bChapter /bb153 /b

ra

As the days go by, I’vee to find a routine that, although it doesn’t make mepletely happy, makes the passing of time more bearable. Long before the first rays of sun filter into my chambers, I nt myself in front of my vanity and try to understand what I amb, /bto gain control. The defeats outnumber the victories, though I’m no less pleased for having asionally seen in the mirror the appearance of a Pure–or whatever it is that I am. It’splicated, once again, not belonging anywhere. I’m not a Pure as they’ve always been known, nor a

goddess. I’m what lingers in between.

After my attempts to control my gifts–or better said, to catch a small glimpse of them at will–I get ready for the day. I have breakfast with Ciro, and he usually suggests some activity for the afternoon. And if duty calls him, I walk through the gardens. But without a doubt, my favorite part is when I sleep and reunite with Cassian. He continues to keep his promise of not touching me beyond giving me pleasure. The promise that one night we’ll be together skin to skin makes the hairs on my neck stand up just thinking about it.

Ciro had to leave to attend a meeting, so I find myself walking, only this time I’ve strayed a bit from my usual path and ended up in what is without a doubt the training field. It’s empty, except for my bodyguard, who is hitting a straw dummy with no mercy. From where I’m standing, I can’t see his features, only the light brown color of his hair.

“Can I help you with something?”

I jump at the sound of his voice behind me and clutch a hand to my heart, which threatens to leap out of my chest. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the speed of vampires. I mentally note to test on myself whether I can move like that.

“I’m just taking a walk.”

“You didn’t choose the prettiest ce to walk. Here there’s only sand and the smell of sweat.”

“I heard a noise and wanted to know where it wasing from.”

“Now you know.” He remains silent for a few minutes, and seeing I make no move to leave, he adds, “Do you know how to fight?”

A lightugh escapes my lips.

“I wouldn’t say that, I was more like learning.” For a moment, y almost turn to look him in the eye; however, I remember at thest second that it’s best not to. He doesn’t want anyone to see his face, whatever the reasons may be. “Do you think I could train? You don’t have to help me, I can try on my own. I remember some basic lessons…b” /b

I say nothing more. I don’t think it’s wise to mention who taught me what little I know.

“If that’s what you want, I can help you.”

“Wouldn’t that force you to show me your face? Or are you nning to spar with me while wearing a hood?”

“Something tells me the mystery of my face is what made you stay here longer than necessary.” I hear his footsteps as he circles me until he nts himself in front of me. “Here it is.”

Very slowly I raise my gaze and am surprised not to find grotesque scars or marks that would make him unpleasant to look at. He’s not attractive either, it’s just a… normal face.

“Wow,” I say.

He doesn’tugh, though the twitch of his lips tells me he wants to.

“Disappointed?” He raises an eyebrow. “What face would you like to see? Maybe I can find something that motivates you.”

14.08 Sat, 9 AUG

Chapte: 153

Seeing I don’t quite understand what he means, he shows me leaving me stunned. Before my eyes, his face changes, taking on a totally different appearance. Where there were once sad, ordinary brown eyes, there are now ones of a very familiar blue. His somewhat square jaw reshapes itself into sharp, angr features. Without realizing it, I’m staring straight at Cassian’s face. I bring my hands to my mouth to stifle a

gasp.

“What the hell…?”

“Didn’t Ciro tell you anything about my gift?”

“I’d remember if he had.”

“Well, I guess now you know.”

He turns around without giving it much importance and heads back to the area where he was training. He nces over his shoulder to see if I’m following. This time, his face has changed again and Cassian is no longer the one looking at me. I swallow twice before following.

“Is it just your face, or can you do it with your whole body?”

He gives me something like a smile. His hair is still brown, though his face is once again different. In just a few minutes, his appearance has changed three times. I think I’m getting dizzy.

“Some secrets must be kept if a gift is to remain truly surprising. Not many people even know I can change my face.”

“And why did you tell me?”

“I’m your bodyguard. Would you do anything to harm me when your safety might depend on me?”

I shrug.

“I wouldn’t count too much on that.”

This time I earn augh. Hearing it slowly brings a smile to my lips. I recall a bit of my conversation with Ciro, the one where he mentioned that Abraxas’s lovers found him attractive. Curiosity gets the better of me.

“So, no one knows your real face?”

“I show it more than iyou /ithink. The thing is, no one can know if it’s the real one.”

“That’s kind of sadb./bb” /b

He moves closer to me. We’re so close I realize how small I seem inparison to his size. Now the face before me is of slightly more delicate features, almost feminine, with full, rosy lips and perfectly defined lines. His eyes are the same color as his brother’s, and his nose is of an aristocratic shape.

“I’ll tell you a secret.”

“A secret? To me?b” /b

“Yes, to you. You seem like someone who has many and knows how to keep them well.”

For a moment, my heartbeat stutters. Is it possible he knows the truth about me? I’ve tried to be very careful, though maybe not as much as I’d like to believe.

“When my face isn’t real, the one I was born with, my eyesck the sparkle of life.”