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Music Recommendation: Duel Preparations- Harry Gregson

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Eve stared at Vincent blankly before a sigh escaped from her lips. She didn’t even know why she retorted anything to this man, as he always seemed to have something clever to say.

“Yes, she will be very fortunate,” Eve’s words held sarcasm, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Vincent.

“Let us not talk about others, but you,” said the vampire with a smile, he then added, “Whom will you share your woes if not with your friend?”

“I will pass on that,” Eve replied while turning around and searching for Rosetta. Don’t tell me she disappeared after seeing Vincent, she said to herself. “The definition of your friendship is different from mine.”

Vincent might have helped her several times, but Eve didn’t forget the look in his eyes a couple of nights ago. It had scared her, and she hadn’t forgotten it.

“Rubbish. Don’t tell me you want something more than friendship with me?” Vincent gave her a knowing look before chuckling in amusement on seeing her frown. “Where is your friend?”

“Probably ran away somewhere far,” muttered Eve, and Vincent raised his eyebrows. Remembering something, she asked him, “If you are my friend… can I ask for your help?”

“Depends on what this help is,” said Vincent, waiting for her to speak.

Eve led Vincent away from the crowd, and when they were far enough, she said, “I found out that there’s a mermaid who is in danger and is being held captive. Can you help me free her from there? Please.”

One corner of Vincent’s lips pulled, and he said, “You cannot ask me to save every mermaid you find on your way, little girl. It would be equal to a chicken coming to you and telling you to save every other chicken. Me saving them would be hypocritical of me, considering how much I enjoy your blood.”

“You want me to stand by and watch them being tortured?” Asked Eve, and Vincent nodded.

“Yes,” came the cold reply from the vampire.

“What happened to you being my friend?” questioned Eve, and Vincent’s eyes narrowed at her.

Vincent took a step toward Eve, and they stared at each other. He said, “It seems like you use things when you find it convenient, don’t you?” He hummed.

“I am not asking you to save every mermaid, just this one because I know she will die. Vampires and werewolves who have heard about her will come to meet her tonight and she will die if there’s a high bidder. Please,” Eve pleaded to him.

“Not my mermaid, not my problem. Let me put out a little theory to give you an idea of your situation, shall we?” Vincent said with a charming smile before continuing, “Imagine you succeed in saving the mermaid and return her to the sea. Do you know what happens then? Less mermaids on the land, and something that is scarce increases its market value, also hunger and thirst. They find you, they kill you. Simple.”

Eve pursed her lips and said, “It isn’t like mermaids are spared now. Didn’t happen in your mansion during the ball night.”

When Vincent’s hand shot at Eve’s face, she closed her eyes with her heart skipping a beat as if he was going to hit her. But she felt his finger move the bangs from her forehead. He said,

“And the night could be far worse if I didn’t get you out of there. You would be first serving and the other mermaid the second,” Vincent’s finger traced the mark on her forehead, which was healing. His finger moved to the centre before lightly flicking her forehead.

“Mm!” Eve slightly flinched and the vampire took his hand back.

Vincent said, “Be a good little girl and drop the idea.” He turned his back on her, ready to walk back into the crowd.

“Master Vincent,” Eve stopped him while staring at his silver hair. She said to him, “There have been times I wish there was someone who would have stopped the person from killing my mother. Someone who thought differently than others, so that I could still have my mother next to me alive.”

There had been countless scenarios that had passed Eve’s mind with the thought of ‘what if’, and even though she knew there was no point thinking about the what if’s, it made her yearn. If someone could be saved, she wanted to try. It would be one less unfortunate person in despair.

Vincent stopped and turned his body to face Eve. His eyes held a gleam of hollowness in them. There was a faint smile on his lips which was anything but kind, as he said,

“If you haven’t received the message yet, I don’t care about anyone except for myself and things that directly concern me. Not every person can be saved, and you will learn that there’s more disappointment ahead of you, the more you get tangled in something you want to untangle.”

Eve knew she shouldn’t expect anything from this vampire because the vampire’s elemental nature was supposed to be cold and ruthless. But she had hoped.

“Vampires don’t empathise,” whispered Eve and the smile on Vincent’s face widened.

“I think the word you are looking for is heartless? Others problems are others’ problems and not our problems. You should apply the same in your life, it will keep life hassle free,” replied Vincent without any emotion. As cold and emotionless his words and the look in his eyes held, Eve wasn’t upset by his words.

“Why?” Eve asked him, her eyebrows knitting closer. As much as Vincent appeared detached, she doubted he was completely that.

“There was once someone I knew, who was weak and reckless, similar to you. Died. If that’s what you want to know,” deadpanned Vincent. It was someone whom he loved and despised.

“But you will be with me…” she said slowly and received a glare from him. “You want me to save her by myself?”

“If you are that intent on putting yourself in trouble, let me know and I will drink until the last drop of blood in your body, my little mermaid.”

Vincent turned around and walked away from the place, leaving Eve staring at him until he disappeared into the crowd. Eve stood there for a minute more with her thoughts conflicted. She wished she would be able to do something.

“Eve!” She heard Rosetta call her from behind. “I was looking all over the place for you. What are you doing standing here?” The vampiress cautiously looked around as if making sure Vincent wasn’t around.

“I got lost in thoughts,” replied Eve.

“Here, I saved you the caramel sweetened stick for you,” Rosetta offered the stick of treats. “Aren’t I nice?”

Eve smiled at Rosetta’s child-like self, growing on her, and she nodded, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Rosetta.”

The vampiress said, “Come, there are some more stalls I want to visit,” and they walked back into the crowd. Rosetta, on noticing Eve to be quiet, asked, “Eve? Are you feeling unwell? You have been very quiet. Did someone say something to you?”

Eve shook her head, “Not at all.” When Rosetta gave a look, she smiled and said, “I saw some pretty items in one of the stalls. We should go there.”

“Oh? Why didn’t you tell me about it earlier,” said Rosetta, and they walked in the other direction. They spent two hours there before walking toward where Rosetta’s carriage was parked. She said, “Once I get home, I will bring Aunt Camille with me. She will be very pleased to know that I found a mermaid.”

Eve didn’t know how to respond to it except nod. She asked the vampiress, “Isn’t it odd, to drink blood from a creature that is unwilling and captured?”

“Hmm,” hummed Rosetta thoughtfully before she said, “I don’t think so. I mean, isn’t it how other animals are treated too? Cow, sheep, chicken? I think it’s just because you don’t eat it, that you feel that way. Food is food.”

Reaching the carriage, the coachman opened the door, and Rosetta was the first to step inside. The vampiress made her dress proper, and when Eve was about to step inside the carriage, a little boy ran up to her.

“Miss!” Said the boy, who was not older than eight. He offered a small note to her.

“For me? Who is it from?” Eve asked the boy and took the folded note in her hand. But the boy ran away without answering. She opened the little note that read—

‘Come to the tower bell.’