DAYS PASSED, NOTHING new happened. I had been jittering from anxiousness, and my head was full of worries as I kept thinking about the 'undead' man who attacked us (I still think he was Yasha's long-lost brother). Yet, he had been nowhere since our first encounter. I was starting to forget about him until Yasha reminded me of his existence.
"Why are we talking about him?" I asked, not really interested in the topic. I continuously sat on the sofa leisurely as I constantly changed the channel. Ever since the night of the town's foundation day, I found myself lost in energy.
No. I was not stressed out because of the witch named Penelope. In fact, as soon as her punishment ended, I realised she truly deserved it. She was a witch who sacrificed a lot of innocent people in order to attain her goals.
She. Deserved. It.
So, no. It was not her.
The reason I was low on energy was because I was homesick. How funny, I only realised it after a few days. Although my mother was a nagger (I think every mother was), I still missed her. I also missed my father—- who had spoiled me since birth—- a lot, considering we had not seen each other for months.
And here I thought, I would not miss them—- at least, not that much. Before my mother disturbed my peace and quiet life, I had been living alone since I resigned from my previous job. At the time, I did miss them. But not to the point of reaching the height of my emotions right now. I guess circumstances indeed intensify emotions, don't you think so?
"He is a potential enemy," Yasha explained with one of her brows raised. "And I am certain he came here for you. Are you not afraid?"
I was. But my mood right now didn't care at all.
"I think I am losing my emotion," I said, sinking further into the sofa. "I don't feel anything right now. Though, seconds ago, I was missing my family."
Yasha shifted to her side as she faced me. "Do you want to visit them?"
That made me think for a brief moment. Then, I shook my head. "I guess not. I will only see them when I am already a 'real' human."
"You know," said Yasha. "There is nothing wrong with being a bloodling. Aside from being immune to everything related to the supernatural, you are also unique. So, why change identity?"
I let go of the remote and sank even further.
"If a vampire drinks and a witch drains my blood, and the werewolves and mermaids eat my flesh, will I live?"
"That is a ridiculous question. Of course not."
Oh.
Then, I didn't understand the part where I was immune to 'everything' related to the supernatural. And I didn't have the energy to clarify that.
Our conversation halted when Aseyana entered. And our attention was drawn to her injury. There was a glaring wound in her left arm. I was confused as to why it had not healed yet.
"Who the fuck attacked you?!"
My blood suddenly brimmed with energy when Yasha shouted. Now, even my blood gets startled by Yasha.
She vanished from my sight like a ghost. Then, I saw her standing at the end of the staircase, frowning as she stared at her niece, who didn't manage to reach the fifth stair.
I followed her.
I leaned on the post as I listened to their conversation.
"This is nothing," Aseyana replied. She was about to leave when someone from behind us spoke.
"A vampire provoked us and then fought with us," Natalia explained. "And to give you a heads-up, that vampire's a real bitch." She crossed her arms.
Yasha gave Aseyana a look of disbelief. "You let a freaking vampire step over you?" she asked.
Aseyana took a deep breath before explaining, "It was only a little misunderstanding! There's no need to make things worse!"
"Little?!"
I could tell that Yasha was about to go berserk.
"You call that—-" she pointed at the bloody wound, "—- little?!"
"Aunt—-"
"I do not care about your plan to stay here, Ase. But you are not letting someone, especially a weakling, step over your head! You are a Vates! And no one mess with a Vates!"
Yasha vanished after her raging words.
"Why did you say that?" Aseyana looked at Natalia accusingly.
"Why? Am I not allowed to say it? And let that bitch go away unscathed?" Natalia scoffed. "I listened when you said I'm not allowed to retaliate. But I don't remember agreeing not to say a word about it."
Natalia rolled her eyes and went to her room.
Then, I had to pull Aseyana out of the inn for her to realise that we had to follow her aunt. "If you don't want to make the situation worse, we better stop your aunt."
"I don't understand!" Aseyana exclaimed while we were rushing to wherever. "I just want to live quietly—- peacefully! Why can't I have what I want? Just once! Just let me have what I want for once!"
I immediately stopped walking and faced her.
"Okay," I let out a breath. "You are injured," I pointed at her wound, "and I don't understand why it hasn't healed yet, despite you having the ability to heal it—-"
"She came from a powerful line of vampires. She has an ability."
"—- Alright, that explains it. You are wounded by a vampire with ability. And so it will take time for you to heal—- I understand. But my point is," I looked directly into her eyes, "I, an outsider, am worried for your well-being. So, how do you think your aunt would feel?"
Aseyana sighed in frustration. "That is the reason why I can't even blame her! I can't hate her for caring. But—-" she paused. "Tatia, I want this life. I want a life without the Vates Family involved in my daily routine. I want a life—-" she closed her eyes. "I just want a life of my own. I want to think for myself first. This time, I want it to be about me. Not Liliane. Not the Vates Family. It's me. I don't need them suddenly pouring their attention to me. I only need myself to think of myself."
I fell silent.
I wanted to console her. But I didn't know the right words to tell. The girl was obviously broken. And I didn't want to make it worse by making the wrong remarks. Yet, I didn't want her to think I was dismissing her feelings.
But all trains of thought were disrupted when people started screaming. Aseyana and I looked at each other, and we didn't need telepathy to understand each other. We quickly ran toward the source of the disruption.
At the centre of the town, a girl screamed as her arms were pulled from behind. Yasha was stepping on her back at the same time. To my horror, I could tell that the girl's arms were about to be disconnected from her body.
"Yasha!" I shouted.
When I ran toward Yasha, I heard Aseyana start to chant.
"Are you not the strongest?" I heard Yasha. "Then, fight! Fight me with all you got!"
"Ahh!"
Before the girl's arms were totally ripped off her arms, I pushed Yasha to the side, startling her and losing her force.
"Enough!" I said.
Yasha turned her head to look at me.
I froze when I saw her eyes with nothing but blackness. But it went back to normal soon after. Probably because she realised it was me.
"You could have been in danger, you idiot!" she exclaimed. "I was at my killer instinct!"
"You're killing a girl for a simple brawl between girls?" I asked in disbelief. I didn't want to say this. But that was petty!
"Simple brawl?!" she repeated angrily. "That is my niece!" Her eyes were shifting from black to normal. "If she cannot avenge herself for trying to associate herself with this town, then I will do it for her!"
So, it was still about Aseyana's decision to stay in this town.
Yasha was about to go on with her killing business, completely ignoring my existence and my advice, when Aseyana took the girl ten metres away as quickly as she could.
"That's enough, Aunt Yasha!" Aseyana shouted. "Please, don't let this be the reason to start our misunderstanding."
Yasha stilled. She looked at Aseyana incredulously. "You choose that filthy vampire," she pointed at the girl, "over your own aunt?"
"I'm not choosing anyone," said Aseyana. This time, she was calm. "I only want you to stop."
No one talked. Silence prevailed. But we didn't lower our guard.
The corner of Yasha's lips rose. She spread her arms for a brief moment, put them down heavily, and said, "Fine! Enjoy the company of your new friend!" She vanished right after saying those words.
Only then did we release a sigh of relief.
—
"You heal fast," I couldn't help but remark when I saw the girl's arms as fresh as they used to be. We stayed in the town centre, and Aseyana did more spells. When I heard her chant earlier, she apparently used a spell at the time to make us seem air. No wonder I heard the commotion stopped.
"I am a vampire," the girl raised a brow and rolled her eyes. "Of course, I heal faster than any creature could."
My eye twitched. This girl needed a slap.
"I'm sorry about that," said Aseyana.
The girl gave Aseyana a look from head to toe. "Are you sure you're her niece?" Before Aseyana could answer, she continued, "You're weak and boring! And you got nothing but looks! How could such a cool woman have a bland girl as a niece like you?"
"I don't think that is your business, though?" I said. "And after almost being killed, you developed a worship attitude?" This girl was not right in the head.
"What?" she shrugged. "Everyone worships the strong." Then, she added, "I was wondering why no one tried to attack or eat you. At first, I thought it was because the new witch was powerful. But I was wrong. A cool vampire is lurking around you—- that's why. Dang! You're so cool to be around someone like her!" She now looked fanatic.
I was right. This girl was sick in the head. No. I think everyone was.
To avoid listening to her fanatic words, I left her with Aseyana. I also wanted to talk with Yasha.
Upon my arrival at the inn, I didn't see Yasha everywhere. So, I went to my room. But I was surprised when the person I was looking for was lying on my bed.
"Don't you have your own room?" I asked.
She looked at me. Then, she stared back at the ceiling.
I sighed.
I walked towards her and sat on the bed.
"Talk to her," I said. "Then, listen. And when you do, don't raise your voice or act with your temper afront."
"Will it work?"
"Have you tried it?"
She shook her head.
"Then, try it. You will know if it will work," I said. "By the way, I will go back home tomorrow."
Yasha looked at me. "I thought you won't see them until you are human?"
"Can't I change my mind?" I shrugged. I also wanted to use this as an opportunity for them to have time together.
I didn't think Natalia's presence would affect them since she didn't seem to be the kind of person who cared about anything else.
I took a deep breath.
Why did I seem nervous upon seeing my mother?
I had been looking forward to it, didn't I?