Chapter 5 The Ashen Lord's Face

ARIELLA'S POV

My mouth fell open as I stared at the man from my shop. I stopped walking so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet.

“Woah.” I blinked twice. “Woah, woah woah.”

The man didn't flinch or disappear. He just stood on the far end of the hall, his attention now shifted on something else.

Ryan just kept walking behind me without saying anything.

I turned to Ryan, still processing the surprise. “Is he a supernatural creature too? What kind?” I asked, pointing towards the man.

“Yes he is—”

Before Ryan could answer me, someone pulled him to the side. It didn't matter. I was going to find answers myself.

I steadied myself and walked towards the man in confident strides, his cold grey eyes now staring at me as I thought of many ways to make him pay for wasting my time on a tattoo the other day.

“What—” My voice came out a bit high and shaky. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He didn't respond, he just kept staring at me.

My lips curled into a frown as my gaze shifted to the tattoo on his wrist. And he was flaunting it without shame, with his stupid perfect face smirking at me.

My hands curled into a fist at my sides as I moved closer to him. “You— you have the audacity to stand here like nothing is going on, while you have my work on your hand, a custom piece. And you left without even paying!” I yelled at him.

The room suddenly turned quiet, everyone's gaze was now fixed on me, a man even stepped back, looking at me like I'd committed some crime speaking up.

“What? Why are y'all staring at me? Huh?” I turned around and faced the other people.

They kept looking at me, wide eyed. A woman standing behind the man was looking at me with a pleading gaze, as if asking me to retreat from saying anything else at the man.

I shook my head and looked back up at the man, unbothered by their expression. “So what do you have to say, Mister? Any explanation?”

The man kept looking at me, his cold piercing gaze burning into my chest. I almost flinched, but I managed to maintain my composure.

“You…stop looking at me like that.” I pointed my index finger at him.

He took a step towards me, a smirk still played on his lips as he crossed the distance between us.

My pointed finger, now touching his chest, was suddenly unstable. I dropped my hand and started taking small steps back as the man was still coming towards me.

“What are you—” Then my leg caught into a mat behind me as I screamed, trying to balance myself as I reached to hold a chair beside me, but I failed.

I closed my eyes and waited for the impact of the hard floor on my behind, but nothing came. Instead, I felt a strong arm, wrapped around my waist and my hands placed against a rigid chest, and warm breath fanning my face.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw that the mystery man had saved me from falling. The hall was still eerily quiet.

I looked up and met his gaze. I blinked, pulling my gaze away, my eyes landing anywhere but his face.

I pulled back slowly, sniffing and clearing my throat. “Uhm ... .thanks—for,” I swallowed, “For saving me.” I said, my voice coming out small.

“Hmmm, no attitude again?” He said, his deep voice sending shockwaves down my spine.

“I have no regrets whatsoever.” I steadied my voice. “My anger was justified.” My head stood tall with pride.

Murmurs were heard. People talking in hushed tones. I heard a man talking behind me saying, “No one dares talk to him like that, this girl must have a death wish.”

I turned towards him slowly, my eyes narrowing, “What do you mean by that?”

No response. The man was quiet.

I turned back to the mystery man, and chuckled, “You must have really done a lot to make these people fear you, but I definitely won't, you're just —”

“Lord Darryn, I'm really sorry for all these, I'll take her in now.” Ryan spoke from behind me, walking in hurried steps towards us.

I nearly choked on my saliva. Lord Darryn? He was referring to this man as Lord Darryn?

I laughed as I turned to face Ryan who was now standing beside me. “So you're scared of him too? C'mon Ryan, this is hilarious.” I said and continued laughing.

“Miss Cadell—”

“Oh, please Ryan, I've had enough show for one day. Please just take me to the Ashen lord so I can get my answers, or take me back home.” My expression was still a mixture of seriousness and amusement.

I looked at him, but he didn't say a word.

“Okay then, since you're not going to say anything, I'll just find him myself and take my leave.” I said and turned around to leave.

“You've already met the Ashen Lord, Miss Cadell.” Ryan said with a calm voice.

I turned to face Ryan with a mix of confusion on my face. I looked up, racking my brain to think. Then I looked around, searching the crowd to see a frail old looking man that I have perhaps met before.

None.

I looked at Ryan intently, “Are you joking with me? I haven't met the Ashen lord before, and—what does he even look like? Old and shaky?Wearing ancient clothes? Having horns? Nope, haven't met ‘em” I said and shrugged.

Then I looked at Darryn for a second, the way he was looking at me, the kind of aura and authority emanating from standing close to him alone, the way people move around him, the whisper from the man behind, the pleading gaze from the woman, and the way Ryan addressed him. Then it clicked.

My eyes went wide, my mouth opened and closed, the words not forming.

I turned to face Ryan, “Don't tell me Darryn is the Ashen Lord.” I said my expression was still a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“Okay, I won't tell you.” Ryan said and pressed his lips together.

“What? No no no no no. How can you be the Ashen Lord?” I said and looked at Darryn, and my throat dried instantly.

He didn't say anything, his cold gaze still piercing through me.

I scoffed, “There's no way I'm letting you protect me, Darryn. I mean what can you do? As a matter of fact, I'm leaving. You all played me. Ryan, please take me home.” I paused, “No, I'll leave myself. I don't know where you'll take me next, all in the name of protection.” I said, my blood boiling with rage.

“You're not going anywhere Cadell.” Darryn said from behind me.

“And who are you to tell me that huh? Please, you're the Ashen Lord, right, that’s good for you.” I scoffed and turned around to leave.

Then two guards came and seized my arm, preventing me from moving.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” I said trying to break free from their grip.

“Take her to the room on the top floor, it has already been prepared.” Darryn ordered the guards that held me.

“You can't keep me against my wish, Darryn! I'll report you to the police. I'll escape from this place and I'll make you pay brutally!” I said my voice dripping with venom, still struggling to break free from their hold as they took me up.

“Let's see about that Cadell.” Darryn said, as his lips curved into something that was almost a smile.