Chapter 28 Unity spring ville
“I am running away from death,” said Evan as she bit her bottom lip. For a moment everything went silent and even the air seemed to stop. Isabella froze, so did Evan. The small room was as hot as fire. Evan wondered why this moment was happening but she went silent as well.
“Hmm,” came Isabella's reply. She broke her gaze from Evan, staring into space. “You can't stay,” left her lips not too long after. The words sliced into Evan's heart. “You can't stay here. I have to protect my people and you're no good. You'll only bring trouble.” Evan pouted and kept her head down. Her heart was racing. A long tear slid down from one of her eyes. It seemed like Isabella was also sad.
“I don't want this.There is no other way to protect my people from the black witches. They're becoming wiser as the days pass by.” She stood up, contemplating what to say. Hopefully, Evan spoke first.
“So what should I do?Ezekiel wants to kill me.” She was fidgeting with her fingers due to fright. Her mind was glued to survival. Her throat became drier than when she was walking on the lonely road.
“I don't know what to do. There's only one way and I don't think you'll agree to it.” Upon hearing that there was still a way other than death, Evan's eyes lit up.
“Huh?Tell me! What is that?” she asked. Something flickered in her eyes indicating that this was her last hope.
“You must think I am bad because I can't help,”said Isabella, seeing through Evan. She slumped back into the wooden chair, staring deeply into Evan's eyes, anticipating her thoughts.
“No,I don't think you're bad, come on, you're phenomenal!” Evan complied happily, making Isabella chuckle.
“I was kidding,”Isabella blurted with a wide grin, bending her elegant face down to the table beyond Evan's reach. However, Evan paid no attention to that. She thought she was imagining again.
Sensing disbelief from Evan, Isabella lifted her head. “There is actually a way to keep you safe from the duke's reach. But…”
“Really?But what?” Evan exclaimed. She was ready to do anything as long as it was not selling her soul.
“You will have to be in disguise.It won't change your appearance permanently, it's just for a while. And you have to see how you look like; you can always tell me to remove the spell. Agreed?”
Hearing it was this simple,Evan felt an urge to slap Isabella on the face.
“Is it really that simple? I'm in immediately, please!! Do it before Ezekiel finds me.” She was more than thrilled to know that she wouldn't die just yet.
Isabella took her arms,holding them in hers. Evan saw her close her eyes and begin chanting something under her breath. It was longer than expected. Seeing Isabella's eyes closed, Evan also closed hers. She felt a strange energy in her soul. The vulnerability she felt earlier vanished into thin air.
It was as if a pile of strength had been dropped into her soul.Soon the chanting stopped and Evan immediately opened her eyes. She looked around as if looking for someone. Isabella wore a warm smile, her eyes as bright as the sun.
“Where is the mirror?” asked Evan, her eyes darting all over the tiny room.
“How do I look?”She threw another question. Her mind was glued with curiosity about how she looked. She desperately wanted to see her new appearance.
The door swung open and Rose came in with a basket of ripe apple fruits.They were fresh and juicy to Evan's eyes.
“Wow.”Her body did the job. Her brain totally forgot about her new appearance and now wanted to eat food.
“Here you go,”said Rose. She placed the food on top of the table, bowing her head with both hands forming a prayer gesture. The servant walked out of the room leaving both Isabella and Evan. Evan couldn't wait but to eat the food in front of her.
“Is this all mine?” asked Evan, her eyes fixed on the woven basket. She stared at the sweet juicy fruits.
“Rose!Please come light up the candle!” Isabella called.
“Thanks.”She grabbed one fruit happily, taking a big bite from it. Isabella pitied the poor apple because of how it was being devoured by her.
“Hmm,it feels so good,” she mumbled. With just three bites the poor apple was gone. Isabella felt an urge to laugh. Her silver eyes were as bright as the sky. The servant came into the room lighting up three candles that seemed to brighten up the whole room.
“Now I can see you clearly,Evan.” Isabella's eyes lingered on Evan's body as if observing any danger. She suddenly spotted something. Her legs. They were filled with bruises and deep cuts. So what happened to them? Those cuts can't go into thin air, right?
“Where are the wounds on your legs?” Upon hearing Isabella's question, Evan dropped the apple she was about to eat, glancing down at both her legs. To her greatest surprise, they were as smooth as a pureblooded vampire's skin. She blinked multiple times in disbelief.
“Huh?”The apple from her hand fell down to the floor. She was stunned. She bent down, rubbing her legs in a harsh way. Isabella tried to stop her but Evan immediately swatted her hand. Her head spun. She could feel no pain at all. Her heart started wondering; she knew she wasn't human. She knew, so why did she even fight for survival?
“Help me.” The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Please!” she said, kneeling down on the cold floor. Her hands in a pleading gesture.
“What can I do and what's wrong with you?Is there anything I can help with? Tell me, dear,” Isabella said, ready to help. She placed her hand on Evan's shoulders, assuring her that she is here for her.
“I am not human.I'm not what you think.” said Evan calmly as if something was eating her up from within.