Chapter one hundred and seventeen Anastasia's POV. My nerves spike up for some reason. I can't even think of anything right now. He arrives in front of me and stops. "I see you're ready," he says, smiling at me. That is strange. He doesn't even look angry at all. I think he's just trying to act this way so I can feel like he is a good person when he isn't. He is being hypocritical to his true self, which is to fight fire with fire. "And, um, I'm here to lead you to the vehicle." So, please..." His voice trails off as he spreads his hand for me to take. I take it and smirk, my lips shifting to the left. "Thanks," I mutter, and he nods. "My pleasure." He entwined his fingers in mine and led me out of the room with him. We get to the hallway, and for the first time since I've been in this place, I see vampires roaming the hallway like they've never done before. It is usually empty. We arrive in a new room, and I see a lot more of them. Most of them are working on the internal deco
Chapter one hundred and eighteen. Anastasia's POV. I watch the tall buildings as we are now moving through the city. My eyes would wander around those glassy windows, and I'd be brought back to the time when I was as free as the rest of the humans walking the street. Then, I would look back to Hillary, who would smile at me even though I was not smiling back at him, and I would watch how he was able to blend in so well that no one would ever notice he was a beast in disguise. And when I thought deeply about it, I realized how much I also felt for those handsome features of his, just like I did for Nicholas's. And also, I'd recall how I used to rush to the office, wanting to work for Nicholas, when I didn't know he'd later become someone that I didn't regret wanting to kill at some point in time. Yesterday for example is enough prove. The car stops, and Hillary clears his throat. "I'd go get us some fast food." When he states that, I only nod. He leaves, and I notice that he didn'
Anastasia's POV. They have just come to a stop, and Kyra looks excited for some reason, maybe because of what they are discussing. I am just happy that she doesn't look hurt or anything as such. She laughs at some point, and a few seconds later, Cole shakes her hand right before she readjusts her bag. Then, at the same time, she turns to leave, and Cole's eyes land on my side. And he smirked. Hillary, on the other hand, is stiff beside me. I am sure he is boiling inside. It is just surprising that he hasn't started a fight yet. I'm sure Nicholas doesn't have that much patience. Anyway, the moment I see that Kyra has walked a reasonable distance for her not to see me, I take one step forward, but Hillary stops me. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asks in a voice that tells me genuinely that he cares. I nod my head affirmatively. "Yes, I've got to know what he wants with my Kyra, and by the way, we both talked about learning how to outsmart the Kings." This is one way of kno
Chapter one hundred and twenty. Anastasia's POV. I adjust my seat on the footstool as I listen to Cole Hunter. I know at this point in my life I am not supposed to be paying much attention, as I am at the moment, but I cannot help it. I've got to listen to him anyway because, currently, I don't want to see Hillary. I mean, a part of me trusts that Kyra is safe with him, and I know as long as he is talking with her, he won't be coming to see me anytime soon. "Can I ask a quite alarming question, I mean, depending on how ever you see it?" Questions Cole Hunter with a squint in his eyes. He looks as though that question would annoy me, and for that, a part of me is scared to listen to it. Regardless, I nodded my head, affirming for him to continue. He nods his own head after me. "Has Nicholas ever fed from you?" As much as I understand what that question means deeply inside me, I act as though I do not. "What do you mean by that?" Cole Hunter licks the topping off his ice cream, t
Chapter one hundred and twenty one.Anastasia's POV."There used to be the Old World, and now there is the New World." The supernatural world was recked, right from the start, by vampires, and ever since then, the one named King Nicholas, The King of All Vampire's Kings, has been attempting to align the supernatural creatures and make them see past the offenses that have been made by his father. Even for this reason, he had gotten his father and his seven subjects banished from the face of the New World.I scoff as I read that. So much for really trying to prove he is a good guy. Nicholas the good guy, my ass. Like, he can go tell that to the werewolves whom he attacked right before my eyes: "Hey, I am a good guy, unlike my father," and they'd accept him back without first cutting off his head. He's no difference, but then, I haven't read much, so I don't know what yet his father has done. "In the old world, werewolves and hunters, including humans, were all controlled by the vampir
Anastasia's POVAs I make my way to the bathroom, I think about it. So, he only told me that it's going to be a dinner night, nothing else. I think I can put my mind at ease knowing that he isn't going to hurt me or anything. I mean, I know he won't, but then, when you're living with a creature who's capable of it, can you really not fear him? And it's not like I've been living with him for years. Abd by rhw way, I haven't seen Madeleine or Ola in a while. I think when I asked Hillary, he mentioned something about them traveling around the state at the moment, doing some sight-seeing. He mentioned that Madeleine hates the winter period, so she always tries to enjoy the outside once it's soon coming, so she won't miss the outside throughout the winter time when she would like to be indoors throughout.To be honest, I find it funny, as I do with any seasonal period. And I find winter time even more interesting, as my palms and feet do not sweat during that period. I am now done with
Chapter one hundred and twenty three. Anastasia's POV. The dining room is lit with dull lights in the colors blue and red, spread out such that they give the room a sensual sense and, at the same time, a beauty that captures my attention. Apart from that, the dining table seems weirdly long, with just two chairs arranged so that they are vertically opposite each other. Then, there are foods spread out on the table. I wonder how I'd pick the apple in the middle of the table. As I watch the decorations, I allow myself to calm down, knowing that tonight would go well. I didn't talk much with Hillary about it, so I don't know what could happen. By the way, there are people in the room. Apart from the vampires at the door, guarding that spot, I see chefs setting up the table. Almost done. I wonder if there are also vampires. Soon, they are done, and in no time, the guards open the door. My eyes shift there almost instantly when I hear the soft creak. There is Nicholas, gracing the ro
Chapter one hundred and twenty four.Anastasia's POV. Nicholas is watching me with a facial expression I cannot decipher, but I know he isn't being a dickhead at the moment. I continue with my food, while he has stopped. Since we've been here, I've noticed he's drinking more from the stainless cup in front of him, being held mildly by two of his fingers around the handle. I think it may contain blood. And strangely enough, it did not freak me out. I drop my fork and focus on him. "Are we starting a conversation or not?"He scoffs, his lips being lined to the left. "Well, can I not appreciate your beauty, Anastasia?""Well, if you waste my time, you'll find this face not sharing its beauty with you." I say back, almost instantly, and he chuckles lowly. He shakes his head at me afterward. "The way you act is very stubborn. It's befitting.""Perhaps we can start by learning what you mean by that?" As much as my statement may have sounded, I am trying to ask him when he's going to tel
Chapter one hundred and forty four.Anastasia's POV. Rare. This is the first time, I will see the birds so close that they flap their wings to keep them in balance near the closed window. Their chirping sound along with the wavering of the trees and blaring horns from the distance awakens me fully and that's when I notice the uncomfortablilty that the birds are in. Smiling to myself as I sit up to take a close look at them from the inside, I carefully open the window. I savour the beautiful skin of theirs. Beautiful. So beautiful.A bird from the crew, all of the sudden, flies over into the room and in my attempt which is involuntary to help myself out from the shock it gave me, I let out my hands and unintentionally hit the bird away, letting it fall down outside. The others flies away, surely in fear."Oops, sorry bird. I didn't mean to. And thanks for being my new alarm." I call after them as they fly away. God, it's morning. The gym I'm suppose to go with Carl. I rush out of the
Chapter one hundred and forty three. Anastasia's POV. Monday comes quickly, indicating my first day at Franklin regional senior high school. I make sure to wake up before mom comes knocking on my door as if she wants to yank it off. Taking a quick shower and other morning hygiene routine in the same hurrying mode, I start to dress up in a simple plain blue shirt; black rough jeans, coupled with a light makeup.I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I look appropriately to my age of seventeen, having silver grey eyes — rare in my family since dad has brown hazel eyes, while mom has amber — that looks a bit too big to fit inside my small socket; beige warm undertone skin, rhyming with my darker shade of blonde hair and light blonde eyebrows and lids. The mirror easily captures my figure of five feet, four inches. I turn to the bed, checking the time from the alarm clock next to the lamp, who's figure is resting atop the cabinet. It's seven-thirty and school will be starting in abo
Chapter one hundred and forty two. Anastasia's POV. "I felt the same as you when I knew them at first. The way they behave; the way they don't talk much, especially the guy, yet girls fall at his feet. I'm quite sure he doesn't even talk to them before they invite him to their bed. Their hospital baffles me as well, they always have this repetitive sets of people that patronize them for blood bags. It's a weird thing, but don't worry, I don't think they bite. More also, their hospital is approved by the government. You would forget them, existing in weeks more." Shade says to me, glancing at me through her natural, long lashes every now and then. "They'll soon appear as a shadow to you."I don't think I can forget them, the guy particularly, as he's like a stain I can't wash off. The way he looks at me at the walkway, I can still remember it. It is as if I'm seeing the same scene unfolds right in front of me again, and again, and again. "Maybe. How are your parents Shade?"She smil
Chapter one hundred and forty one. Anastasia's POV. Three weeks has passed and life hasn't been so fair to me. For Shade, her project is going fine, meaning fate is supporting her unlike me, who's sadden almost every time. She's submitted the atheistic portrait and it's pending, I think she'll get result of her success tonight which is the time the company gave to respond back to her. Mia, on the other side has changed completely— she and Shade are bossom best of friends. They spend time together than with each of them with me. Not that they wouldn't, but I haven't been paying much attention to them. I'm busy on offering my end of the bargain — finding out who Nicklaus Original is. And I don't care about distancing myself from my friends at all, finding Nicklaus hidden identity is my main priority. And I can't explain the obsession. It's like a charm— if that makes sense.When the bell rings, startling me as I'm brooding over my plans of discovery for today, totally not hearing al
Chapter one hundred and forty. Anastasia's POV. The conversation with Ylfa was, what's the word?, not very inspiring, and I do not think I would want to discuss anything further with her. I can tell it is unintentional, but when I am around her, she makes me feel like I am a mistake. As though it were my fault that I was back here,Fine, I do know that I'm a danger around them, but it wasn't my fault that Yaya Luna brought me back here. I am not being selfish here. And if need be or anything occurs, I will try my very best to make sure no one gets hurt because of me. And, oh, by the way, I almost forgot, but I brought the pistol Cole Hunter gave me. Actually, it wasn't intentional, but because of the meeting, I had put it in the trouser of the clothes I was wearing, and when Luna Daciana came to take me, I figured I did not need to put it down. We may need it on the way, and funny enough, I forgot again that it was with me until I changed this morning. I never thought I would use i
Chapter one hundred and thirty nine. Anastasia's POV. In a few minutes, we arrive in front of the door to my room. I smile at Luna Daciana as I turn to face her. By the way, I've been touching the pendant since without even noticing, as the tingling sensation would come in occasionally. At this point, I believe that it isn't coming from my head anymore, but I don't even think of complaining to her. "So, I guess I should leave you to your own space." She says, and I nod my head, affirming her. "Thanks, again, for today, and I'm so happy to be here, regardless of all that I said earlier." I refer back to what I said back in the storage room. She rolls her eyes as she waves me off with her left hand. "Don't sweat it." And with that, she clears her throat and takes one step backwards, away. "Sleep well, Anastasia.""Nighty night, Luna Daciana."She pouts. "Nah, we aren't back to doing that." What do I say? "We are Ana-mates." When she says that, I laugh. Does that even make sense?
Chapter one hundred and thirty eight. Anastasia's POV. My hands are tapped by someone else's, and I wake up with a gasp. It was more like bolting from the bed, actually. To be honest, my senses are actually at their peak here, and I can't say it's my fault. I mean, I'm literally still in danger and scared of whatever could happen to these werewolves and she-wolves just because their Luna decided to add to their plan, changing everything. Absolutely everything. I sigh and place my left hand on my chest when I see that it is Luna Daciana. "Sorry. "You know, I haven't gotten much sleep lately." I tell her, and she nods with a small smile on her face. I actually admire her understanding of my emotions and abilities as a human who's not supernatural like she is or any other of them are. I had dozed off earlier, and she's just waking me up. I now remember that she wanted to discuss something with me, and I'm guessing that's the reason why she had woken me up. By the way, I'm even glad
Chapter one hundred and seven. Anastasia's POV In the last few minutes since we've been here, resting, I have come near the fire to warm myself up. There is no snow falling here, but the cold is not comforting at all. By the way, there is a lake across from where we are sitting, and it's also bringing in mosquitoes around here. Anyway, apart from that and the cold, I think I'm a little okay. My mind is even at rest from all the running since yesterday night. At this point, a part of me believes that we cannot be found by Nicholas's men any more. We have distanced ourselves from the kingdom a lot. I caught Luna staring at me for the second time, and I think I just should speak out right now. "Why are you staring at me like that...or sort of glaring?" I ask a question, and she chuckles almost instantly. She isn't trying to lie, and she isn't, as she only finds it funny when I don't. I'm rather frowning, confused. "I am glaring at you." "That is offensive to say, right?" I say m
Chapter one hundred and thirty six. Nicholas's POV. As vampires, we are gifted with the power to bend some forces of nature. It didn't always used to be there until the time when the witches and wizards went into extinction. Most of us believe that we were gifted with these powers to show that nature still exists. Show that magic was never made so it can go into extinction along with the creatures meant to wield it. Anyway, I'm using this now for my own choices. Breathing in strongly, I run inhumanely towards the beach. My feet, because of the height of my speed, rove up heavy gusts of wind into the air. And the more I increase my acceleration, the greater the gust. Then, reaching the ocean, I head into it and begin swimming. I am not weakened by the change in gravity. My muscles help me move through the large body of water as though I am still on land and running towards something. In no time, I reach the ground of the water, and then, settling on its surface, I position myself