Mia couldn't believe what she was seeing. The man in front of her was supposed to be death. Even her mother used to tell his story when she was growing up.
"Remember not to go to that cemetery, Lysander's curse still lingers there," her mother always warned her. But of course Mia always found it silly. She had always dismissed her mother's fear as a mere superstition. She remembered how she and her friends would make jokes out of it during recess.
Even when she was in high school and authors started publishing articles and stories about Lysander's curse and people's experiences at the cemetery, she found it hard to believe.
"People will always do silly things for money," she always told herself. What made the little belief, if she ever had some, disappear was when random person person posted a picture of him online. The person claimed he got it from an ancient building he couldn't disclose.
Mai dismissed the image as being AI generated. Moreover the picture was painted and not photographed and she knew how people had wild imaginations.
But here he was right in front of her.
"What's your name little human?" He asked, in that melodious voice that made her shiver.
"Anna Mia."
*********
Lysander couldn't believe what he was seeing. To say he was taken aback was an understatement. He had expected a sorcerer, a witch, a vampire, something of his kind to break his curse, not a simple female human with kind eyes and an aura that was completely opposite his cold, dark one.
"Why are you here?"he asked, his voice echoing in the stillness.
"I….don't know. I came to…to clean the grave," she stammered nervously.
Under the moonlight, this human appeared almost ethereal. She looked so innocent with her hair tied up.
Curious about how she would look with her hair down, Lysander's fingers slowly found her hair clip and freed her hair, watching them cascade down her shoulders like a waterfall of dark threads, catching a soft glow and shimmering with every gentle breeze.
The moonlight highlighted her delicate features, casting a soft luminescence on her porcelain skin, which seemed to radiate an inner light. Her hazel eyes sparkled like twin starts, reflecting a mix of fear, curiosity and warmth that drew Lysander in with their depth.
Without second thoughts, he buried his face in her neck and took a deep breath, his groan and her gasp filled the air simultaneously.
She had a scent both enchanting and refreshing, reminiscent of blooming wildflowers mixed with a hint of fresh earth after rain, probably due to how dirty she was looking.
As they both stood under the moonlight, the fragrance danced around her carrying the sweetness of lavender and the crispness of the night. It was a natural aroma, untainted by the complexities of the world, making Lysander feel warm and comfort, something that was completely alien to him.
Each breath he took filled him with peace, making the night feel alive and vibrant.
He lifted his head slowly and stared into her eyes. They were in a confused state which mage him almost smile, something he did remember the last time he did. He trailed his gaze down to her lips.
As if being pulled in by a magnetic force, he leaned closer, the world him faded as soon as his lips touched hers.
She gasped again in surprise and he took the as his cue to suck her bottom lip.
She did not kiss him back or even push him away. It was a gentle kiss at first but he needed more. He was hungry for more.
He deepened the kiss, feeling the softness and warmth of her lips, this sent a rush of emotions coursing through him. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring them together in that moment and nothing else mattered. The taste of her was sweet, just like flowers in a garden and he could feel a strange connection between them causing him to wonder if she felt same.
Their breaths mingled in the cool night air, creating a moment that felt suspended in time.
A loud sound came from the floor and the human pushed him away immediately. Without sparing him a second glance, she picked the noisy thing of the floor and pressed something that made the noise stop.
Lysander immediately missed the feeling of her being in his arm.
"Yes…I…am done," he watched her talk over the thing she picked from the floor and attached to her ear.
She glanced at Lysander for a brief second before saying-
"There's no problem sir…. I don't know how to say it and I know it might sound silly but a…..the…the statue came to life."
**********
"What?" The old man said a hint of happiness in his voice which caused Mia to frown.
"I…mean how it it possible?" The man quickly changed his tone, trying to sound confused.
"I don't know sir, but I think you should see it for yourself," Mia said, turning her back to see that the man was now sitting on his carved throne, his gaze fixed on her.
Fear crept through her but she quickly picked her cleaning materials and hurried away.
Luckily, she met the old man a few meters away from the tombstone.
"Ok, here's your money. I'll go check things out for myself," the man said handing her an envelope.
Mia hesitated for a while, feeling the man was hiding something from her but she took the money after remembering the bills she had piled up.
It was already quarter past seven when she arrived at the bus stop. As she sat down waiting for the bus, her mind was swirling with thoughts. Just a moment ago, she had been to the popular haunted cemetery alone to work for money but she encountered him-Lysander- the man who was supposed to be a mere legend, long dead and buried, or so she thought.
She unconsciously touched her lips, remembering how electric the kiss was. It ignited something deep with her. His lips were so cold against hers and the moment felt surreal. As if time had stopped.
She could still feel the lingering sensation.
But how could he still be alive?
The stories of his tragic, how he was cursed and even killed by a witch centuries ago, leaving behind whispers of his dark legacy.
Yet standing right in front of his tombstone, he looked so real, so alive.
Lost in her thoughts, Mia barely noticed that the bus had arrived. The air was thick with the scent of impending rain. She quickly climbed the bus and sat down.
She recalled the way his eyes had glowed, holding secrets gay called her to uncover them. What did it mean? Was she drawn to the danger he represented or was it something deeper?
The bus halted at her stop and she got off, taking the alley to her house.
At a distance, she saw her landlord pacing about angrily and usually when she saw this she would hide but today she walked towards him with confidence.
"It's about time," he rolled his eyes when he saw her coming.
"G….good evening sir," Mia said suddenly feeling nervous. This man always made her nervous and she didn't know why.
"I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries. I hope you have my money."
"Yes, I do," Mia said, pulling the envelope out of her purse and ripping it open.
She pulled the dollar bills that were neatly stacked out with a frown. This wasn't the amount she was supposed to be give. This was way over.
"What are you waiting for?" The landlord's impatient voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I see you have enough money to pay all your debts . Now pay up!" He extended an arm.
Mia stood there with the money in her hand contemplating on what to do. What if the money was given to her by mistake? Was she supposed to call him and returned the money?
"What are you waiting for? It's late and I have things to do," The man said, making Mia sigh.
"Sir you really don't understand, I was overpaid. I think I need to call to confirm," she tries to explain.
"Nonsense, just pay me now , unless you want me to break that door and throw your things out," the man threatened her.
Hearing this, Mia had no choice but to pay everything she owed.
Feeling exhausted, she unlocked the door and walked inside. She dropped her purse on her bed and went straight to the bathroom to bath because what happened had taken it took over her.
She wasn't even sure she could do the research about the cemetery she intended to do because her eye lids were already heavy.
After taking her bath, she slipped into her pajamas and went straight to bed without eating . She didn't have anything to eat anyway.
Mia threw her blanket over her body, settling in comfortably, letting sweet sleep take over, completely unaware of the silhouette standing at the window.