Chapter 16: Slap

" what did you say!" She shouted while her eyes glared at me, her face contorted to furry. To me it looked ridiculous, there was nothing scary about it. I have been trying to act mature and did everything she'd tell me to do. It's not my fault that I am young and know some things that she doesn't know, and know how to make potions. That my appearance makes her assume I've never worked a day in my life and I don't know hardship. I care too little about her opinion of me to correct her, she wouldn't believe me if I told her anyways. The things I can do angers her and so she vented by trying to make things hard for me, constantly being on my case and ordering me around so that she can feel in control and the fact that I'm not complaining about all of that is killing her. I haven't been reacting the way she expected and wanted.

" You heard me loud and clear" I really want to see where this is going. " I'm not uncertain of myself, you think I see you as a threat? No I see someone who doesn't know a thing about working hard, an entitled brat who probably had everything handed to her. I on the other hand have risked and sacrificed everything to be where I am. All I know, i had to be brave to accomplish the knowledge I have. It took years of dedicated research and you dare look down on it!" I got up from the table and went to stand in front of her. I don't give a damn about what she did to know so little, 'i had everything handed to me?' she really thinks she has me all figured out.

" I really really pity you, you speak about the knowledge you have with pride whereas I, the person who knows more than you, I'm aware that I know very little and if someone who knows more than I do were to walk in I'd be happy, I wouldn't judge him or her in fact I'd wish to learn from them so that I don't spend more years of 'brave research' to just reach where they are. But I think I should save my pity, it is not my fault that you are an idiot with an Ego that will certainly get you nowhere"

Pah!

I was a little shocked about what happened next, a sound of someone being slapped resounded throughout the elixir house. She actually slapped me, the familiar feeling brought a rush of memories. A wave of untapped emotions washed over me. Different from what was going on in my head my face stretched to a smile, a smile I'm aware was ugly. " You have no idea, you really wouldn't have survived. You would've ended yourself in less than a week." I said to her while shaking my head, my mind was still replaying the painful memories. She opened her mouth to speak but all was silenced by his voice.

"That's enough!" Today he wore simple black pants and a white long sleeve shirt. " Alpha Vale, I apologize for what she has done and please don't worry. As you can see I was handling it, she certainly won't do it again " at this point it's embarrassing, I'm now starting to feel bad for her. Maybe her brain is incomplete. It was the first time seeing it, his face had an annoyed expression and he was trying really hard to calm himself down. " What are you talking about?...in fact don't, the reason why I'm here doesn't concern you. Era is the one that needs me here, not the nonsense you're spouting " after saying that to Arina who now had her mouth hanging him and Zik went upstairs and so I followed them...

"Are you okay?" Zik asked after I closed the door, the three of us were in my room and I truly hoped they had a solution to my problem. " Even if I wasn't it wouldn't matter more than what made you bring him here" I was in no mood for people to pretend to care about me.

" Is what Zik said true? Has it been days you've been seeing this man in your dreams?" Vale asked with his deep voice and I nodded. " He is always eager to know what and who I am?" They exchanged looks and it annoyed me " well? Is there nothing you can do to help except stare at each other!". "Sorry it's just that he didn't do or ask what you tell us to the others when they first got here" said Zik and I got confused, others? What does he mean by that?

" Arina, Olivia and Roseanne have once had this man in their dreams. One visit of his almost killed them" I shook my head refusing to believe Zik's explanation " no that can't be true because I'm fine, I'm just a little spooked that's all". " You can go ask them and they'll tell you the same. The question is how are you fine? It also seems that unlike the others this vampire lord didn't try to take over your mind and make you his puppet. He wants to know what and who you are which we're now also curious about?" Things just had to escalate.

" You already have my name, my real name and that's more than enough " my answer made Zik frown but Vale's silver eyes shone with interest as if I had just confirmed something. " You don't have to tell us...time will always tell. Wear this to block him" Vale threw me a silver bracelet that had small beautiful symbols. I quickly wore the bracelet on my right wrist, it looked a thousand times prettier than the other one. The most natural thing to do would be to thank him but this guy who I now know is a vampire lord is after me because of him. " Was there something else you wanted to give or tell me?" Zik shook his head in confusion. "Then..." I said that while hinting at the door and this made Zik's jaw drop as he looked at me like I'm the most ungrateful person in the world.

They have no idea how exhausted I am, I want nothing more than to jump on the bed and take a nap. I'm done with today's work so I'm planning to spend the rest of my day in my room.