Chapter 3 CHAPTER THREE

TWO YEARS LATER 

The years had gone by swiftly. Almost like they blurred into each other. It has been two years since I arrived at Baylin's home in the human village and despite all odds, I'd adapted and it had become my home too. The first weeks were the hardest for me. I thought constantly about my family, if they missed me...if they were safe. 

I sat by the window every day and cried when I thought Baylin wasn't looking. I stared at the empty dirt roads hoping I'd see a familiar face coming to see me..or take me back. 

But days went by and nothing happened. No one came. No one spoke to me. All I had was Baylin and she tried her best to take care of me.

I stopped sitting by the window. I stopped crying and waiting for something to happen. I stopped being the pitiful Ione that mother turned her nose up at. 

I helped around the house silently. I left the small house that sat far away from the others. I met new people and I spoke to them. I smiled and laughed. I felt better. 

And for the first time in years, I felt like I was living for myself. Not the approval of my father or the love of my mother. Just for myself, I was finally stronger and this was a life I would trade for another.

Not in ten years. Or an eternity. 

The wind blew through my hair as I ran through the forest. I could hear his pounding footsteps behind me as he chased after me.

I pushed myself faster and faster until I burst out from the tall trees in the forest. He came rushing out a few seconds later, and I was too slow to jump out of the way because he crashed into me.

We went tumbling on the floor and I chuckled loudly.

"You're quite fast," he said breathlessly against my ear and I smiled. He stood up and held his hand out for me.

He helped me to my feet and I dusted the dirt from my dress.

"You're just slow"

"I'm not" he frowned, offended by what I had said. Men and their egos. He wasn't accepting the fact that I was a lot faster than he was.

Drian tried to act like he wasn't like the other men but he was just the same and I'm honestly tired of pointing it out. 

"Whatever you say" I flipped my hair and walked further down the path. I heard him running after me and I smiled.

"What are you doing tonight?" 

"The usual. Eat and stay home with Baylin"

Home. For so long, I hated it. Hated the fact that I was unwanted, rejected, and abandoned in this desolate place. But now, I don't care anymore. It was my reality and I made peace with it. Fighting my truth won't take me anywhere.

It wasn't the best way to spend an evening. Not even close to ideal but it was what I had to do. Baylis orders. 

Ever since I'd been dropped off here by the king, Baylin had looked after me and handled my affairs, including education about vampire affairs and other things I had no interest in knowing.

She was a bit too much sometimes but she was the closest I'd had to a mother in years. 

My mind crossed to my real family for a few seconds, the first time in almost a year.

"Let's do something different tonight" Drian's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"What's that?" I furrowed my brows. What could be different from the normal boring things that always happened around here?

"A bonfire"

"Bonfire?" I eyed him suspiciously. 

"Yes. There's like a huge fire and we get to dance around it. There'll be wine too"

"Who is going to be there?"

"Everybody"

"Everybody? The villagers don't really like me" 

In my first years, they had been a lot nicer and all of a sudden, their attitudes had completely changed.

"That's not true. They've not gotten the chance to spend time with you. You're a lovable person" 

I snorted. "You don't need to lie to me. I'll be there"

It'd be fun to do something different for once. 

"Good. See you" he turned in the opposite direction while I stared at his disappearing form.

Why did it seem like he spent time with me today just to invite me to the bonfire? That's what men do. The voice in my head whispered.

I shook the thoughts off as I walked towards my home. 

I spotted the house in the distance, sitting on the outskirts of the village. I'd always wondered why Baylin chose to live in the human village and then stay on the outskirts, as if she didn't want to interact with anyone.

"Baylin" I called out as I stepped into the house. 

"Baylin" I called louder but there was still no response from her. I opened the back door and stepped into the yard.

"Baylin"

"Coming" I heard her voice and she appeared a few seconds later. Her gloves were dirty and she had a blank look on her face.

"You left the front door open" I said with a scowl.

"So? It's not like anyone would try to break in or rob us" she said carelessly.

True. She was a vampire and they were humans. But locking the door just seemed normal. My eyes drifted down to the clothes she had in her hand. 

My clothes. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, with a loud voice.

"Cleaning" she answered stiffly. A lie. Baylin had stopped cleaning after me for a long while now. There was something else she wasn't saying. 

I tried to step in but she blocked my path.

"Why did you stay out for so long," she said, ignoring my earlier question.

"Are you hiding something?" I took a step forward but she held her hand out.

"Don't come any closer" She was hiding something. 

I took another step forward and she snarled. 

"I'll break your arm if you come closer" I paused in my step. Her face looked serious but I knew she wouldn't physically hurt me but she would do everything to stop me from going into the house.

My gaze narrowed and I turned away, walking towards the outdoor bench with a scowl. 

I was going to find out what she was hiding.