I leave out a sigh. If Alec has been watching me recently, why is he so cautiously staying away? Does he already know my connection to the Blood Moon Clan? I haven’t told anyone that Alec was the one who tried to strangle me that night, and I’m not sure if I should say it. Damian might seriously kill him if he knows...
We discuss a bit longer about what preparations should be made to be sure to catch Alec, but I still feel uneasy. What if we do catch him?
“Damian, can you promise me something?”
“What is it?”
“When we catch Alec... Promise me you won’t attack him.”
“Nora, what is this about?”
I know he suspects something. He probably wonders why I would be worried about him hurting Alec, but I can’t tell him the truth. I can’t even be sure that Alec won’t talk and spill the beans. Moreover, my brother is always so harsh while talking to me, and Damian is not the most patient person... I must be sure he won’t lose patience before I get my answers.
“Just promise me, please.”
He stays silent for a while.
“...Okay, I promise.”
That’s one last thing to worry about, at least. I sigh, tired by all the anxiousness. I rest my head on the sofa and close my eyes for a second.
“I miss you,” I whisper.
“...Same here.”
“I wish I could see you right now.”
“Same here.”
I chuckle a bit. He really is tired.
“Are you just going to keep saying that?”
He stays silent for a while, and I’m thinking we should hang up to both catch some sleep, but I hear his voice before I can talk.
“...I want to come all the way over there and kiss you again.”
I blush, embarrassed, and hide my face with my hair even though he can’t see me.
“...Same here.” I whisper.
The next day is the last one before the duel against Vincent.
To be honest, I’m not as worried over the duel as I am about Alec’s matter. It feels like my brother has all the answers I’m looking for, and I’m afraid we might miss him again. Even the siblings feel my anxiety and stay next to meall day. Tonia helps me train for a few hours, though it doesn’t help me relax.
However, when we get back to the apartment, to my surprise, both Nathaniel and Liam are there. As elegant as ever, Nathaniel is standing still in the kitchen while discussing with his younger brother. Liam is lazily lying on the couch but sits up when I walk in. He casually waves at me.
“Hello, princess,” says Nathaniel.
“What are you both doing here?” I ask.
The two of them coming to the apartment doesn’t seem like a simple, friendly visit. And I know I can’t trust Nathaniel’s smiles. Liam rolls his eyes and leans back on the couch, leaving the explanation to his older brother.
“We just wanted to come and see you before the duel. How do you feel?”
“I’m fine,” I answer honestly.
It’s true. I’ve been living away from my Clan for a whole month, seeing things differently. Now, Vincent doesn’t seem as threatening as he once was. I’m not overconfident about my fighting abilities, given that I have only shape-shifted a couple of times before, but I don’t intend to hold back and act scared either. I just wish to settle things for good.
