Counting Stars

Chapter 23

Juliette's P.O.V.

"How dare you say this is for me? For "us"?" I tell him. "Who do you think you are? You stalk me, take me away from my life, and now threaten the life of my mother so that I won't run away. What kind of sick person are you? And just so we are clear, there is no and never will be an "us"."

His expression is blank. I don't know what he's thinking, but I would rather keep it that way. I don't want to know what he wants to do to me for speaking out to him like that. But it doesn't matter. He deserved it and I do not deserve this. I do not deserve to be kept as some kind of play thing for him.

Peter's expression stays the same. "You do love me. Stop being so stubborn. I don't want to do anything drastic."

"Peter, I refuse to love someone who is trying to force their love on me. You have done horrible things and are threatening to kill my mom if I don't love you. What if I can't love you? What will you do? Will you beat me? Kill me? Rape me? Kill my mother and make me suffer? WHAT? WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ME?" I scream in his face.

His expression does change a little. Hurt. I didn't know if he was hurt that I told him I might not ever love him, or because I accused  him of possibly committing any of the accusations I said before. Peter's face got really close to mine and I had to turn my head away. "I would never, in my wildest dreams think about kill you, Juliette. I would never force myself upon you. I wouldn't imagine that you would want that and I respect that. I would never want to make you suffer, but your mother's heart is the only thing that will keep you as mine."

I still did not look at him. I was too scared. I could feel the heat of his breath on my right cheek. "Please look at me Juliette." He told me softly. I knew it wasn't a question, it was a sweet way of saying a demand. But I still didn't look at him. I then felt a hand on the my jaw softly move my head in his direction.

Peter's eyes were not the normal, dark green that I have grown scared and use to, but are mix of the dark green and the light, sweet green that they can be. I don't know what emotion to connect this coloring with. It has an emotion all it's own. "I just want you to try. Yes, I know I am going to the extreme to get your love, and I know it may seem as you say "sick", but I am sick. I am love sick for you. You are the cure. Your love is the cure. I will go to whatever lengths I must to get the cure." He tells me in all seriousness.

"Peter, this is-" I stop mid-sentence, hissing to some odd pain. It was coming from my wrist. It ran up my arm.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"My wrist and arm hurt a lot. They sting."

He quickly unties my wrist behind from behind my back and brings them in front of me. I look at them with shock.

The black thing in my veins had spread up my arm. I start to think it's a little more serious than Peter had led on. "Peter, what is that?"

I look up at him and he has a worried look on his face, but then is changes instantly. "It's okay. It's nothing."

"Peter, you cannot tell me that there is something black in my veins and that it's okay because it's nothing. I doubt this is nothing. Tell me what it is."

"When you ran, you probably scratched yourself on something but trust me, I have seen this before. It's nothing to lose sleep over, okay?" I don't believe him, but I just nod my head. I don't really have much of a choice at the moment. "You just need to rest it off. Get some rest and I will bring you food later, okay?" Again, I nod.

Peter helps me into the bed and pretty much tucks me in. He gave me a small kiss on the forehead and went down the latter.

I still feel the pain of my black veins running up my arm. What's going on?

Pan's P.O.V.

The dream shade is spreading faster than I had imagined it would. But that's okay. It shouldn't be long before it reaches Juliette's heart. Then I will make her mine forever.

Leo's P.O.V.

I heard it all. I know everything now. Juliette is dying. I didn't even need to hear Pan say that it was dream shade to know what it was. The best part is that the poor thing doesn't even know that she is poisoned. After seeing Pan and how he is around Juliette for the past couple of days, he'll do whatever he has to in order for her to live.

I can use that to my advantage.

I think the game is going to change a little bit.