Sinful Pleasure

11

(Read Authors Note at the end of this chapter.)

E L E V E N

"You were there. The night that Darius had bit me." It wasn't a question but more so a statement. Lightly pressing my fingers against the soft skin of my neck as the memory flashed through my mind, I shook my head. "You healed me."

Sighing, Alec leaned forward. His shoulders sagging as he did. He looked to be having an internal debate with himself. And from the strained look that surpassed his face, I could only guess that it had to be serious. If Alec had the strength, or the power to heal people then this was something that he was forbidden to share with me. Yet he took the time to show me his gift.

Biting my lip I slowly sat back down onto the lounge. Resting my hands on my lap as I looked to Alec. Who sat there running his hands through his hair. Tousling his brown locks. "I won't tell anyone." I mumbled. My voice soft and low.

At the mention of this Alec turned his attention towards me. His green eyes piercing through me with worry and surprise. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't."

Dragging my fingers along the path of my lips as if I were sealing them closed, I smiled. "My lips are sealed." I'm not sure why or what it was... but for some reason I felt as if Alec was different then the others. Not just by his gift but by his actions as well. He was kind and gracious. Willing and bold. Calm and collected. I suppose that's what drawn me to him. Or maybe it was the way he had my skin crawling with just the simplest touch or sound of his voice.

The feeling was eerie and odd being that I was a human and he was a vampire... but I still welcomed that feeling. That yearn. That thrive.

"May I ask you something?" The words slipped passed the barrier of my lips before I could stop them. "What is a sundown ritual?" Ever since the horrid look that surpassed Celia and Alice at the mere mention of it, the question has been looming over my head like a pesky fly. Even Alec seemed to be bothered by the thought of it. For his body went rigid and tense.

He looked hesitant to tell me, but with a heavy sigh he began to explain. "It's a traditional ritual that we do. More like an offering."

Frowning, I bit my lip. "An offering of what exactly?" By the skeptical look that surpassed Alec's face I instantly knew that the answer would be something I wouldn't like. Something highly unpleasant. I'm not even sure whether or not I actually wanted to know myself... but if not now then who knows when I'll actually get the answer that I'm looking for.

"A woman of pure innocence. We offer her to Beau as a... peace offering of some sort."

As Alec said this I couldn't help but frown in... disgust... hatred even. Not only were vampires ruthless creatures but they had no soul. They treated us women as if we were pawns of some sort. Scattered across some chess board for their use of entertainment. It was a sick and cruel game, yet there was nothing I could do about it.

I was trapped. Whether I like it or not, there was no way out of this.

"Who's Beau?" The questions were shooting out of my mouth like bullets out of a gun. I was curious.

"I'm not sure if I should say. I've said too much already." Alec seemed to be conflicted. He was stuck in a hard place, between helping me and sticking to their rule of keeping things secret.

It wasn't before he suddenly rose from his position on the lounge did he mumble three words. Three words that had me shaking with chills as my eyes watched him leave.

"He's a werewolf."

I've heard others talk of these werewolves, but I've had yet to have the chance to see one myself. To be honest I'm not sure I even want too. They say that their feral, vicious creatures. And just as vampires, they have no remorse... no sympathy.