A Thousand Year Obsession ✔

39. Count The Cost

39. Count The Cost

My eyes slid open slowly and I lifted my head, frowning as I searched the darkness surrounding me for anything, but all I could see was black. Then suddenly, a curtain across the room was torn open and sunlight flooded the space. I shrieked, my hands flying to cover my eyes as I cringed into myself. A low chuckle filtered through the room.

"You know, for the one supposed to be vampiric, I act a lot less like the legends than you do."

My hands lowered as my eyes slowly adjusted to the light and my gaze locked on the form of a man standing in front of the window. He smirked at me, his crimson eyes sparkling lightly. I glanced down at the four poster bed I lay on, running a hand through my tangled hair before I inspected the circular bedroom. Alexander started towards me and my head snapped up. I shoved the blankets away from me and stumbled onto the cold stone floors. I glanced to my right where I noticed a tall dark wood door and carefully shifted my back to face it.

"How did I get here?" I asked quietly.

He raised an eyebrow. "I flew you here, of course."

I shook my head. "No, why don't I remember getting here?"

He smiled slyly. "I knocked you out. I didn't want you remembering the way back to your friends."

I swallowed harshly, slowly taking small steps back.

"Oh."

His head tipped just slightly towards me. "Oh?"

I bit my lip, but didn't reply. My back hit the door and I stiffened. Then, without and ounce of hesitation, I spun around and flung the door open, pitching myself through it. But then my eyes widened as I realized a second too late my mistake, but by then I couldn't stop myself from tumbling out the doorway towards a rocky outcrop fifty feet below. A scream tore itself from my throat and fear shot through me like a bullet, striking my nerves with a thousand pounds of pure adrenaline. But before I could drop farther, two thick arms wrapped around my waist and jerked me back into the tower. I gasped as I fell backwards into Alexander's chest, but even when my feet were firmly planted back on the floor, I didn't move, my hands clutching tightly to his arms, my breath ragged and my body trembling from the shock of what almost happened.

"Well, isn't this cozy?" Alexander chuckled.

I suddenly realized who I was holding onto so desperately and pitched myself away from him. He let me go and I stumbled around, pushing myself against the wardrobe standing just a little ways from the open doorway. Alexander stared at me for a moment before turning and closing the door. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed and fixed his eyes on me.

I inhaled deeply before shakily speaking. "Why . . . on earth . . . do you not have a staircase?"

He shrugged. "I don't need it."

I gaped at him. "I do!"

"Well, not if you're staying here with me."

"I wouldn't plan on that." I muttered.

He just smirked. "Already have. Come have a seat, seeing as you won't be going anywhere anytime soon."

I didn't let go of the wardrobe, only laughed somewhat madly at the idiocy of that command.

"Ha, no." I pressed my head back against the wood and clenched my eyes shut. "I really feel like Rapunzel right now."

"Who's Rapunzel? And what kind of stupid name is that?"

I laughed incredulously and slowly sank down to the floor, lowering my head into my hands.

"Ah, don't pout, Morgana. It's nice here, I promise."