22 Accept Who You Are.

Perdita watched as Perkin fell with a loud thud to the ground. She didn't want things to turn this way, but in the chance of her secret being leaked, she needed to do this.

Maybe after Perkin wakes up, she can plead with him not to tell anyone. They had no place to stay if the villagers got to know about them being vampires.

Perdita dropped the sharp rod in her hand near Perkin. Her hands slightly shook at what she had done. Though she was a creature of the night, she hadn't done this before, and knocking Perkin out of consciousness was like killing someone to Perdita. She didn't know how long it will take before Perkin woke up so she could talk with him, but Sthena had other plans in his head.

"All right. I'll take it from here" Sthena announced with his glacial dark red eyes that shone in the darkness. It made his features look more daunting with his red hair than they did in the daytime.

"What do you want to do?" Perdita questioned with her brows raised at Sthena.

"Were you planning to keep him here?" Sthena questioned back.

"Yes. I mean no. He will wake up and I wil…"

"Beg him not to tell the villagers the truth about you being a vampire?" Sthena completed Perdita's words. He suddenly laughed at Perdita's naive thinking.

"Did you think that someone who used that thing on you..." Sthena paused and pointed at the sharp rod on the ground before continuing to say, "…will comply with your request and not tell the villagers or kill you? You should thank your stars that it missed your heart, or else you would have been a dead woman with your body rusting in this dark alley. Maybe the vultures will have their fill of your flesh before anyone sees you" Sthena made sure to give every detail of what would have happened to Perdita if she died.

He shook his head in disapproval. This world is not for people like this. Kind and thoughtful. Always thinking that others wish them good as they do others.

This world was for people with strong wills and hearts that could withstand the vile nature of people. Humans always see themselves as the good ones, whereas they are the cruelest among all creatures after the witches. Always ready to turn against their own when they find the opportunity to do so.

He had seen Perkin come out with the rod in his hand to hit Perdita. He didn't do anything because he wanted to know if the girl was capable and also to check another thing he was yet to find out.

Well, he could be called a selfish man for not helping her. But then, she did not die. Even if the rod went into her heart, he could easily heal her with his powers that no one knew of. Sthena thought to himself with a wicked grin on his lips.

"I…I" Perdita opened and closed her mouth trying to find the right words but the truth failed her. She knew that what he said was true, but what was she supposed to do now? When Perkin wakes up, they will be exposed.

"What am I going to do now?" Perdita asked Sthena desperately seeking an answer that would save her and Marco's downfall.

"I don't know. It's your problem, after all, I was only accompanying you. Besides, I wouldn't want to get involved lest the king got to know what happened in this village" Sthena stated in a calm tone as if he only came to sightsee and appreciate the quiet night.

Perdita's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this man playing with her? "But you said you wouldn't tell the king"

Sthena placed his hand on his chest dramatically and exclaimed "Did I?! But, what would I tell the king if he asked?" He asked in a shocked tone as if he was doing something wrong.

Internally, Sthena was grinning with a wide smile he conceded with the shocked face he displaced for Perdita. Here he was enjoying the fear he added in the heart of Perdita. If only she knew he was the king she was scared of. It made him wonder what she will do. Wanting to test he asked,

"What if I'm the king?"

Perdita stared at the man in front of her with a look that said 'you need to check your brain mister' She sighed and muttered under her breath which Sthena heard "I wonder what the king will do to you if he finds out that a mere worker like you is trying to take his name"

Instead of Sthena getting angry, he became more amused because of what she said.

"You're one interesting woman. But your words just discouraged me from helping you out. You might as well spend the night with him" He was enjoying this more than he should, but he couldn't stop himself from pulling her legs.

Perdita pursed her lips in anger. She felt hurt and betrayed. But who was she kidding? An unknown man whose name she knew not. The only thing she knew about him was that he worked for the king. But then again, she can also put the blame on him as he was with her when this took place. Not to forget, he also knocked someone out of consciousness.

No! The sixth sense of Perdita told her it would go downhill if she ever tried to frame him too. He worked for the king after all. He could say he was doing his job. God! What was she going to do now?! Was trying to keep their secret and wanting to be alive a sin? Was it forbidden to stay without being afraid of the future just because they were vampires?! Asked Perdita to herself in agony.

Perdita bit hard on her lower lip as she felt a tear threatening to drop from her green eyes. But before it could slide down, she heard Sthena say.

"Fine! Let me help you. You don't have to be a crybaby" He taunted with a smile on his face.

Perdita immediately blinked back the tears. 'For christ's sake! What was she about to do? Cry in front of a stranger?!' She scolded herself.

Sthena chuckled again at Perdita's behavior. He bent and took Perkin by the hand.

"What are you doing?" Perdita asked.

"Helping?"

Perdita shook her head negatively "I mean, where are you taking him?"

Sthena held the hand of Perkin firmly in his before he started dragging him on the rough ground while Perdita followed behind him as they walked away from the alley. He deserved it. The nerve of him to poke his nose into something he was interested in. A few days in the dungeon will cleanse his rotten brain. Thought Sthena to himself.

"I'm taking him where he needs to be" He answered Perdita's previous question.

"But the villagers will notice his absence, especially his wife" Perdita voiced her concern.

"Don't worry, he will be back after a few days. It wouldn't hurt to miss him, would it? Go home, it's late. It's not safe for a lady like you"

Perdita nodded her head in understanding. She didn't care if it was midnight as long as she got to save her head and that of her brother from the villagers. But now everything was under control, at least for now, she didn't have to worry about their secret being exposed.

"You know…" Sthena started to say "…if you and your brother stopped hiding and accept who you are, you two won't be facing these troubles. Even the pills can't turn you back to humans. There's a well-developed vampire town after you cross two villages from here, you two can stay there and start anew" He offered his advice to Perdita who only nodded her head.

"You didn't tell me your name" Perdita probed.

Sthena watched Perdita for some seconds before he opened his mouth "You can call me Sthena"

"Stay safe, Sthena" Perdita waved at him feeling grateful to him.

Sthena gave Perdita a small smile before turning to walk in the direction of the forest.

Just then Marco ran from the other direction to where Perdita was standing.

"Sister! Are you alright? Did anything happen to you?" Marco questioned with several emotions swirling in his eyes as he checked the body of Perdita for any bruises.

"I'm fine, Marco. Nothing ha…"

"What happened to you?!" Marco shrieked in horror when he saw the red patch of blood on Perdita's dress.

"I'm alright, Marco. The wound has healed, besides, he helped me"

"He?" Marco turned confused at the mention of 'He'

"The man who was here earlier, he helped me. Let's go home, I'll tell you everything. It's late" Perdita said and pulled Marco with her.

Before they could completely leave, Marco turned in the direction he had seen the man standing with his sister a while ago go. He hadn't paid attention to him because he was more concerned about the well-being of his sister. Now he thought about it, why did he look like someone he had seen before?