Chapter 8 — Undone
Cassia:
The party is going well. Kendra and I decided to split up and look at the new art displays. I’m shocked to find my own art on display. My aunt and uncle, Arabella and Draco, approach me at that moment, glowing with pride. Arabella and Draco are art professors at the school. They are also a beautiful couple. They have been mated for over two hundred years. Arabella has long red hair and green eyes, and Draco is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.
Aunt Arabella places her arm around my shoulder and mutters enthusiastically. “Cassia, this one is brilliant. People love it.”
Frowning with chagrin, I turn to Arabella and mumble reproachingly. “I wasn’t ready for this painting to be shown, Arabella. I told you I wanted to wait.”
Arabella waves her hand dismissively. “Nonsense Cassia, your work is exquisite. Plus, you have to show it off eventually.”
I love my aunt and uncle, but sometimes they don’t know when to listen. I wasn’t ready to show my work. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I wanted to do it at my pace. But of course, there is no use arguing with my aunt and uncle.
“Well, it’s done, sweetheart. Please, enjoy the praise. You know that you deserve it.” She mutters distractedly before she walks away.
Staying behind, Uncle Draco slides his arm around my waist and mumbles encouragingly, “As high-handed as your aunt is, she’s right. The painting is extraordinary and passionate. It deserves to be enjoyed.”
I know that art has to evoke feelings, but all I feel right now is exposed, and it makes me uncomfortable. Draco must see my reluctance because he tightens his hand on my waist and firmly states. “Look, Cass, art is a way to show the world your true self. It’s why people respond to art so deeply. They see your soul, and in return, they see their own soul. Do not be ashamed of this. It shows how beautifully you see love.” I nod my head at his wise words. “Thank you, Draco.” Draco smiles and kisses my cheek before he walks away.
Closing my eyes, I take a breath. I know that Uncle Draco is right. A true artist exposes their soul, and it’s time for me to get out of my comfort zone. Plus, it’s not like being safe has gained me anything. Just look at my disastrous rejection. I waited years with so much hope, only to be slapped with a painful dose of reality that my mate wants nothing to do with me.
Looking at the painting one last time, I turn away from my work and continue to the others. There’s no point in worrying about it now that it’s out in the open. I’m cruising through the sculptures in the next room when I feel a presence behind me. Shivering, I search around the quiet room. I’m about to turn around when I come face to face with Mathias’ daughter. She’s gorgeous with honey-colored hair and large eyes. “Hi, we haven’t really officially met, but I’m Nevaeh.” She smiles warmly and extends her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Nevaeh. I’m Cassia Garron.”
Nevaeh looks at the sculpture in front of us, then turns back to me with an almost shrewd smirk. “I love your painting. It was incredible. I think Mathias was speechless when he saw it.”
I look at her in surprise, which quickly turns to mortification as I realize what he must have assumed. Nevaeh must see my discomfort because she gives me a sad smile and mutters. “Look, I know about you and Mathias, and I just wanted to tell you not to give up on him. I was in a similar situation with my mate until he finally wised up.”
I don’t know what to say because I doubt that our situations were the same. However, I can see that she’s trying to be comforting. “Look, Nevaeh, I appreciate your loyalty to your father, but he really hurt me. I’ve always been second best to the men in my life. My father was a horrible man who abandoned me, and now Mathias has chosen a memory over me. I don’t think I can ever forgive that.”
Nevaeh grimaces in reply. “You’re right. You know… …I met your father. He kidnapped me.” I look at her, shocked. “What?”
She nods her head. “Yeah, and I have to say you’re better off without him.”
Not knowing what else to say, I move to the next sculpture. Of all the ways I expected the night to go, I never expected it to go this bad. I’m about to turn back to Nevaeh and apologize when suddenly, a dark form moves from behind the sculpture in front of Neveah. His face is ragged and wan, but I know that face anywhere. I try to warn Nevaeh, but it’s too late. Before she can react, Lukan pulls back his arm and hits her in the head. Crying out, Nevaeh slumps onto the floor.
Horrified, I open my mouth to call out for help, but before I can, Lukan stops in front of me and wraps his hand around my forearm. “Cassia, my daughter, you need to come with me.”
I shake my head at the look of madness in his eyes as I struggle to pull away from his hold. Finally breaking free, I reach for Nevaeh’s form and try to shake her awake. His hand painfully grips my neck as he tries to drag me away. My throat burns beneath his tight hold, and my oxygen begins to diminish. I can see spots in front of my eyes as my breathing begins to become ragged from lack of oxygen. Using my feet, I kick at his chest and free myself before I open my mouth to scream. I need to get away from him.
Growling with rage, Lukan covers my mouth and cries out when I bite his hand, elbow him in the face and run towards the door. Unfortunately, he pulls me by my ankle and twists it painfully before I can make it to the door. I kick out desperately, knowing that if we don’t get help, Lukan is going to kill us. Somehow, I manage a scream before he slams my head into the floor. Through my haze, I can hear raised voices, shouting in alarm, but before I can see who it is, the darkness overtakes me.