Hey guys! I know it's only short, but I'm still recovering from my laser eye surgery (the LASEK one) , my sight is still pretty blurry, and the harsh laptop light isn't fabulous to work with, but I really wanted to get something out for you all! Hopefully I'll have full focusable vision soon! If there's any spelling. grammar or typos in this one please be kind, I can't really see what I'm typing! Until next time... Xx
Chapter 13
I awoke suddenly, bolting upright in the bed, disturbed by a blunt knocking, jolting me from my dreams. Quint was no occupying the spot next to me; instead he was up and pacing towards the large oak door. I jumped up from the bed suddenly.
"Don't!" I called out in an embarrassed panic, but it was too late he had already turned the handle and cracked the door open. I smacked my forehead stupidly, dragging the palm of my hand down over my burning red cheeks as he conversed with whoever was on the other side. I was deeply embarrassed at how it would look, even though nothing happened, and nothing was ever going to, you try convincing someone of that when a guy answers your door with bed hair. No one believes a word. Quint closed the door slowly and quietly, turning on his heel towards me.
"Dinner's ready," Quint said with a slight smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. Dinner? I hadn't realised my nap had turned into a five hour slumber. "Are you going to freshen up?" He asked nodding towards me, his eyes fixated on the nest of blonde hair that had formed on top of my head.
"Yeah I'll… erm… meet you down there," I said slowly as I backed into the walk in wardrobe, Quint nodded, running his hand through his hair, fixing it back into place and headed for the door. I quickly sorted my appearance, brushed through my hair and straightened my clothes.
I descended the stairs quietly and headed passed the kitchen and into a large lavish dining room. It had a beautiful large fireplace and a long marble table capable of serving a royal banquet. At the very head of the table t the very end of the room sat Dr Lane, he smiled as I approached awkwardly. Quint sat to his right, his elbow leaning casually on the table. Dr Lane motioned for me to take the chair to his left, I obeyed.
"Good evening Victoria," Dr Lane greeted me with a toothy grind, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Good evening," I smiled nervously as I looked placed my hands gently in my lap, fidgeting and playing with my thumbs. There was general chit chat about the company and the gala as drinks were served by George the chef.
"You will wear a suit Quint, there will be foreign dignitaries in attendance and I will not tolerate scruffiness," Dr Lane scolded as he took a sip of his red wine. I tried to picture Quint in a suit; it was like imagining a ballgown on a pot belly pig. Quint simply muttered 'sure thing' obviously not impressed by his fathers' request.
"And you Victoria, I presume you don't have anything suitable, I'll have something arranged for you don't worry," Dr Lane said as George placed down our plates on the table setting before us. My nose pricked up enjoying the gorgeous aroma of the roast lamb dinner with all the trimmings. Father and son began to tuck in, carving up their meat. "What colour tie were you thinking of wearing Quint?" Dr Lane asked suddenly, with a mouth full of ground up meat.
"I haven't thought about it yet father," Quint snipped sarcastically as he swallowed down his dinner.
"Well do tell when you decide," Dr Lane said sharply. "It would just be nice for you two to match," My face lit up redder than the devil, I coughed into my palm, almost choking on my carrots.
"Match?" I questioned, my eyes almost popping out my head. Quint smirked, he might've even smuggled in a little chuckle as he stabbed at his meat.
"Quint said-" Dr Lane started before his son quickly cut the old man off.
"I believe you're mistaken father," Quint said with a sly smile on his face. I took a large gulp of wine, trying to drown out the conversation.
"No you definitely said that you had slept together Quint," Dr Lane said, laying it all out there,
"Yes we fell asleep… in bed together, right Victoria?" Quint explained, smiling mischievously. I nearly spat my wine all over the lovely table, but held it in with a struggle. I swallowed it down and wiped my lip with my napkin.
"That really is the entirety of what happened sir, honestly," I defended, practically begging for belief in my voice
"Don't worry Victoria, Quint just has a twisted sense of humour," Dr Lane scolded his son, I bit my lip awkwardly. It was like being at a friend's house when you're young and they get told off by their parents. Except Quint wasn't my friend, and I wasn't a child anymore. "Look, now you've made our guest uncomfortable, why must you push everyone away?" Dr Lane asked as he banged his hand on the table, startling me.
"Don't you dare lecture me about pushing," Quint hissed, pointing in his fathers face. He stood suddenly, toppling his chair over to the ground. He narrowed his eyes on his father, adjusted his trusty leather jacket and stalked off, kicking an innocent side table across the room as he exited through the large double doors. There was a few seconds of awkward silence as Dr Jacob Lane regained his composure, his thunderous face turned to me, and softened into a smile suddenly, as if dropping an act.
"I apologise on behalf of my son, he continually allows his human emotions get the better of him," Dr Lane sighed, taking a bite of his lamb. I nodded, even though I didn't really agree with Dr Lane, I couldn't see why Lycans supposedly weren't allowed emotion, Dr Lane felt emotion himself all the time– rage, excitement, frustration, anxiety, they were a common sight in the office. It seemed more like Dr Lane had one emotion in particular he wanted Quint to exile.
"Where is Quint's mother?" It was only meant to be a wondering thought; I didn't mean to say it aloud. Dr Lane straightened his back and cleared his throat. I readied myself for a stern telling off for prying into business that wasn't mine.
"She's gone," He said firmly. Instantly I had a feeling she was the root of it all, Quint's rebellious and the rocky relationship with his father.
"Where did she go?" I asked hesitantly, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, but I was a curious pup.
"She chose to remain human," He explained. There was something strange about him, at the mention of Quint's mother Dr Lane seemed different, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I wondered whether it was his lost love that caused Dr Lane to expel the idea from his son's mind, a heartbroken old man protecting his son from the dangers of love. I doubted it; Quint's father didn't seem the type. But I there is always room for surprise.
"Sir, could I please be excused? After everything I am just exhausted," I tried not to be rude, after all Dr Lane was being very gracious, giving me a place to stay, inviting me to the ball, introducing me to his fancy Lycan friends. Even if it was just because I was his new favourite guinea pig, he could've just had me thrown in with the other experiments.
"Of course, we have a long day tomorrow, a few more tests, and of course finalising plans for Friday. I would also like to show you some of the things Quint and I have been working on behind the scenes; I think you'll find it very interesting given your uniqueness," The man smiled. I nodded and thanked him, bid him goodnight and left.
I could hear the commotion from the bottom of the staircase, I bet even if I had human hearing it would still have been racket. I climbed the staircase slowly, meeting Benedict at the top. He was staring down the hallway towards Quint's end of the house, he bit his nails anxiously.
"Quint?" I guessed.
"Yes miss, he's in quite a rage," Benedict sighed.
"Quite," I hummed half humoured as shouts of rage, and the smashing of furniture echoed down the narrow hall. I tiptoed closer out of my own morbid curiosity.
"I wouldn't if I was you miss," Benedict warned, stepping forward and grabbing my elbow lightly. I ignored the man and began to creep closer. Benedict stayed in his spot at the top of the stairs, looking increasingly anxious.
I stood in the doorway to his room, the same room I'd fled from not even a day ago. Quint leant over on a desk, his heaving back turned to me. The desk was the only piece of furniture not in tatters, and even his bed frame had collapsed and was missing a claw footed leg.
"Leave," Quint growled, I hadn't even said anything yet. I must have had a death wish as instead of following his advice I stepped closer.
"Quint I think-"
"LEAVE!" He shouted, picking up the desk by its edges and throwing it across the room into a heap. I squeaked out of surprise and jumped back a step.
"I think you should calm down," my voice trembled as I tried to calm the hulking man.
"I think you should fuck off," Quint hissed through gritted teeth, he turned to face me, his eyes consumed in black. I looked around at the carnage he had created, he had literally destroyed everything, and for what, the sake of an argument?
"This is not healthy, you can't unleash your anger like this Quint," I stepped closer to him, not afraid of those black lifeless eyes any more.
"You don't tell me what I can and can't do," Quint hissed poking me in the chest hard on my sternum. I reached up and slapped him hard on the face, throwing his head to the side. I was starting to grow into my strength; I swear I must have hit him hard enough to give him whiplash. I didn't expect him to be happy after the slap, no one likes being slapped, and however his reaction shocked and scared me to the bone.
He snapped his head back and back handed me across the face, sending me flying to the floor I reached up to my face and felt the blood as I wiped it away, across my cheek and forehead. I felt for the wound, but it had already healed up, subsequently I pulled myself back onto my feet. Quint stared at me, annoyed at my persistence. I only came to calm him down, but was too far gone; the raging Lycan inside him had taken control. Once on my feet I balled my fists, and charged at him, punching him hard in the chest, toppling him and me to the ground. I sat on top of him, punching him relentlessly. He grabbed my wrists, kicking me off and onto a collapsed piece of furniture. That hurt. I could feel something shatter as I collided with the solid wood. I hissed and gripped at my elbow. My broken bones healed just a few seconds later, almost instantly. I slowly dragged myself back up. However it wasn't Quint who I came face to face with. Well technically it was… just not the Quint I knew. In front of me stood a large hunched over Lycan, its head and back scraping against the high ceilings. Saliva dripped from it's mouth and fangs menacingly. It roared loudly in my face, swiping me sideways to the ground with its giant mitt. Suddenly a smaller Lycan burst through the door, and the two began to engage, squaring each other off. Something didn't feel right, the pain was persisting, I couldn't move. Tears gathered in my eyes as I dared to look down to see my body impaled on a chair leg.