Four: Little Red.

CHAPTER FOUR:

Azrael's POV:

She looks like her.

Same fiery ginger hair.

Same wide, grey eyes… Same lips. 

I knew I wasn't crazy when I bumped into her the other day and my heart skipped because I thought—finally, I found her.

But now, looking closer, sniffing her, I can see the differences. And this student….oddly doesn't have a scent. Every living thing had a scent but not her?

For some reason, it pissed me off.

“Why the fuck are you scentless?” I snapped. 

All the color drained from her, she clutched her bag strap for dear life as she took a step back. “I… I'm not—” She paused, swallowing hard as she straightened her back. “It's rude to sniff people!” 

I arched a brow, my eyes searching her face. 

People hardly snapped at me or talked back to me.  

“That's not an answer, little Red.” I stepped closer and she took a step back until her back hit the wall. “Why do you have no scent?”

She trembled at my question.

Very subtle, if I weren't watching her so closely, I probably would have missed it.

Her breathing was shallow. I could hear her pounding heartbeat.

She was scared.

I leaned in and she flinched.

“You're hiding something,” I murmured, tilting my head to study her closely as if that would help me figure her out. “What are you hiding?” 

She looked everywhere but at me as she licked her bottom lip nervously—I hate the way my eyes followed it, lingering for seconds too long.

But then she glared at me. “You— Why… Why would you think I was hiding something? And what's your business anyway?” 

I stood straighter, frowning.

Yeah, ‘what's my business?’

Why do I fucking care?

Of course, being scentless is something to be suspicious about but why was I obsessively curious? 

And I don't do obsession. 

Not since ‘her.’  Not after I ruined everything because I wanted a woman I couldn't have.

I moved back, creating a much-needed distance between us as the pain of the past resurfaced, flaring anger within me.

“Get out!” I barked and the girl before froze, eyes widening with fear.

My anger towards her is misguided but it's her fault for looking exactly like Liora.

Little Red eyed me once more, a look of pure disdain replacing the fear in her eyes. “You're a goddamn psycho,” she muttered, fleeing the classroom. 

“Damn, that's a first.” 

I spun around at the familiar voice, glaring at the sly grin my best friend had on his face. 

But my death glare doesn't stop him from opening his big mouth.

“Psycho…” Caspian said the word like he was savoring it. “Girls usually call you hot, sexy, sex-on-legs… not Psycho. How does it feel, your highness?”

“Are you done yapping?” I deadpanned.

His grin widened, flashing his fangs. “Nope.” 

Huffing, I stalked out of the classroom with him following closely no doubt. 

He fell into step beside me. “Do you like her?” 

My steps halted. “What?” 

He shrugged despite my obvious irritation. “I mean you did intentionally run into her the other day and now you're cornering her in an empty classroom.”

I swear to fuck, I'll break this fucker's neck.

Our history together be damned.

“You know I did that because she looked familiar, you slimy bastard,” I gritted through clenched teeth. 

He remained unfazed. “And today? The classroom?”

“Oh fuck off,” I growled and he winked. “She was being bullied by fucking Gavril and I helped her.”

“Since when do you care about others?” 

“I don't.”

He snorted. “Exactly!” 

God. Caspian is so infuriating.

I sighed deeply. “Drop it, you know she does look like Liora, I was hoping she was the one in the prophecy. I'm desperate. I'm running out of time, you of all people know this.” 

That did finally wipe the annoying smirk off his face. “Shit. You're right.” His concerned gaze searched my face. “Are you sure coming back here was the right decision?” 

I wasn't but… “There must be a reason why I dreamt of Liora in Velmorne Academy.” 

I've searched far and wide for the one in the prophecy. For 400 years plus and counting, I roamed about like a madman. 

This is my last chance. 

“Alright man.” He clapped my shoulder reassuringly. “I'm sure we'll find her this time.” 

I nodded. “I hope so.” 

And even as he changed the topic, going off about the girl he has a crush on, the High Priestess's words echoed in my head:

《《 ‘To undo the curse of the Moon, seek the one born from blood and fang. She who walks with stolen stars may mend the severed sky. By her choice alone shall the pact be renewed, or all beasts shall fall into the Endless Night. In her heart rests the gods’ undoing.’ 》》