Vampire's Veil Of Obsession

Chapter 88: Hide And Seek

Chapter 88: Hide And SeekLilia stood in front of the mirror, staring at her flushed cheeks. She splashed water on her face once more, trying to calm her racing heart.

But as her gaze shifted to her neck, she froze. A deep purple mark—more pronounced than before—stood out against her skin.

Her cheeks burned hotter as memories of the previous night surfaced. That mark—it was his. A lingering trace of their passion.

She pressed her fingertips against it, feeling the warmth radiating beneath her skin. It wasn’t just the physical reminder that made her heart pound—it was everything it symbolized. The way he had looked at her. The way he had touched her. A shiver ran down her spine.

Shaking off the thoughts, she hurried into the bath, reminding herself that someone else would need one too. Once she was done, she slipped into a robe and stepped out, only to sense a shift in the atmosphere.

The room felt heavier. Quieter. Almost suffocating.

She frowned. Something wasn’t right.

A soft click made her tense.

The door had just closed.

Yet, she hadn’t seen Zethan when she stepped out. How had he closed it?

Her grip tightened on the edge of her robe as she glanced toward the bed.

Brushing off the unease, she walked toward the wardrobe, reaching for her lotion. As she massaged it into her skin, she instinctively grabbed one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers before slipping into them for comfort.

The fabric scents like him.

That familiar scent—dark spices and something uniquely Zethan—wrapped around her, bringing a sense of safety. But as much as she wanted to drown in it, a nagging feeling in her chest wouldn’t let her relax.

Needing fresh air, she finally decided to step outside, eager to take in the breathtaking view.

As she approached the door and pushed it open, her eyes widened, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.

The sight before her was mesmerizing.

The gentle cascade of a small pond waterfall shimmered under the golden sunlight, its surface glistening like liquid silver. On one side, black flowers glowed vibrantly, their petals almost ethereal, while on the other, delicate white blossoms swayed gently in the breeze. The contrast was striking, making the entire scene feel almost unreal.

Lilia took a deep breath, savoring the crisp freshness of the air as she slowly turned, absorbing the beauty around her.

Drawn toward the waterfall, she stepped closer and stood in silence, captivated by its elegance. The soothing sound of flowing water, the soft rustling of leaves, and the sheer serenity of the moment held her still.

She simply stood there, lost in admiration, letting nature’s beauty wash over her.

Then, footsteps.

Lilia turned around.

A flicker of excitement sparked in her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak, but the words never came.

Something was wrong.

Zethan’s usual playful expression was gone. In its place was a familiar but distant coldness—his natural demeanor. And yet, it felt different this time. Off.

She had grown so used to his teasing and lightheartedness that seeing him revert to this unreadable state unsettled her.

Before she could say anything, he simply said, "Let’s go," and, to her surprise, walked past her.

Lilia blinked, slightly taken aback by his indifference. Still, she followed behind him, her steps slowing as unease settled in her chest.

Just as she hesitated, Zethan noticed her pause and turned to face her.

"If you don’t want to come, it’s fine," she said quietly. "We could just go back. There’s a lot of—"

Before she could finish, his voice cut through the air, low and steady.

"What are you saying? Let’s go, Loris."

Something about his tone made her feel as though she was disturbing him.

Then, without another word, he extended his hand toward her.

For a brief moment, she hesitated. But eventually, she stepped forward and placed her hand in his.

"Are you... alright? Is something wrong?" she finally asked, her voice softer now.

Before Zethan could say anything, he suddenly felt her warmth.

Lilia had wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

His body stilled, his hands hovering in the air for a moment before slowly lowering. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

She lifted her gaze, her curious eyes

The wind shifted, or maybe it was her imagination, but she was sure she felt something—an almost imperceptible presence lingering for just a fraction of a second before disappearing entirely.

"Four..."

She opened her eyes just a sliver, peeking through her lashes. Nothing. No movement. No sign of him anywhere.

Her pulse quickened.

"Five."

Silence.

Somewhere, hidden among the stones, Zethan smiled to himself.

"Let’s see how long it takes for you to find me, Loris."