Xeranthemum (Discontinued)

Chapter 7

Camellia- beauty which takes one's breath away

~Luna~

"She can't leave either." Adrian's voice rang out and there was a long silence which followed his words. I wasn't sure if I had heard correctly so I laughed and said, "Adrian that's not a funny joke."

He scowled at me. "That's because it wasn't a joke, Luna. She can't leave."

My gaze hardened and I pinched myself hard, knowing that the pain would affect him aswell. He looked at me, slightly annoyed by my childish reaction. It wasn't like I wasn't going to use the Bond to my advantage.

"And why can't she leave?" I drew out the question, emphasising each word slowly.

"Because she would run back to your precious Institute and inform them that it is habited by a royal. Your Institute would then send more of its minions and a senseless massacre would follow. Besides, if by chance they managed to kill me you would also die, Luna."

His words sent shivers down my spine. Its true I didn't want any of my fellow hunters to die, but if sacrificing myself to kill Adrian was the correct choice...

My train of thought led me to the fact the Institute had abandoned me. What had changed me so much that I didn't completely hate Adrian? Surely my abandonment would leave me with trust issues. I sighed knowing that I couldn't win an argument against Adrian.

"Well, Kira, it looks like you're my new roommate."

It turned out that Adrian had no intention of letting Kira share a room with me. Instead he found an empty room near the library. She saw the library and its procimity to the room he was offering and turned her back on rooming with me. Traitor!

I had spent the rest of the day wondering around the mansion. Eventually I made my way up onto the roof. The roof was home to a magnificent greenhouse which was overflowing with flowers. The flower's were so breath takingly stunning that I couldn't help but stop and stare at each plant. I had always had a love for flowers. Each flower represents something be it a pink rose for love to a callendula for despair.

I was so engrosed in the flowers, I knew a lot of them by name, that I didn't notice Adrian sitting on a bench. Then a delicate silvery, purple flower caught my attention. I did not know the name of that particular flower but it was beautiful. I gently caressed its soft petals.

"That one is called a xeranthemum." Adrian's voice startled me. I fell backwards and landed hard on my butt. He just laughed as I glared at him.

"Xeranthemum..." I muttered.
"Its name is as pretty as the flower itself."

Adrian got off the bench and walked to me. He crouched down next to me and picked a single, delicate flower off the bush.

"There are many superstitions about these flowers..." He told me, "Some believe if you make a perfume of it it can be used as a love potion, others believe if you wear one to an event it brings good fortune and a few say when one is planted by a house, it shows commitment to stay."

I was still captivated by the silver and purple and pinks of the flower.

"It represents eternity." He said as he handed me the flower he had picked. I looked up and immediately drowned in his eyes. Sad blue eyes. Eyes that could change as suddenly and as violently as the ocean. I could barely read what emotions they were expressing, but I felt a tightening in my chest. Why couldn't I see him as a monster? What had changed?

This was the vampire that I was forced not to kill. The vampire that had taken my blood, locked me in a room, locked my best friend in a dungeon. So what had changed?

I felt an unfamiliar feeling stabbing at my chest.

"Luna! Luna, are you OK?"

I blinked out of my thoughts and looked at Adrian, dazed. "Yeah, I'm fine." I replied.

"Are -" he started but was interrupted by a loud bell. I looked at him startled so he responded, "The door. I'll get it."

I trailed behind him uncertainly. Out of the garden, down the stairs, through several corridors, down the main stairs and to the door way. This place was huge and it would be easy to get lost. Adrian opened the door with a frustrated growl.

"I told you not to come back here Ryan." His voice was a dangerous purr and his eyes flashed to that angry red.

"Its not like I have anywhere else to go... Adrian." When he said Adrian, he drew out the word and taunting Adrian to punch him. I was rather suprised when he didn't punch "Ryan". Instead he just sighed and turned on his heel, retreating deep into the old house.

When Adrian was gone "Ryan" turned and looked me over. I felt very self-conscious and crossed my arms defensively. He had long dark hair which covered one eye. The eye that was visible was an unsettling red colour. He was fairly tall and wore clothes that screamed emo.

"Looks like Addy found himself a toy." He mocked before breasing past me and also dissappearing into the labyrinth called a house. When he left it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my chest. He had a discerning aura about him. The type of aura that screamed at you not to mess with him. Not to go anywhere near him.

All I wanted to do was hunt down Adrian. To find an explanation for this intimidating intrudor. Who was he? Why was he here? And why didn't Adrian chase him away? Adrian usually reacts a lot harsher to people that went against his wishes- I would know.

I sighed knowing that I would get no where with my pointless thoughts. I decided to go back to my room and sleep since it would be virtually impossible for me to find my way back to the roof garden.

I would wait for answers.

After all, I had eternity.

A.N.

I hope things are starting to get interesting (at least for the one person who decided to read my story 😅)

I appreciate comments, thoughts and opinions.

The next chapter is going to be a change of view. I'm sure my one reader is tired of only reading about Luna. Welp that's all from me. Thank you for reading (especially if you're not the one reader who knows who she is)