My heart, My love, My dragon

Chapter 4

        True to her word, Anya ate for the next several days. But would not speak a word until Arin assigned her a tutor. He had given her access to the library but something was off. The day before she was given unlimited access to the library, about 10 men went in and out of the library. Some carrying stack loads of books out and others carrying loads of books in. Anya only assumed that Arin had ridden the books he had not wanted Anya to see. But she refused any communication with anyone until Arin's promise was fulfilled- Not that she would start talking to Arin if he completed his promises.

So today she sat down calmly, eyes puffy. She hasn't gotten enough sleep because her nights have been filled with tears and sorrow. But, she acts perfectly fine in front of all the strangers. Mutely, she munched on her toast, all eyes on her as always.

"What, have you become mute now?" Arin rudely asked. Anya shrugged. "Why do you always respond with that? You can talk so start speaking."

Anya rolled her eyes and finished her toast. She was not in the mood for the scrambled eggs she left on the plate. She was about to stand upright when Chris said, "Anya, your tutor is waiting for you in the library."

"Who is it?" Anya asked curiously and Arin let out a huff of annoyance.

"Chris's twin sister, Dalinda," Kaida interrupted.

Anya nodded but Chris decided to prod, "How old are you?"

Anya's eyes cut to Arin, "Too young to be here or be brought like a piece of bread at the store."

Arin decided not to respond much to Anya's relief. With that, Anya left the kitchen and to the staircase. Not before she heard Chris saying, "She's so small that you can't even hear the floorboards creak when she walks."

It's true. Anya wasn't tall and too light to be healthy but it is what it is. Anya only knew the way back to her room and the library but that's all she expected to have. Walking into the library, she spotted the same curly blonde hair Chris had and recognized the girl as his sister.

"Hi! I'm Dalinda. I'm sure Chris told you about me," she was awfully cheerful for Anya's taste. "Do you mind if I ask what grade you're in? I just need to know if I'm teaching the correct stuff for your grade level."

"Eighth."

"Great, we'll start with pre-algebra," she handed Anya a textbook, a pencil, and a notebook. "Oh, sorry, how stupid can I be? What's your name?"

"Rylee," she responded and thankfully, Dalinda took the bait.

"Ok, so first we'll start with reviewing integer rules-"

"I already know integer rules."

"Factorization of Natural numbers?"

"That's history," Anya yawned. She knew she was acting bratty but if it affected Arin's life then so be it.

"Then what do you not know?" Dalinda's smile was strained.

"Calculus," Anya responded.

"But that's High School Senior Year stuff," Dalinda's shock and surprise was evident but how was Anya going to survive the past years without teaching herself the adequate stuff.

"I tutored myself and I thought I'd try out life with a tutor but I realize now I don't need one," Anya stood up and walked away promptly. "I know you're likely to report to Arin but I couldn't give a f**k about his opinion."

Anya continued through the depths of the library and it wasn't until she heard the sound of Dalinda leaving did she released a strong breath. Being around these strange people was wearing her out and making her feel unprotected. She settled down in a corner far away from all the doors with a book and didn't know when sleep finally caught up with her.

****

Anya woke up to shouts. "Where is she?" Arin's voice echoed everywhere.

Groggily, Anya opened her eyes only to find that the library was dark. "Hello? Who turned off the lights? I'm still here."

"You won't be needing it," a calm and calculating responded to her. "Anastasia Bennett."

"Huh? Who are you? How do you know my name? I never told my name to anyone," Anya felt for the bookshelf to stand up. 

"You don't need to know who I am or what's my job but I'm here to give little Arin a message."

"What message? I have nothing to do with Arin and I rarely speak to him," the uneasy silence that followed frightened Anya. "Where are you?"

She felt the bookshelf behind her press its weight on her until it completely fell on her. She screamed loudly under the immense weight on her back and thigh. Cold fingers tilted her chin upward. "Don't tell anyone I passed by or I'll return."

The tip of a knife rested on her cheek. In a flurry of panic, Anya began to scream even more. Her squirming caused the knife to cut her cheek. Whoever was with her cursed and departed among the darkest. Thirty minutes after the unknown man left did the library lights turn on to reveal Arin.

Arin had a tendency to curse a lot and now was no exception. Anya did not know he had the strength to raise the shelf upright and shove the books out of the way. But, Anya was not seriously injured.

"Took you long enough," Anya groaned.

"That's all you have to say!?" Arin growled.

"I don't have anything else to say."

"Why don't you start with why a bookshelf was on top of you and you have a cut on your cheek," Arin's fingertips skimmed Anya's cuts and her body seemed to come alive at his touch.

Recalling the man's words Anya decided to lie. "Nothing. Someone turned off the lights and I bumped into the shelf."

"These shelves are too strong to be simply knocked over," Arin was unconvinced. "And how do you explain the cut on your cheek?"

"Papercut."

"Papercuts don't cause such damage. You'll probably get a scar."

Anya had experience with dealing with a scar. When she was six she lost her parents to fire and almost died herself. A large piece of the roof fell on top of her a slightly pierced her waist. She now has a four-inch scar there. "Nothing I can't handle."

"That's it. I'm bringing you to my suite," Arin declared and Anya's blood ran cold. Was he finally going to complete his purpose of buying her from her brother? Arin, seeing the terror on her face quickly added, "It's a suite. There are plenty of extra rooms and I'm not going to do anything that you are thinking about."

"Then why did you buy me?"

"Stop asking that question."

"But I want to know."

"It's none of your business."

"Then I'll run away."

Arin faced her with dark eyes. "You will never run away.."