Forbidden Lies

6

Selena stirred in her sleep and she murmured something that sounded like Ana. Callum drove carefully down the deserted road, making sure to not hit anymore bumps. He smoothed his thick hair back for the hundredth time.

What was he doing? why?

When he had found Selena Winters battered body, he had thought she was dead. In fact Callum would have left her body undisturbed had he not heard the faintest of heartbeats. When he stroked her bloody hair back off her face, he was seized by a moment of familiarity.

Her bruised features had resembled those of his wife. The wife he had sentenced to death. The memories of his lover's own battered face flashed before him, and a wave of immense grief took over him. He knew he should not bother with Selena, a human. But the resemblance was uncanny and in the end he couldn't resist.

He had made sure to take her to the best hospital and to track her family down. That should have been the end of it, but when he found out she had no family, something inside of him nagged. He knew her diagnosis was terminal and that she most likely would never wake up. But her uncanny resemblance to his beloved kept his interest.

Callum decided to hold on to her, to hold on to that last piece of humanity. Even if she died, he would at least have time to mourn, unlike before. He was prepared for this plan and, in a way, he was making up for his lover's death. What he had not been prepared for was Selena waking up.

The moon was bright this night. He hadn't noticed the moon much since his wife's death, it had all been the same to him, moon or no moon. It was always dark in his world.

But tonight he noticed the moon. A shiver ran down his spine as he pulled up to his manor. He hadn't planned for a guest as he had told Selena, but he would have to adjust now. His eyes stared at the review mirror and a flush of shame ran through his face as he looked at Selena's stoic face.

Luckily, he did not have to wake her up. Selena opened her eyes lazily and looked out the window. Callum hadn't exaggerated. It really was a manor, painted white and all.

"What time is it?" asked Selena in a tired voice.

"Around 8 pm." Callum gracefully exited his car. He opened his trunk and pulled out a wheelchair.

He picked up Selena easily enough and gently placed her on the chair. Selena shivered as Callum's ice-cold hands touched her exposed skin. Was it normal for a human to be that cold? She thought.

"I hope I don't get used to this thing. I can't wait to walk again". Selena already hated the chair.

"Therapy starts on Monday, you will be walking in no time as long as you give it your all." Callum said reassuringly.

The big heavy white front door creaked as Callum opened it and closed it behind them. Selena was in awe of the marvelous structure. Although she thought it a bit barren, the architecture was immaculate. Callum pushed her down a hallway with a taller than usual ceiling and red-painted walls. Portraits hung next to the square windows, illuminated by the moon. The paintings held haunting faces of people from different centuries.

"Do you live alone?" Selena asked, breaking the silence.

"No. I have maids to tend to the property. It is too big for me alone. I also have friends and family that visit often, so it's not so bad." Callum's voice was low and distracted.

Selena thought in silence and wondered why this man, being as handsome and apparently well off, was a bachelor living in the middle of nowhere.

Callum slowly pushed Selena's chair down the hallway, which seemed to go on forever. Finally, they came to a red-painted door. It was a brighter red than the red on the hallway walls. A very intricate black flower was painted in the middle with the words LOVE IS ALL painted on it.

"Here we are! I hope it accommodates you. " Callum pushed back the door and pushed Selena in. "The last occupant hated artificial light, something to do with her complexion. So she used an oil lamp instead." Callum carefully lit the lamp and the room came to life immediately.

The walls were painted dark blue, almost like sea water at night. A cherry wood desk sat next to a stained glass window. In the middle of the room was the bed which sat high above the ground. Black velvet covers were laid atop the bed, followed by an array of pillows.

Selena felt Callum's ice-cold hands touch her as he carefully picked her up and laid her on the bed. Within seconds, Selena's body sank into the bed and she was able to relax.

"Would you like some food before you go to sleep? I know how taxing all this is on your body and I'm sure it could use some substance to at least keep you awake tomorrow." Callum smiled warmly.

"No, I think I just need to sleep all this off. Once my body is completely rested, I should be awake at least half the day. I have slept long enough." Selena said in a sure and confident voice. However, in reality she didn't mind sleeping, she wanted to know more about Ana and Cassian. Names that felt familiar to her, people she knew.

"Very well. If you need anything at all, here is this bell. I know it may look archaic but these halls echo and the bell can be heard down the halls, just ring it and I will come." Callum quietly walked to the door and before exiting he said, " I stay awake at night and sleep for half the day. So do not hesitate to ring that bell. In the morning, one of the maids will be in to help you. Good night Selena."