Silas felt a chill run through him. He sensed if he didn't answer carefully, he might lose his head literally. Sweat formed on his nape, slick and sweaty, only making him hotter. His palms feel sticky and hot, making him feel feverish.
He shakes his head. "No. I don't know what compulsion means."
She sneered at him, her green eyes turned almost black. Her eyebrows narrowed in suspicion, like she found something completely foul in him he wasn't aware of. His heart pounded from the tension-filled silence.
It felt like he was going through some kind of test, and he barely passed it. The beautiful woman smiled, and it caused his heart to race. Not in excitement but dread. Because he doesn't know what the smile means literally.
She said in a sweet, low voice, "Don't worry, I won't kill you for the time being."
Silas felt a deep relief, and he almost collapsed, but the wall was the only thing holding his weight, keeping his legs standing. Silas finally found ainy bit of courage within himself, but he prepared himself to observe her reactions in case he went too far.
His heart tight with nerves, his voice low and edged with a hint of curiosity, "How did you know where I live?"
A low curl of her lip tipped upward, but he could tell it was a sneer. A smug one. She said, "Don't be a complete idiot. It's not that complicated. It's common sense; vampires can run faster than anything possible, and I only had to follow you from the roof."
Silas almost felt faint. What does she mean she followed him from the roof? Up on top of people's homes and buildings. Following at every turn, he almost wanted to pass out. He's never going to get away from her. Is he?
She lifted her head with a look of morbid interest in her eyes. She rose to her feet and walked to him with the confidence and lazy posture of a dangerous predator. His heart squeezed in dread, and something else built within him he couldn't name, and he watched the alluring woman stop before him.
Her hands reached out to his cheeks, which made him flinch inaudibly.
Her eyes observed his face with a look of faint curiosity, but there was a dark look. She observed his eyes, then her eyes moved to the left side—to his cheeks. His heart flinched in surprise. He'd never care if anyone sees his left, flawed cheek he was born with. His heart started thundering like a storm when he noticed her observing his scarred cheeks.
His chest was hit with unexpected disappointment from nowhere when she looked at his ugly, scarred cheeks like he was ugly and flawed, worse than a dog.
She said in a low whispering voice, more talking to herself than to him. It made him feel like an animal on display. "You really look like him. So much resemblance."
Silas felt a wave of confusion go through him. Who is she referring to? Who is he?
Before he could ponder any further, he could hear loud, firm knocks on the door behind his back. It vibrated through his clothes, and this time, his heart truly pounded from dread. And fear.
His mom. Oh, no. His mom is here.
He looked at the woman with real terror on his face, and he had a strong urge to warn his mom to get the hell out. There was a monster lurking in their home. Before his mouth opened to warn her, her hands swiftly covered his, stopping his words before they could emerge out loud.
Then the firm knocks came again like thunder, a testimony to his loud beating heart. Keira's lips curled into an evil smile, and her eyes flashed with a faint amusement, making her look more like a predator.
Silas heard his mom's angry voice through the door, "Silas! Don't you dare walk away from me, young man! I know I'm a crappy mom, but don't think you can disrespect me in my home. I just want to have a conversation."
The entire room was filled with silence, and her icy cold hands pressed against his lips, covering them like he was a dirty secret.
In this moment, he didn't realize that she was covering not just his mouth but also his nose. He couldn't breathe; his lungs burned badly with the need for air. His lungs feel like they're scorched with heat. His mother's words spoke again, but this time there was a tiny hint of desperation. "Please, my son. Just let me in."
At that moment, he couldn't care if she was a monster or a vampire. He will die quicker and sooner if he doesn't get her to remove her hands from his face. He reached to grab the edge of the woman's red dress.
Keira turned rigid from it, and her eyes lowered to him, her dark gaze flashing. Silas didn't notice, too much focused on his own turmoil, and he raised his hands, pointing at his nose.
He said with his eyes and an exaggerated face, he couldn't breathe! Not at all!
Keira tilted her head, looking unconcerned with the fact he couldn't breathe, and her lips tugged upward with a wicked smirk. Silas felt his vision almost blackening, and his lungs burned like fire, and before he could pass out.
She immediately removed her hands from his face. Silas felt like he was given a reprieve. It was as if he was spared from a suffocating death. He leaned his back against the door with an audible bang, his lungs burning painfully. "Son! What are you doing?! I know you are there!"
Silas wanted to respond, but his breathlessness wouldn't let him. He lifted his fatigued head, which felt heavier with each passing second. His heart picked up with plain fear and dread, and he saw the woman's dark red eyes flashing with subtle irritation.
She whispered to him silently, but he was able to read her lips. 'Make her leave, or I will make you watch your mother die a painful death.'
He nodded with pure dread, and he said internally to himself, 'Mom, I must really owe you a big debt from my past life.'
He watched the woman take a few steps backwards, and he felt like he was given air back to his lungs, and he could finally breathe. She wasn't crowding him with her intoxicating and overpowering presence.