My Vampires

Chapter 2

 
???
"What are you doing there?"

Kira
"...Who's there?"

It was a man with jet-black hair. Tips as silver as the stars outside. He spoke to me in French, albeit with a thick accent. Not quite Italian. Something about his mien recalled my nightmare to me. But there wasn't anything frightening about him. And is he dressed in costume? Maybe he's part of a show the Louvre is putting on? At this point, I don't care who he is.I'm glad to have found someone!

Kira
"Pardon. Do you know how to open this door? I'm trying to get back to the musée."

???
"What's that? 'Get back?' You're not telling me you came through that door?"

Kira
"That's exactly what I did. I came through the hallway, the one with all the antiques.

He took stock of me. He didn't seem to doubt my story, only his own eyes.

???
"Just what are you?"

From down the hall, I heard the soft click of the heels of fine oxford shoes. "Could that be the gentleman I met?" I thought to myself.  I could use a familiar face right now.
And more help getting this door to open.

Kira
"Excuse m-"

The dark-haired man clapped a hand over my mouth and swept me into his arms. "What is he doing?!" I questioned. He pulled me behind the long curtains, hiding us, his back flat against the wall. "Is he hiding me or himself?"  I trembled in his arms. But he held me gently.

???
"I won't hurt you. Just for now, don't make a sound."

Half shadowed, half illuminated in moonlight, he was a living painting in chiaroscuro. His features were all in contrast. Slender face with a firm jaw. Sharp tufts of hair that looked soft as silk. Eyes of bright jade that met mine without shying away. Powerful eyes. Eyes that made me trust him. " I still don't know what's going on here." "But he's not lying to me." I nodded, and he uncovered my mouth. "What are we hiding from? The man coming down the hallway? Why?" After a moment, the dark-haired man spoke.

???
"They're gone." 

He was right. I couldn't hear the echoes of footsteps anymore.

???
"I'll answer your questions later. You need to escape before the others find you."

We stepped out from the curtain. He took my hand, his grip firm, and began walking. Escape? What exactly is this place that I need to escape from it?..What happens here? I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.

???
"We'd better run. Don't let go of my hand."

There was one thing in this mansion I wasn't afraid of-him. He's done nothing but try to help me. I held his hand tight. If someone could get me out of this, I thought, it would be him.

qq???
"By Jove, what's this?"

The door ahead of us opened and a man stepped out. He struck a casual pose, stuffing his hands in his pockets. My savior clicked his tongue. I knew what that sound implied. We'd been caught.

???
"I don't know who let this sweet little bird into the mansion, but from what I can deduce...you're helping her escape." "Now, why would you go and do that?...I rather fancy her type, you know.  She looks absolutely scrumptious."

He'd blocked off our exit in the smoothest of fashions. And his eyes fastened on me with obvious fascination. Scrumptious, am I? He's British, isn't he? Although he's got a bit of a brogue.

???
"Ah, maybe you fancy me too, judging by the way you're looking me over."

He's also a rotten flirt! He ran his tongue over his lips in a very purposeful gesture.