Chapter 5 Movie Premiere

The theatre was packed with a multitude of people when we arrived. Apparently word had gone round that the assassin would be there, and everyone had come to see for themselves.

I adjusted the bodice of my lace. It was uncomfortable and breathing was a hassle for me. Stacy had strapped the corset too tight. And when I complained she scolded me saying I should be grateful I was going anywhere with the ancient vampire and stop complaining.

“Master Lukas. You made it. I am eternally grateful.”

A short, bald man said. His eyes shone greatly with glee and joy. I could only imagine how important this day had just become for him.

Lukas only yawned. The man let out a nervous laugh and turned to me instead. That was when I noticed the writing on the tag on his breastplate. ‘Director’.

“Ah. This must be Creed.” He made an attempt to receive a handshake, hand stretched out and all before Lukas intercepted, putting himself between the director and I.

“If you touch her, you die. If She touches you, you die. That goes for everyone in this room as well.”

A sweat broke out on the man’s neck. His body trembling in his boots. “Of course. Apologies. Let me show you to your seats. Right this way.”

He led us to the front of the theatre and gestured to the middle seats. We had been given the best view in the entire room.

I had been fantasizing about this day for the past fortnight. But certainly not like this. Michael promised to take me to the stables afterwards. He would have lit up some hay and sang an old ballad to me.

But I would have none of that now. When the curtains closed, I would return to that brooding mansion, with that brooding head maid, and that monotone butler. And not to mention- that self absorbed, psychopathic, maniacal, son of a-

“Eyes on the stage” The voice from beside me spoke. I clenched my fists in my lap. Talk about speak of the devil.

Lukas said nothing else. Only placed his gloved arm on the arm rest of my chair.

I turned my attention to the stage. A woman was on the ground. She appeared to be putting to labor.

I noticed she had no clothes on her lower body. They had taken ‘realistic’ to a whole different level. The midwife attending to her said something and her legs spread wider.

My neck flushed pink and my cheeks burned in embarrassment. They burned hotter when I heard the chuckle from beside me.

I turned my face away, and when I turned back, another scene was about to play. A young man rolled the mat been used for the delivery scene away.

I knew that build. “Michael”, I breathed.

What was he doing up there? I willed him to turn to me. I don’t know what I would do if he did but I know I needed to see him at least.

As the universe may have it, he looked to the crowd. I saw it the moment he spotted me. Eyes widening before they narrowed when he noticed who sat beside me.

Lukas only watched the stage with his left fist propped under his chin, a bored expression on his face. He had stopped drumming on my armrest.

Michael nodded his head towards the back, before further rolling the mat away.

“I would like to use the privy. I need to relieve myself?”

Lukas cut his gaze to mine, never turning his head. Eyes narrowing. He gestured to one of his members, calling them over with two fingers.

“The lady needs to relieve herself.” He finally turned to me. “I expect you to return immediately.”

I only nodded. What a self entitled bastard. Even as I rattled in fear.

Once I entered the restroom stall, I shut the door of the restroom stall. A minute later, I heard a knock.

“Lou. Open up. It’s me.” I granted him access, laughing as he hugged me tightly.

“Jesus Christ Lou. I thought you were dead. I searched the whole of town for you. And when I saw the state of your former master’s house. I thought the worse. But then we couldn’t find your body and-”

“It’s okay,” I cut him off from his rambling. On several occasions, I wondered what it would be like to hug him back. He couldn’t heal the way vampires could. Like me, he was only human.

I settled with cupping his face with four fingers. “I’m okay now,” his gaze softened, a groan escaped him as he slotted his lips with mine.

The kiss barely deepened before he broke it, a frown on his face “Where have you been? And what were you doing with that vampire?”

I mirrored his expression. “It’s a long story.”

“We have time.”

I shook my head violently. “No. I have to go quickly.”

His frown deepened. “Okay. But promise me you’ll leave this place. Especially that man.”

“But mother-“

“I have to tell you something about your mother, but first, promise me.” He grabbed my shoulders.

“I promise.” I was about to add that I loved him when we heard a loud crash outside the stall.

My heart leaped. Could it be-

“Stay here. I’ll go check it out.”

“No Michael! Don’t go!” I couldn’t grab his arm, and it was already too late.

Another crash, louder this time. Silence followed afterwards.

A minute passed. Two minutes. I had to leave before Lukas began searching for me.

I cracked the stall open and the sight nearly took me to my knees.

Lukas. He had Michael pinned to wall, holding him by the throat.

They both turned to me. Michael spoke first. "Run Louise!" His voiced was strangled.

"No!"

I threw myself at Lukas. I didn't care about the curse. I didn't care about dying. All I cared about was saving Michael.

I wrapped my arms around him—all five fingers, every single one—and held on.

He let out at growl that didn’t sound human at all.

I felt his skin begin to rot beneath my palms. His shirt crumbling. His flesh shredding.

But he didn't let go of Michael.

With his free hand, he grabbed my wrist and yanked it away.

"Leave him alone. It's me you want" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Lukas didn't even look at Michael. He grabbed him by the throat—not to kill him, just to hold him still. Michael's eyes met mine. He mouthed: "Please Lou. Just go."

I shook my head at him. "I'm not leaving you" . Tears streamed down my eyes.

Lukas watched it all. He tilted his head, almost curious.

"Oh," he said softly. "How romantic. You think you love her?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He ripped Michael's head from his shoulders like a child pulling the wings off a fly.

His head hit the floor. His eyes were still open. Still looking at me.

My spine chilled. It was only then that I came to terms with how much of a monster Lukas Morningstar was.

I wouldn't go down without a fight. If I increased my momentum and placed my attacks on several parts of his skin. He wouldn't have time to heal before he became a pile of ash.

I ran with all my might aiming for his heart. Or wherever I could. If I couldn't kill him, I wanted to do as much damage as I could at least.

And just as I was about to attack , he picked me up like I weighed an empty sack . The other hand still holding Michael's dismembered body.

He tossed me aside like a ragdoll. I hit the wall and crumpled. Bones cracked. I wailed in agony. Through blurred vision, I watched him drink from Michael's headless neck before tossing the body away.

Then he turned to me. His torso was shredded—ribs visible, flesh hanging. But he was healing. Right before my eyes.

His eyes glowed a hue of red I had never seen before. Nostrils flaring. Veins popping.

Adrenaline flooded my veins. Pure, animal terror. I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the fire in my shoulder.

I did three things there and then.

A silent prayer. Whispered ‘forgive me mother’.

And fucking ran.