Drake Before Dracula

A restart of one of my old stories. I hope you like the new and improved version:

Drake Before Dracula

Prologue:

There is a boy in town that everyone tells their children to stay away from. My parents have grown to think that he is the son of the devil. Drake was charming, just as any devil was. He knew how to make you do what he wanted with just a simple grin. A wild young man who always did what he wanted, not caring who it hurt. Oh yes, there was certainly a reason we were warned away from him.

For years, I had done my best to avoid the young man who appeared in every shadow. It was quite hard to avoid someone who was without a doubt, the most attractive man I have ever seen. His dark hair had a simple wave to it. Dark orbs watched me every step I took. Every time he stood in a doorway, he cast a long shadow due to his tall muscular stature. With his high cheek bones and strong jaw line, he was quite beautiful.

“Esmeralda, are you going to ignore me once again?” Drake asks as he follows me on my walk to the baker.

I choose not to say anything. If I did reply to him Father would find out and he would not be happy. I've disappointed my father enough as it is, especially after the death of my twin brother- the child that he had been looking forward to.

“Little Miss Esmeralda Korzha, always the obedient child. Too bad doing whatever papa tells you won't earn you his love.” he says.

I turn to him. “Stay the hell away from me!”

“Oh, she does speak.” A grin spreads from ear to ear. He looks down at me with his dark eyes. “Here I thought I was going to have to kiss you to get a reaction.”

I gasp. “You will do no such thing!”

“I think you would enjoy it.” he assures me.

“No, I would not. Kissing is something that is supposed to be for your husband, not for some ass of a troublemaker.” I cross my arms over my chest.

He clutches his chest. “You wound me with your words, love.”

“I am not your love. Just leave me the hell alone!” I cry out in frustration. I turn to storm away from him.

Drake wraps his arms around my waist, preventing me from moving away from him. “Now, now, let's not run off. Have a little fun, Esme.”

“Don't call me that.” I try to break free of his grasp. “That's not my name.”

“Well, it could be. It is just a shortened version of Esmeralda.” he tells me. “Stop struggling, it will only cause you to tire out more quickly.”

I stop moving, staring up into his dark eyes. “Why won't you just leave me alone?”

“I need a friend, and you are the only person who doesn't run away from me.”

“Why would you want a friend?”

“I'm not the heartless bastard everyone thinks I am, love.” With that said, he releases me from his grasp. It only takes a moment before he disappears from sight.

I will never understand him. Drake is a mystery to everyone. The thing that surprises me the most is that he wants a friend....but why me?