*LEILANI*
It's been couple of minutes since the strange werewolf man left my room and I still sat in the same spot, replaying what had transpired between us, while trying to fathom the strange emotions I felt. I was also disturbed by the fact that i didn't ask for his name since I had been overwhelmed by his presence.
While I sat in the quiet room, my mind kept wandering off in different angles until I let it settle on one particular event.
****
"Dad, why do we have to leave far away from the palace even though most dukes live there?" I asked as we drove to our new house. It was the exact day my father had been appointment as the duke, at the time I was fifteen years old. You must be wondering why we still have dukes and were ruled by a king even though the world had long advance in all aspect even a technology.
According to my father, it remained that way because of corruption, some individual who were most powerful and richer, those who were in control of the worlds resources felt they were superior and thought it was right if they ruled and for as long as I could remember or perhaps since I was born that has been the hierarchy. We weren't able to choose our leaders and the only time the leadership position changed was if another force powerful enough to rival the present one emerges.
"It's best if we stay away from all the trouble, I want my family to live peacefully."
"But you're a duke, you're powerful, no one would go against you."
"Lani, it's because I am a duke, many would go against me, some as powerful as me and some even more powerful. Besides, I'll be more at ease if we're not in the palace, I'll be able to carry out my work without fear."
I didn't understand what he meant back then and I didn't push futher for answers after all, I had been satisfied with the way we lived afterwards. Only us and a few relatives but we were happy.
Back to present, my attention was pulled toward the door that swung open revealing the dangerous man whom I feared the most at the same time I was somewhat intrigued by him.
Cardan strolled into the room with a smile on his face, the creepiest smile I''d ever seen. One I'm sure meant nothing good.
"You met my brother earlier, what do you think?"
I moved backward toward the bed's headboard as he sauntered forward, boring holes into my body with his intense golden orbs.
"Did you feel a certain type of way? Did you feel overwhelmed? Perhaps your heart flustered at his closeness."
His smile was gone now, replaced with something primal, sending a bone wretching fear down my spine. My breath hitched as he got on the bed, crawling toward me until he had me pinned against the headboard without an escape route.
"You're mine now little human, you shouldn't feel certain type of way toward other men, else I'll feel betrayed. I want you all to myself, your every feeling should be directed toward me, your fear, your thrill, your hate," he let out a sinister laughter like some loosed psychopath, making me tremble and asking myself again, what I'd gotten into. This wasn't the saving I envisioned or perhaps I did but still choose it because at the time, it felt like the safest option_ only it wasn't.
"Oh little human, poor little human," he sing-songed. "I have so many plans for you but for now, you must be feeling bored staying in the room all day, I'll give you a tour," he pulled away in a swift motion, heading toward the door in slow but long strides.
"Wear a coat, it's usually cold during night time," he voiced out before stepping out of the room.
****
I could feel stares on us as we walked by, the maids, the guards, they bowed their heads in respect to Cardan then their curious gaze lingered on me for more than a second before going about their business. As Cardan gave me a tour, I couldn't help the uneasiness that flooded my mind, knowing that the place was filled with dangerous creatures that were considered a myth to us humans. However, my attention soon drifted as we continued to tour. Cardan brought me into a huge library filled with hundreds, if not millions of book, from there we went to a ballroom, next, this huge gallery which had several exquisite art pieces and paintings.
"This should be it for today, you're going to be living here from now on after all, so you have time to explore all of Crescent-valley," Cardan announced once we left the art gallery.
Curiosity flooded my mind at the mention of the unfamiliar name. I'd never heard of crescent-valley, nor was it on the map. I couldn't help but wonder why.
"Come little human, let's go to one of my favorite places," Cardan broke my thoughts again and when I glanced up, his golden orbs stare back at me with a dark glint. There must be something about this place he was taking me, for him to look at me that way. I couldn't help the uneasiness that creep it's way into my mind at the thought as I trailed after Cardan who led me outside the palace without question although many plagued my mind.
"Brace yourself for what you'd see human girl, also watch and learn."
He announces as we walked down the streets of crescent-valley, ignoring the stares of the onlookers and passer-by. I couldn't hide my surprise and thrill, as my gaze moved from left to right, taking in the new environment. The houses, shops... I was futher amazed by how the place was busy with people going about their business even though it was night time. The place also appeared to be much more bigger, than I thought.
"We're here."
My attention was quickly drawn to the two-storey building before us. It had an ancient, but exquisite theme like the rest of crescent-valley and I saw a statue of a naked man and woman in each other's embrace, at both side of the entrance.
It was pretty much the information I needed to tell me where we were. Upon the realization, a gasps escaped my lips and my gaze quickly flew toward Cardan just in time to catch a devilish smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Welcome to my second favorite place in crescent-valley."