"If you don't start answering everything I ask, you can always pay respects to Luna at her grave site," Edward threatened me further.
His words cut through the air like a knife, stirring a tumult of conflicting emotions within me.
I was confused. All this time, I expected to just clear my suspicion of Edward, and things would go back to how they were.
I was also angry at myself for not expecting Edward to pull off such a cowardly move. I mean, I was doing the same, but if it was just him, I was sure he wouldn't budge.
From the very beginning, his facial expression did not crumble once. He showed no reaction to whatever I did.
Heck, maybe he doesn't even care about his captured parent and sibling. Maybe he only played along just to get rid of me once and for all.
But how did he get to Luna? I couldn't help but doubt whether he's telling the truth or not.
I cannot read him at all, but the fact of the matter is, from the very beginning, he paid very close attention to me and was also aware of my friendship with Luna, so he must have had plenty of time to get someone else to get to her.
He's cautious, extremely cautious.
"I-I understand," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. I had to do something to get out of this situation. He's dangerous, very, very dangerous.
Just like those damn hunters, he'll probably do anything just to get rid of me, be it sacrificing his own blood or innocent people caught in the crossfire.
Maybe if I eliminate him before he can contact Luna's capturer, then she'll be safe. I just have to get rid of him and rescue Luna.
I waited a little for him to drop his guard, whatever that meant, because right now, he was acting as if he's taking a stroll in a park.
This might be the perfect opportunity to surprise attack him. I'll use my speed to catch him off guard.
I watched as he put his phone back into his pocket and was about to open his mouth. That's when I decided to rush at him.
I reached him in less than a second and was about to deliver a kick to knock him out, but he somehow blocked my attack?
"You stopped that?" I couldn't help but blurt out as he crashed into a tree, snapping it in half. His glasses fell somewhere, and he just got up and looked straight at me. His black eyes showed no hint of fear or surprise.
Maybe he's not even human at this point. A doppelgänger that devoured the original. That's right a damn doppelgänger.
"It does not matter," I told him and myself as I was preparing to take him out. I spoke again, "You left me with no choice." Then I dashed straight towards him.
* * *
I closed the distance between us in less than a second, my fist aimed straight at his face.
But as I swung, Edward dodged with a mere tilt of his head, he gracefully dodged my strike. The whoosh of air marked the passage of my fist as it met empty space.
'Again he dodged it somehow,' I thought to myself as the punch I threw created a whooshing sound akin to a whip.
But I did not stop to give him the chance to counterattack.
I pulled my outstretched hand, previously used for punching, now transitioning seamlessly into a karate chop aimed at the back of his neck.
Yet again, Edward, seemingly anticipated my move from miles away, leaned forward in a swift bow that narrowly avoided my attack.
In that moment, it became abundantly clear that I was facing no ordinary Human.
Even though I was not going all out, the pace at which I was going would pose problems even for Albert, a seasoned veteran.
The prospect of me engaging Edward in full combat sent a shiver down my spine. How is he keeping up with me a noble vampire?
I was only momentarily distracted, but that's all it took for Edward. Rising up from his bowing position, he leaned in towards me incredibly fast with an out stretched hand.
I was a little off balance from my failed attack previously, so not only did he take me by surprise with his speed, but he also exploited my slight imbalance to grab me by my neck and hurl me into a nearby tree.
"Argh!"
Pain shot through me, a sharp groan escaping my lips as I struggled to regain my footing. As I looked up, I barely had time to register the incoming fist hurtling towards me.
As the fist hurtled towards my face, my mind raced. 'Damn, what the hell?' I thought, reacting purely on instinct.
With a surge of strength, I gripped Edward's left hand, the bones cracking audibly beneath my grasp.
Finally wrenching free, I swiftly dodged away, putting some distance between us. His punch struck the tree with force, embedding his fist into the bark and scattering splinters in all directions.
Though it seemed like an opportune moment to strike, an unsettling feeling crept over me, urging caution.
Edward turned to face me, an unnerving calmness in his demeanor. "That's interesting," he remarked casually, glancing at his trapped hand. "You're quite thoughtful, not attacking a man with his fist stuck in a tree."
His nonchalant attitude sent shivers down my spine. It was almost as if he anticipated my every move, even when handicapped.
"Mind giving me a hand?" he quipped, feigning helplessness. I knew better than to fall for his ruse again.
Without hesitation, I tore a piece of bark from a nearby tree with my bare hands, fashioning it into a makeshift weapon. "Shut up," I retorted, my voice tinged with determination. "I'm done playing games."
Edward merely shrugged, unfazed by my defiance. With a powerful strike, he dislodged his hand from the tree, causing it to crash to the ground.
Surveying his injured fingers, he muttered, "That stung a little."
Edward glanced at his injured hand, as he inspected his broken fingers. With a practiced movement, he shifted them back into a more natural position
As I regained my composure, relief washed over me. Though facing a formidable opponent, I was grateful it was human rather than some monstrous creature that could devour me.
Yet, I did not want to underestimate him again. From now on, I'd confront him without holding back.