Symphony of Death
Chapter 21

Anastasia’s POV

The days were better than ever.

My work was thriving. Angie and Nat were returning tomorrow. There was no Logan and his kind or those jackals coming after me. I didn’t see or hear about Harold as well.

Serra was gone and never came back to Cain’s place.

I danced in my head for the good riddance. I didn’t want to confront Serra at all. Not after knowing the history.

Things were sailing so smoothly that I almost forgot all the dangers and enemies lurking around me.

Almost.

“It’s rare to see you smile so genuinely.” Shae passed me the scissors.

“And it feels amazing to see you in your human form,” I chuckled when a faint blush dusted her cheeks. “Thank you for helping me, Shae. I don’t know how I would have managed. The work is increasing but I can’t afford to hire an assistant yet.”

“I’ll help you until you do,” Shae said happily and I smiled at her in gratitude.

“Let’s take a break.” I finished pinning the pieces to the mannequin. We walked out of the stitching room and back into the main studio.

“I’ll get your lunch.” Shae went to the kitchen. “You cannot miss your meals or I will be in serious trouble.”

I rubbed my neck nervously once she was gone. Her mere reminder refreshed the morning and warmed my cheeks with unwanted blush.

“That man,” I slumped on the couch tiredly. “Just what is he up to?” I threw my head back and closed my eyes.

Flashback

I cursed my sleeping habits while running down the stairs. I was sleeping so peacefully for a change that every morning turned out with me waking up and running late.

“Please, don’t mess this meeting up.”

I almost collided with Cain when he appeared in my way out of nowhere. My lips parted slightly and I stared at him wide-eyed for a whole minute before kicking myself back into my senses.

“Move,” I checked my watch. “God, I’m dead.” I pushed past Cain but he grabbed my bag and pulled me back.

This time, I ended up in his chest. My cheeks burnt at our proximity.

“This is not the right time for your brutalities. Let me go. I’m already late.” I squirmed in his arms.

“You are not setting one step out without eating.” Cain dragged me to the dining area and shoved me down in the chair.

I watched him silently when he served me himself and stood on my head with arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Aren’t you running late now?”

“I’m not–”

“Eat,” Cain interrupted me sharply.

I pursed my lips at his bossy attitude and looked at the plate he decorated for me. The food was too much for me alone.

“Eat or I will–”

“I’m eating,” I grabbed the slice of apple and shoved it in my mouth.

Cain didn’t move from my side even when I started eating. His unwavering gaze was making me nervous and uncomfortable.

“You can leave if you want.” He chose to stay silent. “Stop looking at me.”

“Why are you so careless with your health?” His sudden question surprised me. “Don’t forget that you are a human and your body needs its nutrition to function properly.”

“Not again,” I groaned. “I’m not going to die for skipping a meal or two.”

“This argument is not even worth it,” I scowled at his blunt response. “Fix your habits or I will intervene and we both know,” Cain palmed the back of the chair and lowered to my face level. “You won’t like it.”

“I don’t see how my well-being is any of your concern,” I whispered back. Cain smirked and I felt the intensity of my blush increasing. “Of course,” I chuckled, “your wing.”

“Shae will report to me,” Cain stood up straight while fixing his cufflinks. “Don’t miss your meals or else!”

“Or else what?” I dared.

My heart skipped a beat when Cain chuckled deeply. His eyes held a wicked glint that churned my insides.

“Or else,” I held my breath when he caged me in his arms by placing his hands on the back of the chair again. “I can deplete your stamina in ways that will force you to eat before I drain you again.”

End of Flashback

Cain was less hostile and more attentive toward me these days. Whatever I wanted or needed, he gave it to me before I could voice out anything.

He was not being forceful and he was not doing anything that could put me off.

I wanted to feel annoyed by his attention but I couldn’t and that annoyed me to no extent. I couldn’t understand why Cain was so concerned with my health.

He didn’t eat but he sat with me during the meals. If he was busy, he made sure through Sibyl or Shae that I ate.

He never talked to me but he kept a close eye on my activities and other things. I was feeling confused by his behavior. Cain should be hating me every second but he was not.

Or maybe he was trapping me exactly where he wanted.

I was not hundred percent sure but my gut told me everything that’s happening right now was part of something bigger.

“Why did I have to go mute at that precise moment?” I palmed my face. “I should have given a snarky comeback.” I shook my head left to right. “So embarrassing.”

“So you are born insane on top of being a traitor.” I removed my hands from my face ever so slowly.

Shae came at the same moment and stood next to me defensively.

“This is your workplace?” Serra looked around the studio with a rather disgusted expression plastered on her face. “So tacky.”

“You need something?” I asked calmly.

“You are not good enough to give me something,” Serra said arrogantly. “But yes, you can do one thing.” She looked at Shae spitefully when she stepped in front of me.

“Keep your distance from Cain, you bitch.” Serra spat my way. “You better not get any ideas this time. Keep in mind that you are only with him until he gets his wing from you. He doesn’t even care about you. In fact!” Serra sneered. “I don’t think I need to say anymore.”

“Your trip is wasted, darling,” I said sweetly. “I hope you know your way out.”

“You bloody!”

“I dare you,” I walked past Shae and stood in front of Serra. “I don’t give two cents to you and whatnot so better watch your mouth if you don’t want me to paint your face with bruises.”

“And you think it would be a piece of cake?” I smirked in response to her sarcastic tone. “You will regret this.”

“Get out,” I pointed to the door. “I don’t care what Cain will do to me but you will be dumped in cold blood if there’s even a scratch on me.” Serra gnashed her teeth at this. “We both know who stands where.”

“Omisha!” Serra screeched and raised her hand in the air to attack me.

It was caught with a whip from behind before she could have roasted me with her powers.

“That would be the dumbest thing to do,” her anger turned cold upon coming face to face with Clarissa. “Why have you sworn to make Cain kill you?”

“Did you stop me from hitting her?” Serra asked incredulously. Clarissa withdrew her whip and it disappeared into thin air. “What is wrong with you, Clarissa?”

“I know. Stop screaming. You are giving me a headache.” Clarissa interrupted her coldly. “You should leave. You and your father are in enough trouble.”

Clarissa got in her face. Her glowing eyes conveyed the silent message and warning to Serra.

“Don’t even dare to try anything funny, Serra. We are not unaware of what your father is brewing behind our backs.”

Serra visibly paled at this.

“You should know what Cain will do if even one strand of her hair is misplaced.”

“He is making a mistake again,” Serra looked at me contemptuously. “I will show him in time just how wrong his decision to keep her alive is.”

Serra left like she came.

“What a brat!” Clarissa scoffed after her and faced me.

“Thank you,” I said awkwardly.

Clarissa looked at Shae who nodded and left us alone.

“Nice,” She sat on the couch. I looked at her questioningly. “This place is.” She gestured around. “But the dresses are not to my taste.”

“I can make you one if you want,” I sat across from her on the opposite couch. “Thank you.”

“You already said it.” She pointed out. “I was only following orders,” Clarissa crossed her legs elegantly and leaned back. “That Serra doesn’t know the meaning of backing off. She won’t leave you alone. She is a psycho.”

“Does she love Cain that much?” Clarissa looked at me from her periphery. “Aren’t they betrothed?”

“From her side, yes,” Clarissa snorted. “Cain is not going to marry her. She is too snobbish and bratty to be his wife.” She shook her head.

“He has refused her gazillions of times already but she is too thick-skinned and thick-skulled. It’s annoying really.”

Clarissa stood up suddenly and I followed suit.

“Listen, I’m not going to pretend that I’m fine with you.” Clarissa shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “You are the reason for everything that happened to our family so–”

Her tongue left the sentence hanging but her eyes did not.

“Don’t try to mess with my brother again. Give him his wing and leave his side. I don’t want to see him suffer again.”

“I’m a victim myself, Clarissa, and I want to get out of this pit as well,” I said bitterly. “I’m not that woman and I won’t ever change my statement. I don’t intend to join any sides.” I said firmly.

“The enmity between you people is not my problem. I just want to replace a solution to this curse so I can walk out for good.”

“I hope you stick to your words to the end.” Clarissa disappeared in a flash and Shae came back.

“So much for having a good day.”

****

I put the magazine down and heaved a long sigh. I checked the time on the clock. It was not even past ten.

“Why aren’t the hours passing?” I sighed again and sat up straight. I looked at the terrace and the darkness painting its surroundings.

Everything was too quiet.

Not that it was not quiet around here all the time but the silence felt extra heavy right now.

“I need a walk,” I left my room.

My feet were forced to a surprising halt when Serra walked out of Cain’s room at the exact moment while tying the knot of her flimsy silk gown.

“Why the look?” Serra raised a brow mockingly.

I regretted not leaving when Cain came out as well in nothing but sweatpants that were hanging lower than normal on his hips.

“I hope I am not disturbing you.” She said sarcastically.

“I barely knew you were here,” I retorted. My eyes unconsciously went back to Cain and I immediately looked away when I found his eyes dotted on me. “Excuse me.”

“You look bothered for some reason.” Serra commented.

I cursed inaudibly and looked back at Serra unwillingly. She purposely looped her arms around Cain’s waist who didn’t seem to mind the intimacy.

“Don’t tell me!” Serra chuckled. “You are jealous?

“Of what?” I cocked one brow and crossed my arms while leaning on one leg. “This?” I pointed between them. “Don’t kid me.”

“Don’t try to cover your true feelings.” Serra jeered at me. “I know you want Cain.”

“Woah! Hold it there,” I chuckled incredulously. “Not even in my dreams can I dream of being with someone like him.”

I kept my cool when Cain narrowed his eyes.

“Do you even know how old he is?” I scoffed. “I’m sorry but I’m not interested in developing an infatuation for a man older than my great, great, great, great, and great grandfather,” I smirked at her silent seething.

That’s one score for me.

“Enjoy your–” I muttered offhandedly and turned on my heels. “Whatever” I walked away from them all proud and happy. “That should teach her a lesson.”

Both of them.

I came out in the back garden and sat down on one of the benches.

“What a liar!” I scowled in space. “I should have known better than believing his stupid ass.”

I threw my head back and huffed loudly. It shouldn’t matter to me but it pissed me off.

Cain said he didn’t bring anyone in his personal space then what was Serra doing there while looking like that.

“It’s not your concern, you idiot” I scolded myself for letting him affect me like this. “It was a bad idea to come out. I should have stayed in my room.” I stood up. “I’m never coming out for a night stroll again.”

I went back to my room and locked the door. It was a relief that the coast was clear. I didn’t want to confront Cain for now or replace them in some other compromising conditions.

I looked around my room. Everything was in place, so why goosebumps were rising on my arms? My nape prickled with an unknown feeling.

I retrieved my steps to the door.

“I should–”

My back came in contact with something hard and my screams were muffled by a large and coarse claw-like hand.

Its presence sent a chill down my spine.

The lights in my room flickered and blew off completely. My heart almost stopped when the locks clicked around the now dark room.

I was raised in the air by my neck and thrown across the room. I collided with the wall and fell to the floor with an aching back.

I got on all fours and focused my blurry vision on my attacker.

“What in the hell is this thing?” I crawled back in fear when it stomped toward me. “Don’t come near me,” I screamed when it grabbed my neck again and thrust me back into the wall.

I couldn’t even blink while looking into its glowing red eyes. Its legs were of a bull, its upper torso was of a human but its face was of a gigantic hound. Its body was covered with hideous pointy green scales. This monster was gigantic.

I was the size of a peanut before him.

How did this thing even enter? How come Cain was unaware?

“Cain!” It grabbed my hand when I tried touching my ring. It knew! I stared at the creature with wide fearful eyes when it ripped off the ring from my finger and threw it away.

I was doomed.

“Cain!” I raised my arms before my face when it extended its claw-like hand towards me. “Please!” I screamed in horror when it rammed a punch in the wall next to my face.

I gasped when it grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard. I cried out in pain when I was thrown on the opposite side of the room.

My spine was going to split in half if it happened one more time. I crawled back when that creature sauntered towards me.

“Cain!” I screamed. “CAIN!” I pushed at its claw-like hand when it pulled me up by my hair and strangulated me harder, to the point that I started seeing black blotches. “Cain!”

I closed my eyes when it growled at me. The steam from its mouth burnt my skin. I felt like someone forced my face close to a furnace.

The door blew to pieces and the creature holding me flew back with a bone-cracking noise. I watched it howl agonizingly while rolling on the floor like a slaughtered animal.

Cain didn’t even lift a finger.

The gigantic creature let out a roar before turning to a heap of ashes.

I couldn’t even blink when Cain faced me once the lights came back. My eyes were fixed on the remains of the monster who was about to tear me down a moment ago.

“Ana!” Cain helped me up and held me by the arm. “Look at me,” he turned my face towards him.

His eyes hardened while examining the visible wounds and injuries on my body.

“Fuck,” he palmed my face with both hands. “Snap out of it.” He said sternly but I couldn’t. “Ana!” Cain jerked me a little.

“I spoke too soon,” My head spun and I fell forward in his arms. “I thought I was dead.”

“It’s not your time yet.” I had no energy left to retort. Cain carried me out of my room and into his. “You are staying in my room from now on.” He laid me down on the bed and sat next to me.

“You couldn’t hear anything?” Cain stared at me silently instead of answering. “Then how did you know? I didn’t even touch the ring.” I asked, confused.

“You are hurt,” Cain ignored my question.

I sat up immediately and moved back when he reached for me. My back hurt because of the action and I whimpered in pain.

“For hell’s sake!” Cain grabbed my arm and glared at me angrily. “I need to see your injuries, Ana. You are gravely wounded.”

“I’ll see a doctor,” I tried pulling my arm out of his grip. “I don’t want you to–”

“Shut up,” Cain pulled me in his lap and caged me in his arms. “Now is not the time for your tantrums.”

I palmed his mouth when he tried to kiss my neck. His eyes narrowed into slits at my action.

“I–” I stuttered under the intensity of his gaze. I should have heeded his silent warning but it was not easy. “It’s–”

Cain gripped my hand and lowered it from his mouth.

“I am going back to Acreoterra.” He took advantage of my momentary distraction and latched his mouth to the bruises on my neck. Cain grabbed my waist firmly to keep me in place and kissed the wound on my right shoulder. “I know who attacked you.”

“You know?” I asked even when I knew he was not going to answer. Cain grabbed my hand and kissed the injury on my finger. I was surprised to see the ring back on it. “Cain?”

“It’s not easy to sneak past the barriers I put around this place,” he grabbed my arms and kissed them. “Only a handful know the tricks.”

I pursed my lips at his cryptic talk.

“Take a few days off from work,” he let me out of his lap and turned me away from him. I looked at him over my shoulder when I felt his fingers gliding over the hem of my shirt. “Call your friends here. It’s better if you don’t go out while I’m gone.”

“This is going too far,” I whispered while looking into his eyes.

“Take it off,” Cain ordered. “I need to see your back.” I shook my head in a no. “Ana!” I winced when I felt a sharp sting at the mere brush of his fingers.

The lights turned off in his room.

“I’m older than your great, great, great, great, and great grandfather, right?” I closed my eyes when Cain whispered in my ear. “You shouldn’t feel a thing then.”

“Way to get back at me,” I breathed deeply when Cain chuckled against my ear. “I know you can see in the dark.”

I raised my arms when Cain pulled the shirt off my head.

“Don’t try anything funny,” I grunted when his cold fingers came in direct contact with my aching back. “Shit!”

“Lie down,” I obliged when he pushed me down gently.

I gasped softly when Cain unhooked my bra and began peppering his healing kisses from my lower back and moving up in different patterns.

“Why kisses?” I buried my face in the mattress. “Why couldn’t it be any other way?”

Cain pulled me back up and turned me slightly.

“Don’t look, okay?” I shut my eyes tightly when he kissed below my left collarbone and lowered to my ribcage.

His mouth was a volcano of its own. His mere touch burnt me to my core even though it held no intimate meaning.

The pain was gone but the embarrassment was not ready to leave.

“Does your legs hurt in any way?” I shook my head and turned the other way. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” My hands shook while clasping the hooks of my bra.

I couldn’t get the simple task done only because his eyes were boring holes in my back.

“What?” I looked at him over my shoulder when I felt his hands on top of mine. “I can-”

“Stay put,” his turquoise eyes shot me the warning through the darkness.

Cain hooked my bra and I immediately wore my shirt to save myself from further awkwardness.

“I thought you were a rational person,” I gasped in surprise when Cain pulled me in his lap again. “But you let Serra affect you so easily.”

“When did I let her affect me?” I frowned when he smirked. “What’s so funny?” I asked, annoyed.

Cain hummed and pinched my chin softly.

“What are you doing?” My frown deepened when he turned my face side to side.

“Your cheek has a cut,” he kissed it before I could protest. “And this too,” Cain claimed my lips and kissed me until I felt dizzy. “There,” he stroked my lower lip with his thumb. “you are all good to go.”

“You sly being,” I jumped out of his lap. “How could you mess with me like this?”

“Should I show you again?” I stepped back when Cain stood up. “Look how adorable your naivety is.”

“Don’t touch me, okay?” I yelled angrily but nothing seemed to be strong enough to dampen his mood. His smug expressions and the arrogance in his eyes set me ablaze. “I hate you, Cain.”

“I hate you too, Anastasia,” he replied coldly. I looked away when he stepped closer. “Don’t stray in my absence,” I jerked my head back when he caressed my cheek. “Stay away from Serra. If anything feels wrong, just call Aeron or Xic.”

“Why?” I looked around, startled. There were no signs of Cain. “He was leaving right now?” I mumbled and touched my lips absentmindedly.

They felt tingly. My whole body felt light and tingly.

“This is bad,” I rubbed my face in aggravation. “This is super bad.”