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  “But why me? It does not make any sense.” Cherry shook her head. The shock and disbelief danced a crazy waltz in her head. She thought once more that she should have told Felicia how sorry she was of what had happened to the woman’s family.

  “You are important,” Felicia said. “This is in my message. And you look exactly like a satin bowerbird. The birds have purple eyes and blue-black plumage,” Felicia added, smiling. "My mentor saw a hyacinth with black leaves, on the other hand. Our messages were very unclear and I don’t know why.”

  “How did you find me?” Cherry questioned, sipping her coffee.

  “We did not know what or who you were. I even travelled to Australia.” Felicia’s eyes flared as she explained. ”This is the natural habitat of satin bowerbirds...” the woman chuckled. “Six years ago I sensed your closeness. You must have moved into a new house in Daisy Close then. Madison told us a few things... And with Imre my search was so much easier. He knew that I would either find you or die."

  Cherry felt as if an enormous heaviness had landed on her shoulders. She did not want to be a heroine. She did not want to be a part of that creepy and dark underworld. She wanted to be safe and return home as soon as possible.

  “This is crazy. I am nobody. I don’t know what to do.” she said, confused.

  "Me neither. You must survive, Child. You will know what to do."

  Cherry doubted that. She felt like a wild animal trapped in a cramped cage. There must have been a horrible mistake. She was just a freakish child of an alcoholic and depressive mother. She did not know how to help her saviors. Felicia was good and clever. The healer would figure that out.

  Cherry opened her mouth to ask another question, but she hesitated for a moment. She did not want to be rude, and she had chewed the sentence for a minute or two before spitting it out.

  "Do you trust Imre?" she said slowly at last.

  "I do,” Felicia nodded.” But I'm not sure whether you should trust him. I know very little about him. You can rely on him as long as I breathe, but if anything happens to me run away from him as far as possible. I don’t know how Imre’s curse will manifest in case of my death."

  Cherry raised her thick, black eyebrows. How could she even consider Imre as a handsome boy? He did not fit into the definition of a normal boy. He was a predator, a fast and merciless cheetah. She was a naive antelope.

  The exhaustion, however, battled the worry and tension in Cherry's body. She stifled a yawn. Felicia stood up and started to tidy up after breakfast.

  "You should hypnotise me," Cherry joked with her sleepy voice "I've been watching a TV series where they hypnotised the main character to uncover the chemical formula of his brain to cure the zombies. In all TV series, they hypnotise somebody."

  "I will consider this," Felicia smiled back. “But now we need rest. Otherwise, I will faint."

  “And I’m so sorry, Felicia. Your family...This is so unfair.”

  “I’m sorry, too, Child. Life is indeed unfair.”

  Cherry helped Felicia with the dishes and they moved towards one of the four en-suite bedrooms upstairs. The girl soon sank in the silky, oriental, freshly washed duvet. But before she went to bed, she made sure that she had locked the door properly and checked it five times to be certain.

  CHAPTER 5

  SLEEP DID NOT come easily, though. Cherry lay in bed with her tired eyes open. Her anxious heart hammered against the internal wall of her chest, the beat echoing to her ears. Her jaw clenched, her worry keeping her mind hyperaware. Thoughts of escaping, calling the police, calling her mum, waking up in her own bed and forgetting the whole nightmare, and so on, flew through her head. Her brain was so overloaded with information that she got up a few times. She paced around the bedroom and checked the door to the bedroom. She visited the toilet ten times, at least. She searched through her bag once more in the hope of finding her phone, but it was lost. There was no landline in the room, either. She got back into bed and turned on her side. As she closed her eyes, she felt guilty and evil. Madison had been left on her own. Cherry should not have left her.

  She fell asleep when her body and mind were so exhausted that she could not move.

  ***

  Cherry sat up rapidly in the bed. She shivered. Her muscles tightened when her eyes adjusted to the darkness and locked onto Imre who was sitting on the Edwardian, walnut chair near her bed. He stared at her impertinently. His red eyes burnt in the dark. Cherry raised her hand in an automatic movement. But she withdrew from inspecting her neck because that would have been rude. And she did not want to be rude. Her clenched fist had landed on her lap instead.

  "I prefer blondes," Imre said. However, he seemed to be amused.

  "Why are you in my bedroom?" asked Cherry, primping her hair and hitching up the duvet. She wondered whether he was able to read her mind.

  "Felicia is busy. She asked me to keep an eye on you."

  "Thank you, "Cherry said politely. Nevertheless, she was nearly certain that Felicia would have never asked Imre to stay in her bedroom, to stalk her. Felicia would have told him to patrol the garden around the house. "I want to go to the bathroom."

  "Go on, Birdie."

  "I would like some privacy."

  “There is no privacy for you in this house,” he said and grinned.”We have to protect you, remember?”

  Cherry felt tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Why must women cry all the time?” he muttered. “I was joking.”

  “Ok,” Cherry said. “It was... funny.”

  “I can be funny,” he growled.

  “Yes, you are very funny,” Cherry agreed with her shaky voice whilst her hands trembled.

  "I will be downstairs," Imre said, starting from the chair. There was a tiny trace of humour in his voice. Cherry thought that he must have been having great fun at her expense.

  She waited to get up until he disappeared behind the door and then proceeded with her usual morning routine despite the fact that it was 7:12 pm. She took a shower and put body lotion on her skin. She spent a lot of time on cooling her rosy cheeks with a wet towel and suffocating her inappropriate and uncontrollable desire of being touched, by Imre. It was all wrong. He obviously hated her. He would have murdered her with no hesitation if there had been no curse or if Felicia was not around. It must have been her fever, the stuffy heat surging through her body since she opened her eyes. She repeated in her head ten times that Imre was a killer. Maybe he was a serial killer even. However, it somehow did not work. Her whole body ached in the desire for this arrogant vampire. She nearly broke a small plate filled with sage and basil leaves that had been placed on the antique wood cabinet by the sink. It was emitting a strong herbal smell that helped her to come back to reality.

  Cherry joined Imre in the kitchen. She wore her black jeggings, a red t-shirt and a chunky cardigan. Imre had prepared a selection of drinks, sandwiches, and eggs for her. He leaned against the cupboard in the corner of the kitchen. His arms folded together across his chest.

  Cherry slid into the chair at the table, watching Imre from the opposite corner of the kitchen. Her body was overtaken by fatigue and her head clouded by the lack of proper sleep. Her muscles ached as if they had been attacked by the flu. She looked around and noticed a new blister on Imre's neck.

  "Are you ok, Imre?" she asked in her timid voice. In that moment, she realised that she should have bitten her tongue. She plaited her hair. It had always been her unconscious way of dealing with tension, aside from her nail biting.

  "I'm fine," he growled. His eyes narrowed with suspicion, though. He stared at her for a while. And then a slight smile curved his interesting and tempting lips. The red sparks of his eyes flickered mysteriously.

  Cherry inspected her cheeks with the tips of her fingers. She was desperate to conceal her flaming secret. She did not speak again, clearly aware from the tone of Imre's voice that he was not happy with her attention. If she asked him one more question he might rip her throat out.
/>   “Why is your face so red?” Imre asked.

  “I’m nervous,” she answered, wondering whether he was serious, or had fun at her again.

  “Am I making you nervous, Birdie?”

  She shook her head and widened her eyes, having the impression that her face would incinerate.

  Although she was not feeling hungry, she forced herself to eat a sandwich. Otherwise, she would have collapsed. What a relief she felt when Felicia finally joined them. The blonde wore a flowery dress and a long, pink cardigan. Imre, on the other hand, must have possessed a wardrobe consisting only of overused hoodies and faded jeans.

  "Good evening, Children," Felicia greeted them with her tired, though warm and kind voice. "I was thinking... About what you said earlier, Cherry. Would you agree to be hypnotised? It's actually not a bad idea. Imre could look in your mind to search for some clues."

  "I won't do this, " Imre said sharply.

  "Why?" Felicia seemed to be surprised by his reaction.

  "I don't want to compel her," he replied. His harsh attack had killed any potential objections. “She is not my food. I only compel my food.”

  "Ok. I can do this, then," Felicia continued, "What do you think, Cherry?"

  "Whatever. If it gives us a solution of how to end this whole ridiculous mess, I'm in," Cherry responded. Maybe there would be a miracle answer to her absurd and scary problems. She had to do something. She had to return home and look after her mum.

  Soon after, they all went to Cherry’s bedroom. Cherry lay in bed whilst Felicia sat on the chair and Imre leaned against the wall. His presence made Cherry feel uncomfortable, and she stirred nervously. Felicia must have noticed that as she frowned and locked her eyes on the girl.

  “Do you want Imre to leave?” the woman asked, tilting her head towards the arrogant vampire.

  “No. That’s ok. He can stay,” Cherry replied politely. She would rather suffer the discomfort caused by his presence than risk offending him.

  “Cherry adores me,” Imre said to Felicia with a disarming boldness and sent Cherry a cheeky smile.

  Cherry stopped breathing for a moment. Immediately after, she coughed. Her face must have been the colour of a ripe tomato. She did not understand Imre at all, whether he was angry with her or wanted her sympathy. Or maybe he just played with her like a killer with his victim.

  “Imre! Cherry needs to concentrate!” Felicia yelled. “Children...” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. “Let’s begin and you two, behave!”

  The dim light produced a mysterious atmosphere. Spooky shadows were thrown on the aqua-blue walls. Herbal scents dispersed by a bowl full of dried leaves, swam in the air like a pod of dolphins in a cool sea. Felicia handed Cherry a small bottle.

  “Take a few sips, Child,” Felicia spoke in a low, soothing voice "This will help you to relax."

  Cherry raised the upper half of her body and brought the bottle closer to her lips. She hesitated at first but after a few seconds she drank about one third of the thick, dark fluid. Its strong herbal, sweet and bitter taste hurt her tongue and her throat. Her head clouded with an intense euphoria, but her body relaxed. She grinned widely. The surroundings appeared more colourful yet indistinguishable to her. Felicia covered her back and shoulders with a chunky blanket. It smelled like spring.

  "Focus on your deep, regular breaths," Felicia added, returning to her chair.

  Cherry felt as if the world were spinning around her.

  "Focus your gaze on my finger, Child. I will now count backwards. When I say one you will be sleeping. Ten... nine... eight..."

  "Everything is so strange, "Cherry whispered and laughed with sheer joy. It occurred to her that she could have undergone the pleasant state of relaxation every day. “Imre, do you know how handsome you are?” she added, feeling like it was the best thing to say now. She sent him her brightest smile and he sent back a confounded glance. Felicia burst out into laugh. Cherry twittered, “I’ve never seen such a handsome boy like you, Imre. Have you got a girlfriend?”

  “No,” Imre growled, but his face lit up.

  Cherry suppressed her laugh, asking, “Is this hypnosis working, Felicia?”

  "No, I don’t think so,” the woman answered, clearly amused with the whole situation.”That must be the tincture," Felicia paused. A deep wrinkle appeared between her eyes. She contemplated something for a while. "It’s not working properly for you. I don’t know what is happening... You are not susceptible to hypnosis, I’m afraid."

  "But I can see my mum and dad arguing," Cherry insisted. She did not understand why Felicia had given up. It all was happening now, in front of her eyes. "Dad has said he is leaving for another woman." She pointed with her finger at an image so vivid in front of her. It was as if she were watching a movie of her own memories.

  "What else can you see?" Felicia asked. Her voice stirred and her jaw clenched.

  Another image appeared right in front of her, a terrifying representation of something; Cherry’s brain did not comprehend it entirely. It was like a navy and cold void vibrating for a second.

  "The stars and the darkness. Don’t you see this?” Cherry whispered, frightened.

  Felicia shook her head and Imre straightened up. He looked intrigued. Suddenly the crystal chandelier broke into a thousand pieces. The sound of the explosion tore at the silence. Shards of crystal from the chandelier poured down like rain, rustling quietly. Cherry covered her face. Sharp fragments scratched her arms. Bleeding marked its presence with thin, short, red streams. Cherry looked at Imre and Felicia. She was appalled by the view around her and did not understand why Felicia and Imre were in her bedroom.

  "What are you doing in my bedroom? What happened?" she asked slowly. She glanced at Imre and froze. Her heart raced. Imre’s face had sharpened and the white, glowing fangs had appeared. He gazed at her and to her horror, it was his hunger and desire for her, filling his red eyes. For a second or two, they gazed at each other and Cherry caught her rapid breaths. She wanted him to look at her with this lust, though she was not sure whether he would have kissed or eaten her if Felicia had left them.

  "Imre! Leave, now!" Felicia ordered firmly and came closer to Cherry as if to shield the girl with her own body.

  Imre shot through the doorway, his exit causing a gust of air to ripple through the room.

  "You've had a bad dream," Felicia soothed.

  Cherry wondered how she had gotten to her bedroom because the last moment she could recall was her discovering a new wound on Imre's neck in the kitchen.

  "Felicia, what happened to the chandelier?"

  "It must have been old and damaged. I am sorry for this, Child."

  Cherry sensed a pinch of deceit in the woman’s voice. She started to bite her nails and did not ask any further questions.

  Felicia dressed the four worst scratches on her forearms and they both tidied the mess. The noise of a big vacuum cleaner reminded Cherry of the hint of normality and she was very eager to do something normal. Later, she had a small meal and went straight back to bed, as she was feeling unwell and feverish. She did not think a lot as the number of odd incidents around her reached a new threshold whereby very few things could force her to worry now. Cherry did not care whether Imre would observe her lying in bed but he was gone anyway. She suspected that he was hunting his late supper, a blonde maybe. Strangely, she felt a little spike of jealousy like a needle jabbing between her ribs. It was bad, bad, bad... and inappropriate.

  Her exhausted body demanded proper sleep. She was so drained that she could not think clearly. The fever had overwhelmed her. She finally fell into a dreamful, restless, deep sleep.

  She woke up just before the sunrise and felt a desert in her body. She got up and walked out of the room, her hand pressing against the wall as she moved through the dark hallway with only one tulip wall lamp dispersing its weak light. Cherry liked the antique brass effect of the lamp though had no energy to admire Felicia’s taste in furnishing the house. She headed
towards the kitchen to pour herself a glass of apple juice. Reaching the top of the stairs, she heard Imre’s voice coming from behind her back, “Do you think that I’m handsome, Birdie?”

  Her knees bent and she leaned forward, feeling that she lost her balance. Falling forward, she entangled her arm around the railing, with the fear of inevitable tumbling down the stairs.

  A strong arm grabbed hers, lifting her to up a standing position and she glanced at Imre.

  “You are so clumsy,” he muttered, irritated, still holding her arm. “Why aren’t you in your bed?”

  “I wanted a glass of juice,” she explained, trying to sound polite but this was a nervous squeak that had escaped her mouth.

  “You are sick,” Imre said. “Sit down.”

  Cherry considered it as an order and sat on the first step. Imre shot down the stairs and a wave of air brushed her face. He returned in a few seconds, passing a glass of orange juice on to her. She hated orange juice, but emptied the glass in an instant. Still sitting on the step, she wondered whether she could go back to her bedroom. Imre stood a few steps lower, leaning forward, with his hand clutched the railing.

  “Have you got a boyfriend, Birdie?” he asked in his harsh voice.

  “No,” she answered, having the impression that he asked such a personal question only to make sure that nobody would miss her after he had killed her. “I would like to return to my bedroom.” Her heart pounded out of her ribcage as she elevated her body, observed by the vampire. His piercing glance made her sit down again. As she looked at him, he had this slight smile on his lips like she was funny to him.

  “If you had a boyfriend,” Imre continued, “ what would you expect from him?”

  “I don’t know,” Cherry said with hesitation, determined to give him the answer that would please him. “Maybe to buy me some flowers?”

  “What flowers?”

  “You have to ask your girlfriend, I guess.”

  “I’m asking you,” he said with irritation. “What flowers do you like.”