CHAPTER 10 (The truth behind the mosquito bite)

The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the grand drawing-room. Jacob, a shadow of his usual jovial self, sat across from Elion, his brow furrowed with concern. "Elion," he began, his voice hesitant, "You've been going out a lot lately. Is everything alright?"

Elion, his gaze fixed on the flames, met Jacob's worried eyes with a practiced smile. "Of course, my love," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Just… some errands to run, some business to attend to."

Jacob, never one to be easily placated, leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Errands? Business? What kind of business requires you to be out every night for weeks?"

Elion’s smile faltered for a moment, his eyes flickering to the red mark on his neck, a mark that had appeared a few days ago, a mark that Roderick’s teeth had left behind in a moment of passionate abandon. He quickly masked his discomfort with a forced laugh. "Oh, Jacob, you worry too much. It’s just… some… social obligations."

Jacob, his intuition screaming at him, noticed the slight tremor in Elion’s hand, the way his eyes darted away from the mark on his neck. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Elion's skin, his touch gentle yet insistent. "Elion," he said, his voice soft, "What is it? What’s bothering you?"

Elion, his heart pounding in his chest, pulled back, his gaze hardening. "Nothing, Jacob," he said, his voice clipped. "I told you, it’s just… business."

Jacob, his concern mounting, noticed the way Elion’s hand instinctively went to his neck, as if to cover the mark. He followed Elion’s gaze, his eyes landing on the red mark, a mark that looked suspiciously like a bite.

"Elion," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "What is that on your neck?"

Elion, his composure finally crumbling, looked away, his face a mask of guilt and fear. "It’s… it’s nothing," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "Just a bug bite."

"This is none of your business," Elion snapped, his voice cold, a stark contrast to the gentle tone he had used before. His heart pounded with a mixture of guilt and anger. He was furious at Jacob for his suspicion, yet the guilt gnawed at him, a constant reminder of his betrayal.

Jacob, his eyes widening in disbelief, leaned closer, his voice rising in a mixture of shock and accusation. "What is that on your neck ELION!!!"

Elion, his anger momentarily forgotten, replaced it with a smirk, a cruel twist of his lips. He leaned back, his eyes meeting Jacob's, his gaze cold and calculating. "Didn't you used to have this type of mosquitoe bite? Why are you asking?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truth. Jacob, his mind reeling, stared at Elion, his face a canvas of shock and betrayal. Elion’s words, a thinly veiled accusation, were a mirror reflecting his own infidelity back at him. The truth, so carefully hidden beneath the surface, was now laid bare, a festering wound exposed for all to see.

To be continue....

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