Chapter 2 Chapter 2

It was already three days after the letter, I had locked myself in for three days, without seeing mom, she had knocked and even sat in my room door but nothing made me open up.

Thank goodness, I was a vampire so I could get away without eating.

It was already late evening, the halls of the whole house was quiet, my heart pounded as I stuffed a few clothes into my bag and grabbed a few stacks of money and many important items, my phone was included.

My hands shook so much that I almost dropped my duffel bag on the floor. I didn’t want to wait until dawn before I carried out my plan. If I stayed till then, Dad would make sure I was dragged to the altar of that monster without hesitation.

I tiptoed across my room, putting my shoes on silently. The sound of my heart beating was the only loud noise I could hear. I knew if anyone caught me now, it would be over.

The halls were dim, with few lights turned in. I held my breath, moving carefully, making sure my feet didn’t make a sound. My hands tightened around the bag’s strap. I just had to reach the back gate and then..... I'll be free.

My hand moved to push the door handle open when I heard a door creak. I froze, my body stiffened.

Cassian stepped out of the kitchen door, his hair was damp, his robe clung loosely to his body, and in his hand was a glass of water. He stopped when he saw me, his eyes narrowing at once.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked sternly and I panicked instantly.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “None of your business.”

He raised a brow, staring at the bag hanging on my shoulder. “At this hour? Don’t play games with me, Ely.”

I turned away, and pushed the door open quickening my pace. “Just go back to your room, Cass.”

He stepped in front of me, blocking my way. “No. You’re not leaving this house in the middle of the night without telling me why.”

“I owe you no explanation! Since you can't help me, then I have no choice than to help myself” I snapped, though my voice trembled.

His jaw tightened. I could tell he was angry, but beneath his glare I could see worry flickering in his eyes. He reached out and gripped my arm. “Do you know what you’re doing? Ely, do you even realise what will happen if Dad finds out you tried to leave the house?”

I yanked my hand free from his grip. “I don’t care. I’d rather die running than marry that monster!”

His eyes widened, his face tightening in pain. “God, Ely…” His voice broke as he suddenly pulled me into a crushing hug. His arms wrapped around me, fierce and desperate, his hand pressed against the back of my head.

His body shook and for a moment, he sounded more like a broken boy than the older brother I had always seen as a nuisance.

“Ely, I can’t bear to let you go,” he whispered harshly. “I just can’t, but I can’t bear to let you marry that monster either. I love you so much, Ely… I want to protect you from that monster, even if it takes my last breath but Ely..... can you not go? Can you stay with me?”

My chest squeezed, a tear spilling before I could stop it. I shook my head slowly against his shoulder. “No… my decision is final.”

He pulled back slightly, gripping my shoulders, his eyes shining wet even though he tried to hide it. “Alright then,” he said after a long pause. “Then I’ll support you but don’t you dare cut me off, Ely, always call me, keep me updated and don’t you dare hide anything from me if you aren’t okay and....”

“Cass…” I tried to stop him, but he kept going, panic slipping into his tone.

“.....and I hope you took some money with you to stay stable. If not, I’ll....”

“Cass.” I sniffled, forcing a small smile. “Calm down, I’m just leaving for a while, I’ll be back.”

He clenched his jaw, swallowing hard. Then, slowly he opened his arms wide. “Then hug me again, hug me before you go.”

I let out a shaky breath, smiling through my tears as I stepped into his arms. His embrace was warm and grounding, when he finally let me go, it felt like the air itself had grown colder.

“Lets go, I'll take you to the boarder.” he said softly, brushing his thumb across my cheek as if to erase the tear stains. “But remember every word I told you.”

I nodded, my throat too dry to answer.

We moved through the back halls together, Cassian walking with a calmness that steadied me. He walked like everything was ok. That was the Cassian I know, always moving like he owns the place even in gatherings, he carried himself high and that made me admire him.

I followed closely, clutching my bag like a lifeline. When we reached the border wall, the cold night breeze swept over me, my heart was beating fast. This was it, I had reached here and there was no turning back.

As I adjusted my bag strap, my phone slipped out and landed the ground with a crack that echoed in the still night.

“Ely!” Cassian hissed, eyes snapping toward me.

Before I could grab it, I heard footsteps approaching, from the steps I knew it was a guard. He approached us and Cass gently pushed me to his back, his tall frame blocking and cowering over me.

“What’s going on here?” the guard asked suspiciously, scanning the surroundings.

My stomach dropped, panic surged through me.

Cassian expression was still calm and commanding like he wasn't doing anything wrong. “I couldn’t sleep,” he said smoothly. “I decided to take a walk, maybe it can help right?”

“Yes my lord, but at this hour?” the guard asked warily.

Cassian tilted his head, his voice firm and dripping with authority. “Do you plan to question me for stepping outside my father’s estate?”

The guard stiffened and immediately bowed his head. “Of course not, my lord. Forgive me, can I take you back? At least for safety measures.”

“Yes.” Cassian’s said. The guard turned back and led the way, Cassian stepped forward, his hand brushed lightly against my wrist, signaling for me to run.

My chest tightened. I hesitated, just for a second, my eyes stinging as I looked at him one last time, then I turned and slipped into the darkness.

I turned back one more time to look at my brother, his back was turned to me walking steadily. A tear slipped down my eyes as I ran.

The place was dark, thankfully I had my vampire features to see at night. My bag bounced against my shoulder, my chest heaving from tiredness. The silence was loud, I flinched at the rustle of leaves and sounds of winds.

By the time I crossed the forest parts and found the open road, my lungs felt like they were on fire. Still, I pushed forward, I had no choice.

Hours passed, I couldn’t tell where I was anymore. My legs were heavy, my eyes itched from using my night vision but I had no choice to keep walking.

When the sky finally began to bring colours, I stumbled into a town.

I walked ahead and there were shops opening, vendors setting up and people walking around the streets, with cars passing by the rich street, the place looked heavenly, it looked nothing like our Archfangs Coven.

I moved forward staring at the things I haven't seen before, no doubt this place reeked of humans blood, I was tempted but I held my hunger.

People passed by, but no one looked twice at me like the way people at the coven stare at me with respect. No one bowed down calling me, princess and for the first time in my life, I felt invisible.

I stood in the middle of the street, clutching my bag so tightly my knuckles turned white. I thought if calling Cassian to ask him how I go about this, because he had connections maybe he might be if help. But I don't dare to, because I don't know what will be going on in the house now. Will dad already find out?

My chest ached, I hoped Cassian was safe. I hoped he wouldn’t pay for covering me.

I looked around and realised, no guards who walked around me keeping me caged and then I realised.

I was alone. I swallowed hard, forcing my feet to move.

“I hope I made a good decision.”