Symphony of Death

Anastasia’s POV

“Stop moving, Angie,” I yelled in frustration. I was done with Nat and Shae ages ago but Angie came with the vendetta to make me lose my lid. “I need to take the measurements today if I want to make our dresses in time.”

“Alright, sorry,” she spread her arms wide. “We are twinning, okay? All four of us.”

“One Angie is enough to torture the world,” Nat snickered. “We don’t want people to die of a heart attack on such a happy occasion.”

“Was that supposed to be funny?” Angie bit back. “I’m sorry I could not find my laugh to waste on such lameness.”

“Angie!” I groaned.

She mumbled incoherent apologies and finally managed to stay still for a few minutes. After what felt like eons to me, I was able to get her exact measurements.

“All done.” I rechecked each chart just to be sure. “Now the colors.”

“Red,” Angie spoke before Nat could even open her mouth. “And we are not arguing over it.” She glared at her.

“It’s either lavender or any shade of blue or I’m not going at all,” Nat deadpanned.

“Why don’t you leave it to me?” I intervened before they could have started arguing again. “I’m the designer here. I’ll call the dibs on everything.”

“That’s a valid point,” Nat agreed. “I’m leaving it in your hands, Ana.”

“Add red somewhere and make it look the same one way or the other,” Angie repeated. “I mean it. I want everyone to swoon and burn after us.”

“She is a bad influence on Shae,” Nat sighed. “Leave her alone. She knows better.”

It was a nonstop cycle.

Nat and Angie bickered for another thirty minutes. I adored them and everything but they could be a real handful at times.

“Diana loved the dress,” Angie’s bickering took a sudden u-turn. We settled on the couch and Shae went to get coffee. “She said she couldn’t wait to wear it on her big day.”

“I’m glad she liked it,” I smiled. “Thank you, Shae,” I took the coffee from her.

“I’m going to wrap up everything. It’s time to leave.” I nodded at her. “Are you taking any of this home?” Shae asked.

“These two for today,” I told her. She carried them to the sewing room.

“I sometimes imagine her growing up as a normal girl,” Nat said after Shae left. “It breaks my heart. She could have achieved so much. She is such a bright girl.”

“Yeah,” Angie agreed. “I couldn’t even imagine what she went through. She was just a child.”

“Life can be unfair at times,” I sighed. “Most of the time.” I threw my head back and closed my eyes.

“Ana?” Nat called me after a minute. “Are you okay?” I opened one and looked at her. “Did something” she looked at Angie, “happen?”

“Like what?” I sat up straight and looked between them.

“You haven’t said a word since your birthday night. We don’t want to pry but we are worried for you.” Nat frowned. “Are you two fighting or something?”

“Aeron and Cain fought if you don’t know,” Angie added. “It was bad. I thought they were going to start a fistfight or worse, their power fight. They took everything behind closed doors but everyone could sense.” Angie shuddered. “I couldn’t get the look of Aeron’s face out of my head when Cain left.”

“When did this happen?” I asked.

“The next day of your birthday,” Angie replied. “Is everything okay, Ana?” I stayed silent. “We know we can’t be of much help when it comes to them but you can at least rely on us for emotional support. You were clearly hurt by what Cain did.”

“I don’t know what is going on with him.” I sighed. “He was fine and then he suddenly–”

“Suddenly what?” Nat asked. “Ana?”

“He said he doesn’t want me anymore.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Doesn’t want you anymore?” Nat raised one brow at this. “Does that mean he doesn’t want his wing too?” That thought didn’t cross my mind. “What exactly did he say?”

“He said that he had his fill of me and then he returned Laurel’s pendant.” I showed it to them. They were watching me silently. Too silently. “What?”

“Did you-” Angie scratched her forehead awkwardly. I got what she wanted to ask. Their expressions said everything. “Scratch that. What do you think about Cain?” She changed the question. “What do you feel about him?”

“Feel?” I repeated. What do I feel about him? “I think I hated him,” I mumbled, “because I thought he killed Laurel and my parents.”

“He didn’t?” Angie asked, surprised. “He lied to trick you?” I just sighed in response. “So what now?”

“What now?” I repeated.

“Do you still hate him?” Angie and Nat looked at me expectantly.

“I don’t hate him,” I said honestly. “Because the reason doesn’t remain anymore so,” I heaved another sigh. “I don’t know. I don’t hate him now.” My expressions soured suddenly. “Well, I do hate him actually.” I narrowed my eyes at the memory. “He brought Audrey back on my birthday.”

“What? Whaaat!” Angie jumped forward in her seat. “Audrey?” I nodded. “Son of a bitch.”

“Second that,” Nat nodded. “This is shit.”

“When it wasn’t.” I chuckled dryly and checked the time on my watch. “Well, at least his family is being nice now.” I stood up and they did too. “I hope Einar finds out something so I can get out of there for good.”

“He is a warlock, right?” Angie inquired. “I want to meet him someday. I bet he is cool.”

“He is,” I agreed.

Shae returned with the bags and we left the studio together.

“Take it easy, Ana,” Nat smiled at me. “I know things are messed up but it will be fine in the end.” She patted my shoulder.

“We are here for you.” Angie bumped my shoulder.

“I know.” I smiled woefully.

My heart felt heavy with the thought of returning to his estate. Every day started with the same restlessness and anxiety and ended with the same hell every night.

I was sick and tired of it.

The poisonous silence implanted deeply between us.

I wouldn’t be feeling this way if only Cain was openly hostile towards me. He mocked me that night and I knew everything he did was to humiliate me.

But something felt horribly off about the whole situation.

I knew I could be reading too much into it or brewing fantasies to ease the unwanted ache of my heart but my hunch was never wrong.

Cain was hiding something.

If not, he would have behaved like he did in the past. He would have kept reminding me of that woman, Omisha. He would have kept blaming me for everything and declaring that he was going to tear his wing out of me.

But he didn’t.

He just left me alone.

****

I sighed loudly when the car stopped in the driveway. I felt extra lethargic than before.

I looked at Shae gratefully when she came to my side and opened the door. She took the bags from me and disappeared silently. I was so grateful for having her with me right now. She was like my extra dose of everything.

“I think I’m going to collapse for the day,” I dragged myself inside. I didn’t even acknowledge Cain and the female blonde in his lap when I entered the living area.

Their mouths were engaged in some competition of their own. Cain was groping her everywhere and she was moaning extra diligently in response.

Will you look at that! He reciprocates my feelings and thoughts of blunt ignorance.

How convenient!

I didn’t want to stay in his room but I couldn’t move out because of the protection. It was so hard to breathe in here when everything reflected his presence.

I went to the closet area and grabbed my sleeping suit. I wanted to skip the shower but I knew I was not going to get any sleep without it.

I spent an extra twenty minutes under the hot water. Cain’s bathroom had a luxurious Jacuzzi but I never tried to relax in it. The shower worked just fine for me.

I sighed in content when my aching muscles began to relax. I turned off the water when I was thoroughly satisfied. I dried myself, wore my sleeping suit, and after finishing up other daily rituals, I left the bathroom.

I was sleepy but I was sure I was only going to toss and turn for the good part.

“I’ll work a little,” I nodded to myself and took out the necessary stuff from one of the bags. “Ah damn,” I cursed when a ribbon roll slipped out of my hand and went under the bed. “Great” I left everything and knelt on the floor.

The bed was too low for my hand to reach for the ribbon.

“A little,” I laid down flat and pushed my arm forward. “Ow!” I hissed under my breath and buried my head in my arm.

“Ana!” I couldn’t even blink when Cain pulled me up and held me in his lap protectively. “What’s wrong?” His voice held urgency. “Are you hurt? Does it hurt?” He palmed my cheek. “Is it–Ein–”

“I’m fine,” I stopped him before he could have called Einar. “I’m fine,” I reassured him. His posture didn’t relax. “I am fine, Cain.” I touched his hand on my cheek.

Cain grabbed my left arm and rubbed my wrist softly with his thumb.

“Cain?” I called him cautiously.

His attitude shifted in a nanosecond. He let go of me and stormed out of the room.

I was sure now.

Something was definitely going on with him.

****

I spread the yoga mat and sat on it. It was still the early hours of the morning so the sky was still dark. I began stretching to warm up a little.

I came out in the garden and the purpose was not related to my health entirely.

I started doing yoga, going from the easy poses to the complex ones as my muscles adjusted to it.

“Ana!”

Yes.

I looked at Cain upside down when he stormed toward me like a raging bull.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I kept my smugness and silence to his fury. “I’m talking to you, damn it.”

“Me?” I faked surprise and got back up. I crossed my legs over the hips and faced him solemnly. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were addressing someone behind me.” His jaw twitched uncontrollably. “Yes?”

“What are you doing out here?”

“Yoga as you can see,” I got into a downward dog pose. “I always do it.”

“Don’t try to act cocky with me,” Cain growled. I just changed the pose. “Damn it, woman. Why did you come out without protection?”

“I’m inside your property.” I retorted calmly. “What does it matter?” Cain fisted his hands and breathed through his nose to keep his anger in check. “I thought I was irrelevant now.” He gave no response. “Ah! I see. The sex part is done.”

“Anastasia!” Cain thundered. “Go inside right now.”

“I’m not in the mood.” I resumed my yoga. “I’ll when I feel like–” I gasped loudly when Cain grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. “What the hell, Cain?”

“Shut up,” he hissed in my face. “Don’t test my patience, love” he meshed my frame into his. “It would be in your best interest to not provoke me.”

“I was just doing yoga,” I said innocently. “How is that provoking you?”

His pupils dilated and Adam’s apple moved up and down.

Alright! I was not that innocent at all.

I purposely wore the most sensual sportswear so I could elicit any kind of reaction out of him.

“Do you think you can fuck with my mind with these tricks?” His fingers drummed lazily over my bare back. I kept my neutral face when his fingers grazed my waist and skimmed over my bare abdomen. “You should think twice before messing with me.”

“Or what?” I dared. My body started burning when Cain pushed me into him to the point that my chest pressed flat against his hard torso. “You are going to hurt me or something?”

“You wish!” Cain let me go suddenly. I frowned at his sinister expressions. “You need to live at least a hundred years before you can think of luring me in a trap this childish.”

“I was doing nothing of the sort.” I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. My frown turned to a scowl when Cain chuckled sarcastically in response.

“Stay out of my way, sweet Anastasia,” Cain whispered darkly. “I’d rather you don’t anger me in any way.” He threatened calmly. “Or else I can make you suffer in the worst ways possible.”

“Ah!” I fell while clutching my left wrist when he turned to leave.

“Ana!” Cain held me against him. “What’s wrong?” I whimpered in response and curled into his chest. “Fuck!” He lifted me in his arms and teleported us back to the room.

“I’m calling Einar.” He palmed my forehead after making me lay on the bed. “Why did you take off the bracelet he gave you? Why don’t you ever listen?”

I grabbed his arm to stop him from moving back.

“What are you hiding from me?” His anger rose to another level when he caught onto my lie. “What happened to you?”

“Let go,” Cain hissed under his breath. “Let go of my hand, Anastasia.” His eyes shifted and black menacing shadows rose out of his body. “I’m warning you for the last time.”

“No-”

“Shut up,” Cain grabbed my shoulders painfully and pushed me down. “Shut up. Just shut up or I will-” He panted hard.

His face was dangerously close to mine and his breath was torturing my slightly parted lips.

“Stay away from me.” His body shook visibly with anger. I winced slightly when his nails dug into my shoulders and his body pressed down on me. “Stay away from me, Anastasia. Just stay the fuck away from me or I will kill you.”

I laid still even when he disappeared.

That wrath in his eyes, it was not out of the contempt toward my existence. There was something else that was fueling this newfound hatred.

That hatred was not for me.

But I should have known better what my actions would lead to.

Cain didn’t return to the mansion at all and it made me guilty and angry simultaneously. I tried reaching him through every possible means but he shut me out completely.

The security around me was ten times worse than before. I could not even step out on the porch without a supernatural guard or two.

If only I was a little dumber and let myself believe in his lies then I wouldn’t be suffering this mental and emotional torture of his absence.

I tried coaxing his brothers, Sibyl, Einar, and even Clarissa into telling me anything about his whereabouts. But none of them was ready to spill the beans.

I was this close to losing my insanity.

I sat on the bed and looked out the window. The sky was raging with the coming rain and storm. It was making me restless.

It was a week now and I was stuck in the same limbo of unanswered questions.

“Shae!” She appeared next to me. “Can I ask you for a favor?” I asked her somberly.

“If it isn’t anything crazy,” Shae replied calmly.

If he was going to be stubborn, then I can give him a little competition.

****

“Are you sure about this?” Shae asked me again. “It could end badly.”

“I know what I’m doing,” I took off the pendant, ring, and bracelet and handed them to Shae. “Tell him I ran away.”

“And leave you here alone?” Shae scowled darkly. “The second I left your side, the Anima is going to attack you.”

“I’m ready to take my chances,” I said firmly.

“I’m not going all in with your risky plan. I’ll stay until the Master arrives.”

“He will?” I mused at her silence.

“Be careful,” Shae disappeared.

I came to Fairthon. It was the only place that came to my mind for the execution of my plan.

I was scared shitless but I swallowed my fear. I rubbed my arm nervously and paced around anxiously. My heart was coming to my mouth with every emotion I could name right now.

“ANASTASIA!”

I froze in my spot when his voice thundered behind me along with the lightning in the sky. I turned ever so slowly to face the wrath named Cain.

Holy Shit!

His eyes were spitting fire and daggers at me and his very presence was oozing resentment and animosity.

I couldn’t decide whether to be grateful for the distance between us or be afraid. Cain could get to me in a blink and snap my neck in half with the way he was right now.

“Stop right there,” I climbed on the fence wall when he took a step toward me. His eyes held mad fury now. “Don’t come any closer or I will jump.”

“You will pay for this,” he growled. “I swear I will make you pay for this.”

“Only after answering my questions,” I responded calmly. “What are you not telling me?” His anger blended back into coldness. “Cain!”

I stepped back in warning.

“What happened when I fainted? Why are you behaving like this suddenly? What did Laurel tell you, Cain? Why are you avoiding me?”

I gritted my teeth at his indifference.

“I will jump from here if you don’t answer my questions.” I stumbled over the edge.

“Ana!” His cold facade broke. “Stop this madness.”

“I won’t,” I refused. “Not unless you tell me.” He kept his silence. “I want answers, Cain,” I yelled in frustration. “What did I do?”

“I owe you no answers,” he snarled. “You mean nothing to me. You are just a vessel of my wing.”

“Yeah?” I glared back. “Well then, let’s end this fiasco right now.” I didn’t look back this time. “It’s all about your wing, right? You are tolerating me because of this, right?” I raised my left wrist. “Fine! You can tear it out of my soul today.”

“ANA!” Cain yelled when I fell back.

I was not afraid to die. I just wanted this unwanted pain to end now. If this insanity could get me to an end then be it.

I gasped when Cain appeared before me. His eyes were the deepest pits of hell and every bit of its rage was directed toward me.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in his body. We were standing on the rooftop in the next instance.

His wing disappeared once we landed on our feet.

The early drizzle turned to a heavy downpour and we stood next to each other while drenching in its bone-chilling coldness.

His hold on my waist became painful to the point of being unbearable. But I couldn’t tell him that. I would be in a lot deeper shit if I even thought of opening my mouth.

Cain fisted my hair and pulled my head back slightly. I didn’t blink when his face loomed over mine menacingly.

“Fuck you, Ana!” Cain hissed against my lips. “Fuck you.” I leaned into his touch when he palmed my face. “Stop this nonsense.”

“What happened to you?” I grabbed his shirt when I felt him moving back. “You can’t do this to me, Cain.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to stay away from me.” I held tight when he tried to pry my hands off. “I mean it, Ana.” He yelled angrily. “Stay away from me.”

“And if I don’t?” I gasped loudly when Cain cupped my jaw with one hand and fisted my hair again with the other.

“Then I will make you,” he growled. “I will carve the hatred into your very existence that you will feel nothing but repulsion when you will look at me.”

My lips parted slightly against his.

“You will hate me, Anastasia. You will hate the very thought of my existence and I will make sure of it.” He whispered darkly against my lips. “I want you to run and cower in disgust and fear at the mere sight of me.”

“Why?” I whispered breathlessly.

I could see the lust in his eyes. The desire to devour and touch me. But he was restraining himself from doing both.

“Why, Cain?” I leaned forward to kiss him but he pushed me back.

“Don’t come near me, Ana” his gaze burnt me to my core. “Or I won’t hesitate to kill you with my own hands.”