Finding Home - The Light

Chapter Twenty Nine - Hot and Cold

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Hot and Cold

Vlad surprised Sara by letting her sleep in the small adjoining bedroom that night. Though it was still only a door away from him, she at least had some semblance of privacy. She frowned when he secured her chains tightly to the headboard, but chose to take say nothing. His bright blue eyes filled her sight as he leaned in close to her. She ignored the warmth that spread through her when he gently pressed his lips to her forehead.

“Goodnight, Sara,” he whispered softly into her ear before leaving her alone in her new room.

Sara rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, trying to enjoy the small respite she had been given. After an hour of tossing and turning as much as her chains would allow, she finally fell into a restless sleep.

Vlad surprised her yet again when he removed the metal cuffs from her wrists in the morning. She rubbed her sore arms, looking up at him with questioningly.

“If you try anything at all, your friends will die,” he said coldly. “And I promise you, it will not be a fast death.”

Sara bit her bottom lip as she nodded her reply. She was confused by his hot and cold behavior, but she knew her friends would be the ones to suffer if she made a mistake. When Vlad held his open hand out to her, she hesitated, looking down at his smooth palm.

“I will not force you accompany me,” he said, dropping his hand to his side. “If you prefer, you can spend the day here.”

“Why the sudden change of heart, Vlad?”

Sara bit her lip again as a dark look flickered briefly across his face. He sounded annoyed with her when he answered.

“There is no reason for us to be enemies.”

Sara laughed, but it felt half-hearted. “Um, I think you wanting to drain me of my powers is reason enough.”

“The choice is yours, come or stay.” He walked away without looking back.

Sara glanced at the menacing looking guards standing on either side of the open doorway before she made up her mind. She was panting by the time she caught up to Vlad at the head of the stairs. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest when he looked down at her with a small smile. She didn’t hesitate to accept his arm when he held it out for her this time. She ignored the warmth that was pouring from his body into hers and walked down the stairs unchained beside him.

Sara followed Vlad to his study after a short breakfast, where he would most likely spend the morning pouring over papers silently at his desk. She took advantage of her freedom by exploring the vast bookshelves that lined the walls of the study as Vlad held his head low over his desk. She stumbled upon a book titled “Elementals: Where Did They Go?” and pulled it from the shelf. She sat in an oversized chair and tucked her knees under her to settle in for a long read.

She was lost in her book when Vlad called her name from across the room. She jumped, dropping the book.

“Yes?” she asked, retrieving the book from the floor, checking for any damage.

“Would you like to eat?”

Sara looked at the window, surprised to see the fading light of sunset streaming in. She glanced at Vlad as she stood to put the book back onto the shelf to see his blue eyes watching her intently. Her stomach rumbled loudly, answering his question and causing her cheeks to burn when she turned to face him. His broad smile took her breath away as he took her hand, tucking it safely in his arm before leading her from the room.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Sara started to enter the noisy room full of soldiers already eating when they reached it, but Vlad pulled her past the door.