Chapter 60: Please, just torture me.
As soon as Lynsandra entered the mansion, the first thing she heard was a sweet call echoing in her ear.
"Lizzie~!"
Cassian hopped off the couch and leaped forward, arms spread for a hug. But just as he closed in, Lynsandra discreetly covered her lips with her hand.
"Huh?" He paused, brows furrowing as his eyes fixed on her unusual reaction. "What? I brushed my teeth."
Consciously, he raised his hands and blew air on them, sniffing his breath. As he did, Lynsandra turned to everyone inside. Minnie and Evander were both rising from the couch upon her arrival.
"Lizzie~!" Minnie skipped toward her, smiling sweetly—the kind of smile that only appeared when she knew she was in trouble. But before she could get close, Lynsandra raised a hand to stop her.
"How’s Severin?" Lynsandra asked Evander.
The latter offered her a polite smile. "He wasn’t hurt, and I believe he’s alright."
After all, Evander hadn’t had the chance to speak much with Severin since they parted ways earlier that afternoon.
"I see," Lynsandra nodded in understanding, then gave Evander an approving look. "Good work, Reverend. Let me know if you want to start your first service in this mansion—I’ll approve it."
Then, without waiting, she turned to Minnie. "And you—come with me."
"Lizzie, are you going to punish her?" Cassian quickly interjected, curiosity clear in his eyes. "She didn’t hurt me, I promise! If anything, she’s actually a really cool person!"
For a moment, Lynsandra knitted her brows, utterly confused about what alternate reality Cassian was living in now.
"Forget about him," Minnie leaned in with a grin. "Lizzie, let’s go."
Dragging Lynsandra along, Minnie glanced back at Cassian. "See ya later, bestie!"
"Bye, bestie!" Cassian grinned and waved, watching them head upstairs until the door creaked open.
Instinctively, both Cassian and Evander turned as August walked in. The moment Cassian saw who it was, his lips curved downward and his nose scrunched up.
"Why do you always come home around the same time Lizzie does?" he asked irritably. "Are you setting up some kind of organic encounter where you conveniently arrive just to steal a moment with her?"
August parted his lips, then closed them again. He had learned not long ago that dealing with Cassian was no different from dealing with an annoying child. Cassian had a knack for pushing people to the edge of their patience.
"I came home with her," August replied flatly before turning to Evander. He greeted the priest with a nod and resumed walking toward his quarters after a long day of investigation.
As August walked away, Cassian’s face twisted, his eyes narrowing.
"Is he delusional or what?" he muttered with a scoff. "Him and Lizzie? Why would she be with him? If he thinks he can taunt me, he’s wrong."
I don’t think he was taunting you, Evander thought as he observed Cassian. But perhaps it’s better that he believes it’s that simple.
At the same time, Elias walked in, dragging one leg behind him. The moment Cassian and Evander saw him, Cassian raised a brow.
"What happened to you?" Cassian asked, this time more curious than hostile. "You look like a mess."
"Are you alright?" Evander followed, studying Elias, who looked like he’d been in a fight.
Elias paused and looked at them. He opened his mouth wide, then stopped and glanced upward.
"Yep," he said, still dragging himself along. "All good. Though it’d be nice if I got a little help here."
"I will." Helpful as always, Evander quickly reached for Elias’s arm and pulled it over his shoulder, assisting him toward the couch.
Cassian followed behind with his arms crossed.
"How does an Alpha like you come home beaten?" Cassian asked, irritation and curiosity mingling in his voice. "Elias, are you some kind of gangster?"
"I’d rather be called mafia, sounds more elegant that way," Elias grunted as he bounced onto the couch, deliberately not rushing his healing. "It’s a dangerous world out there. I’m surprised you survive at all. If an Alpha like me gets thrashed like this, I wonder how everyone else manages."
"People come to me because they want my autograph, not because they think I fight."
Elias clicked his tongue. "Fine. How about you help me get an ice pack?" he asked casually, placing a hand on his hip. "This injury is very precious. I want to heal it naturally."
"Do you think I’m your maid?" Cassian clicked his tongue, but he was already heading toward the kitchen.
As he left, Evander couldn’t help but chuckle and turned to Elias.
"I suppose I’ve spent so much time in the chapel that I didn’t realize the two of you got along."
"We don’t," Elias replied, leaning back comfortably. "I just have experience dealing with kids, and he’s like one. So I figured tolerating him is better than starting fights every time he sees me."
He paused and glanced at the priest. "He’s not a bad person, anyway. Just... a little annoying sometimes."
"I do believe he means well," Evander nodded, smiling as he observed Elias sprawled across the couch. His smile lingered as he found Elias more and more interesting, especially considering how different he was from August, despite being his equal in potential.
*****
Meanwhile...
"Lizzie, please don’t be angry," Minnie pleaded as she followed Lynsandra. "Let me explain. First of all, I didn’t know there was a vampire in the harem, alright? So when I sensed him, my whole body just reacted. It’s instinct!"
Lynsandra didn’t respond and continued walking toward her room.
"And about last night, I didn’t know it would turn out like that!" Minnie continued. "I just needed to throw up and ended up sleeping next to my vomit. Probably because I haven’t been drinking much. But anyway, I’m really sorry."
Still, Lynsandra remained silent.
When they reached her room, Lynsandra rested her hand on the doorknob and finally turned to Minnie.
"Minnie, I didn’t think there was any reason for me to punish you for last night, since it was my idea," she said calmly. "However, you know Virgo, and he’s very keen on enforcing rules."
"Damn that old-fashioned fucker!"
"So when he heard you attacked Severin, he expected punishment," Lynsandra continued, firm but composed. "From his perspective, you did break a rule. But since you weren’t aware of it, I’m letting you off with a warning and a small cut from today’s rate."
Minnie clutched her chest dramatically. "Please, just torture me."
"It’s a small amount," Lynsandra rolled her eyes. "Get some sleep tonight. We’ll have a lot of work tomorrow."
With that, Lynsandra opened the door, about to step inside when Minnie spoke.
"Lizzie."
"Hmm?" Lynsandra turned. "I’m not changing my mind."
Minnie frowned deeply. "I just want to ask—are you still seeing him?"
"Seeing who?"
"That pile of garbage," Minnie stressed. When Lynsandra still didn’t understand, she added, "That guy. Cassian’s brother."
Lynsandra blinked. "No."
"Are you sure?"
"More than anything," she huffed sharply. "You know that, Minnie. I would never."
She stepped forward, then paused and turned back.
"Why would you ask?"
Minnie shrugged. "I just thought you might be. Considering last night... and the last full moon."
"Full moon?"
Minnie nodded. "Bestie said his brother came here during the last full moon. That’s why they’ve been fighting."
