Lilac
I was scared shitless at this point. So scared that I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. I'd have collapsed on the ground if Jake wasn't still holding my elbow. The guards were all grinning darkly as they approached us slowly and leisurely.
"We're feeling generous tonight so before we kill off this friend of yours, we'd have a little fun with him as well." A different guard pointed out and my heart pounded hard as I glanced up at Jake. He had a calm expression across his face, and there was no trace of fear in sight. That made me frown in confusion. Wasn't he supposed to be scared? Why wasn't he? I was scared shitless for him right now and also feeling guilty that I had managed to drag him into my own mess.
"Jake?" I whispered, voice trembling and cracking as I spoke. He wasn't looking at me, he was still staring at the guards who were now right in front of us. Compared to them, Jake was very tall as well. But they had larger shoulders and chests. I didn't need to see a fight unfolding to know who'd win if a fight broke out right now.
When Jake dropped my hand, I almost screamed from fear, especially as he took a step forward to stand before the one who seemed like the leader of the guards. I wanted to warn Jake, to ask him to run right now if he could and leave me here, but the words were stuck in my throat.
The guards' leader guffawed a laugh and pulled his hand back to clearly deliver a punch into the side of Jake's face. I stared in horror before wincing and squeezing my eyes tightly as I watched the punch get swung. I waited a few heartbeats then tentatively blinked my eyes open, and I gaped at the sight before me.
Jake had a hand up, and his mouth was moving but no sound was coming out. However, the guard's hand seemed to be suspended in the air by an invisible force. The confusion and surprise within me worsened when Jake's voice filled the air.
"You'll not hurt either of us."
I blinked once and twice, then I frowned because I expected the guards to burst out laughing right now. But they were all slowly blinking and nodding at the same time.
"You'll not stop us from leaving, and you'll not harass this boy again. Do you all understand?"
I looked between them in shock, unable to believe what was happening. It felt like something out of a fairytale. When they all nodded in unison, I was shocked even more.
Jake dropped his hand and took a step back, then he glanced down at me and nodded in the pathway we came from.
"Let's head back."
As we walked side by side. I was in such a shocked state that I couldn't even bring myself to speak. What the hell was that? How had he been able to do that? He controlled them with his voice, just like that. He didn't even raise his voice. It suddenly made sense that he was unfazed in the sight of all their threats.
Was it a special trick?
"Thank you." I whispered, breaking the silence. I peered up at him for a moment before looking away. He had been breathing hard after we left, but now his breathing pattern was back to normal.
He didn't respond till after a few minutes passed by.
"You're welcome. I bet you're curious as hell." He mused and I glanced up at him again before nodding.
"I mean, it's still shocking. I was really scared something would happen to you tonight, which would be my fault." I muttered and he arched a brow at me.
"You were worried for me instead of yourself?" He asked and I shook my head.
"I just- I just didn't want you to get hurt because of me. I'm really glad you were able to save me tonight. And um… would they really not harass me again because you told them not to?"
"What I did back there… was compulsion." He revealed and I frowned in confusion.
"Compulsion? That's- that's real?" I muttered and he nodded.
"Of course it is. I'm from a bloodline of vampires. However, all I got was the gift of compulsion after being born. I can't do any other things vampires can." He explained and my mind reeled as he spoke.
"Wow. So… vampires really exist?!" I exclaimed, but it should really have been obvious to me that all of these supernatural beings actually exist.
"Most are extinct, thanks to a terrible king from a wretched kingdom who took it upon himself to wipe the world of all supernatural creatures, decades ago." He muttered and I stiffened, body going cold because I instantly knew he was referring to my kingdom.
"Because of the wipe out, most of the powerful vampires died. And most of the vampire's abilities got lost. So, technically I'm human aside from the compulsion."
I nodded, still feeling awe over the fact that he could do that.
"That's a very cool superpower." I breathed out and he snorted.
"Not quite. It's weak. If I ever exchange another word with the person I just finished compelling, the compulsion would instantly wear off."
"So basically, you have to avoid anyone you compel so you don't have to exchange words?" I asked and he nodded.
"Exactly."
"That's still pretty chill though. I'd kill to have that. Is that what you use on the seniors? Is that why they don't like you?" I asked questions after questions as we continued to walk back to the slave quarters.
"Nah. I constantly have to exchange words with them, so sadly, it can't work in that situation." He explained and I hummed.
After a bit, I turned towards him again. "But this means you can compel me without me knowing too, right? I just wouldn't remember…?"
He eyed me for a moment before nodding. I felt a little chill engulfed me. That sounded creepy. I don't think I'd like my mind getting messed with.
"And I won't be aware? I won't remember or feel a thing?" I asked and he stopped to face me.
"It's painless. Why don't we try it right now? Since we'll keep on talking, it will wear off a moment later." He suggested and I frowned for a moment before nodding.
"Okay."
He stepped closer and lifted a hand, and I noticed that his eyes glowed a little bit of red as he began to speak. I braced myself and stopped breathing.
"Forget everything about me. When I stop talking, all you'll see before you is a stranger." He spoke in that calm voice of his.
I blinked at him after a few moments, waiting for something to happen, like a surge of my blood or something. But nothing happened. I definitely still remember what he said moments ago, and I don't see a stranger in front of me. I still see Jake, the person who saved me tonight.
He stepped back and waited. I waited a bit more before clearing my throat. "Uh… I don't think it worked? I still remember who you are. You're Jake, my roommate."
His eyes instantly widened as he closed the distance between us and he was gripping my shoulders as he spoke.
"Holy shit! It didn't work on you. You resisted my compulsion. No one I've used it on has ever done that before. How is that possible?"