𝒜𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 || 𝐸𝒹𝓌𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝒞𝓊𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓃 ²

53. Twilight's Glow

||Elliana's P.O.V.||

"..Or shall I say— the little witch..."

I froze. The smooth, musical quality of the voice caused adrenaline to course through my veins. I knew what sort of creature I was preparing to face before I even turned around. For a fleeting moment, I considered taking a chance and apparating, but I was well aware that I would splinch myself if I did so in my current state.

So, with bated breath, I slowly turned around and came face to face with a pair of ruby-red eyes that was seated on the porcelain face of a young girl that appeared to be no older than fifteen or sixteen. My heart was racing, my pulse pounding in my ears as the stone fell out of my hand, landing in the creek with a quiet 'splash'.

The smirking vampire tilted her head, causing her dark blonde hair to cascade down her shoulders as she quirked a thin brow at me. I clutched at my wand, racking my brain for any sort of spell that I thought could potentially fend off a vampire, however futile it may be.

"..What do you want?" I forced myself to speak, surprised when my voice didn't waver.

I feigned bravery, but I knew she saw right through me. She could hear my racing pulse, after all. She could literally smell my fear.

Her smirk only grew in response, not saying a word.

Feeling as though I had nothing to lose, I spoke up once more, "..You're behind the missing people.. The squibs and Muggle-borns.. Aren't you?"

She scoffed airily, appearing amused yet entirely unenthused. "Am I?"

I blinked rapidly, continuing to hold my wand in a vice-like grip.

"You really think you're going to do something with that piece of wood?" She challenged, chuckling to herself. "Silver lime, I see. Interesting. Seer, I take it?"

My mouth fell open, surprised that the vampire seemed to be well-versed in the subject of wands. For a moment, the shock trumped my fear, but I was quick to snap out of it when she grinned from ear to ear, exposing her razor-sharp teeth that I just knew were planning on ripping me to shreds.

"Tell me... Do you see it coming?" She questioned, leaning against the tree in a casual manner.

I knitted my brows in confusion. "See what coming? My death?"

She threw her head back and laughed, her laughter full of mirth. "Ah, so you have a sense of humor. Tell me— Why would I be referring to your death?"

"Because you're planning on killing me," I spoke calmly, holding her crimson-eyed gaze.

At that, she quirked a brow, her smirk growing. "And why would I do that?"

She was playing mind games. Clearly.

"...Because I'm a Muggle-born, for one," I responded as though the answer was obvious. Which it was.

I attempted to focus as I held my wand with a vice-like grip, trying to mentally prepare myself to apparate despite the pure panic I was feeling. Destination. Determination. Deliberation.

"Muggle-born." She scoffed, rolling her red eyes and using air quotes as she continued, "You're no 'Muggle-born'."

What? All I could do was stare at her, puzzled by her comment. Still, I knew better than to argue with a rogue vampire. Who was I to convince her of my heritage during what could quite possibly be my last few moments alive?

She narrowed her eyes, appearing to study me, tilting her head once more. "You're her."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I was lost.