ALLURE OF THE NIGHT (C)

Chapters 151-160

When Eve took a look inside the velvet bag, she caught sight of gold coins in there. She heard Vincent say,

"It isn't eighty but fifteen gold coins. To treat your wounds."

Even if Vincent had given her one gold coin, she would have been happy, and she gave him a nod, "Thank you for talking to the people in the council and these coins."

They continued to stand in one of the busy streets of the Hollow Valley. Noticing the mermaid looking disappointed which she tried to hide, Vincent questioned her,

"How did you turn like this?"

"What?" Eve asked him.

"Always wanting and trying to help people. When you yourself are an endangered one. Is it because you wished things were different for your mother and you?" Questioned Vincent, his copper-red eyes almost drilling a hole into her eyes. "Did you get into trouble in the past too?"

A slight sheepish smile appeared on Eve's lips and she shook her head, "A little. Eugene and Aunt Aubrey often found me entangled in the bushes or tree, hanging upside down when I was young."

"Well, what do you know, it's not just the bats who do that," remarked Vincent with humour. They started to walk on the streets next to each other. Eve caught sight of women whose eyes were quick to look at the pureblooded vampire who walked next to her before looking at her in distaste.

With the wealthy people who knew who Vincent was, they were quick to offer their bow to him when they walked from the opposite direction and passed them.

Holding the velvet close to her front, Eve replied to Vincent's earlier question, "It is because of my father. My mother used to tell me how she was alive because of him, because he had shown her kindness when no one else did. She said she was meant to live an unfortunate life, but my father changed it and gave her a life."

"You said your father was killed?" Questioned Vincent, and Eve nodded. "Just because you are good doesn't mean the world will treat you the same, Ms. Barlow," he tried to educate her.

"I am aware of it," Eve's words were low, and she looked at the people around them. "I know that being good doesn't bring good. But that doesn't mean, I will stand by watching people being hurt. Even though I know the world is not fair, it doesn't have to mean I have to turn a blind eye when I can try. Just because the world is bad doesn't mean you turn bad."

The corner of Vincent's lips curled. He remarked, "As much as I admire the trouble that you look for, there are some things you cannot control."

"I know you think I am naive for thinking I can help people," Eve muttered.

"Of course, I do. You don't know to keep your nose to yourself and want to go snooping around," Vincent's eyes moved to the corner to look at her. "But you cannot help it, because you believe everyone can be saved. Or is it that you feel guilty for being unable to help your mother when she died?"

Vincent's words struck a chord in Eve's chest, and she went quiet.

"Is that what this is all about?" Vincent questioned her, and Eve paused her footsteps. He turned to her and said, "That the memories of the gory night comes back to you every night your head touches the pillow. Where the murderer is next to your mother and she's oozing with blood and all you can do is watch as she screams and wriths in pain."

Eve's eyes glistened and she gulped down the emotions that were being stirred and bubbling up her throat. She glared at him, "Do you enjoy hurting people, Master Vincent?"

"Yes," came the blunt answer, and he smiled, "I enjoy people's misery. It's what lights up my days."

Eve calmed her breathing, her eyes holding a fire that Vincent enjoyed stoking and looking at. She said,