the Vampire's Mistress part two

page 72

Truly a cruel  punishment considering the fact that Mark was only forced to act that ay because of their stubborn refusal to change the nature of the test for my sake.

Now, not only was he not allowed to help me, he was also incapable of it.

The cave was one heck of a hell hole.  Almost as if I were buried alive. It was hard to believe that only yesterday, we were happily spending Christmas in my house together with my family and Mark for the first time.    It already seemed like ages ago.

But what I found worst of all was the absence of Mark’s voice in my head.

I desperately wanted and needed to hear the soft murmrurs of assurances, even the sound fo his derisive snorts which usually never failed to get under my nerves---was gone.

Too much of a coward to allow myself to dwell on what, that could possibly mean, I forced myself to momentarily blot out the cold, clamminess setting on the back of my hands, spreading outwardly, the silent emptiness of the cave and the rubbery trhing I could feel, was hovering just a few inches above my head, waiting for the right moment to strike…

Insated I wiiled myself to think of the past few days and all that occurred when I visited my mom aqnd my sisters at Christmas.  Mark’s image a repetitive specter in my memory.

I remembererd vividly, the long hours we spent on the floor of the living room putting items on boxes, wrapping colorful paper and ribbons around it.

Helping Karen hang the Christmas decorations on the chrismas tree, running with glee outside as we all three sisters got into a snowball fight at the fornt yrad, squealing with delight each time the ice hits us.

All that while Mark was a silent, sometimes grumbling presence behind me.

Indeed, it might seem that he hadn’t changed at all since we became a couple but I knew better.

He still never said a great deal, he still frowns a lot and we still argue---every now and then.

 Only unlike before those  arguments were pleasantly resolved and was generously compromised. Indeed, Mark seemed less inclined to get annoyed by my antics, his countenance showing more amusement than the blank, stony ones he habitually wore.

Less stubborn in letting me have my way. Instead of the usual heavy sighs of resignation he lets out, that devastatingly gorgeous smile had taken its place.

He never broods as much as he used to. And even on the rare occasions that he does, he turns to me---not isolate himself as he was prone in doing before.

He was more open in letting me know about his work-related affairs. (  he still goes from time to time, every evening toward one spot under his influence to attend a meeting or help smoothen out a new trouble some, reckless young vampires had caused.)

He was seldom the one to bring it up of course. Unless it was something that was obviously etched on his face and denying it was pointless.

Hr really had improved much better than when I first met him. Or maybe I had gotten so enamored of him that even his smallest faults were easily forgiven.

Regardless of the reason, I was never the happiest than when I’m with him.

He was a being that provides an endless fascination for me. 

I no longer blame his perfect physical attributes for it---I finally surrendered myself to the frustrated attraction I always held for him.

If I were to explain exactly what it was that inevitably drew me to him I would only be a huge failure.   Because no amount of words would come even close to describing how much he had come to mean to me---because if I attempt to do so, would bring him no justice.