Someone was waiting for me. I could tell as soon as I approached my apartment. The door was unlocked, which was strange. I never left the door unlocked.
I poked my head in. “Hello? Is anyone there?”
“Seul enfin, ma petite jeune fille de gitan,” a voice purred. The door was slammed close behind me. I was pulled forward. Warm arms constricted around me, and I tried to shove away. A hand covered my mouth before I could scream. I kicked and thrashed, struggling to escape the man’s grip.
“Shh, calm down, my little gypsy maiden,” The man with the lion-faced mask said, holding me tighter. “I’m not going to hurt you. Unless you prefer it that way.”
“Lmmego!” I cried against his hand. I sank my teeth down into his finger. He yelped and drew back. He swung me around. I fell on my back, landing on my bed.
He stared down at me. “You’re very lucky, my little gypsy maiden. J’aime extrais feroce.” He pressed himself against me, moving close. His fingers caressed my back and touched everything they could reach without moving fabric.
“Vous regardez autant de mieux sans ce masque,” He whispered, his lips brushing my ear.
“Please,” I whimpered. “Please, no.”
My door was thrown open, crashing against the wall. The man—no longer wearing his lion mask—froze. A tall figure stepped through the doorway and fixed his gaze on us.
“I warned you, vous degoutant, batard malade,” Damien said in a furious voice. He grabbed the man’s collar and threw him off me. The disgusting man fell to the ground, weakened by the blow. Damien stepped towards him.
“No, no, please!” The man said, covering his face.
“Doesn’t that sound familiar?” Damien said bitterly. “Obtenir l’enfer d’ici avant que je vous tue. Obtenir hors! I never want to see your hideous face again. Leave this woman alone. You had better hope we do not cross paths in the future.”
The man nodded frantically and scrambled towards the door. Damien slammed the door closed after him, cursing under his breath in French. He turned towards me. He was still wearing his mask.
“I’m sorry about the door,” He said quietly. “Are you all right?”
I burst into tears. Damien opened his arms, and I ran to him. I cried and cried. He hushed me, stroking my hair.
“It’s all right,” He murmured. “I’m here. Ne pas pleurer. Je suis ici. Il n’y a pas de besoin de pleurer. Vous allez tres bien. Je suis ici.”
“I was so scared,” I whispered. “I thought he was going to ––”
“Shh,” He said. “Vivienne, it’s all right. You’re all right. I’m here.” I hiccupped. He bent down, sweeping his arm under my knees. He picked me up and laid me softly on my bed. He pressed the cool lips of the mask to my forehead and drew the blankets around me. “Dormir maintenant, Vivienne. Je vous surveillerai. Dormir et oublier.” He started to hum a lullaby under his breath.
My eyes fluttered closed. “Thank you, Damien,” I whispered.
I drifted into a dreamless sleep.
YOU ARE READING
Damien
RomanceI found this old short story on my computer and decided to put it up here~ I don't expect it to get many reads, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!
