Chapter 63

That was the quickest shower of my life, ever. And I hated it. I hate rushing around to get things done. But I guess it is my own fault, especially when I spent so much time just laying on the bed, pretending that I had nothing else to do with my day.
Honestly, after the night I had I really had no intention of celebrating today, I mean sure, it’s my birthday and all. But that doesn’t mean I am excited about it. They never really meant anything to me. It’s just another day of the year where I am alone. Where I feel like an outsider in my own skin.
Luther has other ideas however, and he is taking us out for an evening meal, which is nice of him, really nice. But I would much rather curl up with a good book and wish the day away.
Mihai is waiting for me when I eventually exit the shower, A tight black dress draped over his arm.
“There’s a dress code.” He explains, handing me the thick material.
I nod, taking the dress and wondering off into the walk-in wardrobe, and I grab some black underwear to match the dress. The dress is nice, the material is soft and welcoming. But I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to spend the night with Luther.
I want to spend it with my real family, I want to spend it with the man who raised me up to be the person that I am.
But the moment Nathanial sees me, I am dead. He doesn’t like Nati, and he doesn’t even spare the children, so I know he will not spare me. I am nothing to him, even though I spent my whole life trying to make him proud.
It was a lifetime of work, for nothing.
Maybe I am nothing.
I slip on some black pumps and walk back into the bedroom, brushing my hair back over my shoulders when I take it out of the bobble.
“How do I look?” I ask Mihai, doing a small spin.
“You look beautiful, as always.” He smiles, pulling me into his arms, “I know you don’t want to go, Love, but you deserve to celebrate, and Luther is trying to make that possible. He just wants to get to know you better.”
He’s right. Of course he is right.
But I can’t muster any excitement. I’ve tried. Really tried. But I feel nothing but a hollow pain inside of my chest.
A pain where Nathanial used to be. My brothers too.
Mihai pulls my body flush against his and slams his lips into mine so hard I’m sure I’ll have a bruise by morning. But it does exactly what he wants it to. It distracts me from my own spiralling mind.
I lean into him, allowing him to hold me up, and I deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue between his lips and dancing with his. It feels amazing. I want more.
But much too soon the kiss is broken, and my mind returns to the dark place, believing that is where we belong.
I’m a Nati now, I should be happy, I will live longer than anyone I’ve ever known.
The only downside is that I will need blood every so often, more so in the first couple of weeks.
“Are you ready to go?” Mihai asks, my body still pressed against his.
I nod slowly, still wanting to run back to bed and hide out the rest of the evening. But instead I say “I’m ready.” And I follow him out of the room and down the stairs.
Luther is waiting at the bottom of the stairs, smiling up at me as I descend, making me slightly uncomfortable. Though I remind myself that he is trying his best to build a bond between us, and then I feel guilty for wanting to hide away.
I’m ungrateful. No wonder I was abandoned by those I care about.
Fuck, I’m doing it again. Depression is a bitch, and it’s got a hold on me that I can’t shake.
“Hey.” I say, walking into Luther’s outstretched arms.
I feel safe there, and I don’t know why. Perhaps because he is my true father.
“You look beautiful, Mae.” He says, gently rubbing my back before letting go and stepping back, throwing a sharp nod in Mihai’s direction.
“We better leave if we want to make the reservation.” Says the Nati I had grown fond of, the one who protects me, even above himself.
My Mihai.
I take Mihai’s hand and walk towards the front door, surprised to find a limo waiting for us. But I don’t say anything, I just get inside and prepare myself for anniversary of small talk and appetisers.
Luther bangs on the roof once he’s sat down, and the car begins to move, taking us to our destination. Though I realise I never asked what city we were in, and it is too late to mention it now. It would only make me look stupid.
Maybe I can figure it out for myself.
“You did very well at the ceremony, Mae, you should be proud of yourself.” Says Luther as he smiles at me, grabbing a glass and pouring on an amber liquid. “Should we make a toast?”
“I don’t like whiskey.” I say coldly, shivering is disgust.
I have never liked it, he’d know that if he knew me. But he doesn’t. He doesn’t know me at all.
Luther frowns, “I have wine, or perhaps something stronger? Vodka maybe?”
He’s trying, I can tell, and whilst I appreciate the effort. I don’t care about alcohol. It isn’t something that ever interested me.
“Vodka please.” I say, hoping it tastes better than it smells.
Mihai glances at me, but doesn’t say a word as he pours himself a glass of Whiskey. He knows I hate alcohol. I’ve told him enough times.
But I don’t want to ruin the night, and I don’t want Luther to think I am a coward either.
“There you go.” My father says, smiling as he hands me a small slither of vodka. “You don’t have to drink it all, I never liked anything with alcohol in it in my younger years.”
My eyes widen, and then I laugh, “I guess that is something I get from you then.” I say.
He smiles and nods, “it certainly is, just like your eyes.”
The limo ride the the restaurant was nice, and I was pleasantly surprised by that. I expected the night to be awful and tense. But Luther is really calm and chill. He’s more like a new friend than a father figure, which is something I will very happily go along with.
The restaurant is placed out of the way, a small river running behind it, surrounded by thick oak trees and the distant sound of owls and other birds. Insects too. The sound of them all chittering together was soothing, and it made me feel more and more relaxed.
I was still nervous, and I wasn’t sure how the night was going to go, but nature always sort of put me at ease, it was like I belonged in the wild.
Though I would murder an entire army of it meant I could have a hot shower out in the wild. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
I realise I’ve been left behind and rush to catch up with Mihai and Luther, laughing to myself about how stupid I was. If only things were always this simple, this quiet.
I know that it is only a matter of time before my brothers and the hunters show up, but I want to enjoy the small moment of silence before the storm, even if I don’t deserve it.
Life has a funny way of changing in the blink of an eye, and all too soon happiness faded into the background.
I don’t want that to happen tonight, I just want a nice meal, and I want to get to know the man who made my mother cheat on her own life.
I can never forget what happened to her, but I do want to find out more, if I can. what I do know is very minimal, and I need more information. I need to know is Nathanial is just as responsible as the rest of the council.
I need to know before the war starts.
Before the calm turns into the storm.