pointed nose.
Inclining her head, she murmured, "I wonder what he sees in you. You're but another plain mortal who has not been granted so much beauty." She narrowed her eyes. "I think he's out of his mind when he decided to save you." She shrugged. "Too bad I'm going to kill you now." Her face was then carved with menace. She opened her mouth, revealing white teeth that gleamed at the red moon; its edges were longer and sharper than the other.
Her right knee hit the ground. She caressed Zheira's wounded cheeks. An evil grin curved her lips as she pressed her nails deeper to the wound. Fresh blood dripped from it. She gulped; an incomprehensible thirst visited her once more. However, her eyes widened when the blood dried out. It was like slow motion as the wound sew itself, and it did not leave any scars. What shook her was when the small stone she threw at Zheira, shot out of her forehead—without the blood and all. And, just like the wound on her cheeks, the deep hole on her forehead sewed itself.
"That will never work. It must be beyond your comprehension, but as long as the moon is still red, you'll never be able to put a scratch on her," a cold, deep, mysterious voice said. Eleanor turned rigid and an unwanted s.h.i.+ver ran down her spine. It's been too long since she'd heard those hallow voice.
"If you are wise enough, I advise you to leave the girl alone."
Eleanor shook her head and heaved a deep sigh. She steadied herself before turning towards him.
He's leaning towards one of the tall trees. His hood dangled on his back, exposing his face. He has such mesmerizing gold eyes that made Eleanor's knees wobbled. His hook nose lay perfectly in the center of his pale cheeks. The edge of his thin, pale lips was raised, making his firm jawline askew; and his round, chiseled face was glinting darkly beyond the reddish glow of the moon.
"S—so what brings you here?" Eleanor said as firmly as she could possibly manage.
"That is the same question I want to ask you. What brings you here?" He crossed his arms.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Answer my question, Vladimir!"
The man called Vladimir moved an inch, and he's already in front of Eleanor who hadn't got time to move back as Vladimir's hand grope her cheeks. "Do not call me by that name." His teeth chattered as he gritted it.
She quivered but there's no way she'll back out to a challenge. She attempted a kick on his s.h.i.+n, but he blocked it with ease. He grabbed her legs and smashed her to the ground. The impact created a large hole. Eleanor groaned, feeling the pain crawling at her back.
Vladimir spat. "You're no match for me."
Eleanor chuckled but stopped when her ribs throbbed. "Of course, I am not." She looked at him straight in the eyes. "I will never try to be your equal, you traitor!"
Vladimir's lips curled. "I won't deny that. I'm proud—"
"Proud, my a.s.s!" Eleanor laughed. "You even abandoned your name, Vladimir. So, why do you think I should believe you?"
His golden eyes dimmed to a darker shade of red. "I am not asking for you to believe me," he said coldly.
Eleanor inclined her head towards Zheira. "Look at that pathetic mortal. Why did you save her, Vlad? Why did you betray your father just to save a mortal—of all creatures?" She looked at him with pain lingering in her irises. "Why did you choose to isolate yourself just to protect a stranger?" she whispered.
Vladimir's expression was impa.s.sive as he looked down at her. "I woke up. I realize that the king's actions are beyond morality. Her family doesn't deserve—"
Eleanor hissed, "Don't deserve? Do you know what you're talking about? They betrayed the clan by knowing more than what they should. You should know how strict your father is. They made a mistake, and you still think they don't deserve their ends?" Eleanor's eyes bulged. Her pain seemed to be suppressed for a long time.
"Yes! It was my father's mistake to let mortals serve him. He's way too sneaky. He just desired their blood. Nothing more. It just so happened that Zheira's family is wise enough not to be fooled." His jaw locked.
Eleanor stood and glared at him with disgust. "I don't know that that's how you see your father." She shook her head. "You're pathetic!" Then she vanished with the dancing of the hem of her dress.
Vladimir closed his eyes. He suspected that no one would believe him, so he was prepared for their denial.
He walked towards Zheira. He carried her by his arms, and they set off for a safer haven.