TWO

Cassa's POV

 

 

Three weeks had passed, and I was slowly recovering. In just three days, I’d be able to ditch these damn crutches. Sabrina had been incredibly attentive, always by my side, offering words of encouragement even when I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But despite her efforts, the monotony of being stuck in this room was driving me insane. Staring out the window and not being able to move felt like I was in a prison.

I’d met Dr. Adam, expecting some old geezer, but he turned out to be a good-looking guy just a few years older than me. He visited weekly to check on my progress and often mentioned my grandfather, Daniel Sullivan. Apparently, my grandfather was one of the investors in the hospital where Adam worked, and he couldn’t stop praising him. Not that I cared much; I barely knew my grandparents since I’d left their strict household to chase my dreams in Los Angeles after high school.

"How are you feeling, Ali?" Sabrina's voice broke into my thoughts as she set my lunch on the table by the window.

"Getting better every day," I said without turning around. "I thought you were coming tomorrow?"

"It ended early. I talked to Aviona; she was worried sick about you not answering her calls," Sabrina explained, arranging the food.

"What did you tell her?" I finally looked over at her.

"Nothing much. Nathan told me to keep your condition under wraps, so I just said you were busy," she replied, her voice thick with conflict.

Over the past few weeks, I had grown closer to Sabrina. She was mortal, working for an immortal, blissfully unaware of the secrets her beloved mayor was hiding. Speaking of which, I’d only seen him once since our last conversation. Sabrina hadn’t said anything about where he was or when he’d be back. The whole house felt weirdly quiet, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

"Thanks for bringing this," I said, mustering a smile.

"All part of the job. So, what did you eat yesterday when I wasn’t here? Did Nathan bring you food?" Sabrina's questioning look pierced through me.

"A guy in a suit knocked on my door and handed me some food in a paper bag," I recalled, the memory of the grumpy delivery man still fresh. He had just handed me the bag and left, his deep brown eyes distant and indifferent.

"Oh, that’s Leo, Nathan's driver. He’s not much of a talker and just does what he’s told," Sabrina explained with a smile. "Why don’t you eat? The soup I made for you is still hot."

"The soup I made for you is still hot."

"Maybe later. I want to enjoy this breathtaking view," I deflected, taking in the stunning scenery outside. It struck me as odd that Sabrina seemed to know everyone around the Mayor, but I pushed the thought aside. Maybe that was just how things worked in a small town.

"It's lunch, and you need to eat. Is something bothering you?” Sabrina's gaze was intense, her concern clear.

"No, I'm just not hungry yet," I replied, trying to brush off her questions.

Sabrina handed me a bowl of chicken soup, urging me to eat. The aroma was tempting, and my mouth watered at the sight. “Okay,” I agreed, reaching for the spoon.

But before I could take a bite, the door burst open, and I turned to see the newcomer.

It was Julius, dressed in a simple skirt and khaki pants, striding in with a furious expression as he snatched the bowl from Sabrina's hands. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger.

Sabrina's face broke into a grin, but to my shock, she transformed into an unfamiliar woman. She was striking, with black eyeliner accentuating her midnight-black eyes and black lipstick on her lips. Her white hair cascaded like snow, and she wore a black corset dress that added to her enigmatic allure. Her sharp, black nails gleamed menacingly.

I stared in disbelief as the woman's voice rang out, filled with madness. "Oh, Julius, Julius. If I can't have you, then all the women who get close to you die," she proclaimed, her pitch-black eyes boring into me. "Who is this woman in your house? A mortal? You choose her over me?"

Julius's expression hardened, his lips pressing into a thin line as he crushed the bowl in his hand. "You're crazy!" he spat, tightening his grip around the woman's neck. But instead of fear, she grinned foolishly. "Where is Sabrina? I won't hesitate to kill you," he warned.

"Sabrina. That innocent woman who fell into my trap. Poor she-wolf. Did you miss me?" The woman's finger traced his jawline, her nails leaving a trail of wounds in their wake.

Sabrina's a werewolf? But I thought she was human.

Julius's grip tightened, silencing her groans of pain. “Damn it, Nathan. That hurts!” she gasped, her face paling.

"Tell me where she is and who ordered you to do this?" Julius's gray eyes darkened, his jaw clenched with rage.

The woman held onto Julius's hand on her neck, her smile never wavering. Who is this woman? Is she a werewolf like him?

“Fine!” the woman relented softly, and Julius released his grip. She gasped for air, wiping the blood from her mouth. "Your sister asked me to create this whole drama. Sabrina is safe at the ranch.”

"Catharine..." Julius growled, anger simmering beneath the surface. "What did you put in the soup you gave her?"

Astallia tucked her long white hair behind her ear, a smirk playing on her lips. “It was poisoned. I know you've been suspicious of me for a week now. It's hard for you to believe I'm Sabrina. Didn't I smell like a she-wolf?”

"You're not very convincing. I thought you were still in Mexico. Is your witchcraft still working?” Julius inspected the wound on his jaw, watching as it slowly healed. "Did you use poison on me too?"

Astallia crossed her arms, chuckling. "I wouldn't harm you, Julius. But what's a mortal doing here?" Her eyes flicked to me, and I leaned against the windowsill, eyes widen.