Topping A Lie With Another

Silent footsteps filled the absence of unsaid questions. Evelina sighed, looking ahead of her where West was holding out his lamp, whispering a spell at the entrance. A protection spell, perhaps. She could only guess, for he had not said anything to her since Alardis left the building.

Well, besides, "You're the only one Mitchel wants to speak to."

If they were in a normal situation, he would probably say it in a proud voice- telling her how glad he was that she had finally gotten along with someone, even if that was not the case. Not that she was waiting for him to tell her that. Why would she, when she did not have the right, after all.

Evelina could not help but recall what happened after the witch opened the door. No one was supposed to be there but her, and she was handling herself quite alright- but then, there was West.

The vampire's nose flared, his face grim, as he stared at the worried witch who raised his voice, unafraid, "Get away from her!" he cried, striding between Evelina and Alardis, candle at hand as if he was going to shield her from danger. "Who are you? What do you want with her?"

But he was the one who needed protection more than her. Especially since Royce, a human, was with him, frozen by the door.

Evelina's pale hand grabbed West's arm. "No," she said tightly, unable to hide the annoyance in her voice. "We were merely conversing."

"But Royce just said that there was screaming." He kept his eyes on Alardis. "And he looked like he wanted to eat you."

The vampiress shook her head, finding the desire to glare at the witch. She leaned on his back, whispering, "We were conversing, West. This is a," she struggled to gather her words, "vampire to vampire matter. Something that you should have no concern for. If you please…" Evelina tipped her head to where the boy was, still staring at the display before him.

"But-"

"He must be your witch, then?" the vampire interrupted, his voice menacing yet wearing a friendly face. He towered over West, his smile oddly frightening. "Shall I ask if you brought your little human there as a gift. He smells delicious."

West's breath hitched as he took a step back. The arm that Evelina was holding suddenly felt cold, as a hint of shiver made itself known. "No," he mumbled, his eyes returning from Alardis to Royce.

"No," said the vampiress.

Alardis blinked, before raising an eyebrow towards her. "No?"

Evelina was also surprised by the protective tone coming from her. She was aware of the vampire's ways. He was a hunter and he would kill without any hesitation. Apart from that, Alardis had a habit of emptying up the blood of those he had given another chance, that was if they ended up disappointing him.

Using her strength, Evelina pulled West back, before giving his back a harsh push towards the open door. She raised her head and gave them a pitiful look, then turned towards Alardis to continue their conversation. To continue her lies.

Great. Now that she had an audience, how would she do it?

"I said no, Alardis. You will not be touching anyone here," from the corner of her eyes, she saw West lit up his candle with dancing purple flames. Her heart raced. "Yes, they are my witches. They are my progress. So dare laying a finger on them, Rassier, and find your regrets burn you."

"Are you threatening me, Damyon?"

"It depends. Do you see my words threatening?"

Alardis stared at her and she had to guess if it was amusement or anger that was on his face. Nevertheless, she stared back, amber against crimson. She stood her ground as she regretted pushing the witch. She maintained her composure as she thought of the confusion West must be feeling when he heard the words she had told Alardis.

How betrayed he must be.

And even with her facade, she waited for him to attack.

But there was none.

Finally, Alardis leaned over her. "You think you can get me to step back with your boldness? You know what I can do." She did. And what are the chances that she was worried when she should not be. "You have been attaching yourself to those who are lower than you."

"I have not. But for now, I am in need of their help."

The truth. The troupe was nothing but mere instruments to her.

"Then remember that I will be watching how far you have done. If you still provide me nothing, I will take this in my hands." He glanced towards the human and the witch, his eyes glinting. Alardis waved a finger, the fire vanishing from the tip of West's candle. "Dear witch, I wondered what the distinct smell was. Do not let the fire show your true colors. Otherwise, we might find out how truly delectable you are."

Those were the vampire's last words before he was out of their sight.

The chill in the air was still present. Evelina knew that instead of being a ghost of Alardis' presence, the coldness was a reflection of West's lost flare, his confusion, and her treachery.

The last thing that he told her was that she was being summoned downstairs, nothing more. She quietly watched as West charmed the boy to sleep, and carried him out of her room. She did nothing to make herself known, following the witch while he returned Royce to his mother, speaking about a tiresome night.

West stopped as soon as they were in front of the door by the broken counter.

"Who," he began, his voice shaky, before turning to face Evelina. "Who are you, really? The man earlier- the vampire, was it? Just like you are. What was he doing inside your room? And what were the things you told him?"

She could feel his contempt as her eyes averted his. "He is nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Yes. Shall we proceed?"

"Evelina!" She flinched. He was fuming and it made her want to return the rage. "Royce was almost in harm's way when he set his eyes on him! I just-"

"How is that my fault? You were the one who shoved yourselves in while I was in the middle of a damning conversation!"

West released a weary breath. "I just want the truth. I want to know that there wouldn't be harm coming in once I open this door."

"Then you are saying that I am the danger."

She knew inside that it was true, but she cannot reveal herself such. Not yet, anyway. But why were clouds inside her mind? It made no sense.

"It's not that but… but with what I heard earlier, I wanted assurance that I wasn't making a fool of myself. Please?" he pleaded, and something inside her ached.

Evelina sighed. "Fine."

Fine how? To top a lie with another while West was in front of her? She knew how observant he was. What more that he was an actor, himself. There was no doubt that he would see through her, but she had to try.

"I was sent to do a clan's tradition," she bit her lip, unsure of whether to continue or not. "but I ran away. Alardis, he was the vampire earlier. And what you heard was right, he found me and he was there to keep me on track. So, I apologize for pulling you in this mess with me but I had to lie to him. I had to lie that you were there to help me with my responsibility. It was the only thing that I could do to get him off my back."

She begged inside for his sympathy. Surely, a hint of truth would make her ship sail?

There was a long silence besides the soft chirping of crickets from outdoors. Evelina watched West's grasp tightened on the knob of the creaky door, before finally pushing it ajar. "Could we truly help you with your mission, then?"

Relief surged through her. Oh West, you're helping plenty.

"You do not have to. Like what I said, I ran away. The mission, it is not for me." He opened his mouth to speak but Evelina interrupted, quickly getting the gist of what he would say. "No, I do not need protection, West. What you did earlier was stupid, and believe it or not- you were the one who put the boy in danger."

They were greeted with the same empty room as he led her downstairs, closing the door behind them. "What kind of tradition, was it? A death ritual? If it is, I believe we could help." Could they, really? "But if it's something more high-risk like arranged marriage, I'm sorry. I don't think I have a how-to-tell-your-family-that-you-don't-want-to-get-married spell inside my grimoire."

Evelina shot him an odd look. Did he really just-? Seriously, the mood of this lad!

"Do yourself a favour, West, and get away from me."

He paused before lending her a hand inside the darkness. "You're in the right place. We are all escapees here."

She tried to ignore his words, but it kept ringing inside her head. Echoing, pushing inside the thoughts of hesitation. Although, not the same hesitation as before. Really, the day just kept on coming at her like she had no right to take a moment.

"Do you hear that?" West asked, when they were outside of the mortal's door. The mortal whom she thought she would not see because she clearly told Leila that she had to be alone for a second or two. Yet, there she was. Evelina would blame it on that human, Mitchel. And if she had her chance, she would make sure that her bite would sting.

West leaned on the wall, hushing the vampiress, while she did nothing but roll her eyes at him. She heard a faint sniff from the inside, as if somebody was crying.

Leila.

"Perhaps, that's just how the world works," said the mortal.