Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER SEVEN: Intrigued

That shower was amazing. Running my fingers through my wet damp hair, I wiped the steam off the mirror and started to get dressed in the same clothes I wore when I first walked into the hotel. Afterwards, I grabbed my wallet off the nightstand and walked out the door with the key to my room tucked away in the back-pocket of my jeans as I passed by an elderly couple on my way down the hallway.

But once outside, I still hadn't figured out what I wanted to do in terms of relaxation. I didn't want to go back to the castle. There was nothing to do there except maybe listen to my own thoughts. I stared at the pub across the street instead. The same pub were a week ago, a handsome stranger took me into the stockroom and deliberately tried to kiss me. He had won, obviously. Not because he was a good kisser. But because I couldn't tear myself away.

Was I ashamed? Yes. Did I enjoy it? More or less. Would I kiss him again if given another chance? I don't know. Dealing with confusion was something that clearly wasn't my strong suit. The door to the pub opened as a drunken local stepped out, his words slurring, not making much sense as he tried to sing a song. I decided that going out for just a tiny little drink wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

Looking both ways before crossing the street, I dashed across the short distance between the two buildings as I opened the door and stepped into the pub. Men and women, in all shapes and sizes, came to this pub probably every night to help themselves unwind after such a long day. They were their friends, their family. Brother and sister. Husband and wife. Yet no matter the difference, any drink with just a touch of alcohol in it, brought everyone together.

I could smell the scent of cigarette smoke, see the puddles of spilled beer on the bar and a busted down old table that resembled the image of a fight breaking out just moments ago before I arrived. I made my way through the crowd as I sat on a barstool and signaled the bartender to give me a beer. After taking a swig from the long neck, I scoped out the rest of the place and noticed a change in the air.

The air was electric, making the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stand up on end. I shivered slightly at the strange sensation as my eyes landed on the corner of the room. It was dark, so I couldn't make much out but I could definitely tell that somebody sitting over there. Hands that were folded neatly rested comfortably on the edge of the table as a red curtain sat draped on top of his shoulders.

His skin was a tad whiter then my own and his green eyes burned brightly as they pierced through the darkness, shaking me to my core. He sat in the chair motionless almost as still as a statue. For a minute I had to wonder if he was real or not because not once did I see him breathing. Then I saw his eyes move toward me and I had to turn back out of guilt that he caught me staring at him.

But something told me to keep looking as I glanced over my shoulder out of the corner of my eye. He raised his hand and waved a finger. Was he talking about me? I wasn't sure. So I decided to take a chance and slid down off the barstool as I left my beer and made my way over to him. The chair sitting opposite him slid out as he gestured for me to have a seat. I sat down and almost had a heart attack as I caught a glimpse of his face.

No gene pool in today's modern society ever looked quite like this. His face was ruggedly handsome with a square jaw, neatly trimmed facial hair and a straight-edge nose. In other words, he would've been made famous as a male model or as an actor. Suddenly, a strange warmth blossomed in the center of my chest the more I stared at him. And his voice, oh, my God! His voice was very much Romanian and it had a deeper base to it that just seemed to pull me in from out of nowhere.

"Hi."

I smiled, blushing a little. "Hello."

"You must be new. I've never seen someone quite like you before in a place quite like this."

"Yes, I'm new. I moved here about a week ago."

"Well then, let me be the first to welcome you to Transylvania. I hope you will enjoy your stay."

"Thank you."

"May I ask your name?"

"Nathan."

His body relaxed as he sat back against the chair, his hands sliding off the table. "Nathan. Mmm. Very nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

I pulled out my phone and glanced at the time. It was almost midnight! Wow. Amazing how fast time flies. I got up from my seat as I bid the handsome man farewell. Not knowing if I would ever see him again.

"It was very nice to meet you but I'm afraid I must be going."

"Where to?" He asked.

"My hotel room."

"Oh? Not staying at your own place tonight?"

"I would. But that's a long story in its self."

"I wouldn't mind hearing it."

I hung my head in silence. I was getting tired of telling this story. "My aunt use to live here a long time ago, where she had a castle up on the side of the mountain. Then when she passed away, I became the sole heir of her entire estate. But when I arrived and toured the castle, I realized that it was in desperate need of repairs. So I hired an out of town Construction Company to come and start working on the place only to realize that they had suddenly left. Apparently, the whole town believes that the castle is haunted."

"And, where is this castle?"

I pointed out the window behind him. "Just up there."

"Ah. Castle Dracula."

"You know it too, huh?"

"Very much so. But do me a favor. Don't believe what these people tell you."

"Good to know. Good night—"

"Dracul."

"Dracul. Boy, that's quite a mouthful. Well it was nice to meet you, farewell."

I turned to leave as I felt his hand touch mine and a blast of raw energy flooded my veins like a tidal wave that nearly swept me off my feet.

"Wait!" He said. "Can I see you again?"

It took me a minute to find the words to speak as his hand was still holding mine. "How about tomorrow?"

"That's perfect," he smiled. Revealing a set of pearly white teeth. "Then I shall wait for you tomorrow night in the center of town."

"Uh-huh. Yes."

His fingerswere the last to leave my skin as the strange feeling left my body. Surely Ifelt out of place as I left the pub and walked back across the street to myhotel room. I slowly made my way up the stairs and grabbed my room key out ofmy back-pocket as I inserted it into the lock and turned the handle. And like azombie, I shut the door behind me as I collapsed on the bed and passed the fuckout.

Author's Note: Hoped you guys enjoyed the new chapter! :) And thank you all so much for making Dracula's Groom reach 12k reads in such a short amount of time!!! Think we can make it to 20k?! Let's do it.