The Mask Of The Monster - Chapter 81

(From Ella’s Perspective)

It felt bad to keep Leandro waiting for an answer. I did not want to make him wait, but I had no choice. I did not know for sure what my heart truly wanted. I knew he was a good person and he cared for me, he would not let anything happen to me, but I was not sure if he would love me. It was quick for both of us and at least, a bit of thinking was necessary, in my opinion.

I was in the bathroom, trying to get the paper out of my bra. It got stuck, so I had to take the bra off to get it out. I had no idea who could write to me in the pub. I did not even know anyone.

I unfolded the paper. The paper had a deep and strong intoxicating aroma, kind of like ether. The smell instantly caused lightheadedness and created a sweetish vibe. The smell felt utterly familiar for some reason, but I could not quite recall…

On the paper, very neat and sharp handwriting came into view. And what I read was not something I expected.

Hello Ella,

I did not think we would meet again. The last time I saw you, you didn’t know I was there. You were unconscious. But this time, I’m glad to see you alright and quite surprised to find you here. I have to admit you have got a sharp nature that you suspected me at the first glance and followed me. I knew you would the moment I saw you in the pub.

I can’t say many things in this letter, but I want to meet you. I know you want to meet me too. I saw a guy with you and you two seemed quite close. I’m wondering something is going on between you two. You might not want me to meddle in your business, but still, your business is my business. But you cannot tell him about any of this just yet. I don’t know if I can trust him.

Come to the fifth house on the left side of the abandoned alley tomorrow morning at 10. Don’t bring anyone with you and don’t tell anyone about this. They don’t know where you’re from, do they? They would not believe it as well. After all, the portal is still a theory only in their eyes.

I don’t think I have to tell you this. But still, let me make this clear. You’re indeed right, little Ella Griverd. I’m the one you’re looking for.

I’m looking forward to meeting you. It has been a long time. And by the way, you looked pretty in that dress tonight, just like my little princess. Take care and don’t get involved with that guy much before knowing if you can trust him. Good night!

The One You’re Looking For

It felt good to know that I was right while at the same time, I was surprised. He knew that I would follow him? It was intriguing.

But I was not sure if I could trust him. Perhaps it would not be the right thing if I went to meet him alone. What if he was not the one I was looking for? What if he would try to do something bad to me? It was a cruel world after all. No one could be trusted fully here, except my Leandro.

Should I tell him about it? Would he let me go then? Leandro was quite protective for some reason, so I was not sure if he would let me go to meet him.

Perhaps I should not. I was not sure what would happen if Leandro went with me. What if he did not like Leandro and would try to do harm to him. I could not bring myself to even think about him. Leandro had done a lot for me. The least I could do was to try to keep him safe. At least, I did not want him to get in danger because of me.

I tore the paper into as little pieces as I could and threw it in the toilet. I was sorry that I could not tell Leandro about this. I did not know why I was feeling that way. It was my decision if I wanted to tell someone about something or not, yet I was feeling guilty about not being able to tell him about it.

I went out of the bedroom and saw that he was reading a book, precisely saying he had a book opened in front of him and he was looking at it too, but I was sure that his mind was somewhere else.

“You haven’t slept yet?”

“No,” he said quickly, jolting out of his thoughts. “What took you so long?”

“I washed my legs for a long time. It feels good,” I replied normally, trying hard so my voice would not shake.

He looked at me as if he did not believe me. I wondered if he could get that I was lying. But how could he? My voice did not shake at all. Whatever he thought, he did not say anything.

“So as you’re not sleeping, will you tell me about the things that I don’t know about your monster side and the whole marking thing?” I said, lying down beside him.

“Alright, if you want to know… I can actually jump from a tall place and land without getting hurt. I just have to bring out a bit of my monster. It doesn’t change my appearance, but gives me a bit of my monster’s power.”

“Other shifters can’t do it?”

“No,” he replied. “There might be other things that I can do and I might have some weaknesses too. But as nothing is written in any book about my monster, I don’t know about them yet. I have to discover them myself.”

“It’s going to be hard,” I said. “But don’t worry. I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“How will you help me?” he asked with a smile on his face.

“Well, like if you find anything interesting that you can do with your power, we will try it out and have fun. Then if we find any of your weakness or trouble, then we’ll keep it between us and I’ll help you get over it. What do you think about it?”

“Fair idea,” he said and smiled. I could not help but admire the way his lips curved, making a flawless line across his lips. How could someone’s smile be so perfect and handsome, kind of like a piece of art?

“Anyway, why did you go to the pub mainly? To talk to him?”

“He keeps an eye on everything. He reports to me every once in a while,” he said.

“I thought you didn’t have anyone else in the family,” I mumbled.

“Charles doesn’t consider himself part of the Royal family. He doesn’t like them. So he cut himself off,” he explained.

“But he likes you.”

“We get along.”

“Well, can I ask you something?”

“You don’t have to ask for permission.”

“Um… You want to take back the throne, right? Then when are you planning to attack? Taking back the throne means war… You’re going to fight against your brother?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I’m not saying that you shouldn’t… It’s just war is violent and no one’s life is secure.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe and far away from here that time,” he said reassuringly.

“I’m not talking about myself. I don’t care about what happens to me. I’m just… I’m worried about you. What if something happens to you? I know you’re powerful and stuff like that_ but…”

He smiled and touched the side of my neck, his thumb running up and down in a comforting way. “You don’t have to worry about that now. It’s not like it’s happening tomorrow. We need more time for that. We don’t have enough shifters on our side now.”

“But the moment you’ll get enough shifters in your side, the war will start, won’t it?”

He did not reply. He and I both knew the answer. “It sounds horrible,” I mumbled. “I don’t want you to die.”

“I won’t die,” he said. There he was again with his too much confidence.

“Stop being too confident, Leandro. Think about the reality. It’s… How are you taking it so easy?”

“Hey,” he said and suddenly he was on top of me with both of his elbows on either side of me, “I’m going to be okay and you will be fine too. Just don’t worry about it now.”

“I don’t want to lose you,” I mumbled.

He laughed, but it was not a laugh of mocking, but there was something else in the laugh. “What a coincidence,” he said. “I don’t want to lose you either.”

[I guess it’s not too hard to guess who is the person who sent a letter to Ella.. There is actually a hint. And since both of them are similar, they could understand each other’s motives]