THREE

Cassa's POV

 

Julius's gaze flicked to me for a moment before returning to Astallia. "None of your business, or Catharine's. Tell my sister she'll regret what she's done."

"Catharine won't be intimidated, just like her brother. But she did pay me handsomely for that chokehold you gave me. I almost died," she snarled.

"Lucky for you, I didn't kill you. Now leave and tell Catharine to bring Sabrina here. I'll deal with her soon enough.”

"You haven't changed, Julius. So rude.” With that, she vanished in a cloud of purple smoke.

I gasped, blinking rapidly in disbelief. Was that real? How did she just disappear like that?

Julius glanced at me briefly before striding away, his footsteps echoing like a solemn promise. I stood there, bewildered and without answers, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Gathering my courage, I hurried out of the room and called after Mr. Montalvo as I walked down the hallway. He was about to turn when I caught up to him.

"Can I go home to my father's house? Just for a visit?" I pleaded, hoping he’d understand my longing to see my dad.

He refused without hesitation, his back still to me. "No."

"It's just a visit. I miss my father. You can trust me not to leave," I implored, desperation creeping into my voice.

"You can't change my mind. It's better if you stay here," he stated firmly before turning and walking away. I watched him go, feeling defeated and trapped.

Looking around, I noticed a dull gray wall to my right, facing five doors. His room was in the middle, and a hallway led to the right, the direction Julius had taken.

I followed his path and found a staircase leading down to the lower floor. The marble-tiled floors and lifeless ambiance cast a somber tone over the place. The stairs were carpeted in muted gray, and the railings matched in a deep shade of the same color.

Entering the spacious living room, I marveled at its size, dwarfing the room I had been confined to. A divan sat near a rectangular glass window draped with lilac curtains. In the center of the room stood a round glass coffee table, an empty mug left abandoned on its surface. Paintings adorned the walls, adding a splash of color to the otherwise dreary space.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, a gust of fresh air greeted me, beckoning me outside. I stepped onto the porch and gazed out at the wide courtyard surrounded by trees of various sizes. The dirt road stretched ahead, inviting yet intimidating.

"Are you planning to escape?" Julius's voice startled me, and I turned to see him leaning against the doorway, holding a cup of coffee.

"I... I'm just exploring," I stammered, meeting his gaze. "Where in town are we?"

Julius took a sip of his coffee before replying cryptically, "Somewhere you can't leave."

"Right," I muttered under my breath. "So I'll just be stuck here until my last breath? Why don't you just end it now and kill me?"

"What you wish for won't happen," Julius replied calmly, moving toward the divan and taking a seat, placing his half-empty mug on the table.

I narrowed my eyes, frustration bubbling inside me at his nonchalant response. "Why? Who benefits from this? I'd rather be in jail than trapped like this," I complained, sinking into the seat across from him. "This is inhumane!"

"Hmm, inhumane. It may seem that way," he conceded, a hint of amusement playing on his expression as he leaned back, his gaze fixed on me. "You should be grateful I saved you from death. I don’t get why mortals are so ungrateful. This town wouldn’t exist without our protection against other immortals or rogue ones. We must conceal our existence for peace. Immortals looking out for mortals because you’re all weak."

"Did we ask for that?" I countered, frustration evident in my tone.

Julius chuckled. "Not you, but your ancestors did. We’re only mentioned in books—regarded as fables, fiction, legends. People believe we don’t exist. If not for us, humanity would have perished long ago or become prey to other immortals. Sacrifices are necessary."

I was left speechless. He was right in a way—people believed creatures like him were mere myths. But what I had witnessed proved otherwise.

"Is it true that you eat humans, as the legend of this town suggests?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

He crossed his legs and rested his arm on the armrest, amusement still evident in his demeanor. "Yes, we did consume humans in the past. And even now, some rogue werewolves still do."

"Are you one of them?" I asked cautiously, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't you know human flesh is tastier than any animal?" Julius responded seriously.

"So you are..." I trailed off, my words barely audible.

"What do you think? Am I?" He stared at me, waiting for my answer.

I swallowed hard, unable to meet his gaze. How many humans had he consumed? The thought made me shudder. His laughter only added to my discomfort, as if he found something amusing in my reaction.

"Goodness, you're quick to jump to conclusions, aren't you? Do I look like a rogue to you? The mayor doesn't feast on his own people. If that were true, this town would be littered with missing persons," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Though there are some humans who indulge in such acts."

"So, there are good werewolves and bad ones?" I probed further.

"Many questions," he replied. "Remember, werewolves don't trust humans unless they prove themselves trustworthy. As for me, I don’t place much trust in them."

"Anyway, I’m not as harsh on mortals as some might think. But I’m not as benevolent as my father either. You're not living here like a princess under my care," he added, pulling a folded paper from his pants pocket and placing it on the table. "Here are some things you must do while you’re in my hands. It's not hard; I think you'll manage. You're not pampered like a princess, are you?"