Lurking in the Shadows (Completed)

Chapter 5

Mina

My thirst overnight wasn’t so bad, and at first it was comfortable, but by the early morning hours I just couldn’t sleep. I kept tossing and turning for most of the night until I decided to just read a book and look out at the moon. The moon just had this calming effect on me and I’m not sure why. I attempted to go back to bed, but once again just tossed and turned again. I went back to the window just trying to relax and just looking out at all the moonflowers, and I thought I saw someone in the bushes, staring at me. I shook it off thinking I’m just tired after all that has happened, took a sip from my chalice and went back to bed. The next night I had the same experience. This went on for a week, before I got frustrated with myself. I had to tell someone! So in the middle of the night, yet again can’t sleep, I went to my father's study to confide in him what’s been going on.

“Father, I need to talk to you!” He looked up from his paperwork and I just ran into his arms crying like I did as a child.

“What’s wrong, Mina??” My tears stain his puffy shirt, and he wraps me in a warm hug.

“For the past week… since I can’t sleep well anymore I just look out into the gardens, and I think there’s someone staring at me. I thought I was just tired, so I didn’t think much of it, but I saw it again tonight. I think it’s the man who tried to turn me… my fake sire.” Father growls so low that I could only tell because of the vibrations in his chest.

“So he wishes to stalk you like some prey!?” He takes a couple of deep breaths and walks to his wardrobe where I see the family safe. He takes something out of it, but I do not see what it is. “I’ve kept this for a long time, it was given to me when I was in trouble, and now I think you should have it.” He hands me this beautiful necklace. Two crescent moons and a star in the middle, two black round beads of some form and a white one in the middle which has another black bead underneath it. A feather and owl charm dangle from the two black beads and stars underneath the third black one.

“This is a beautiful necklace father, but why do I need it?” He goes behind me to put it on. Once he’s done, he faces me with such seriousness.

“This should protect you, the black beads are obsidian and the white one is moonstone.” I’m so confused.

“Ok??”

“These stones are supposed to keep you close to Nyx and since she’s contacted you before I figured you should have it.” Now it made sense.

“Thank you father, I’ll wear it always.” I hugged him and I could feel his protective arms around me.

“I’ll have extra guards in the gardens so you can feel safe again. Hopefully, we can catch this fake sire that wants to hurt my precious girl.” He kisses the top of my head and I wipe away the tears that were forming in my eyes. “Now off to bed you go, and try to get some sleep. If you can’t take a sip from your chalice and try to listen to some music to help you sleep.” I hugged him one more time and left his study to go back to my room. My bed was calling me and I just felt so tired. I took a sip just as father had instructed and I put on the record player with some of my favorite soft music to help me sleep and help forget my troubles for a while.

Unknown POV

I stare at her from the garden and I can see she’s scared out of her wits mind. Good… all I want is more of her blood, and I wish I had sucked more from her. She tasted so good… and her scent I could smell all day! Roses, lavender and hyacinth… I will make her mine and I don’t care who I have to take down to make her mine! I remember vividly when I first met her. She and her mother were shopping I suppose for their big ball and we accidentally bumped into each other. She excused herself and just went on her merry way, but I never forgot her.

Flashback day before the ball

I had just gotten into town, and everyone in this town was buzzing about a ball. Ladies looking at gowns and flowers, gentlemen looking for suits. I wasn’t paying attention when I accidentally bumped into someone.

“Oh, pardon me!” A young woman with dark brunette hair that went just touching the top of her elegant chest.

“No apologies needed, I wasn't paying attention. What is everyone so excited about?” I asked the young lady, and she just gave me a smile. I wish I could make her smile all the time.

“My parents are throwing a blood ball tonight at our estate tomorrow evening. Vampires and humans alike.” She seemed so excited and I can’t help but keep smiling at her.

“Oh really, shame I’m new to town and wasn’t invited.” I tried to put up a sad and pitiful act, but she just fell for it so easily.

“Oh that’s ok, you can come! We don’t want anyone left out for those who want to come. Our estate is the biggest one in Shadow Falls, you can’t miss it, it’s on the edge of town.” She points to the large mansion close to here and I have to say I’m impressed. Only really wealthy families are known to have estates like that. I brush my long black straight hair out of my face so she could see me better and just smirk at her. She brushes some dirt from my leather jacket and I could almost melt in her hands.

“Thank you, I think I will come. Guess I’ll have to look for a suit now.” She giggles, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

“Of course. The tailor is just around the corner from here near the dress shop.” She points to a small shop where other guys are going in and out of it with their attire for the big night.

“Mina! Come along dear! We need to get more roses!” A woman with long wavy brunette hair calls out to her… Mina… I’ll have to remember that.

“Coming mother! I must go, but it was nice to meet you.” She looks like her older sister than her mother! She carries her skirt to not drag it on the ground and goes back to her. I memorize her every feature so I can remember her at the ball.

Willow’s POV (Mina’s other sister)

It’s been a few days since Mina’s been awake and I can’t help but feel bad for her. Father and Nyx are so angry at this mysterious man who attacked Mina… can’t say that I blame them. I’ve been working nonstop with Juniper, our cook, to help Mina feel better.

“Willow dear, we seem to need more ingredients. Why don’t you go to the market and get some more.” Juniper hands me a list of what we need and I grab my cloak. Winter is still holding onto its bitter cold, hoping spring will show up soon.

“Of course, Juniper, I’ll get these right away for you.” I gave her a smile as I headed out. I checked over the list and luckily it’s nothing too strange, just some meat, vegetables, some fruit and herbs. My hood is up and trying to keep warm, my basket on my arm when I accidentally bump into someone.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” The gentlemen had long black straight hair, and a leather coat. His piercing red eyes gave away that he was definitely a vampire, but he felt much colder than a normal vampire.

“That’s ok I seem to bump into everyone today.” He seemed friendly, but something just felt off about him. He smelled of whiskey, pine, and rosewood with a hint of snow. When I touched him it felt like I was touching the snow without gloves.

“Well, I better get going, don’t want to get home late.” I smiled politely and made my way to the grocer.

“Of course, it was nice to bump into you, Miss?”

“Willow.” I dared not to give him my last name. With our wealthy status everyone sees us as targets so they can get a piece of my family’s status and wealth.

“Well, Miss Willow it was nice to bump into you.”

“And I you, Mr…”

“Draven.” He gives me a polite smile back and I curtsey to him as if I was just someone in town.

“Well, Mr. Draven as I said I better get going.” I went on my merry way, but I couldn’t help not shake this bad feeling. I got what we needed and hurried home, making sure I wasn’t followed. Luckily I wasn’t, and I made it back to our kitchen where Juniper was waiting for me.

“Are you alright, child? You made me worried!” She hugged me as I hung up my cloak. “My goodness child you’re freezing! Here, come by the fire. Is something worrying you, you look pale?” I sat down on a stool near the fire and warmed myself up.

“I accidentally ran into someone on my way to the grocer and I just had a terrible feeling about him. When I touched him it felt like I was touching the snow without gloves.” Juniper looked deep in thought as if she knew this man. “Something wrong?”

“Always trust your instincts. I’d tell your father about this.” She tells me seriously.

“Right, after dinner I will.” She hugs me again and we go back to cooking dinner.