Her Price (on hold)

Chapter 12

Sunday, July 7,2012

 

I was running through the forest feeling alive and exhilarated! The forest was different than I remember. The green of the trees and grass was brighter almost neon in color. The sun was a golden yellow and the sky was a light shade of blue.

I came upon a small clear stream. I bent down and pressed my cupped hands into the cool clear water. I lifted my hands to my lips and the water was refreshing and delicious.

I looked down at the surface of the water and spotted my reflection. My hair was longer and you could see the light brown and auburn highlights. I had on a knee length white cotton dress. My skin was almost glowing!

I smiled at my reflection and that's when I noticed something odd. My mouth looked different. When I bent closer to get a better look I noticed my incisors were sharper and longer. I touched one tip hesitantly.

"Ouch!" I looked down at my finger and there was a spot of blood on the tip. I felt my feeling of peace flee and a new feeling of yearning took over me. I felt like I was thirsty, incredibly thirsty. I tried to shake the feeling off and went to wash my hand off in the stream and that's when I caught sight of my eyes.


My pupils were dilated and the green around was pointed out in a spiral pattern.


NO! That can't be right. Those aren't my eyes, it isn't possible!


I jumped up and again began to run through the forest. It was no longer bright and beautiful but the trees looked rotten and the sky was filled with dark storm clouds. I didn't know why I was running I just knew I had to get away!


I ran and ran and ran but no matter how far I got I knew I couldn't get away. You can't run away from yourself.


I stopped and fell to the ground holding my self up with my hands. I began sobbing uncontrollably. That wasn't me, that couldn't be me.


I was so wrapped up in my hysterics that I didn't realize the storm clouds had rolled away and the forest had returned back to it's vibrant green.


I felt I light touch to my shoulder. I turned my head to where the hand resided from., I followed the arm up and was met by a pair of deep blue eyes.....



The first thing I noticed was I felt groggy and hungover. I could feel sunlight on my face. I went to pull the covers over my eyes to get more sleep and realized my cover felt different. I slowly opened my eyes and looked down. The bed I was in was definitely not my own.



Where the hell am I? My mind was a bit foggy. I started to recall the events of the last night. Then it all came back to me.



The hallway guy, the red headed woman and Aiden telling me he was.....was.....A VAMPIRE!



"Oh my god!" I sat there for a second stunned.



Vampires don't exist, Vampires don't exist.

I kept repeating over and over in my mind. There has to be a logical explanation for everything. How fast he is and his eyes.



I tried to go through possible scenarios in my mind but none of them made any sense. Except for the fact he may be telling the truth!



But that's not possible. Creatures like that don't exist. The just don't.



Maybe Aiden used his money and experimented on himself making his eyes change color like that but that still doesn't explain his speed.



I took deep breaths trying to calm myself. Ok let's just say Aiden is telling the truth and he is a ......Vampire. Based on the movies I've seen it would mean he couldn't tolerate sunlight, hates garlic, crosses, and wooden stakes and the worst of all; he survives on human blood!



But I've seen Aiden during the day and his skin is slightly tanned. I also saw him drink a glass of champagne at the event last night. So No, he was lying and he isn't a vampire. He's just some crazy millionaire who has let his mind believe he's a vampire!



Coming to a reasonable conclusion that he is definitely not a vampire a feel better for a moment. But then I realize I'm alone in a crazy guy's mansion!


I have to get the hell out of here!


I throw the covers off of me and jump out the bed. I look down at myself and I'm wearing a deep green lace nightie that reaches to my mid thigh. "What the hell?"


Before I can began searching for my clothes I hear a knock at my door.


I jump at the sound and my heartbeat triples it's rhythm. I jump back into bed, lean against the headboard and pull the cover up to my neck and take 3 deep breaths and release them. I school my expression.


"Come In" I call out timidly.


The door opens and Aiden walks in carrying a silver tray with covered dishes. My eyes are immediately drawn to him and I look him over. Wow! Even after knowing this man is a Lunatic with a capital L. I can't help but be attracted to him.


He's wearing snug blue jeans that are faded and frayed, a white sleeveless ribbed shirt and has on a silver rope necklace that hangs low to his chest. My mouth goes a little dry at how appealing he looks.


He slowly strides towards me and lays the tray at the end of the bed. He then comes closer to me and gently sits on the side of the bed facing me.


He looks at me for a while not saying anything. I think he expects me to become hysterical or start yelling at him. But honestly I feel like I don't have the energy.


My last few days have been filled with nothing but drama and I'm just exhausted from it.


So I sit there watching him as he's watching me. We both remain silent.


He then turns and brings the tray of food closer to me. I reach out and grab a drink that looks like orange juice. Aiden is still eyeing me warily. I avert my eyes from him and take a tentative sip. It tastes great.


"Thank you" I say shyly.


Aiden's shoulders seem to lose some tension when he hears me speak.



"How are you feeling?" He asks lowly.



"I feel okay. A little groggy maybe, but overall good."


He looks relieved at my statement. But it's hard to tell because his face is so unreadable.



I gather my courage and say " Thank you for letting me stay last night, but my parents will be back later today and I think I need to leave."



I don't get out the bed because I don't want to want to him to see my barely there nightie.



He furrows his brow at my statement and replies " Your Welcome, but I think we need to finish our conversation before you leave."



"I don't think that will be necessary." I reply through gritted teeth.



His mouth quirks a little, at my anger I suspect.



"Alexus , due to the incident last night, people will associate your name with mine and I cannot let you leave until you know what you are dealing with."



To say that I'm enraged at this point, would not fully describe my level of anger. "What do you mean you can't let me leave?" I don't give him time to answer. "I don't want to hear anymore of your lies about vampires and shit! I think you are a crazy psychopath who has convinced himself he's Special and I don't want to spend another second in your presence unless it has to do with work!"



By the time I finish shouting at Aiden I'm breathing heavily. I look closer at his face and notice his eyes are averted to my chest. I guess while I was ranting I didn't notice that I sat up from the headboard and the cover had fallen to my waist.



I jerk the cover back up and glare at him. He swallows and I notice his adam apple bob. He looks back at me and his expression is calm, too calm. He stands and makes his way to right beside the headboard he then sits on the bed, his hip is touching mine through the cover. He leans over me and puts both arms on either side of my head trapping me. He lowers his head slightly and looks into my eyes.


"You saw for your own eyes last night what I am, why don't you believe that I am telling you the truth?" His voice is husky. I answer breathlessly.



"You cannot be a vampire. For one, Vampires can't go out in the daylight. The second reason is because I can see your reflection In a mirror and the third is I have seen you drink regular champagne and vampires are only suppose to live on blood!"



He smirks slightly at me but doesn't move his position. "Every reason you just listed is a myth perpetuated by vampires themselves. Back in the old days we wanted people to believe we couldn't walk in the sun so that when we attacked someone during the day, no one would consider themselves in danger, We aren't undead as you would believe, we are alive. Our heartbeats are much slower than that of a normal human. We eat regular food because we need nourishment from the food as a human does. And as for the reflection, well that one we made up just for fun."



His expression or voice doesn't change during the whole conversation. I'm still not buying any of this shit.



"If you're a vampire why don't you have fangs then and you haven't tried to drink my blood."



His face changes to a more serious expression and replies "The only time a vampire's fangs come out is when he is about to fight or when he is about to feed. And the reason I haven't tried to take your blood is because I don't have to. I only feed from the willing."



Yeah Right! "So if I were to .... give your permission to drink my blood....You would do it?"



He stares at me for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing every character of my face.



"Would that be the only way for me to convince you?"



I think about if for a moment and since I Know he is definitely NOT a vampire I say "Yes."



He removes his hands from the headboard, slowly stands up and says "so be it"



"I had some clothes your size brought in for you last night. Get dressed and meet me in my study in an hour and I'll convince you then."



He swiftly turns and strolls out the bedroom without a second glance.



I am finally able to take a full breath since he's been in here. I throw the covers off the bed and walk over to a dresser where I see some clothes. It is a dark blue sundress with matching bra and underwear and a pair if blue toms. I grab the clothes and go to the adjoining bathroom. I turn the shower on and get it to the temperature I like. I take a quick shower and get dressed. I brush my hair and scrunch it a little and keep it down instead of putting it up.



I look at myself in the mirror, take a deep breath, release it and walk out of the bathroom.



I mostly pace back and forth in the bedroom. I check my phone and notice the hour is up. I walk out of the room and try to find my way to his study. I take a few wrong turns, but finally manage to find the dark wooden door. I knock tentatively and hear a deep voice say "Enter".



I take a deep breath, open the door and walk in......



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Picture on the side is the bed that Lexa woke up in.