Chapter 14

Cadella's POV

“I’m serious, Vasile. I only have a few hours before the festival starts and I’m not even sure what I’m going to be yet.” I huffed as pawed through the hangers in my closet.

“It’s only eleven in the morning, the festival doesn’t start until seven. That’s almost eight hours.” He laughed on the other end of the line.

I glared at the phone, before leaving my closet and sitting on my bed.

“Not helpful.” I sighed. “Will you come with me tonight?”

“I believe we both came plenty the other night.” His voice was barely a whisper.

My cheeks flushed at the memory. We hadn’t even gotten fully undressed. My attempts to get him out of his clothes had died the minute he’d turned me around and bent me over his desk.

“Vasile.” I hissed, not missing that he was trying to change the topic of our discussion. “I’m serious. I’d like you to….attend the festival with me tonight.” I struggled to avoid the word that made Vasile the gentleman turn into Vasile the horny teenager.

“It’s a school function.” His tone was flat.

“Then let’s find somewhere that isn’t.” I purposed.

“Cadella-“

“Please, we haven’t done anything outside of your classroom since school started. Let’s go off campus, attend a party where no one knows us. Where they won’t care that you’re a teacher and I’m a student.” I pleaded.

There was a long pause where I chewed on my lip.

“Fine. I know of a place. We’ll have to dress up.” He warned.

“I’m perfectly okay with that.” I beamed.

“Of course, you are.” I could hear his smile.

“What should I be?”

“Hmm. What about a vampire?” His voice was soft, like he was nervous about his suggestion.

“You can be one. I’ve never seen too many sexy female vampires. Oh, I know. I’ll be a witch!” I jumped up from my seat and walked to the closet. “In fact, I have most of what I need already in my closet. I’m going to go shopping and grab everything else I need. Will you pick me up?” I winced as soon as I heard my question. “Never mind, I live on campus-I know.” I sighed. “Where should I meet you?”

“There’s a bar on the other side of town. The Outpost. Meet me there at 7:30.”

“Alright, I’ll see you then. I gotta run!” I said as I hung up my phone.

I pulled the black corset style dress from my closet with a pair of fishnets leggings and tall high heeled boots. I just needed some darker makeup and a hat. Grabbing my wallet and phone I locked my room and headed to town.

It took longer than I expected to navigate the heavily flooded streets of people. I thought that people back home went nuts over Halloween, but Celtradian put even the most enthusiastic ones to shame.

People of all ages moved around the streets, gathering last minute costume and party supplies. While kids played games that had been set up in the street while they were decked out in their costumes. Many of which were vampires or werewolves.

The number of just those costumes alone made me think a moment. Usually you see a couple, but it seemed like over half of the people here chose some variation of those species. At least a witch would be unique tonight, I mentally shrugged.

Grabbing a bite to eat I finished my shopping and went home. I only had a little over an hour to shower and get ready for the party. Once again, I was grateful for not being a girl who needed a lot of time to prepare and dress before going out.

I was a running a few moments early, but early was better than being late. The campus must always be busy on Halloween because there were more taxis waiting than usual. Something I was grateful as I climbed into the back of one.

After fastening my seatbelt, I looked up, surprised when I saw the man who drove me to the castle.

“It’s good to see you looking healthy and well. I spoke with my friend who drove you home. He said that you were quite shaken on the drive home.” He said, recognizing me as soon as I recognized him.

“Yes, well you were right. I should have waited. But I can’t say I regret going.” I smiled back at him.

“Historians never do.” He chuckled as I told him where I was going.

“The Outpost?” He asked, almost looking as shocked as he had when I told him I wanted him to take me to the castle.

“Don’t tell me, I’ll regret going there too?” I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

“No.” He chuckled. “Just most history students rarely leave campus-except to go the local hot spots. The Outpost is not one of them.” He pulled into the road, and we drove in silence.

Twenty minutes later he was pulling up in front of a modern, industry styled bar. He was right, not a place that draws a historian of any level. Glancing at the radio clock I saw that were still a few minutes early.

“Thanks again.” I said as I handed him the fee with a decent a tip.

“Anytime, be safe tonight. The crazies tend to come out on Halloween.” He smiled as I shut the door.

I walked toward the front door, a part of me knew that Vasile would want me inside, but I couldn’t help but stay outside. I wanted to spend the most time possible with him, even if that meant I stole a few minutes of his time by walking with him into the bar. Glancing at my phone I saw that it was a minute before the time we were supposed to meet. A smile grew on my face as I let myself get more excited to see him.

Then I heard it.

A deep growl, followed by a sickening thud that sounded like bodies colliding. My initial thought was that someone was abusing an animal. Not able to stand the thought I peered around the corner. But instead of finding a human hurting an animal, I found something that was so much worse.

Despite the fear that coursed through me, I couldn’t help but move closer and try to get a better look at what I was seeing. I stuck to the shadows, moving slowly and silently. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of horror movies, I’d seen enough to know that I needed to stay quiet and hidden.

The smaller figure took a swing at the larger. His fist connecting with the face of the other being in the alley. A loud yelp of pain escaped the second figure. An inhuman sound.

Unable to move, I stood frozen to the spot as I watched what appeared at first glance to be two men brawling in the alley way. Their movements were so fast it was like a blur. Then a car passed by and illuminated the fighting pair. One was a man, but the other wasn’t human.

It couldn’t be.

The human man was tall, at least six feet, but the…beast he was fighting stood a full head and shoulder taller than the man. He was broad, and the only thing I’d ever seen that looked like him came from horror movies.

A werewolf.

I was just getting ready to try and back out when the man took the beast down to the ground. The beast grunted and whined as the man pinned him down with his arms behind his back. The beast was still struggling, trying to escape the man.

The man’s head snapped up and looked around. I was going to get caught. I needed to leave. Shrinking back as far as I could against the building, I took a hesitant, slow step backwards.

Until I saw him.

He hadn’t been there a second ago, but he is standing there now. In the blink of an eye he’d appeared, and his stature was one I’d recognize anywhere.

Vasile.

I leaned forward slightly, trying to listen to their hushed conversation.

“Sire, sorry to bother you. I know you had plans. I’ve got him subdued, but I’m not sure how he got here.” The man who had just been fighting, who held down the massive struggling beast wasn’t even out of breath.

“He was probably taking advantage of the holiday. Figured he’d had some easy meals.” Vasile snarled and gently prodded at the werewolf on the ground with his foot.

“What do I do with him?” The man asked Vasile.

“Take him back to the castle. Lock him up. I’ll deal with him when I get back. Make sure the chains are secure, so he doesn’t escape.” The displeasure dripped from his tone.

I slammed my hand silently over my mouth, trying to cover my gasp. I’d never heard Vasile’s tone so cold. So empty. So monstrous.

“Sire, we are not alone.”  The man who had been fighting looked over Vasile’s shoulder at me.

I watched in almost slow motion as Vasile turned his head. I couldn’t hide the gasp that escaped me though when I saw his eyes. His glowing red eyes.

What if I’m a monster?

His words came back to me.

Unable to full process what I was doing I turned so quickly I stumbled, falling to one of my knees. Fear pulsed through me, making me move faster than I thought possible. Adrenaline pumped through my limbs as I raced to the end of the alley.

They’d seen me there was no point in trying to be quiet. I pushed forward, screaming as someone grabbed my hand and pulled me backwards into a hard chest. I’d been caught by a monster.