A Touch of Darkness

Chapter 6

"Sun light?  Will you burst into flames?"

Chuckling sadly "Not right away.  The older the vampire the quicker it kills you.  Never seen it happen but from what I've been told its like turning slowly into ashes.

"Garlic?"

Tilting my head back laughing "The smell is wonderful"

"Stakes to the heart?" His warm laughter was something I could listen to for hours.

"Those are useless"

His eyes looked over towards the closed windows, heavily shaded by black out curtains.

"How old are you?"

Pulling my knees to my chest as I watched him closely from the other end of the couch.  "I was turned when I was 22" 

His hooded stare moved back to me.  Waiting for a better answer.

"I was turned about 100 years ago...." My voice trailing off.

Damien's eyes grew wide.  I could tell he was trying to do the math in his head.

"So" Clearing his throat.  "You're like over 120 years old?" Shock evident in his voice.

"Who turned you?  How do- you get turned?  Were you scared?" Rattling off questions without a breath in between.

Shaking my head "No.  My turn" Crossing my legs.

His head fell back not getting his way "Fine"

I didn't waste any time "Why aren't you scared of me?"

Scratching behind his neck.  Even in the dark I could make out the tinge of pink on cheeks growing bright.  "I'm not sure. I can't really explain it.  It makes me feel crazy"

Shrinking into the couch "Sorry.  I've just never told a human these things before.  Your reaction isn't what I expected.  You and I being destined may be part of the reason..."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Asking curiously.  I pictured him with a big family, young Damien playing outside in a yard.

"I'm an only child"  His mood shifted slightly.  No human would be able to notice the small tick in his neck, the soft wrinkle forming between his thick brows.

We fell into a silence.  Neither of us willing to break the awkward tension.  I gave him time, I could see he wanted to say more.

"Parents died when I was 10.  Been living with William ever since"

A painful ache erupted from my chest. Scooting closer to him.  Placing my small hand on his knee trying to ease his sadness "I'm truly sorry for your loss.  It's hard loosing your loved ones.

His guarded eyes nodded once as we fell into a comfortable silence.  His large hand moving over mine.  He must have felt a similar pain to mine.

Sounds of birds chirping outside caught my attention.  It had to be almost 5am.

"It'll be dawn soon" Looking towards the curtains.

Damien pulled his phone out of his back pocket.

"It's 5am, we have about an hour to kill before the sunlight"

His lingering tone sent chills down.  His fingers tracing up my cool arm, feeling so natural for us.

"I can show you where I sleep" Smirking playfully.  Standing to my feet with a light hop, tugging him toward my bedroom.

"Coffin?" 

Smirking without giving him answer, his eyebrow raised up.

I could feel his eyes on me as I pulled him into my room, the bed made looking completely untouched.  Purely just take up space in the otherwise empty room.

Dropping his hand I opened my two door closet.  Glancing at him as he stared at all my clothes hanging.  His eyes looking back and forth between me and clothes.

Squatting down, pushing down the floorboards once, allowing the hatch door to open. Glancing up to see his mouth popped open just like.

"I couldn't even see the door!"

Damien knelt down with me, looking into the dark perfect rectangle hole.  Filled with pillows and books.

Jumping down.  My shoulder just over the floor boards as I looked up at him.

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped my lips.  He looked liked a fish out of water.

"Expecting something else?" Laughing.

"That doesn't seem comfortable" 

"Not true!" Placing my hands on my hips.

Laying down on the soft pillows, placing my hands comfortably behind my head as he stared down at me.  "I've slept in far worse"

He was silent, I couldn't read his features.  Was he finally freaked out?  I knew this would be too much.

He stood up and turned his back to me.  My eyes burned wanting to let tears fall.

"Don't leave till the sun-"

I listened to the closet doors shut.

My eyes grew wide as he stepped forward, his tall body hovering over the hole.

"What are you-"

He leapt down next to me, carefully avoiding my legs.  What was he doing?

His eyes met mine as he grabbed the handle and bent over me closing the hatch.

I stayed silent as he laid beside me, his head propped up on his on his hand looking at me.

"Must get lonely"

Loneliness? He was worried about me.

Turning to my side to meet his gaze.

"It is decently comfortable" Mumbling softly.

"You don't have to stay.  You'll be safe to go home once the sun's out"

His free hand moved to my hair, pushing the stray wisps away from my face.  How could he feel so safe being next to a killer?

"Pretty sure I'll be safe right here, if-if you want me-"

"Yes" Cutting him off quickly without thought.

"I'll leave a message for William that I won't be in till tonight" Pulling out his phone, the blue light making his strong features glow.

He laid his head down beside me as we stared at each other.  My eyes beginning to feel suddenly heavy.  The sun must be approaching soon.  I wanted to know what he was thinking.  As his own heavy eyes never left mine.  

Trailing my hand to his chest, wishing he had never put his shirt back on.  

"Are you absolutely sure? You won't be able to leave till the sun is down" Watching his even breaths come in and out.

His head leaned forward over my ear.  Our bodies so close I could feel the warm heat coming off of him.

"I'm sure" Whispering softly, his lips just barely grazing over the tip of my ear.  Before placing both hands beneath his head.  

Our eyes closing almost simultaneously.  My mind swiftly relaxing into darkness.  

A hand placed on my hip the last thing I felt as I fell asleep to Damien's slow even breathing.