Liam was absent the entire night. God knows where he went, and when he came back, he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked exhausted enough to directly fall flat on the bed.
His brows were furrowed as he came right before the bedroom. With his tensed body, he rubbed his shoulders.
What exactly did Barbara do to him the entire night? Asked him to run a marathon? I cursed her a million more times in my heart before dragging Liam’s tired looking body inside.
Seeing both of us alone, Daleri left the room.
“What happened?” I glanced at him worriedly.
“She asked me to fight five rounds with her.” He undid his tie and cuffs, throwing his jacket on the couch. Walking over to the bed, his body dropped on the soft surface as he rubbed against the pillow. “I’m exhausted using my power for twelve hours straight, but because of the presence of residents, I couldn’t do anything.”
I was so angry that I wanted to flip a table right here! I took a few deep breaths to calm my agitated mind. “What the hell is her problem? This is my home! How can she barge in and change everything like she owns it?” I paused and suddenly remembered something. “Why didn’t Derrick say anything against her actions?”
Hearing my words, Liam’s mood seemed to be lifted and he let out a chuckle at my complaining words. But when I asked the last sentence, his face became serious. “Somehow father went unconscious just when Barbara came. As a council member, Barbara has the authority to even control the palace in the absence of the king.”
“She did this on purpose, didn’t she?” I cracked my knuckles as my eyes darkened. I was itching to hit her head.
Liam lifted his hand and caressed my cheeks. “I’ll have to act coldly to you for a while.” His words were soft with a hint of worry.
“But why?” His words sounded so weird that I was scared for a moment that something bad was about to happen.
“If they see you’re close to me, your life will be more in danger and…” His gaze lingered at me for a moment as waves of emotions swam in his eyes. “Barbara is dangerous. We better be prepared for anything.”
I was surprised to hear that, and even more confused. My head tilted at that, and I glanced at him.
But Liam didn’t say anything. He pursed his lips and traced my lips with his thumb. His hands kept touching my face as if reluctant to part.
“She’s an American council member now, and her position is higher. I can’t afford to go against her at this time.”
“But why?” I pouted childishly. “Isn’t she just one person?”
“Just one person with a higher authority.” His voice sounded exhausted, but he didn’t seem to have any intention to fall asleep. “Why did you think she invited common resident vampires that are powerful to become palace bodyguards? She has spies here. If something were to happen, all the council members and entire American vampire leaders will know.” His eyes softened. “And I can’t let anything happen to you.”
Warmth spread in my heart hearing his words. My eyes filled with tears as I laid down beside me. Scooting closer, I put my arms around him hugging tightly.
He said he’d have to act coldly toward me. That means we don’t know when we might get another chance at getting closer. This thought was so distressing that I felt my breath stuck in my throat. I rubbed against him as he continued to caress my head.
“When will this stop?” I didn’t lift my head, but I felt his hand pausing at my words. “We’re married, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we act as young couples like normal people and go to our honeymoon? Shouldn’t we spend a peaceful life together? Why do we have to be supernatural creatures?” Tears trickled down my eyes and wetted his shirt, but I couldn’t care less. I didn’t even know what else I was saying anymore. “I envy humans. They don’t have to face life and death situations. They don’t live in fear like us. They don’t have enemies hidden in the dark! Why’s this happening to us?”
Liam didn’t say anything, but continued to caress my head softly. I sobbed until I couldn’t cry anymore. Then I lifted my head and looked at him with my cheeks stained with tears. “We have to stay separately for a while, don’t we?” I asked in a hoarse voice.
He looked apologetic, and he nodded. “I want to spread a rumor among people that we don’t value you. And if we don’t, then they wouldn’t get anything out of kidnapping you every now and then.” Then he thought of something and said with seriousness in his eyes. “Don’t let anyone know about this. Not even servants. If you can fool your servants, then Barbara can also be tricked by us.”
I pressed my lips in a thin line and nodded. “I understand.”
“Hey, don’t worry, okay?” He kissed my lips and nibbled before letting go. “I’m here.”
“Okay, but what’s your plan?” He should have thought of something to deal with Barbara, right?
“For now, the treaty between the companies is the only way. I’ll add more clauses and rules and to Britain with my assistants.” He paused and wiped my tears. “After signing this treaty, Barbara wouldn’t be able to stay here because that treaty would state that all the members of hunters organization should stay away from me and my family.”
My shoulders relaxed at this. Finally, something good might happen. I can’t help, but have a little hope of a better future. “Doesn’t that mean everything will be fine as long as they hunters sign this treaty?” I couldn’t help but ask. I was still confused since the hunters group wanted to go against us, would they let us go just because of a paper?
“They have to since companies aren’t part of both American and British Vampire’s councils.” Liam’s eyes closed for a moment as he half-opened them again as if he was finding it difficult to stay awake. “The peace contract between two companies and the family members of the companies would mean that none of us would be able to do anything to each other. The copy of these papers would go to the human leaders of the current age. If something were to happen, they would have the authority to punish us.”
So it was like that! No wonder Liam was so adamant on signing this treaty. Wait a minute! If we signed this, didn’t that mean we wouldn’t be able to do anything to them either? What if they find a loophole and end up harming us, and we can’t take a single step to protect ourselves?
Hunters are wild snakes willing to lower their status down to anything to accomplish their goals.
But just as I opened my mouth to ask this, I saw Liam’s closed eyes and steady breathing. His lips parted as he constantly breathed in and out. I bent down and pecked his lips before heading out of the room.
…
I slept in my old room for the sake of fooling the eyes of others. And for this, I didn’t even tell Daleri about it, but I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I had treated her like a mother, but this was the first time I had been hiding something from her.
In the morning, I was met with a pendrive in Daleri’s hands. I looked at her stupidly for a while before a realization dawned on me. I was suddenly reminded of the task I had given her.
Taking the pendrive, I inserted it on the computer I had in my room and copied it on my phone. “She didn’t find out, did she?”
Daleri shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just asked a trusted servant to go to her room and insert a microphone. It would be troublesome if Barbara had found out. That means the information cannot be trusted.”
“It’s better than having nothing at all.” I muttered under my breath and wore earphones, playing the audio.
After some shuffling sound, I heard the phone ringing.
“Yes boss… No, she has a lot of self-control… Even if I die? I’ve prepared for it, but I still like to live despite what the rules say…” She laughed after a pause. “Yes I remember the paper I signed, and I don’t mean to go against the rules. It’s just, you know? Emily is just too much… Right? She’s just as you said! In fact, I think she’s a little brave when it comes to protecting her dear little sister.” Saying that, Barbara laughed again. “I plan to ruin her, you don’t have to warn me.” There was a long pause as if Barbara was listening to a long lecture. “Look, I get what you’re saying, but my focus isn’t just the American crown. I hate Emily!… So, you too, huh? I wonder why, but then again, I didn’t expect anything different from you, after all, your identity is so special.” She paused for another long lecture and said in a grave tone, “You’ve got it right. I won’t fail my mission even if I die.”
And then the call was cancelled, but I couldn’t react. I was shocked to the point that my face went pale. My phone slipped from my hand and fell on the ground with a thud.
Seeing my frightened and shocked face, Daleri got worried. “Emily, what happened? What did you hear?”
What did I hear? Well, let’s see. I understood a few things after listening to the call. First, the leader of hunters knew about my sister and how protective I’m of her. Second, the leader seems to know me too, and in fact, that boss shares a similar feeling of hate for me with Barbara. And third, Barbara can die for her mission if it means revealing my identity.
All of these things played over and over again in my mind, making me feel dizzy. My breath stuck in my throat for a long time. Tears formed in my eyes.
Just why? I thought they were after me because of Liam. Even he came up with the same solution. But why did it seem like the leader hated me more? Have I seen the boss? Even thinking about it sent a chill down my spine.
“I have to talk to Liam.” I picked up my phone.
I did breathing exercises to stop myself from getting out of control again and sprinted out of the room to find Liam. Luckily, he was still in his room, tying his tie before the mirror. As soon as I entered the bedroom, I closed the door behind me and dashed toward him, falling into his arms. He caught me and frowned. “What happened?”
With my shaky hands, I gave him my phone and gestured to play the audio. I couldn’t say a single word at this time. My lips were sealed and words stuck in my throat. I was trembling all over.
The hunter’s leader knew me!
Fear flashed in my eyes as I shrank in his arms while he calmly listened to the audio. But the more he heard, the tighter he hugged me. His face was grave, and his aura leaked out a feeling of anger.
Liam opened his mouth to say something, but closed his lips again. He didn’t know how to comfort me anymore since the goal of hunters seems to be different. After a while of hugging, he gently caressed my back and said, “Are you sure we can trust this information?”
I raised my head to look at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“How did you even get this information?”
I told him about how I had asked Daleri to install a microphone secretly.
Liam nodded and looked at the phone in his hand again with a serious expression. “Barbara might know that you’re listening. So she might have said those words just to distract us.” Then he paused and his eyes softened as he gazed at me. “You don’t have to trouble yourself with these things. Leave it to me, okay?”
“But why would she lie about hunter’s leader knowing me?”
“Who knows?” He shrugged. “Perhaps what she said might also turn out to be the truth. But we have to be vigilant, and you’re no longer safe.” His serious gaze fell. on my face. “Don’t go anywhere alone, not even with Daleri. You get it?”
I nodded.