Prince of Darkness II: Cold Heart

Chapter 2

Vincent glared, "If you think I'll do that then you're mad. The last thing I want to do is help a witch."

Crossing her arms, Alexandria sneered, "Do you have some kind of problem with my kind?"

"Not personally. I just don't see one good reason why I should help anyone who captured me," the Halfling hissed.

The witch snarled, "I don't see why. I thought a gentleman was supposed to help a lady." Not that any man I've ever met has ever been a gentleman.

Vincent glared at the woman, rage burning in his dark eyes. Who did she think she was? Did she honestly think he would just help her without a second thought? Gritting his teeth he stood from the bed. "I'm not going to help you."

Alexandria took a step back, as if shocked. The Halfling scoffed. Was this woman not used to rejection? Did every man she met just fall over themselves to help her with whatever she needed? Assessing her form, he decided they probably did. With her curvaceous figure, heart-shaped face and seductive eyes, even he had to admit she was a beautiful creature. He didn't doubt that most men, especially mortals, would do anything she asked of them.

"Why will you not help me?" Alexandria asked softly, interrupting his thoughts.

The hybrid rolled his eyes, bored with the witch. "Can't you get it through your head? I have no intention of helping you because you have not been polite to me at all."

The woman scoffed, "Haven't I? You have not exactly been terribly polite towards me, either."

Vincent clenched his hands into tight fists, "For God's sake woman! If you wanted me to be polite, then why did you capture me?"

"Weren't you listening to me earlier? I said  that it was too dangerous to talk there!" snapped the witch.

The Halfling crossed his arms. Raising an eyebrow, he asked in mock curiosity, "Really? What could possibly be there that a great and powerful witch couldn't handle?"

Alexandria, desperately wanting to change the topic, questioned. "What is your name? Since you asked for mine, I assumed it was only fitting to ask for yours."

"It's Vincent," he answered curtly. "You mean to tell me that you captured me and asked for my help, yet you didn't even know my name?"

The witch clenched her fists, "It's complicated. Now..."

"No. I'm not listening to you. I'm leaving, witch, and don't even think about stopping me." The Halfling headed for the door.

Alexandria shook her head, "You can't leave. It's not safe out there."

Vincent scoffed, "Watch me." His hand grasped the doorknob...only to have it nearly burn his hand. The hybrid cursed, jerking his hand away. Whirling around to the witch behind him, he narrowed his eyes. "You know I could just break down the door, right?"

Alexandria crossed her arms, "But what if I make the entire door burning hot like the doorknob?"

Vincent took a slow, threatening step forward. "Are you challenging me, witch?" he asked, voice deadly soft.

The woman didn't even flinch. "Yes," she hissed. Did the hybrid really think he could frighten her? She'd encountered men worse than him.

 The Halfling sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I'll play along. Why do you want my help?"

Alexandria answered, "I need your help to get me back to being the highly respected woman I once was, and not a criminal."

Vincent's expression softened when he saw the pain in her eyes, even though she tried her best to hide it. He may have hated her, but honour forbid him from leaving a lady that was hurting. "What did you do to become a criminal?"

"I don't wish to speak about it," she replied, malice in her voice. The last thing I want to talk about is that horrid man!

The assassin nodded, "I understand. But it would help if you..."

"No! I will not tell you!" snapped the witch. Alexandria glowered at him, "I am already upset with you, so I suggest you do not argue with me."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. With an over-confident smirk, he challenged, "Or what?"The woman growled, preparing to attack. However, a voice inside her mind screamed, No! You cannot harm him! You're bound to each other, remember?  Calming herself, Alexandria hissed, "You're lucky I am unable to hurt you."

The Halfling questioned, "Why? I assumed your kind did whatever pleased them."

The witch snarled, "Well there are rules. We cannot harm our Familiars, for one."

Vincent went silent. She's tricking you, she's got to be! Swallowing, he growled, "Well that's just too bad, witch. Because, weather I'm your Familiar or not, I don't want you."

Alexandria's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "Wh-What?"