Chapter 23 - The Attacker

Chapter 23 - The Attacker
Birthdays.

Birthdays, being a joyous occasion, should be celebrated with a smile, but to Amanda, it never came.

Well, it did, when Arissa, Dayana, Lady Granger and Sir Jerome greeted her a ‘happy birthday’ later that evening, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. It was dull. Incomplete. Lifeless.

She managed to thank them one by one, putting a face that masked the disturbance in her heart; showing as if she was excited for the coming visit of her friends, Noman and Matteo, and a group dinner with Pamela and Heather. And somehow, she seemed to fool them.

She had mauled on the facts after her little quarrel - or if it was even called one - with Cord from morning ’til afternoon. Mauled on it over and over again, but as a result, it only gave herself a headache and another batch of questions.

Who was the witch that cursed his family? That cursed him?

Was there another way for that to be broken?

And considering her blood had an effect on Cord, was she the key to that then?

Why were they unable to steer clear from each other despite knowing they were enemies? What was she even feeling towards him? How about him? To her?

She knew for sure that desire was one of them. Attraction. The need for their skin to touch. But was there another emotion on the mix?

In the end, she felt defeated, unable to find the answers to her questions.

Maybe then, when Cord decides to show himself to her, that she can ask the questions, but that’s if he has the answers to it, or that’s if he even wants to answer them. She was grateful he was honest to her that time, but somehow she wished he hid truth. At least it would have spared her conscience from grilling her.

As she stepped outside of her room, she experienced a little bit of enlightenment. Much of the residents of the castle were unjustly cursed together with the Vitalis Family. They didn’t deserve it and for that, she felt a sense of pity on them. However, that part of her that feared them didn’t die out. She was after all a witch. A witch that held not only an ability that they desired so much, but a special blood that may or may not be their key to salvation. Heather, Pamela, Diana and Sir Jerome were vampires but they seemed safe enough. She just didn’t want to take any chances.

“Oh my God, Cait! Happy birthday!”

Noman was the first one to talk when they saw each other in the main foyer. Matteo was behind him but he remained silent, nailing his eyes on Amanda who accepted Noman’s big hug.

“Thank you Dom,” she said, smiling a little, and then her attention drifted on his back.

“Hello, Cait,” Matteo spoke, walking closer to her and then opening his arms for an embrace.

“Matt...” Amanda accepted his warm hug like she did with Noman, but of course, there was a bit of awkwardness there.

“Happy birthday.”

“Uh, thank you.”

They both withdrew and immediately, Matteo raised a brow, confused.

“Where’s your present?” he said.

“Present?” Amanda parroted, genuinely clueless. She looked at Noman who just shrugged his shoulders.

“The necklace, you didn’t wear it,” Matteo reminded and for that, Amanda’s mouth parted a little, realizing she had actually forgotten all about the amulet.

“Uh, it’s...it’s in my room. I’ll wear it later.”

Matteo bobbed his head. He pulled a silver box no bigger than a matchbox from his pants pocket and handed it to her.

“Then you should take this too so you can wear both of them together.”

Amanda didn’t need to ask what was inside it. It was already obvious and for that, her heartbeat spiked up realizing he was subtly reminding her of his proposal.

“No, that’s not really necessary Matt,” in haste, she cooked up a reply.

“Take it Cait. I insist.”

Matteo’s eyes were cold and unyielding all of a sudden.

Noman, although clueless of the content in the box, saw the tension between the two so he wisely shoved himself in between them and expressed:

“All right! All right! It is way too early for that Matty. We should have dinner first and celebrate!”

Amanda silently thanked his interruption. She nodded and grabbed Noman’s right elbow.

“Ye-yeah...please let’s go.”

“Excuse me Miss Cait,” Dayana saw the opening to announce herself, “Mistress Heather and Mistress Pamela are waiting for you in the south wing rooftop garden.”

Amanda smiled at her. “Yes, please lead the way Dayana.”

As they climbed the grand staircase, Noman leaned towards Amanda’s ear and whispered:

“You know what, I was just about to invite you for some booze in this castle’s garden to celebrate your birthday, but oh my, I was surprised when Matteo told me about your invitation this morning.”

The said man was following them, silent, but Amanda swore she could feel his steely gaze on her.

“I’m glad that you seem excited about my birthday Dom,” she expressed with a sigh whilst watching the stairs ahead.

Without warning, Noman gripped her waist. “Wait,” he said and he would have paused from walking to stare at her face if not for Amanda pushing him forward.

“Oh no,” he expressed, shooting rounded eyes on her profile. “Something is bothering you, I can feel it.”

Amanda remained silent, but look at him she did, coupled with a deep breath.

“Sweety, don’t you dare give me that look,” Noman pointed his French-tipped finger at her. “Let us discuss what’s bothering you after dinner.”

For the first time that day, Amanda’s gloomy disposition lifted.

“Right. As always, I can’t hide anything from you, Dom,” she said, giving him a grateful look.

Noman scoffed and lifted his chin with pride.

“You are damn right with that!”

By the time they arrived in their destination, Noman again was the one who exclaimed first.

“Wow. Now this is a rooftop garden!”

He released his hold on Amanda’s arm and quickly surveyed the area, stepping forward to see more of the view. Bushes of roses of different colors, blood red cherry and lemon trees were seen everywhere, planted on specific locations near the cobblestoned pathway. There was a white roofless pergola on the middle with wisteria vines climbing on its beams. Soft yellow lampposts lighted the whole area and specifically on each sides of the pergola which aided Noman’s delighted examination.

Amanda was in awe too, but that soon disappeared when she felt a hand snake its way into her waist.

“Matt...” she voiced out, breath hitching in the process.

Matteo intentionally brushed his hand up and down her waist and pressed himself close to her, no gap visible anymore.

“Had you prepared your luggage?” he said, looking ahead of the pathway where two women appeared, sitting awhile ago in the pergola.

Amanda hid a scowl. She wanted to step forward, out of his reach, but Matteo’s hot hand on her waist prevented that.

“It is not the right time to talk about that, Matt,” she replied.

“Then, when is it?”

“After dinner.”

A pleased sound emerged from behind Matteo’s throat.

“Sounds good to me, but make sure Noman doesn’t take much of your time. He seems so hell-bent on interrupting us.”

Amanda dipped her eyes on one blooming red rose, a hint of regret showing there. “I can’t blame him, Matt. You have changed. A lot.”

Matteo’s mouth opened to reply, but was cut off when Heather shouted some distance away from them.

“There’s the birthday girl!”

Amanda quickly wore her happy mask again.

“Heather.”

“Happy birthday!”

They embraced each other: Heather being the first one to initiate while Amanda for a second hesitated.

“Thanks,” she said when they withdrew. She threw a smile once again but still it lacked luster.

“Hello, Sweetling,” Pamela stepped in and gave her a cheek-to-cheek greeting.

“Pamela,” Amanda moved backward, away from the ungloved hands of the vampire woman.

“You have visitors. May I know who these gorgeous men are?” Pamela studied the said men, first Noman with a grin and then Matteo with a lift of one brow.

“Uh, sure.” Amanda silently signaled Noman to move closer. “Here is my best friend.”

“Err, correction,” Noman abruptly cut in, “The bestest best friend.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “Yes, well, uhm, he is Noman Asghar.”

Then, she patted a hand on Matteo’s shoulder and continued, “And here is the Vice President of my father’s race car company, Matteo Nikos Threvelli. He is also my fri-”

“Fiancé. I’m Amanda’s fiancé,” Matteo was quick to fill in. He lifted a hand in between them for a handshake.

Both Amanda and Noman’s breath hitched, but it was the latter who had a more audible effect.

Noman looked at his best friend who in turn looked at him with worried eyes.

Pamela dismissed their odd reaction, too busy gazing at Matteo’s handsome smile. “Fiancé huh?” She lifted a curious brow and then reached for his proffered hand.

Amanda’s eyes widened, remembering her ability to read a person’s feelings and experiences through touch. She quickly cleared her throat and examined Matteo’s face that showed just a normal reaction.

Couldn’t he sense the vampire woman in his front? He was a powerful mage after all.

“Forced, I guess?” Pamela’s question was directed to her the moment she released Matteo’s hand.

Amanda, in response, cleared a lump on her throat.

“Excuse me?” was Matteo’s immediate reaction. “What do you mean forced?”

Pamela only answered him with a sweet smile.

“Well, uhm, let’s eat guys. Let’s bring all the conversing in the table,” Heather wisely suggested, moving in to drag Pamela by the elbow.

They all walked into the pergola; the vampire ladies leading the way while Amanda, Noman and Matteo walking close behind, silent and observing the scenery.

When they sat on their chosen seats, Noman touched Amanda’s left wrist to catch her attention.

“Are we missing one?” he asked, serious with his eyes.

Amanda blinked and inquired, “Who do you mean, Dom?”

“Master Vitalis. Isn’t he joining us?”

By the mere mention of Cord, Amanda’s focus broke.

Why the hell did he have to ask that?

“Pfft, I don’t think that man likes to mingle,” Heather released a sarcastic laugh. She reached for her wine flute that contained a transparent red liquid and sipped on it.

“Oh, but he wants to,” entered Pamela. She stared at Matteo and then to Amanda showing a hint in her eyes that meant trouble. “Maybe he’ll come up later.”

Heather flung her hands in the air. “Not to worry, cousin. He won’t be missed,” she expressed and then turned her attention on the birthday girl sitting in the center chair. “Anyway, I have someone who likes to meet you Cait. He is my brother. He’ll probably be here any moment now.”

“Can we eat dinner anyway? I’m starving,” Noman could no longer hold his patience. Amanda, as a response, kicked his boot under the table and glared at him.

The latter only snickered.

“Sure! Sure! No problem at all!” Heather replied, not at all offended with Noman’s frankness. “Let’s dig in, please.”

And yes, they all ate for the next two hours. Most of the conversation came from Noman and Heather who instantly clicked because of their cheerful and bold personalities. But, at one time, Noman asked why she and Pamela almost didn’t touch their plates. The two were able to conjure up a reasonable answer, but because of this, Noman was awarded again with another kick on the boot by Amanda.

Matteo chose to be silent, but that didn’t mean he refrained from observing Amanda as much as he could. He was after all sitting near her. He threw a hundred fleeting glances on her way that it brought Amanda feeling conscious and Noman grinning.

“This sure looks interesting,” Pamela commented after the topic of Matteo and Amanda’s betrothal was brought up by Heather. “You informed her that she’s your bride just last night right?”

Amanda stiffened in her seat, feeling uncomfortable with the subtle hints the vampire woman was bombarding her.

“Wait. How did you know?” asked Matteo with furrowed brows.

“Err,” Amanda quickly butted in, “I...I somehow...mentioned it to her.” She couldn’t be more obvious with her attempts on taking control of the conversation.

“But you didn’t mention it to me, Cait. How could you? I thought we were bestest best friends?” Noman interrupted, acting as if he was hurt, clutching his chest and pouting.

Amanda glared at him again and kicked his boot for the third time. “I will tell you everything later,” she grounded.

Noman rolled his eyes and grinned. “Suuure.”

“Does that mean you will be leaving with us tonight?” Matteo was smooth to ask. He looked at her once again, the longing in his eyes more prominent.

“Leaving?” Heather echoed, puzzlement filling her expression. “You Cait? You’re leaving tonight?”

Amanda swallowed. What was she to say now? “Uhh...mm...it’s not what it-”

“I’m pretty sure Cord would be furious when he finds out,” Heather inserted, a comment that made Amanda’s heart explode.

Oh God.

She glanced at Matteo who in turn thinned his eyes at her.

“Cord? You mean the Vitalis Master? As long as I can remember, he is just your temporary landlord because of this stupid witness protection program. Why would he be furious, Cait?”

Matteo waited, both hands drawn to his chin. Noman waited too, his breath catching up in his throat.

Amanda saw that all attention was directed on her. She suddenly felt herself being interrogated, forced to confess each and every bit that happened to her and the Master. She saw how calculating Matteo’s eyes were. She knew he was beginning to suspect something was amiss with her, the castle and everyone living inside it. He was an intelligent man and even a mage for that matter, it was easy for him to read between the lines if she’ll show a crack in her mask.

“Uhm... he...” she started, aiming to tell him an alibi, but to her relief, Pamela spoke up.

“By the way, Heather, where is your brother?”

Amanda couldn’t be sure if it was deliberate but she was thankful the topic now was diverted on another person.

“Oh my, I almost forgot about him,” Heather shifted in her seat, slightly turning to face her left side.

“I thought he was supposed to arrive here early,” Pamela stated.

“Yes, yes, he did.” Heather nodded. “He just didn’t want to interrupt our meal so he just stayed behind the shadows.”

Then, she fully turned her head to a part of the garden where it was bathed in darkness.

“Am I right, Garett?” she said and immediately all eyes were focused on that particular area.

To Amanda’s point-of-view, she saw first this Garett’s clothing. He was wearing pants and a button-up shirt, black, with a full print of an inverted cross in the right chest area. Then, she noticed his nose - Roman, symmetrical, as expected of any male living in the Vitalis Castle; eyes that were a striking blue; pale lips that faintly curled upward; and then, followed by the rest of him that screamed of vampire.

Or a hot vampire in Noman’s mind.

“Yes, it would be disrespectful of me if I crash your joyous party, so I decided to hide myself for the meantime. And besides, I’m not hungry for food. I’m hungry for something else,” Garett spoke, his eyes landing on none other than Amanda.

When he arrived in their table, he bent low to kiss his younger sister in the cheek. It was a sweet gesture, a nonthreatening one, but to Amanda, her blood immediately boiled. What she saw under his shirt, near his collarbone, was a tattoo of two inverted crescent moons. A significant clue she couldn’t just dismiss. She clenched her fists to stop its sudden shaking and slowly stood up.

“I’m...I’m sorry...” she stuttered a little, trying her best to act calm and composed. “I’ll retire first. I...” She looked at the man again and locked eyes with him for a second. In that moment, she was certain she glimpsed wickedness there. Wickedness that she saw in her attacker’s eyes that night in the pond. The same ones that she saw in the Circuit murderer too. “I don’t feel...well. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“Cait, wait!” Matteo shouted when Amanda bolted out of the pergola without looking back.

Noman stood up wanting to follow her but Matteo shot an arm to stop him and said, “No, let me. I’ll talk to her.”

Amanda moved as fast as she can, passing through the pathway of the garden and into the hallway connecting the rooftop. She didn’t care how rude she was with her friends, leaving them behind with only a meager explanation. All she wanted was to get away, create as much distance from the man who she recognized as her attacker.

Yes, attacker.

And realizing that made every nerve in her body tense, her breathing irregular and her heartbeat erratic.

Memories of that night in the pond flashed in front of her - the lightning movement of the vampire’s attack, how tight he held her shoulders as he began to sink his fangs into her flesh, the freezing feeling as he began to suck on her. It caused so much haze in her mind that it blocked her focus on the path ahead.

Then, she bumped into a hard chest. One hand shot to capture her waist while the other reached to secure her left wrist.

“Amanda.”

“Caitlyn!”

Cord and Matteo called out in unison.