Sanctuary

Chapter 1

He awoke quickly. Somebody had entered the chapel, entered his territory, he could sense it. Sitting up he sighed, nobody had dared disturb the church of Alcarta for a number of years now, and tonight was no exception. He would seek out who it was and make them face the consequences. Running a hand through his hair he got out of bed and made his way to the hallway just outside of his bed chamber. Closing his eyes and inhaling deeply he began to seek out the trespasser. He smiled and opened his eyes, the grand hall beside the main entrance was where it was.

He moved swiftly, almost like a feline. It would be impossible for him to be detected. What humans lacked in grace he gained, he supposed it was an advantage. As he reached the hall he stopped and listened, the only thing he was able to hear was the quite resting heartbeat of the human behind the door he was about to open. Slowly he opened the door to find a small body layed on the cold marble floor. The girls breathing was shallow, she was asleep. He moved closer as his interest was peaked, stopping about a foot away from her to get a closer look.

She was petite and fragile looking, like a porcelain doll. Her warm brown hair fell in waves matted with sweat down her back. Her creamy white skin glistened with the candlelight that was surrounding her. A white silk robe wrapped around her form but did nothing to cover what lied underneath as he was easily able to identify the curve of her breasts and backside. Her feet were bare and covered in dirt. He suddenly became intruiged with the women. He found it odd that she wasnt wearing shoes. Crouching down beside her he toke in her facial features, from her clear complexion and furrowed brow to her cute button nose and full lips. However there was something else that got his attention. There was bruising on the girls right cheek, it was swollen and raw, somebody had struck her. He clicked his tongue in disgust, it explained why she wasnt wearing shoes he supposed.

As gently as he could he scooped the girl up into his arms, being careful not to hurt her as he didnt know where else she might me injured. She stirred, her small hand fisting the fabric of his t-shirt tightly, a whimper escaped her lips. He stared down at her and smiled, she was indeed beautiful, he could get used to a face like hers to keep him company. Shaking his head to clear it of the clouded thoughts he was beginning to think of. He made his way to the spare bedroom in which he softly placed the girl under the cool bed covers. For a moment he stood and just looked at her in admiration, she seemed brave, that was clear enough from the bruises showing on numerous part of her body.

Sighing he departed ways from the girls sleeping form. Reaching his bedroom door he leaned against it, banging his head on the hard wood. What was he to do now?

...

Julia awoke in a place unfamiliar to her, she remembered passing out from exhaustion in the main hall of the chapel. So why was she waking up in a bed that she knew she wasnt in before? Somebody must have placed her there, it was the only explination she could come up with at that moment in time. Her body ached massively as she replayed last nights events in her head, she remembered everything. Remembered how barbaric Enriquo was and how much she wished she could kill him.

She felt worn out and deflated, like she'd gone ten rounds in a boxing ring, mentally she supposed she had. Taking a deep breath Julia took in her surroundings. The room was not small but not large either. The walls were a dark colour as was the floor, a large oak four poster bed centered against one wall, a mirror hung on the other. There was no adjoining bathroom and no sorce of light but the candle that burned on a bedside table. Throwing the covers off her body Julia realised with relief that she was still clothed, she was thankful for the person that had heard her cries and helped her in her time of need. She would be forever in their debt.

As soon as Julia stood she was in pain. Walking over to the mirror she pulled her robe to one side to examine her injuries, they were worse than she could of ever imagined. Bruises covered her cheek and stomach from where she had been struck, a handprint adorned itself around her ankle from the severity of his grip. Dried blood clung to her skinless knuckles and her head was tender in the place where her hair had been ripped from it. She felt dirty at the thought of him all over her. She debated telling someone but what good would it do, people would say she deserved it, or just wouldn't believe her to begin with. She decided she would rather not go through the humiliation, she been through enough already. No longer wanting to see just how much of a mess he'd made her, Julia wrapped her robe around herself and went in search of a bathroom, so she could wash away the memory of last night, the memory of Enriquo.

The hallway was a great deal colder than the room she had just exited. Julia had been wondering halls for the past 15 minutes looking for a bathroom, shed searched several rooms but hadnt found one yet. She stopped as she reached the door at the end of the corridor, walking around had taking more out of her than she expected. She hadn't eaten or drank anything in at least 12 hours and it was beginning to effect her, the only thing she wished to do was trap herself in the confines of a shower and cry until she could no longer.

Julia looked around the corridor to ensure that no one was watching her before she turned the brass door jam and gently pushed it open. Behind the door was another bedroom, much like her own but a little larger. The bed was un made, indicating that someone had slept in there. The room was bathed in darkness making it difficult for Julia to see, but it didnt phase her. She was used to it from the countless amount of times in which she'd spent her nights sat in the darkness of her apartment from her inability to pay her electrical bill.

Whilst her eyes scanned the room Julia noticed a door in the far corner. She smilled, with the hopes of the being a bathroom on the other side she stepped futher in the room.

The bathroom was impressive to say the least, Julia would not of expected such a sophisticately furnished room in a place like a chapel. The claw foot tub caught her attention instantly as she would of liked nothing more than to take a long soak, but thats not what she needed, she needed to shower urgently. Looking around she caught sight of the large walk in shower cubicle. After closing the door she slipped off her robe and began to run the water, she soon followed sliding the door closed behind her.

The hot water was blissful and relaxed Julia immediately, it was as if her tension seemed to evaporate under its warm caress. Her head slid forward of its own accord as the water streamed down Julia's worn back. She hissed as the water made contact with the grazes and cuts that were scattered across her knuckles. She braced her palms against the cold glass and closed her eyes as she welcomed the pain, she was glad that she was feeling something . Although it hurt it was better than alternative of feeling nothing as if she was an emotionless void.

Julia cut off the water supply as soon as she was finished, the cold air hit her like a tone of bricks now she no longer had the warmth of the hot water on her skin. She shivered as she reached for something to wrap around her body. She settled for a towel that was placed on a rack beside the sink. It was soft but did nothing to cover her as it cut off just below her rear.

"It'll have to do" she murmered to herself.

Turning the door handle Julia began to exist the bathroom when she collided with something warm and hard. She recoiled from the contact without even realising, the fright it gave her almost forced her to drop her towel, she would have been naked if it wasnt for the death grip she was holding it with.

Julia looked up and was met with a pair of extrodinary pale green eyes staring back at her in amusement. The man was rather tall, definitely over 6 foot she would of thought. Julia barely reached the middle of his chest which she could tell was muscular and toned underneath the black dress shirt that he wore, it was obvious that he was physically fit. Julia held her breath as she took in his face, his features were chiseled from cheek to chin and his lips were full. His green eyes were framed by dark lashes and brows, as was his hair which fell across his forehead and curled at the middle of his neck. He was too rugged to be beautiful but he was very handsome.

Julia laughed and shook her head, when she looked up again he was staring at her, his hand outstretched with a smile upturning his lips. She reluctantly placed her small hand in his large one and shook it.

"Im Julia" she whispered so quietly she thought she was the only one that had heard.

"Rafael" he replied softly.