BLEEDING SILVER

Chapter 17

The rest of the weekend became a blur to Alina as she spent it absorbing information from Altair. She finds it extremely hard to escape from her innate responsibility since their clan's purge. Heck, she even suspected that the rebellion made by humans are even strings pulled by the remaining Lunox but she discarded the thought realizing that it is almost impossible for people her age to make this much of a force against the Helios.

With drained mental energy, she timidly shows herself to Monday's first period in a plain auburn flowy dress that reaches above her knees paired with high boots. Before strolling to her seat, she saw Lucian who is unusually quieter while blankly staring at his desk. She took notice of his change in fashion with his loose anchor gray long sleeves and alabaster scarf around his neck. "Hey Lucian," Alina greets him as she approaches. Usually, Lucian would turn his head towards her but this time, to no avail. It is as if he is drowned with his own deep thoughts. Alina noted this behavior and instantly stops. She suddenly reminisces Altair's words the last time they met—'The one who gave you that bracelet. He is one of us.' With this in mind, Alina's eyes widened in disbelief as she warily gazes at the male in front of her. 'No wonder why we have the same birthday', she thought to herself. 'If so, then—' just as her suspicions further, she immediately cut herself off. At some point, she somehow recovered from the shock and decided to rather observe Lucian for now. She quietly sits on the chair after an empty one beside him.

As if on cue, their teacher comes in. The lecture about the topic today was long and static. It was almost nearing its end but despite the time consumed, Alina noticed that Lucian did not even budge an inch to such point that even his scarf is nearly giving up on hanging around his neck. Before it completely falls off, Lucian instantaneously fixed it on reflex, still bearing the same dull eyes as before. To that very second, Alina recognized a familiar darkish mark on Lucian's neck. It is impossible to almost miss it as it was so big, as if begging itself to be seen. That very moment, she finally snapped. She pushed her chair against her table and brought every last bit of her strength to drag Lucian up and pull him outside the room.

Lucian, upon finally realizing the female's presence, flashed a bewildered look. He did not question Alina's behavior but rather decided to go her way while safeguarding the muffler through his other free hand. Alina, unaware of the thoughts consuming the man whose hand she was holding, abruptly stops in an empty room she found nearby. She then let go and subsequently crosses her arms against her chest while facing the disinterested Lucian. Her face shows rage.

Lucian just stood there silently while vacantly staring at her.

Alina loudly sighs and drops her posture. With concerned look, she slowly nears Lucian and redoes his scarf into a more secure loose knot.

Lucian finally understands her gesture but remains still.

With a soft voice, Alina asked, "What happened?"

She already saw it, and Lucian knows of it. Usually, fresh bruises would appear reddish, bluish or purplish but he was different. His has a darker tinge of silver. He gently grabs Alina's hand and knelt on the ground. He softly kisses it and finally speaks, "My Luna." This is the day he formally acknowledges her.

Alina was taken aback by his response but tried to appear calm nevertheless. "Stand up," she firmly demanded as she continued, "I need an explanation."