If her scent wasn't going to get her caught, then her heartbeat might be the one to expose her. The rate at which it picked up its pace immediately the rhythmic steps outside the cabin was heard, was startling enough.
She was about to mutter a curse but she ended up slapping her mouth in order to keep shut. The steps were heavy but there was a tiny chance it might not be Rex. Maybe jordan?
But why would jordan be coming to Rex's cabin. Avice knew the person wasn't close, wasn't close enough for her to know the scent.
Quickly, she grabbed the book, carefully climbed the bed and whatever calculation her head did at that moment, she ignored them and threw the book outside the window.
She knew there was a slim chance of getting back into his cabin. He might start locking his doors after finding an intruder and she didn't want to risk the chance.
Avice, before getting off the bed, tried to fit herself into the round window but it was too small for her body. There was nowhere to hide, not even under his bed. Shit, he would catch her redhanded just by the beat of her loud heart. Panick was starting to crawl in and she was warmly welcoming it.
Trusting the knife in her back pocket, she walked out of the room and to the shelf, pretending to be searching for a book.
The steps neared and finally, the door opened.
Avice didn't look but then she regretted it immediately when the person didn't say anything. He might have smelled her from afar and wasn't surprised to see her inside but Rex would have probably strangled her for touching his shelf by now. And if her nose wasn't playing tricks on her, it was definitely Rex.
Swallowing a lump and shoving it into her heavy heart, she opened her mouth, hoping not to stutter in between.
"I couldn't find a book in the library. You don't have to strangle me". She said, flipping through a book she didn't give a damn about.
"When did you start coming here without my permission?" The voice finally spoke, still not moving an inch away from the door.
She also didn't turn. "Isn't this the first time you're catching me?"
The door closed and her heart made a flip. Avice wasn't the type to be scared of humans, but Rex was no human, and she didn't want to lose her precious neck.
Returning the book back into its place, she traced her finger over the spines of the books but as she was about to pluck out another book, his hand came over hers, followed by the swift air his speed brought.
"Don't touch my things". He warned.
Avice jerked away from his touch, stepping away as far as possible. "And don't touch me".
"You're in my space, uninvited".
"That doesn't give you the right. I'm leaving anyway". She said and turned, but she hardly made it five feet away from him when his voice halted her.
"You don't get to come and leave the way you want".
"What now? You're going to search me?"
He cocked his head. "Yes".
Avice's hands balled. "Go suck yourself. You're never touching me. I'd rather let jordan than let an animal like you".
His brows furrowed. "Jordan?" He let out a breathy chuckle and for the first time, Avice saw his lips curve. "What makes you think jordan has more right to lay his fingers on you".
"Many things". Avice almost interrupted him. "Starting with the obvious fact that he cares about me more than your balls could ever".
"Watch your tongue". He let out a threat.
Avice continued. "Well, what do you expect when a man can't even bring himself to love a woman who turned her back on everyone and every fucking thing, just to please an asshole who doesn't two shits about he—"
Avice's back collided with the shelf behind her. But not with his hand around her neck this time, his hand that could have been around her neck was on the shelf, next to her head.
The heat of his body fanned her skin and his eyes did its magic. Her chest was rising and falling as she returned his gaze, just that hers was weaker than his, and it was not shoving down his tongue into his throat like his was doing to hers.
She wanted to push him away but her hands failed. Not that she even tried.
"Keep running that mouth of yours around me and it's going to land you into some shitty mess". He said, his voice deepening with every word.
Avice slapped her senses into her head, trying to snap out of whatever thing the proximity was doing to her before opening her mouth. "I think nothing surprises me anymore. Considering that I'm in enough shitty mess anyone could ever be".
"You think?" One of his brows quirked and Avice didn't miss the curl on one end of his lips.
"What? You have another idea on how to make my life a living hell?" Avice asked, her hand sliding to the back of her trouser slowly, ready to pull out the knife if he ever tried any crazy thing.
He looked away, smacking his lips before saying, "weapons don't work on me. You should know that by now".
"But atleast, it can weaken you". She answered bravely. She wouldn't spare herself later if she showed any weakness in front of him.
"Well, I dare you to lift it". He stared.
Avice swallowed. "You think I can't?"
He shrugged one shoulder, not bothered if she decided to stab him in the eyes. Or maybe he was sure she couldn't do it. Well, it was true considering the fact that he thought she was Eliana. Eliana loved him and she wouldn't stab the person she loved. But she wasn't Eliana. She was Avice, Avice Forthwell.
"Are you scared?" He asked mockingly, trying to provoke her.
Avice grabbed the knife. "Go to hell". She yanked it out of her pocket and swung it, aiming it at his chest. He wasn't just human, he was a vampire and a werewolf. He would never die from a stab of a girl with wobbly hands. Those were the words in her head as she aimed the knife...until it came to a sudden halt after a sharp piercing sound.
Did she stab him already?! He didn't move?!
Avice's hand trembled, the knife slipping out of her hold as she gasped. Blood dripped on the floor space in between them and her trembling hand subconsciously came to clasp her mouth.
The knife didn't make it to his chest. The blade was in his hand, and he was gripping it tight, making the blood heavier with flow. Though, the knife was an inch away from piercing his chest but thankfully and unfortunately, he had stopped it with his hand.
"Wha–what t–he fuck". She stuttered as her eyes darted from his eyes to the knife cutting his palm. His eyes were blank. He was neither wincing nor were his veins growing bigger in his neck. Was he not feeling pain?
Avice hurried out of the space, suddenly claustrophobic as her gut twisted from watching the blood sip out. She ran to his table and after ruining every arrangement he made before, she found a handkerchief and a bottle of water in his drawer.
"Let it go". She said, not meeting his gaze as she wrapped her hand around the knife.
Obediently and relieving, he let it go and the knife fell on the floor. Avice took his hand, dragging it at first because he was reluctant.
He didn't say a word as she poured the water on his hand. Not even a wince, maybe if it was alcohol or methylated spirit, he would make a sound. The water streamed down to the bottom of the shelf as she poured it on his hand.
"It's going to heal now. You're messing up my workspace". He grunted and tried to remove his hand.
"Stay still unless you want me to cut the hand off". She dropped the water and quickly wrapped the handkerchief around it.
She dragged both end of the knot, making sure it was tight enough to stop the blood from coming out. She knew he would rip it out very soon but she wanted to do her best since it was her fault.
When she was done and satisfied, she moved away from him, sighing in relief as she stared at the knot. "There brave boy, your hand is as good as new".
Avice lifted her gaze to him and her nose almost denied the surrounding air entry when she saw how hard he was staring at her. He was gazing like he just caught her stealing meat from a food he prepared for nine hours. Like she was a little thief under suspicion.
"Wha–why are you staring at me like th—"
"Who are you?"
Avice's heart stopped and her body stiffened from the lack of blood supply. For a moment, she didn't know how to breathe and only stared at him like he was her only hope to snap out of the suspension her body organs drove into.
He stepped forward. "Who are you?" He asked again, his voice coated with seriousness this time.
Did he figure her out? Not now! Yes, she had been telling everyone she was not Eliana but getting caught by Rex was terrifying. He'd kick her out. No, he'd probably behead her in front of everyone since it had never happened before. He had always wanted to kill Eliana and now, she was giving him every reason to do so.
"What–t do you mean?" She tried to piece her shattered tongue together.
He stayed still, his eyes boring into hers so intently she could feel them falling out to the ground. She blinked, unable to hold it any longer. But as she was about to look away, her eyes swept back to him when he ask—said.
"You're not Eliana, are you?"
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