Unleashed

Chapter Four: Drawing

Mila

I hadn't slept well last night and already sensed that this night wasn't gonna get any better either. I sighed and rolled around to my other side.

The thing that prevented me from falling asleep was my thoughts: I couldn't get the meeting with the Lycans out of my head. Even today, when Darius and Felix took me to the city, I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened, nor when Lir had arrived this afternoon. He and I have been playing together since childhood. Whenever I came to visit my uncle's villa, Lir got himself a room too, even though his house was only a ten-minute walk from here. Darius was fine with it, and I was happy because I always had a friend with me that was my own age for a change.

So yeah, it was good to see him again, but no, he couldn't distract me either.

I felt responsible for the Lycan's belittlement. Darius must have known that shifting was something sacred for him, so I didn't understand why my uncle couldn't respect that. But I had always nagged for a visit to the ludus. I got my wish.

I rolled on my back and watched the ceiling, observing the painting I had created last year. It wasn't anything special, just fruits and leaves, but it was kinda cool that he let me paint it on the ceiling of his house. I'd never done that before. Back then I would never doubt him, but now...

During my current stay, it felt like things were suddenly getting clearer to me. Maybe it was because I'd gotten older? Somehow, things that I'd never noticed before made me wonder if my earlier opinions about my uncle were right. Was Darius a better Lanista than most? Was he a good master to his servants? Was he a righteous man? Or did I just love and respect him because he was my uncle? My childhood hero. The father I never had. Did I still respect him after what had happened yesterday? I still loved him but there was this feeling inside of me, something that bothered me a lot, and it wasn't just disappointment.

I kicked the linen sheets away. The fact that it was a hot day today didn't help with falling asleep either.

After a few more minutes of tossing and turning, I lit a candle, got out of bed, and walked to the window. To my surprise, there were two men outside. The moon was so big and bright that it provided enough light for me to see them. Two Lycans. One of them lay on the ground and one stood bent over, offering the other a hand. I immediately recognized him-it was Connor that pulled the other off the floor.

I sighed with relief when I saw him smiling at his Lycan friend. It was the first time I saw him outside since yesterday. And I think it was the very first time I saw him smiling, ever.

They went inside and after a moment, I noticed how one of the little windows of the ludus brightened up. I think it was Connor who I saw behind the small arc-shaped glass. I just now realized his window faced my room.

He piqued my interest; I think he always had. A plan was forming in my head and unlike yesterday, I was very much inspired to draw right now.

***

"That's a beautiful drawing, hun...but you want to do what?!" Lir asked with wide eyes after I told him that I wanted to go to the ludus. I wanted to give Connor a sort of peace offering and show him the drawing I just made. "Like right now? Are you crazy?"

I think I just woke him up because his hair stuck out in all directions. Honestly, he looked like a ghost or something, wearing a white nightgown matching his snow-white curls.

"Yes, right now. It's not that late yet. Will you come with me? I need you."

"What will you do if I say no?" he asked.

"I'm going anyway, with or without you," I answered. Of course, I preferred him to go with me.

He closed his eyes and rested his head against the doorway, sighing with annoyance. "Ok, I can't let you go alone. Wait here, I'll get dressed," he whispered.