20 Acts of the Night (4)

"Why don't you say hello to your old friend?"

"Y…you! What are you doing here? Per…Perdita?" Malphus choked on his words as his eyes felt as if they were deceiving him. What was this?! He screamed in his mind. Just when he thought that he wouldn't face any trouble, when he thought he had successfully escaped being discovered by Clayton, only for Perdita to show up with this vampire who had interrogated his soul about the pills.

He had been right all along! It was Perdita who informed him about the pills. If not, why would she show up with him at his doorstep? Not to forget, she had refused to leave his house when he had been urging her to leave before she disappeared and now was here with this man!

Malphus couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing as he stumbled back with his walking stick only to bump into Clayton whose red eyes blazed in anger after he was knocked down by the door.

He grabbed Malphus by his collar in a death grip "Can you tell me what the fuck is going on here? And who the hell is he?!" Clayton roared as he glared at Sthena who was smiling as if he was witnessing a hilarious show.

"Tsk, tsk," Sthena clicked his tongue in disproval while shaking his index finger in front of him "Mind your language, peasant. Don't use foul language, especially in front of a young lady" Sthena placed his hand on Perdita's back who had been quiet since she and Sthena had disappeared from the back of the cupboard to the front door of Malphus.

She couldn't understand what was happening around her. They had hidden behind the cupboard and the next, they suddenly disappeared when they heard the door of the room they were in being kicked at.

How were they able to disappear? Perdita wondered. She had never heard or seen something like this in her life. Was it the doing of this vampire? Of course, it was his doing. He had been the one who adopted her, and now here they were facing Malphus and another man who she hadn't seen before.

"What is going on here?" Perdita questioned looking between the face of Malphus and the man who held him by his collar as if he wanted to strangle him.

Malphus struggled to get out from the hold of Clayton who was ready to snap his neck any moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sthena beat him to it.

"Dear old Malphus" Sthena called in a sweet cheerful tone "Why don't you tell Perdita here about your little secret? Not to forget, your little vampire friend is also here with you?" Sthena looked at Clayton who was about to burst at being called little vampire friend of this old hag of a human.

"Who the hell you are? And what…" Clayton started to be cut off by Sthena.

"Shush! What did I say about your language?" Sthena shook his head in disappointment. He turned to Malphus "Why don't you tell us what's going on here? You're the owner of the house after all"

Perdita's eyes narrowed with a frown that marred her face as she tried to dispel what was going on. Looking at the side profile of Sthena whose red hair fell on his shoulder down to his back, her gaze returned to Malphus who looked as if he would faint any minute. What was the secret he was hiding from her?

"Per…Perdita" Malphus called with great difficulty "W…why are y…you doing this?"

"Is that the first thing you have to say to her after what you've done to her?" The smile that had been on Sthena's face fell. His dark glacial red eyes pierced into the black eyes of Malphus.

The frown on Perdita's eyes deepened "What do you mean why I'm doing this? And what did he do to me?" Perdita questioned Malphus and Sthena.

Sthena walked towards Malphus with his hand in his trouser pocket. His eyes not leaving both him and Clayton who was also confused about what was happening.

Clayton became apprehensive of the situation. He felt the aura Sthena was eluding slowly slip fear into his body. Somehow he felt that this man was no ordinary vampire, and he wouldn't win against him if he were to fight him. He took a step back while dragging Malphus with him as a shield against himself.

"D…don't take a step closer" Clayton tried to appear brave but his quivering voice failed him as he simpered.

Sthena's eyes went from Malphus to Clayton who continued moving back even though he was the one to threaten him.

"Stop r…right there! I'll kill him if you come any closer!" Clayton threatened still moving back with Malphus whose neck was at his mercy.

Sthena suddenly chuckled still maintaining the deadly look on his face. He said, "You can kill him if you want, I have no use for him…" Sthena left his words hanging so they could slip into the head of Clayton.

Clayton's forehead furrowed at the words of Sthena. He didn't believe him but the next word that left Sthena's lips made the fear that was slowly slipping into his bones fully envelope him.

Sthena said, "…because you're the one I want"

"W…what?!" Clayton stuttered. The fear in him couldn't be denied as his hands holding Malphus terribly shook. He hadn't experienced this much power from another person that is not his master. Even his master has not eluded such an aura before. Just what has he gotten himself into?! He should have left earlier when he had the opportunity!

Sthena slowly nodded his head in confirmation of his words.

Before the people could understand what was going on, Sthena suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Clayton.

Clayton couldn't help the gasp that escaped his lips. He immediately released his hold and Malphus and made to run for his life. But he should have known that his escape would be futile.

Before Clayton could make a move, Sthena had already grabbed his neck with his left hand. Using his right hand, he hit the side of Clayton's neck knocking him into unconsciousness.

Perdita's eyes widened together with her mouth as she watched the man that was holding Malphus dropped to the floor. Is he dead?!)

"He's not dead" Sthena assured in a bored tone as if he hadn't done anything.

The sudden turn of events left Perdita and Malphus in shock even though Sthena said he was not dead. Among them was Perkin who was still outside watching the scene unfold through the tiny opening of the window.

Fear also crept into his body after watching everything that happened inside the house. Deciding not to stay there any longer, he made to run back to his house and also inform his fellow villagers about what happened.

In the process of wanting to flee, Perkin forgot he had been standing on the old chair which wobbled because of his weight, and the next thing, he fell heavily on the floor.

The loud thud of Perkin's fall alerted Sthena and Perdita who turned at once looking at the direction of the sound.

"Another pest to take care of" Sthena commented and softly sighed.

"What was that?" Perdita questioned. Her eyes darted around the room before they fell on Sthena who started to walk outside. What she didn't want was anybody witnessing what had happened here, though she was still confused about everything happening, she didn't want anyone pointing a finger at her for something she didn't do. She had enough on her plate already.

Perdita looked at Malphus who sat on the floor speechless. She quickly left the room and followed Sthena outside. She saw him looking at something at the back of Malphus's house. Following his line of sight, her eyes fell on Perkin whose eyes were wild like saucers.

"Mr. Perkin?"