Chapter 18

Chapter 18
I crossed my arms as I stared at the picture of Markus when he was young. He was sitting on a grand couch. Wearing formal attire with a straight face. The expression on his face is mysterious, and his midnight blue eyes are looking at me.

I've been standing here in his picture for a while now. I thought I'd remember even a little detail. Markus was here with me in the library a while ago. He left me for a moment because someone called him. He said it was an emergency. I didn't ask for any more details. I sighed. I really can't remember anything no matter what I do. I badly want to remember, but at the same time I'm afraid of what I might find out.

"You've been staring at Markus' picture for almost an hour." a voice called out from behind me.

A little nervous. I turned to her. It was Sabrina. Sitting on the couch while smoking a cigarette. Even the way she held the cigarette was still elegant. The smell of that smoke wasn't bad. That's why I knew it was an imported brand. Her legs were crossed. Her white thighs were exposed.

"Oh, sorry to interrupt you. It's just a pain in the eyes to see you here," she continued. She insults me when she talks.

"Sabrina, I don't want a fight," I said in a calm voice.

"I hope you thought about that when you came here. It's no secret to you that I'm Markus' wife."

"I know that. If it were me, I would have left here a long time ago."

"If you really want to, you can leave here," she said with a sharp look.

"Even if I leave here, Markus will still find me. If you want me to get out of here, why don't you tell him that? Are you scared?" I challenged her. I don't want fighting or drama in my life, but because of her behavior, I might give her what she wants.

"Bitch" she gritted her teeth. She lost her poise. But it was only for a moment. She suddenly became calm and grinned at me mockingly. "Do you think Markus loves you so much that he doesn't want to let you go? You have to think twice. As far as I know, you have amnesia. There's a lot you don't know."

"What do you mean?" I lost my composure. Does she know anything? It's possible because she's Markus' wife. Would I believe her if she told me everything?

"I don't want this to come from me, Celestine. But because I feel sorry for you, I'll give you a little idea," she blew out a puff of smoke. There was a glint of triumph in her eyes.

Should I believe her?

"Stop being so cocky, Sabrina"

She laughed. Her laughter made me even more annoyed. I know it's bad to fight with a legal wife. But if she behaves like this, I might not be able to control myself.

"You know, your blood is rare. No ordinary person is given that type of blood. Yours is what royal vampires need. And unfortunately, in the whole world. You're the only one left with that," Sabrina explains.

Why am I the only one left with rare blood?

Rare blood? With what has happened in the past few days. I am starting to understand a little. I have encountered vampires several times that are attracted to my blood. Maybe this is the answer?

"Vampires are fighting for your blood. And Markus is keeping you because of that. It's up to you whether you believe it or not, but my advice to you is, never trust Markus. He will do everything to keep you from losing him. He needs your blood badly."

I clutched my chest. Why did her words hurt so much? I can't accept that Markus is like that.

"W-what's with my blood?" I asked. I wanted to hold on to anything I could touch. I feel weak from what I heard.

"Your blood is like medicine to vampires like me. We become powerful." I can see her pleased expression because of how she sees me.

"Vampires are not destined for humans. Even Markus is not exempt from the rules. Remember that, Celestine," she added. She stood up and left me inside the library.

Instead of clarification, I became more confused. There were so many questions I wanted to answer. Should I believe her? But what Sabrina told me made me have a little doubt about Markus. Maybe it's better if I don't trust anyone right now.

I held my head. It hurt. Images flashed through my mind. Houses being consumed by fire, people screaming for help, crying in agony, people running.

What are these?

"Mommy! Who did this to you?" I found myself crying. Holding my mother's bloody body. We were in the middle of a chaotic crowd.

"C-celestine...my child…" my mother touched my cheek. The blood from her hand dripped down my cheek. "R-run away...c-come with-"

"Who did this to you, mommy?" I can't ignore whoever did this to our clan.

"S-sullivan..." She whispered.

Sullivan?

"What, mommy?" I moved closer to her to hear what she was saying better. It was too weak.

I couldn't understand what she was saying. She was talking, but there was no sound. She was already gasping for breath.

"Who did this, mommy?" I asked, still crying.

No response.

"Mommy?" Her hand on my cheek slowly moved down until it fell off completely. I shook her hard to wake her up, but there was no response from her.

"Celestine?" a voice suddenly called from behind my back. When I didn't answer, he hugged me. "Celestine, what happened? Are you okey?"

I flinched as Markus hugged me. My mind snapped back to the present.

"Does your head hurt again?" he asked me softly. I looked at him hesitantly. I felt a twinge of nervousness and at the same time doubted what he was showing me.

I shook my head immediately. He shouldn't know that I remembered something from my past. If the Sullivans were the ones who burned down our house, I should be careful of them.

"Let's go to the room. Get some rest. I'll come with you. I don't have anything to do today," I didn't protest as he led me to his room. I preferred to just be inside the room. I feel safe.

I suddenly feel confused. What is really true about my feelings? Safe in Markus' room? Seriously?

I glanced at him as we walked to his room. His face was serious. His hard expression contrasted with his soft hand, which was holding me.We entered his room. He gently laid me down on the bed. He hugged me tightly from behind. I stiffened. Why did he hug me?

I heard his soft laugh. Maybe he felt my stiffening.

"Relax, will you? I won't do anything bad. I just want to relax with you" said Markus.

"You can rest without hugging me," I couldn't help but say. I didn't know what to feel.

"Why? Are you nervous?"

I can feel his grin behind my back. He's clearly enjoying my awkwardness. He seems to be in a good mood today.

"You're married. Do you think you're doing the right thing?" Why does it sound like there's bitterness in my voice?

"Only my family wants that marriage. If you want, I can annul it. I don't give a damn who objects to my annulment. If I were the one in charge of that wedding, it definitely wouldn't continue."

His embrace tightened around me.

"Markus is too cowardly to object. Tsk. He thought he could get away with anything."

"No matter what you say. You're still married to Sabrina."

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I don't want to fight today," Markus interrupted me as I was about to say more.

What is he planning? Why is he doing this? I need to know right away so I don't end up believing him.

"My people are now looking for Joaquin. The covenant is also investigating." He informed me a few minutes later.

I remembered what happened last night. Why had Joaquin also become a vampire and wanted to have me too?

"I hope we find him. I won't rest until he's caught," I said. There was worry in my voice.

"Don't think too much about it. My people will take care of it. They know what to do," Markus said. Assuring me.

He put his nose close to my hair. He sniffed it in a sexy way. The hairs on my body stood up because of what he did. I still can't get used to him treating me like this. Sometimes, I think, I'd rather have my life back. An ordinary employee with a strict boss.

"You really smell good..." he said. His voice seemed to be lost in itself. I was nervous. Was he going to suck my blood? I get scared when his voice sounds like this.

"I can't help but smell you. I lose my mind when you're near. Your blood tempts me..."

I felt the end of his fang. It poked into my skin. I closed my eyes and waited for him to bite me. Even if I ran, he would still catch up with me. What's the point of running to him, right?

I want to laugh bitterly. All he needs from me is blood, that's why he's interested in me. If I don't have rare blood, he will never come near me or give me a glance.

I want to cry. I like an object that he can use when he wants to have it. And when he's done with me, he'll just leave me aside.