E D W A R D

I couldn't control myself.

I was on the verge of risking everything just because of some stupid interaction with a beautiful girl.

I had to take her home tonight, my home so I could swap her in return for my mother but then something just clicked inside my brain when I was curling a thick strand of her hair around my finger.

It felt as if the skies were roaring at my injustice towards this girl.

The way she pouted and her cheeks rounded like tiny cannonballs with pink blush beneath her weary sockets that were kissed by her long and curly lashes got me into thinking.

There was nothing to consider, her and my mother, the calculation was quite simple.

But my conscience was persistent on urging me to come up with another plan. A harmless one.

How was I supposed to make myself comprehend that if I didn't hand her over my mother would get hurt and if I did then, well the worst case scenario, she'd turn into one of the blood supplies for the entire castle.

I sighed recalling death would be a better option than live among bloodthirsty beasts without corroboration for your safety.

But that wasn't the matter at hand right now; neither was Elizabeth's numerous quizzes that she'd blasted at me a few minutes ago.

I had to take care of this shadow that lurked under the night without a warning.

After I'd dropped her off to home safely I excused myself saying there was something I'd needed to take care of.

I'd have killed him the moment he laid eyes on her and thirst itched in his throat but Lisa's presence didn't go unnoticed.

Besides I'd to know about the society that resided in this town to avoid any fender-bender in future.

I couldn't just go around snapping their heads―well I could but I wouldn't.

After coming back to the dirt I'd left him on, I observed him from a distance.

His scent wasn't strong so he had to be a new born and his strength was no less than any muscular human so he might've been a turned vampire, a half-breed.

He had troubles walking straight as I'd paralyzed his knees and the region further down.

His neck was slowly coming back to its usual posture as his face cringed.

Head snapping was no game; you had to know exactly what bones you're holding onto and which ones were to be displaced.

You had only chance to do it; if you failed you'd be the one bearing pain.

He held onto the sticks and bamboos around his trembling feet and shook his head as if to gain consciousness and get rid of his blurry vision.

Now that he was fully awake and breathing until his lungs couldn't take anymore, a rage rose in his eyes and the paleness of his face mounted to get the reddishness all around his bony jaws and crinkled forehead.

His eyes shut close trying to soothe the anger brushed all over his predatory features in defeat of his inner beast.

After observing his physical strength I wondered what he might've done to her if I hadn't reached here in time.

That mere thought was enough to inflame my temper.

Why did that stupid girl decide to take a walk at this hour? I hoped she didn't possess a death wish otherwise I'd be more than willing to fulfill it.

I thought peeking inside his brain at this state would be hilarious so I searched for a quick sneak peek.

Who was that other vampire? Marcel had a rule to not interfere in anyone else's treat. He must be someone new.

But he didn't own her! I didn't get a smidgen of his stench on her! And how amazing her scent was.

Whoever that guy, he'll pay for this. I've to inform Marcel. He ended before scampering into the mist.

I followed shortly after maintaining my distance to avoid getting caught before we're there.

Marcel. He must be the Capo in this town.

Thrusting my thoughts aside I watched intently the vampire walking into a tavern.

We're now on the outskirts of the town and this place was an underground inn.

A big house was over the land which must have the entrance to the tavern so no one random from the outside could get in, especially a human.

It was a nice hideout and scheme to protect the community.

If a human went in, who knew what would come out in place of him? Watching the security and arrangements, I was uncertain about going in with the so little information about his capo.

I wasn't here to fight; all I wanted was a peace offering and them to get the hell away from Elizabeth as soon as they could.

I could make them do that and with Mason's title behind my back, I bet they'd even make eye contact with me.

Veiling the nervousness behind a goofy smile and shrugging my shoulders until they're loose enough to make me look smaller, I messed my hair a little to blend in with the drunken crowd.

I swiftly stood before the man on the counter as he eyed me up and down till he was satisfied.

Even then I knew it wasn't that easy.

"Name?" He asked breaking his stare.

He elevated a book and slapped it on the desk before flipping through the pages. This guy had some serious issues.

"Edward." I kept my voice low.

Vampires didn't like when someone evoked their pride, so proving yourself less valuable was the key to get almost anything you wanted.

He scanned the register up and down and between various pages on his computer screen before he turned to look up at me.

"New lad?" He asked quirking a brow.

I gave him a nod and he typed out my name before handing me slip.

I slid it down my pocket as he gestured me to follow him.

He opened the door beside the counter and let me in as he nonchalantly walked into the big house.

I kept my eyes and ears opened in case I needed them to caution me.

He took me to the ground floor where a huge swimming pool was swirling until every drop of water in the pool drained and the coast was clear.

He jumped onto the dried pool and I did the same.

The floor was tiled and blue and a little slippery.

He leaned down on his knees and dug his fingers around one of the square tiles and with a haul lifted it up and slid it beside himself to create a square route.

There was ground deep inside that route and no ladder―not that I needed one.

He cued and I jumped; shortly after he followed.

Nothing was in my front nor back, I had no idea how deep it was but I remembered keeping my eyes low in case I'd found the land.

I was flying with no scream, if it'd been a human, he would've died because of the depth.

Ultimately the dark seemed to be devoured by a small glow as my feet joined the land of party.

It was indeed a tavern with tens of vampires and minds to snoop into.

My eyes searched for the vampire, he led me here and he'd lead me to Marcel.

On my left there was a ring, men around it enjoying the show and screaming as the one guy pinned down the other on the ground and strangled him to his temporary death.

Then my eyes met his annoyed feet that was searching their way out of the throng.

He didn't grab a drink but his hands were clenched into two stiff fists, looking for a mannequin to put his anger out or a living, breathing body would be enough.

He went over to a group of man gambling and sitting around a round table draped in money and cards.

He leaned in to a man's ears and whispered, "We've an intruder."

The man had small spiky thorn-like hair arising on his head and beard and moustache covering his tanned face.

He was in a grey T-shirt so the skull tattoos on his biceps were visible to my eyes that reached up to his neck and jaw-line.

He seemed to be in a thought before he laid his cards on the table and gestured them to depart.

Everyone left except for him and the other vampire with brown hair and black eyes to give him the news.

Marcel looked up from his seat and towards my direction, his eyes locking with mine and stayed that way without trembling an inch.

Out of blue he gesticulated with his hand for me to come forward.

I put up my guard and walked towards the table as he welcomed me with a decent smile.

He rose up to his feet and took his place before me across the table. It was a humble remark on my reputation, I wondered if he knew.

"You must be the one from the castle." He greeted still keeping that smile of his and it touched his eyes, proving that it was a genuine one.

Yep he knows. I thought.

"You're Marcel." It was rather a statement than a question.

He glanced at the guy who seemed to be gradually swaying into oblivion.

"I am." He answered resting his elbows on the table and leaned forward.

It was silent after that.

He kept his smile that demonstrated his perfect pearly teeth all the while trying to figure me out without letting me snoop into his head.

I was wrong; he was strong but only a century strong and no match for me.

Small talk was tiring and time consuming―none of them piqued my interest so I decided to get to the point breaking our game of who-could-stare-too-long.

"I need no trouble during my stay in here. Keep your guys off my back and hers. I'd leave you all alone." No matter how much I maneuvered to sugar-coat my words, my peace came out as threat.

But no one was affected by it, there was teeth gritting and all but Marcel stayed smiling.

"Of course. I had no plans at all to disrupt Lord Mason's scheme." Wait, what? How came he knew about this?

"Besides since you've found your girl, I suppose you'd be leaving tonight. You don't want to delay his work, no?"

I wanted to applaud him for his speech and possibly would've if his words hadn't inflamed this typical feeling in me.

"How do you know?" I tried my best to hold control.

Why would Mason share his plans with a hundred year old? He was risking everything he'd wanted!

Marcel chuckled slowly but covered his mouth after meeting my glare and put on a playfully serious facade.

"You're the only one who doesn't know what's happening in the world and now I know the cause." He leaned further down on the table.

"Mason doesn't trust you with knowledge because . . ." He had all my attention in the world but he lifted his head up in a sway and I realized I was leaning in on him. "You're just too good."

I thought over his words in my mind and let out a laugh. He couldn't be serious, not about this.

I'd done far many things in life he couldn't put in the category of worst and he was calling me too good.

My laughing prolonged until I was holding my stomach. I peeked at Marcel and saw his posture unchanged and so I stopped.

"You don't know me." I retorted.

Not waiting for a reply I stood up and twisted to take my leave.

"Then why are you here?" I stopped processing his words.

Marcel was on his feet as well and was baring my soul with his eyes.

I gave a stare unable to take in his meaning.

"When you saved the girl, why didn't you just take your leave or the time when you first saw her? How hard was it for you to abduct a human girl?" I stopped in my tracks, heeding him more than my thoughts. "Yet you're here, confirming her safety."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked angling myself so I was gazing right into his eyes.

He scoffed. "Don't tell me you, centuries old vampire, came here to ensure your safety from us."

I didn't say another word watching him keenly. "We don't get attach but when we do, especially to a human, it's the most devastating thing to our health." He finished.

I might be wrong but I saw a sting, an experience in his eyes as he spoke, as if his years weren't all filled with glee.

Without another word he sank into his chairs and every attention that we held, went back to praise the odor of drink and sweat and blood.

He gave me one last glance before I turned back to continue my departure.

His eyes were filled with sadness and grief that I'd never want to feel. I never wanted to lose my mother and I'd do anything to get her back, no matter the consequences.