Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Jonea Fallon

I felt the sharp tip of the fangs begin to dig into my skin. Somehow suddenly, Owen bounced. The invisible shackles that bound my body were released. As if I had just been freed from the entanglement of a very strong rope, now I can breathe freely and move my body as before.

I saw Owen trying to get up after hitting the wall. His face was blue-purple with embarrassment and pain.

What happened?

Owen was thinking the same thing.

He grinned as he straightened his back and patted his wrinkled shirt. Still haughty, he said curtly to me.

"You… not bad at all! Don't ever call me a vampire. Because I am a lycan!"

"O-of course, you are a lycan. Ha ha ha… Isn't your uncle also a Lycan? I'm so stupid. Why can I think of you as a vampire? That's impossible, right? Ha ha ha…"

Owen left me alone. I covered my mouth and no longer laughed stupidly. Phew!

I quickly picked up my suitcases and carried them into the room. I locked the door tightly from the inside. I even checked three times to be sure. Now I sit leaning against the door and sag to the floor.

"Good grief…"

I hold my chest pounding. It felt like my heart was going to jump from its place.

"How come he suddenly bounced off?"

I stare at my palms.

"I didn't do anything to him. Really! But he thought I did it. This is really crazy! And how stupid of me to be bewitched by him?"

I groped for the gun belt on my thigh and pulled out the black bone dagger Eve had given me. The dragon's tear pendant necklace is also there.

"Why is this pendant glowing blue?" I immediately put it back on my neck. "And this dagger… I have a weapon. Why am I even using pebbles against Owen? I really can't think rationally. All my defenses and protections collapsed before him. He is a cold and arrogant young man. Tch, he really is suitable to be Daran's nephew, isn't he? They are also equally handsome. Bastard!"

Oh, I'm so tired. I dragged my body and climbed into bed.

"What should I do here? Why can I be trapped and live in the same house with a pale, hideous monster like them? I thought I could breathe a little easier after escaping from the black castle. Apparently, I even entered into a hole of darkness that is more terrible."

I've been trying to close my eyes for an hour but in vain. I just lay on my back, staring at the room's ceiling.

"I've returned to Blue Sapphire. Shouldn't I be happy? Although there is no family that I love here. Then, why do I feel messy and so anxious? Why am I so pressured to come back here?"

I turned to the window. I heard voices from outside. I became alert and reached for the black bone dagger I tucked under the pillow.

"What were those sounds?"

I got off the bed. My toes sink into the hair on the carpet covering the floor. I crept towards the window.

The curtain swings. "Why didn't I close it earlier?"

Grasping the dagger tightly, I pushed back the curtains and saw what was happening outside.

I squinted my eyes so I could focus on looking into the distance. It's quite dark outside. Mist enveloped the yard. I'm unsurprised because this residential area is still near the urban forest.

"Owen? What is he doing there?"

Even though the side of the yard Owen was standing on was quite dark, I knew it was him. Posture and clothes are still the same.

I believe Owen is talking to someone. But I can't see that person.

Owen turned to me. I quickly hid and ducked under the window.

"Ouch, did I get caught? Did he notice I was watching him? After all, what was he doing out all night? He really is very suspicious. This whole place is very suspicious."

I should run away from here. Yes! I must go before my life is lost, or my madness comes first. I can go find Marilyn at her old address. Maybe she's still there.

I ran quickly down the stairs. I don't care, even though I'm still barefoot in my pajamas.

Bruh!

"Ow, it hurts!" I hit something or someone.

"What are you doing, Jonea?" Owen said.

I fumbled on the floor. I saw him standing towering in front of me with one hand holding a kitchen knife.

"O-Owen?" I screamed in fright.

"You looking for this?"

My eyes widen. He was holding my black bone dagger.

"Return!" I shouted as I snatched the dagger from his hand.

Owen is definitely taller than me. He easily kept me away from the dagger.

"Tell me, what are you doing here?" He held out his shiny kitchen knife.

"I-I saw you in the courtyard."

"Oh, you're stalking me?" Owen narrowed his eyes at me.

I clenched my fists tightly and prepared to fight him.

"My, you have a black bone dagger! I think I've seen it. Where, huh?"

I glanced at the kitchen table. There's a butcher knife set there. I ran and wanted to take one of the knives. When my hand had almost reached it–

Swung!

Owen threw his knife back into the rack right before me. Suddenly I withdrew my hand if I didn't want to be stabbed and screamed in surprise.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't know you were there. I'm just trying to return the knife. I'm done wearing it."

I hissed. He did that on purpose. His gaze was very cunning and annoying.

Owen pretended as if nothing had happened. But I knew he was intimidating me with his whole attitude.

"You want to kill me secretly, right?"

"Well, what's the point of that accusation?"

"You!" I pointed. "What were you doing in the yard over there? Who did you meet? You guys are planning bad things for me, right? Otherwise, give me back my dagger!"

"I?" asked Owen with a face innocent.

He bent down and picked up something from the floor. I backed away in fear. I think he took the bigger gun.

"I'm harvesting vegetables in the greenhouse for breakfast tomorrow." He showed me a basket full of onions and fresh greens.

I can only stare. "Y-you harvest vegetables at night?"

"Don't you know, or are you stupid? Wolves are nocturnal animals."

"Well, of course," I muttered under my breath. "But-"

I also regret my question. I often have trouble sleeping at night. But that's fine for me. Because I've adapted as a human throughout my life and daily activities.

"You seem to get scared easily, Auntie. You keep screaming, yelling, and even attacking me for no reason. Who has no manners here?"

I am annoyed. Really annoyed.

"Don't call me auntie! My name is Jonea!"

I raise my arms high and pretend I will punch him when he turns on me.

Very quickly, Owen grabbed my fist. I'm so embarrassed to be found out. He opened my fist and handed back the black bone dagger to me. He pulled me towards him until our chests met.

"Take care, Jonea!" he whispered coldly.

I ran out of the kitchen and back into the room.

"Whoa!" I screamed under the pillow with a red face. "Cute, anyway, but annoying! His tongue is also sharp. He really reminds me of…"

I froze and was suddenly sad. "Why did I suddenly think of Hunter?"

I gently patted my cheeks to wake me up from my daydream.

***

"Hey, Jonea! You didn't go to college?"

My eyes feel so heavy. Who was that screaming? So disturbing!

I pulled the blanket over my head.

"Jonea… wake up!"

"Humm… I still haven't become a lycan. What am I studying for in the middle of the night?"

"Hey, stupid girl! Are you crazy? Look, what time is it? Just watch out if you're late and get into trouble. I don't want to hear your complaints."

What? What did he say? I am stupid?

I sat up straight. My eyes feel like they've been stabbed. What light is this so dazzling?

Slowly I forced my eyes open. Sunlight flooded the room. I wiped the drool dripping from the corners of my lips with my sleeve.

"Studying? What time is it? Oh, I forgot. It's the first day of the new student orientation. God, what have I done? When did I fall asleep?"

I jumped out of bed. Quickly shower and change clothes. I am still trying to figure out what to bring for the first day of going to college. My mind is completely blank.

I rushed downstairs. My steps hitched at the fresh sight in the kitchen.

Owen wore a white shirt and black pants to contour his body. Perfect. He was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen. His body and face looked so glowing in the morning.

I gulped.

His muscular arms looked graceful when he spread the jam on the bread. His face was so cheerful, and he enjoyed his routine.

What do I do? I slapped my cheeks hard. You are stupid! He does look beautiful, but his soul is like a monster. He could kill me anytime.

"Oh, you're awake? How much saliva did you spit out last night?"

"What? Saliva?" I was very nervous and immediately felt my lips. I'm sure I've showered and dressed up. How would he know if I drool in my sleep?

"I'm just kidding! Ha ha ha…"

I hissed. He teased me?

"After breakfast, I'll take you to campus. Don't think I'm a nice guy. I'm just doing my uncle's orders."

"No need. I can go alone," I muttered.

"Is it true? Then I need not bother. Ah, but there is one thing you need to be aware of."

"What's that?"

"Avoid people who have red marks on their foreheads."

I frowned, not understanding. "The ones with the red mark on the forehead?"

"You will know when you see them. They are high-level magicians who usually camouflage themselves into various creatures. Only some people can see the sign. But you should be able to. Remember to avoid and stay away from them!"

"What will happen to me if I meet them?"