The driver took a step back, clearly not wanting to get too close to Sierra's "infectious" condition.
"I'll just...ah...leave you to rest, ma'am. Please take care of yourself," he said, before quickly turning around and hurrying back to the car. He got in and drove away, leaving Sierra standing alone on the sidewalk, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as she watched him go.
Sierra couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph at having successfully avoided the party. She wiped the fake blood from her mouth and chuckled to herself, feeling a little silly for using such a drastic measure. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and she was determined to avoid Patriarch Magnus's clutches at all costs.
Just as she was about to turn and go back inside, Sierra heard a voice behind her.
"Well played, Miss Sierra," the voice said, low and smooth.
"But don't think you've seen the last of me." Sierra spun around, her heart racing, as she saw a figure emerging from the shadows.
Sierra's eyes widened in surprise as Patriarch Magnus stood before her, a charming smile on his face. She quickly thought on her feet, trying to come up with another excuse.
"I'm so sorry, I'm actually...ah...allergic to men's cologne. And I can smell it on you," she said, trying to sound convincing.
"I think I'm going to break out in hives if you don't leave immediately."
Patriarch Magnus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Sierra's excuse.
"Ah, Miss Sierra, you're a creative one, I'll give you that," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"But I'm afraid I'm not buying it. I've been in this business long enough to know when someone's trying to brush me off." He took a step closer to her, his eyes glinting with determination.
"I'm not leaving until I get what I came for. And what I came for is to take care of you."
"Cough, cough, but aren't you scared of getting sick?" Sierra asked innocently.
Patriarch Magnus chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Ah, Miss Sierra, I think you'll find that I'm not so easily deterred by a little thing like a cold," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"Besides, I'm willing to take the risk. After all, I have a feeling that you're worth it." He took another step closer to her, his eyes locked on hers, and Sierra could feel a shiver run down her spine as she realized that he was not going to be easily swayed.
"But…" Sierra replied
"Let's be sick together," Patriarch Magnus said as he pulled Sierra inside who pulled her hand away she dislike other touching her aside from her children.
Sierra's eyes flashed with annoyance as Patriarch Magnus's hand closed around hers, and she quickly pulled it away, trying to hide her revulsion.
"I...I don't think that's a good idea," she said, trying to sound firm but polite. She took a step back, trying to create some distance between them, and folded her arms across her chest, a subtle but clear signal that she didn't want to be touched.
"I'm not comfortable with...physical contact," she said, her voice cool and detached.
Patriarch Magnus's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable, but Sierra could sense a flicker of annoyance behind his calm exterior.
"I see," he said, his voice neutral.
"Well, in that case, perhaps we can just...talk, then." He gestured to the living room, inviting Sierra to sit down, and she hesitated for a moment before complying, her eyes never leaving his face. As she sat down, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being sized up, evaluated, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Where do you feel sick?" Patriarch Magnus asked Sierra who smiled and she stood up here this should work. Let out a large cough and she faked to threw up.
"Sir I am really sick I fear you will get sick you must go, back home," Sierra said she will use any trick in her book to get this man out of her home!
Patriarch Magnus stepped forward and picked up Sierra like she weighed nothing.
"Amore like I said let's get sick together I won't leave you alone tonight," Patriarch Magnus said he could sense this woman was playing sick card to get out on going to gathering g then he will just stay here with her instead she must be angry. Oh Sierra was so angry she greeted her teeth and she coughed.
"But it's so deadly!"
"Mmm let's meet each other in our next reincarnation," Patriarch Magnus whispered.
Sierra's eyes widened in outrage as Patriarch Magnus swept her up in his arms, his words sending a chill down her spine. She struggled against him, trying to wriggle free, but he held her firm.
"You...you can't be serious!" she spluttered, her face burning with anger.
"I'm not going to...to...die with you!" She coughed again, trying to play up the sick act, but Patriarch Magnus just chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. Sierra's anger boiled over, and she let out a fierce growl, baring her teeth.
"Put me down, you...you... lunatic!"
Patriarch Magnus's eyes sparkled with amusement as Sierra struggled against him, her face red with rage.
"Ah, Amore, you're so beautiful when you're angry," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. Sierra's eyes flashed with fury, and she tried to slap him, but he caught her hand, his grip firm.
"Don't," he warned, his voice low and husky.
"I'm not going to let you go. Not tonight." He started to walk towards the bedroom, Sierra still struggling in his arms, and she knew she had to think fast if she was going to get out of this situation alive.
"I will go to the gathering!" Sierra blurted out she rather suffer for few hours then the whole night!
Patriarch Magnus's eyes lit up with triumph as Sierra blurted out her surrender.
"Ah, Amore, I knew you'd see things my way," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He set her down on her feet, his hands lingering on her waist.
"I'll send for the car. We'll leave immediately." Sierra's face twisted in distaste as she realized she'd just traded one nightmare for another. She was going to have to put on a smile and pretend to be Patriarch Magnus's guest for the rest of the night, all while trying to avoid his unwanted attention. She felt a wave of dread wash over her as she realized she was trapped, and she knew she'd have to think fast if she was going to survive the night with her sanity intact.
This asshole trapped her with her own trap! Sierra stormed her feet as she went to the bathroom to wash up.
Sierra slammed the bathroom door shut behind her and leaned against the sink, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration. She splashed water on her face, trying to calm herself down, but her mind was racing with curses and insults for Patriarch Magnus.
"How dare he!" she seethed, her voice low and venomous.
"He thinks he's so clever, trapping me with my own words. I'll show him clever." She glared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes flashing with determination.
"I'll play along, for now. But I'll find a way to get out of this, and I'll make sure he pays for underestimating me."
The music swirled around them, a mesmerizing rhythm that seemed to match the beating of their hearts. Sierra's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and her body moved with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural. Patriarch Magnus's eyes were locked on hers, and he felt himself becoming lost in their depths. He didn't know what was happening, but he couldn't look away. The dance was like nothing he had ever seen before, a beautiful, intricate pattern of movement that seemed to be woven from the very fabric of their souls. Sierra's hands were on his shoulders, and he could feel her fingers digging into his skin, but he didn't care. He was lost in the dance, lost in her eyes, and he knew that he would never be the same again. The music reached a crescendo, and Sierra's eyes flashed with a fierce, holy light. She was a goddess, a creature of beauty and power, and Patriarch Magnus was her willing slave. He didn't know what was happening, but he knew that he was under her spell, and he would do anything to stay there.
"My Cain I waited for you for hundred thousands of years," Sierra whispered her eyes closed Sierra was unaware what she was saying was this one her past life? Her past lover?
*Patriarch Magnus's eyes widened in shock as Sierra's words hung in the air. "Sierra, what are you talking about?" he whispered, his voice low and urgent. But Sierra just smiled, her eyes still closed, and her voice barely above a whisper.
"My Cain, I've missed you so much." The music swirled around them, and Patriarch Magnus felt like he was drowning in the depths of her eyes. Who was Cain? And why did Sierra's words feel like a punch to his gut?
"My Cain I waited for you at our tree why did you let me be alone my Cain I won't let you go again," Sierra whispered as she held on Patriarch Magnus she was still unaware what she was saying as a powerful glow surrounded the two of them.