The Tribrid's Mate

#4 The Conversation

Third-person POV

Milena was glad it was much more beautiful than what she had pictured. Somehow when she saw the foam from the waves of a deep, dangerous sea hit the rock beneath the cliff, it calmed her mind. Milena loved cliffs most.

At first, a stupid thought passed through Milena's mind. She imagined jumping from the cliff and swimming all the way to her freedom. But soon, the dream where she had fallen from a cliff with Lucas flashed through her eyes. This time, when she looked down, she realized the height was more than she had assumed, and the bottom was rocky. She wouldn't survive a fall. She understood why there was no wall, only on this side of the fort. It was impossible to climb it to enter and impossible to escape too. She dropped the idea and sat down to enjoy the beauty of this serene place.

Well, if she can't escape, at least she can be less miserable.

Milena sat there enjoying nature when her eyes fell on Lucas, staring at her even without blinking. He was sitting above a stone not very far from her spot. She wondered how long he had been there. Or if she was the one who came later. She chose to ask aloud.

She wasn't sure about when and how. But with each passing day, she felt less and less intimidated by his presence. It was annoying and also confusing.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have some plan to murder or kidnap innocent people?" She could not help but bite back.

No matter how different Milena felt now compared to the first day or how much everyone tried to convince her about Lucas's goodness, she was not ready to accept it yet. At least, not until she finds the truth or hears out some explanation from somebody. After all, she was the victim! There was no reason why she should trust anyone blindly, without any justification, proof, or whatever.

Lucas's only reply to her bitter statement was a charismatic smile that sent some waves in her heart, making her more pissed. She loathed herself for finding her captor handsome and attractive. She should hate him indefinitely.

Lucas looked beyond the horizon as if he was testing her patience. The sun was about to set. The sky had begun changing its color, and the birds had started returning. Now that she was outside, she noticed that the birds looked like ravens. But they were slightly different. Another flock of colorful birds passed through them. She didn't even know their names. Some strange flowers were surrounding this place.

Milena looked at the purple, orange lights that had spread across the sky. The roaring water sounded like music to her ears. It gave her a familiar feeling, calming her nerves. There was still some time left before the sunset. She smiled, basking in the fresh air and registering the beautiful scenery in her mind.

She turned to continue her discussion with Lucas. She had finally found him alone, and maybe if he tried enough, he would give her some answers. But much to her astonishment, she found Lucas already standing next to her. As soon as their eyes met, he stared into her eyes without even blinking, as if he could see Milena's soul from her dark brown eyes. She felt startled and perplexed because of the closeness. She should feel the need to run. Why was she glued to her place? Her breathing increased.

She swallowed hard to get hold of the situation. She immediately put some distance to be able to clear her mind and converse with Lucas.

"You are fast. I didn't even realize when you came so close." Milena gulped, averting her eyes, fixing her hair.

"You are unmindful. Is it that beautiful?" Lucas chuckled.

"What?" Milena gasped.

"The sunset. Isn't it beautiful?" Lucas smirked.

Lucas was in a playful state. When was the last time did he feel so relieved? It was strange, but he wasn't complaining. Not yet!

"What are you doing here?" Milena retorted, putting some more distance. She can't let him affect her anymore.

"I was here first, Milena. I am always here when I have time. You tell. I bet you are bored with your room and finally found the gut to plea with Lucian to let you come outside." Lucas chuckled, making her scowl.

Why was he mocking her pitiful state? It was all because of him! She would be enjoying Florida if not for him.

"Well, I gave it a thought and decided to look into it myself. But let me tell you, Milena, if you are thinking about leaving this place, you simply cannot. Nothing goes or comes out of this place without my permission here." Lucas replied.

Milena shuddered. He sounded cold, dangerous, and heartless, just like the night he had kidnapped her.

"I guess I have realized it already," Milena sighed with frustration as she gazed at the sky. It was beginning to get dark a little. She got into a dilemma if to ask her captor a favor or not. He seemed to be back to his cold, ruthless self.

"From what I have noticed about you, I can tell you are not someone to hold back her mind. I am not a bad judge of character. What is it?" Lucas probed. His eyes had narrowed as if he was trying to read her mind or something.

She was shocked even to find out that Lucas was observing her all this while. He had already deduced things about her, even if it wasn't true. She had never found the courage to raise her head and speak back to Miss Benett.

Perhaps, it was because she was more worried about Trixie. She was capable of hurting both of them for absolutely nothing. She could endure it all, and maybe she would have fought back. But she had lived through the abuse because of Trixie. There was nowhere she could take her with her condition without money. At least, Miss Benett was generous enough to give Trixie her medicines on time if Milena adhered to her demands.

But she wasn't that weak outside of her foster home. Now that she was far away from her foster aunt, was she becoming more daring?

"I am not much of a speaker. The situation is different." Milena replied.

She was confused about her true personality.

Was she weak?

Was she strong?

Or was she a survivor?

Who was she? Even someone powerful like Lucas saw her as a confident person. But her life is full of scary decisions and frightening sacrifices because she couldn't fight back. From where was she getting all this strength now? Was she changing because of her changed situation? Was it good?

"That's not the point, Milena. What is it that you want to ask?" Lucas smiled, sitting on the ground. He patted for her to sit beside her.

"I wanted to talk to my sister. I have to reach to her and tell her that I will be out for some more time. She would understand. You have to believe that she is sick. She must know that I am well. I promise I will not tell her anything about being kidnapped or the murder. She is the only one who will be worrying." Milena begged Lucas.

Teardrops threatened to fall from her eyes as her voice became hoarse. She was on the verge of breaking down, letting her guard down for the first time. Lucas was not expecting it. But he was overwhelmed to see Milena's vulnerable side.

"I understand." Lucas let out a deep sigh.

He was more confused than he was showing on his face. It was a strange feeling. Why was he getting affected by this human? But if he pondered much, it would yield more unwanted results. He decided to go with the flow and find out the truth when it would present itself before him. He was in no rush.

"You can go to Mathew. Tell him that I had asked him to connect you with your sister through secure lines." Lucas smiled. He couldn't control it when he saw her big, hopeful eyes.

She looked better than when she came here. Her pale skin looked healthier. He wondered if she had an awful life. She was tiny and thin. She would easily pass as a malnourished person. For strange reasons, he felt protective and angry. But his anger melted away when he saw a cheerful smile fold through her thin, rosy lips.

"Will you remember to ask him about secure lines?" Lucas poked her nose. She was so excited that time that she didn't mind it. She nodded her head enthusiastically.

"That way, even if someone is trying to keep a tap on you, they cannot trace you," Lucas said, even if he wasn't sure if she was listening to her. She seemed impatient. He would have to reach Matthew with their mind link.

Milena couldn't help but keep smiling even if it was beginning to hurt her cheeks. She was not expecting him to understand her situation. She didn't even have to beg him twice. She always thought he was selfish and cold. But maybe he wasn't as bad. Maybe there was some reason behind his actions. Everyone said that to her indirectly. She did not want to discuss this further and give him a chance to change his mind. She was happy about what she could achieve today.

"Don't you want to run already?" Lucas chuckled, poking her nose again.

"Thank you!" Milena giggled. Her eyes shimmered.

She got up and let out a deep breath, full of enthusiasm and excitement. Lucas took a mental note to find more about Trixie. Milena obviously cared about her sister more than anything.

Lucas couldn't help but keep staring at her as she ran to find Mathew.