Our eyes met for the second time. This time, I noticed the colour of his eyes, deep ocean blue. I found it hard to breathe and couldn't look away. Strange feelings wrapped around me, I placed my palm on my chest and frowned in confusion.
What is this feeling? Why am I feeling this way? I fought my inner turmoil and turned my gaze away. Standing up, I said, "I can't keep celebrating. "Something isn't right" Alexis raised an eyebrow.
"Running away after being caught?" I gritted my teeth. She was deliberately provoking me. Swallowing my anger, I turned and walked out. I wanted to stay far away from that man.
"Megan!" I heard Grace's faint voice behind me. I ignored her as I moved closer to the entrance. Just as I was about to step outside, everything changed. Suddenly, I found myself somewhere Surrounded by tall walls, with no doors or windows. It wasn't dark, but it felt strange.
I'm now confused and nervous, I looked back, hoping to see the place I had just come from, but it was gone and a solid wall stood in its place.
Then, in an instant, it turned into a secret library. How did I end up here again? One moment, I was leaving a building. Next, I was stuck in a strange room with no doors or windows, now in an old and dusty library. What's happening here?' I asked myself.
"Megan." A calm voice echoed behind me. I held my breath. I recognised this voice… didn't I? It felt familiar, but I couldn't place it. I turned around and flinched.
My heart nearly stopped. I'm now face-to-face with Liam! He was standing tall before me, staring down at me, and his once ocean-blue eyes now glowed bloody red. So… he's a vampire.
"You…" My voice faltered. Speechless. This man had pulled me into illusions, forcing me to experience things that weren't real.
I looked up at him, "Who are you…?" I asked him, and I couldn't deny the fact that I'm nervous. His calm expression turned darker, his gaze colder than ice.
"Afraid," he murmured. I stared back at him in confusion, Seriously? Is that even a question? My fear gnaws at me. I thought I had left him behind. Yet, here he was again. How could I not be afraid of him?
"You don't listen to your instincts, do you?" he added.
Somehow, his face and lips were incredibly tempting. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck, kiss him deeply, devour his mouth, and s*ck his tongue. My fingers itched to run through his neatly groomed dark hair. Then realisation hit me hard. My eyes widened. What am I thinking?! I looked at him, shocked.
A faint, knowing smile appeared on his lips. He looked satisfied, he knew exactly what I was thinking? "As long as you follow your instincts, you'll make things easier," he said smoothly.
"Who are you?" I finally asked.
"My name? Liam Andrew. And you already know what I am." I sighed, annoyed for reasons I couldn't understand.
"Disappointed?" he asked suddenly, catching me off guard.
"You read my mind?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. He shook his head.
"Changelings are very easy to read. They're bad at hiding their emotions."
"You even know what I am…" I muttered, nodding slowly. I really didn't understand my own life anymore.
You won't believe everyone in this school seemed to know my name. On my way to class, I saw so many students calling my name, waving, smiling sweetly. But not feeling comforting, I was terrified. They moved like robots or like they were being controlled.
"You are the hybrid Changeling ." He raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, do you? No. Now listen carefully, whatever your instincts tell you to do, do it. Especially when it comes to venting your anger. Don't hold back."
I found myself staring at his lips again, dazed, craving more of his words. His voice was so sexy, so seductive.
In a daze, I turned and walked out of the library, drained from sweat. My mind struggled to download everything that had just happened, it was impossible to understand. And yet… my instincts whispered something I didn't want to hear.
To submit to him, completely. But isn't that just another trap? I didn't go straight to my hostel. Instead, my feet carried me to the flower garden.
Normally, I would admire the beauty of nature, but not today. My mind was too occupied. The first thing I saw was a bench. Without hesitation, I sat down, lost in thoughts of Liam. A small laugh escaped me. I can't believe this…I can't believe he's all I think about.
"Thinking about him, huh?" The sudden voice made me snap my head up. To my surprise, Grace was sitting on the bench across from me.
"Grace?" I blinked. I hadn't heard any footsteps. No sound of her coming closer. So how…?
"Yes, that's me. Surprise?" Her lips curved into a smile. Somehow I found her smile creepy, and meaningful.
"You… teleported?" I frowned. "I thought you were human?" Grace laughed, her voice echoing in a way that unsettled me.
"So gullible. You really thought I didn't know you're not human? I might not recall the exact name of your race, but your scent… It's the same as my grandmother's. Stronger, even. It makes sense you attract demons." She laughed again, this time harshly. My frown deepened.
"What demon?" I asked nervously, afraid of the answer. She leaned closer.
"You've been ignoring why you're here." She paused, staring into my eyes. "Your mate." My heart raced, and I put my hand on my chest, feeling my heartbeat.
Who are these people? How do they know?
"H...How did you know?"
She rolled her eyes. "Is that even a question? What's the point of telling you anything, when they've already manipulated you?"
"I'm not—"
"They're pulling your attention away from the dark forest." She slid closer, sitting beside me. "Megan, I was sent to help you. Your mate is in the evil forest, waiting. But here you are, falling for a demon king."
"Demon king?" My frown deepened.
She burst into laughter. "That's demons for you. The better they look, the more tempting and the more dangerous."
"He's a vampire!" I blurted, my chest twisting in denial. And just like that, I realized, I was defending him. Protecting him. Even now, I wanted to run into his arms and bury my face in his chest.
Grace's laughter rang out. "You're completely under his control. Liam is the most powerful demon king. Why do you think everyone fears him? Tell me, Megan, since when do vampires create illusions?"
"That…" My throat tightened. I couldn't answer. She's right, Vampires aren't magicians.
And then, a whisper in my mind...
"Don't listen to her. Trust Liam."