014: RUNNING TIME

014: RUNNING TIME
It's been weeks since Cassian arrived in the vampire world, weeks since he got chosen to become Alastor's mate through pure luck of cruel fate, and weeks since he's been playing Alastor's mate and putting up with members of the household who hate him for existing but he doesn't care as long as none of them finds out his secret.

But this isn't enough. He can't keep living like this. As the day goes by, he's at risk of getting exposed, and yet, he hasn't made any progress with Alastor or how to find his brother and any other human that could be alive in this godforsaken city.

Cassian feels he's not doing enough. He needs to find Soren. His brother needs to be alive.

“Lord Alastor awaits to introduce you to his cousin and his mate.”

Cassian breaks free from his thoughts at the sound of Ollie's voice and then he realizes the vampire boy has stopped escorting and now they stand at the front of a large door that leads to the visiting room.

Cassian nods once, schooling his face before Ollie can read anything off it.

“Okay,” he says, because what else is he supposed to say?

Ollie knocks lightly, then pushes the door open and Cassian enters, his gaze instantly landing on the figures occupying the couch, his gaze finding a familiar one: Elowen—the nosy vampire at the mate-choosing ball. He recognizes him even without the mask.

“Ah, this must be your mate, Alastor,” the vampire sitting beside Elowen says, getting off his seat to approach Cassian and in an instant, he grabs Cassian's hand and plants a kiss at the back of his palm. “I am Lord Caesar, Alastor's cousin. I've been dying to meet the one who has once again captured my cousin’s interest and…” he trails off, roaming his dark eyes all over Cassian's body and then he smirks when he meets his eyes. “…I must say, you are the most beautiful little vampire I've ever seen.”

Cassian tries hard not to grimace as he slowly pulls back his hand. He offers the man a flat smile and glances at Alastor, who doesn't speak or say anything as he sits elegantly, engrossed in the cigar trapped between his lips.

“Meet my mate,” Lord Caesar continues, and then he motions Elowen and the vampire meekly rises from his seat and stands by Caesar’s side.

Cassian immediately notices a bite mark at the side of his neck—a mating mark but it looks fresh and bruised.

“This is Elowen, my beautiful mate. Hello, say, Elowen.”

For the first time, Elowen lifts his gaze from the floor and gives a polite smile. “Hello,” he says with nothing in his tone; even the spark in his eyes is gone.

Something is wrong but Cassian shouldn't care. He doesn't care what happens to vampires.

“Why don't you take Elowen to the garden, Petal? Lord Caesar and I need to talk in private,” Alastor finally speaks but he doesn't look at Cassian but Cassian nods anyway, and then he escorts the wimpy vampire out of the room.

They walk in silence through the long hallway, their footsteps soft against the floor. Cassian can feel the tension smearing off Elowen, sharp and heavy, like there's fear pressed too tightly under his skin.

When they reach the garden, the air greets them, with the blue sky over their heads. Cassian stops near a stone bench, keeping a careful distance.

“You don’t have to stand so stiff,” Cassian says lightly. “I won’t bite.”

Elowen sighs heavily, then he wears a smile. “I apologize for my behavior. I'm not usually like this.”

Indeed. Cassian has seen his usual self and this is not it. He was so happy to get a mate; where did all that happiness go?

Why does he look so drained with the life sucked out of him and why does Cassian care? He should mind his business.

“Are you happy?” Still, he finds himself asking, studying Elowen’s face and he sees the way his eye twitches and how he holds his hands in front of him, hiding the way they slightly tremble.

The vampire wears a smile. “I am. Lord Caesar has been kind to me and my family; it's more than I could ever wish for.”

Cassian stares at him for a long second. “Elowen. Did he hurt you?”

Elowen stiffens. His head snaps up. “No. Lord Caesar is the kindest man I have ever met. He can barely hurt a fly.” The answer comes too fast.

Cassian raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push. He proceeds to say. “That mark on your neck; “It’s fresh.”

Elowen reaches up without thinking and covers it. His hand trembles again. “That’s what mates do.”

“Not like that. It should have healed,” Cassian replies softly but then again, what does he know about vampires or how they mark their mates? It's just, something feels off about this vampire in front of him and Cassan can't shake that feeling off.

Elowen lets out a shaky breath. “You’re strange,” he murmurs. “Most people would be jealous or flustered since you don't have a mate mark of your own, which shows that Lord Alastor has yet to mark you. This only means he has no interest in you.”

Cassian blinks, caught off guard by the bluntness.

“I'm sorry if I was rude,” Elowen immediately apologizes, bowing slightly.

“It's fine,” Cassian says dismissively.

“A mate mark is everything. It shows the vampire's devotion and affection and a mark is most important because a vampire needs to feed from his mate to survive. That's why Lord Alastor takes another mate immediately after his previous mate dies but I understand that you might be afraid.” Elowen sighs. “I'd always thought becoming Lord Alastor’s mate was the greatest gift ever but I've just realized just how unfortunate his chosen mates are because they might not survive his mark.”

Cassian feels a non-swallowable lump form in his throat. All he needs is Alastor's love, not his mark. “If it's my fate to die from his mark, then so be it,” he says, hiding the terror in his heart. “How do I make him fall in love with me?” he continues, looking at Elowen.

Elowen stares at him confused for a moment, then he smiles. “That's going to be a difficult task.”

“I'm willing to do anything,” Cassian says with determination.

He needs to move faster towards his plans. He's running out of time.