Chapter 48
Anastasia hurried to the window, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the crowd pressing the gate, trying to force their wax through.
"Send more guards there," Cassius commanded.
Anastasia turned to him. "You will not hurt anyone."
"Stay here," he said. "I'm going down to address the people."
"Let me go with you."
Just as Cassius and Anastasia stepped out of the castle, loud screams pierced through the air. Anastasia eyes widened in shock as she saw infected vampire attacking the people.
She felt her stomach churn uncomfortably and she staggered backward, leaning against the wall for support. When she closed her eyes, she heard a small voice behind her.
"Time is ticking, Anastasia," the voice whispered into her ears. "When will you return to me?"
Anastasia felt her heart skipped a beat. She knew who the voice belonged to.
"Will it be until all your people are dead before you come to me?"
"You see, anything that happens is all your fault. Anyone who dies, their blood will be on your hands."
Anastasia felt her eyes sting with tears as the weight of the words pressed heavily on her shoulder. Was this her fault? Had Nerina tampered with the magic just to torment her?
"Anastasia?" Cassius voice broke through the long silence.
She raised her head to look at him.
"Are you alright?"
"It's Nerina. She's the one who tampered with the magic to bring back the infection back to vampires."
"We will do something about that."
Anastasia closed the distance between them, leaning into him. "She's in my head. She's blaming me for everything that's happening."
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't let fear consume you. Soon, everything will be fine."
Then he pulled back, drawing his sword from its sheath. "Stay in your room and don't step out of the castle, do you understand?"
"You're leaving?"
"Yes. To kill the infected vampires outside the gates."
She slowly nodded her head, watching his back as he walked away.
…..
That evening as Anastasia sat down in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, Cassius walked inside the room.
She turned to him. "How did it go?"
"We managed to kill fifty of infected Vampires but the others escaped."
He was now dressed in black robe with his hair neatly combed back.
"Come with me, Ana."
Without asking questions, she followed him, walking past different stairs before reaching the roof of the castle. Anastasia smiled, scanning the place as she felt gush of wind brush her skin.
"Do you like it?"
"I love the wind," she smiled.
"Sit here," he said, nudging his head to the space next to him.
Anastasia hesitated, unsure of whether to sit or not.
"Don't be afraid. I will catch you if you fall."
She walked closer, cautiously lowering herself to sit down. As she almost lost her balance, he caught her into his arms.
She placed her head on his chest, gazing at the full moon. She noticed him turn his head to the other side, his jaw clenched tightly and his brows arch.
"What is bothering you?"
He turned to her, forcing a smile. "It is about Nerina. She lives underwater, and none of us can go there to kill her. You know we are vampires and can't stay underwater for long."
Anastasia pressed her lips together. "We will find a way to end this together. For now, spare yourself from any disturbing thoughts."
"I love you, Ana," he whispered. "And I will do everything to protect you from the evil."
Anastasia was unsure of what to say. This wasn't his fight. She was a mermaid, she needed to sort things out herself. First, she need to reach to her mother and confront her of her relationship with Nerina. How did Nerina know her mother?
She looked into his eyes, her body and mind focused on him. She had never imagined having such feelings for Cassius. She had never imagine falling—
Anastasia couldn't say the word. It was hard admitting that the feelings she had developed for him were love. What does she know about love? Perhaps it was her mind playing games with her.
Soon enough, Anastasia found herself falling asleep in his arms.
Cassius held her for long, his eyes heavy with the weight of everything. For some reasons, he felt he wouldn't be able to protect her from all the evils.
His eyes shifted to the wound on her neck. With the ointment Naomi had given to her, she was healing quickly. He raised his hand to brush her hair softly. He pulled her closer, placing a kiss on her forehead.
He stood up, turning around to leave. As he left, bats in the sky made an eerie sound before flying away.