I dreamed I was at home, and this was all just a nightmare. So, when I woke up with my head on Damian's chest and his arm around me, I thought it was Vincent. As I snuggled in closer and hugged him tighter, in a happy cheerful sort way, I said "Good morning."
"Good morning." His voice snapped me back into reality, and I tried not to jerk myself away. "I should play for you more often. You slept soundly."
'Oh, my God! Home was a dream. Shit.' I cleared my throat to buy myself a few seconds. "Yeah, I did. Thanks. I really needed that."
"You're more than welcome."
I started to stretch and roll away from him, hoping I was I being sneaky about getting away from. "How long did I sleep? I feel like I've been out for days."
"Almost eleven hours. It's not quite nine o'clock."
"Morning or evening?"
"Morning." He laughed.
As I started to get up, I shrugged "My days and nights are all mixed up."
As he got up and walked around to me, he said "I don't sleep much, but I could see how that would affect you. You still need a good nights sleep. Where as I don't. I'll keep that in mind."
"It's not a big deal. No worries."
"Are you hungry?"
As I started for the closet and bathroom, I yawned and said "I'm getting there."
"I'll have something here after your shower."
"Thanks."
"I'll see later today. I have a few things to take care of, but I won't be far. If anyone comes in here, just yell for me." He seemed distracted and very concerned all of the sudden.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I don't like leaving you alone. It seems every time I think it's alright to, someone else finds their way in here."
As we reached the closet door, I turned to face him. "I'll be fine. I've taken care of myself a few times. If I have to, I'll get mean."
He laughed and said "I know you can handle yourself, but I still don't like the idea of anyone else touching you. Even if you do get mean, I'd be even meaner."
I smiled and shook my head. "I'll be fine. Go."
"After I get you something to wear." He quickly grabbed a bag from the back of the closet and came back to hand it to me. "I've been waiting for you to wear this one." He smirked.
As I took the bag, I raised my eyebrows in suspicion and said "Well, you won't have to wait much longer."
He smiled and said "I'll see you this evening."
He stood there for a minute, so, as I turned to go into the bathroom, I said "Stop worrying. I'll be fine." As I shut the bathroom door, I smiled at him as nice as I could. 'I think I'm going to be sick. All this being nice to him crap is getting to me. I'm starting to believe my own lies. And that's not a good thing!'
"Just yell if you need me."
"I will. Thanks." I said as nonchalantly as I as could, thankful for the door between us. As I got in the shower, I thought 'Hopefully, I won't have visitors. ... I really need some time to think. Like how I'm going to get out of here. ... Where are Vincent, Mel, Myron, Garret and Charlotte? Are they together or not? Did Damian really let them go? ... I need a stress free day or two.' After I dried off, I opened the garment bag. There was barely enough blood red material to call it a dress! Almost no back and a low front. It stopped just above my knees, and the shoulders had about an inch wide strap to keep everything from falling off. 'No wonder he couldn't wait for me to put this on.' As I shook my head, I slipped it on and glanced in the mirrors. 'I have to admit. It does look good.' I pulled out the shoes and had to laugh. The heals where at least three inches. 'There's no way I'm wearing those.' I stuffed them back in the bag and tossed it in the closet. I tried to find the low black heals I had worn once but had no luck, so I went bare foot. 'Nothing is better than those. I'll break my neck or should I say ankle.'
I spent a few hours pacing around the room, wondering what to do and how to do it. 'I have get out of here and find them. Then, we need to hide somewhere. I'll have escape, but there's no way out of this damn room, except a heavy, locked door and the windows that are too high for me to reach or jump out of.' I shuttered at the thought of jumping off the ledge, remembering how high it was. 'I don't think I can do that again. ... Although, I'd be out of here. ... But how long would it take me to heal after that fall? ... It would probably kill me, and I'd be out for a while. ... If they found me missing or on the ground, I'd never get Damian to trust me enough to leave me alone, again. ...' I sat down at the piano, figuring I'd be alone for a few more hours, so I started to play, quietly. I tried to play Fur Elise, but I don't know how well I was doing. I was still lost in thoughts of getting out.
Time must have passed quicker than I realized because from right behind me Damian said "You're getting better."
As I whipped around and gasped "Holy crap!" He laughed quietly, and I added "You really need a damn bell."
Smiling wide, he said "I couldn't resist. I heard you playing and came in to watch."
"How long have been here?" I asked as I stood up.
"About twenty minutes."
I shook my and said "I can't believe I didn't notice."
"I can. You get lost in it. The music and whatever you're thinking about."
"Yeah. I really do, don't I?"
"What were thinking about?"
Sighing heavily, I shook my and bit my lip. "You don't want to know."
"Of coarse, I do."
Slowly, I said "I was just wondering where they might be and if they're okay."
He nodded and said "I guess I knew that already."
As I started to pace the room, I softly said "I'm really worried about them. I don't think they'd come back any time soon, but I really don't know. I hate not knowing."
"If we hear anything, I'll let you know."
"If they come back, what will you do?"
"To be blunt, I'm not giving you up without a fight."
"They won't stand a chance."
"I'll avoid a fight as long as I can. I hope you know that." When I didn't say anything, he gently grabbed my shoulders and turned me around, stopping me in my tracks near the table. "I know it would hurt you, and I don't want that. They wouldn't want anything to hurt you either. I'd have to assume, they wouldn't want to fight. They'll be more than out numbered."
"They won't care. They'd rather die trying than not try at all."
"I know, and I promise I'll do everything I can to convince them not to fight."
I lowered my head, trying not to let him see how close to tears I was. "Let me talk to them. Maybe, I can convince them not to come. I just ... I can't let them die for me."
"They won't."
"You don't know them. They'll fight." I closed my eyes and forced myself not to cry.
He softly said "Alexis, look at me." When I didn’t lift my head, he gently placed his finger under my chin and lifted my head up. "If they come, I can have Eva make them pass out. They won't die."
It was the best he could offer, and I knew it, unfortunately. "Then, I'll talk to them?"
"What would you say?"
"Anything to make them go home. Tell them I want to stay. That I'm fine."
"Will they really believe that?" He asked doubtfully.
As he let go of chin, I held his gaze and said "I honestly don't know."
"We'll know if they come here. I have people stationed all over. The airport. The train station. The bus station. And a few miles down the road. When I know, you'll know. Please don't worry about them. I promise I won't do anything to hurt them or you. That's why I let them go."
I nodded and said "Thank you for that. I guess you really didn't even have to let me know they were even here."
"Yes, I did. I knew you'd wonder about them, so I decided to be honest with you. I wanted you trust me, and I still do."
I swallowed my pride and everything in me that screamed 'I don't trust you!' "I trust you. Why do think I grabbed a hold of you before I jumped off the window ledge?" I half laughed and added "I hate heights."
He smiled and said "I didn't think about it that way. I assumed you were just doing what you thought was right."
"I was, but, in order for me to jump, I needed you. And I needed to trust in you."
As he nodded, his smile widened. "I'm happy to hear you say that." I didn't know what to say, so I forced myself to smile at him. "I like the dress. You look absolutely beautiful."
'Oh, yeah. I forgot all about this thing.' As I reddened, I glanced down and murmured "Thanks. There was no way I was wearing the shoes." I felt myself starting to relax, slightly, and couldn't even explain why. 'The combination of the dress and Damian should make me as uncomfortable as a fish out of water.'
He laughed and said "I can't blame you there." There was a knock at the door, and he called out "Come in, Eva."
As she came in with a cart full of dinner and dishes, she eyed me over and said "I told you it would look great on her."
"I take it you had something to do with this." I made a gesture at the dress.
As she set the table, she sarcastically said "Of coarse. You really think Naomi would pick out anything nice for you?"
I laughed and said "Not a chance."
Damian cleared his throat and said "She just needs some time to adjust."
"She doesn't like me. She's not going to adjust. Trust me on that one."
"Has she said something to you?"
I glanced at Eva and back to Damian. "No. I guess you'd have to female to know. We can tell when we're not liked ... or despised."
"Would you like me to talk to her?"
I shook my head and smiled. "No. It's a girl thing. We'll just avoid each other. It's fine. Really."
"She's got that right." Eva agreed as she started to leave. When she got closer to the door, she asked "Can I get you two anything else?"
"We'll be fine. Thank you, Eva."
"Thanks, Eva."
"Welcome. If you need anything, just let me know. I get board pretty easy."
"If you'd like. Maybe, you could come see sometime." I offered and jokingly added "I get pretty board pacing around the room."
As she glanced at Damian and back to me, she smiled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
"I'd like that."
"At least you two seem to be able to get along."
As she shut the door, I turned to Damian. "She seems like a really nice person. Is she?" I tried to act as if I hadn't really talked to her or been warned by her.
"She is. She has a big heart and a mind of her own." He laughed once and added "I think you'll like her. She does remind me of you a little."
As we started for the table, I asked "How so?"
"She's honest. To the point. Hates it when anyone gets hurt. Even if she doesn't really know them. Sound familiar?" He teased.
I nodded and jokingly said "No. Not at all." I started to laugh, and so did he.
"Have I mention I really like that dress?"
I stopped laughing but kept smiling. "Yeah. You did. Thanks." I said shyly. 'Am I really that ... comfortable with him here?! I shouldn't be. What the hell?! ... Eva!! ... Stupid!! Her mind control thing is worse than Damian's. I think.'
As we started to eat, he asked "How would you feel about getting out of here for a little while tomorrow?"
"I'd love to."
He smiled. "Good. It's suppose to rain, and I know how much you like the rain. I thought you might like to see one of my favorite places."
"Absolutely. Where is it?"
"A few miles from here."
"What kind of place is it?"
"It's an amazing view of the mountains. I figured it would look even better to you in the rain."
"You're probably right, but could we get there before it starts to rain?"
"Of coarse. We'll ned to leave early in the morning."
"Okay." I was actually excited to see this place. 'What is wrong with me?!' "So why is it your favorite place?"
"It has some significance to me."
"Like what?"
"My brother and I use to go there when we were young." I took a bit, so I didn't have to say anything. "We use to hunt out there. One day we ran into an old vampire, Brice, and he changed us. We never went home. We followed him, winding up here. We've been here since. A little more than a year later, we were running this place, and he 'retired', so to speak."
"Who was he?"
"Brice Mathews was one of the few people that could scare the hell out of us. Dominick worshiped him. I didn't much care for him. He was even more sadistic than my brother."
"What about you?"
"I don't do things like them. I have my own ways of dealing with things."
"Such as?"
"If there's no need to kill, then they serve their time and go. If they get out of hand and don't follow the rules, then they die. It's simple, really."
"Simple. Killing someone is never simple."
"I meant, follow the rules and live. You don't. You die. It's that simple."
I nodded and softly asked "Don't you get sick of the fighting and killing?"
"I don't enjoy it, if that's what you're asking."
"No. I mean. ... Wouldn't you rather give them a chance to do better, instead of killing them?"
"Most of the time, that's what I try to do, but the ones who don't learn the first and second time around don't get a third chance."
"You've never had it easy, have you? No one's ever given you a chance, have they?"
"No to both questions."
"I'm sorry. It must be hard to give others the chances you never had."
He nodded and sighed heavily. "Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. It mostly depends on the chance I'm giving them." I looked at him expectantly, so he added "If it's a chance to reconsider following the rules, it doesn't bother me as much. If it's giving them a second chance at a new life, it's a little more difficult."
"As in letting them go?"
"Yes. We were never let go. We were never given the choice. It seems everyone has a choice at what they want, except for me."
'And me.' I thought. "You can give yourself those chances."
"Who would take my place? Jason? Naomi? Eva? Joanna? Gregory? No one wants the responsibility. I'm stuck with it, until I find someone worthy of it, anyhow."
"Then run this place the way YOU think it should be. Not the way you were taught."
"It's not that simple."
"Why not?"
"Rules are rules."
"Some rules are meant to be changed. Some done away with completely. Others refined for the times. You're in change, like a vampire president, right? THE man in charge, right?"
"Yes."
"Then change the rules."
"I don't think it's that easy. Everyone would have free reign. That's not acceptable. Rules are in place to be followed. For every ones sake."
"I'm not talking about the rules that are crucial."
"I know what you mean. I just don't see the point in changing them."
"Isn't it obvious. ... For every ones benefit. ... Yours included."
He was quiet for a long time, lost in thought. "I'll consider it."
"That means no." I murmured sarcastically with a smirk.
He laughed once and said "The sun's setting. Would you watch it with me?"
"Sure."
He stood up and came around the table to offer me his hand. As I took his hand and stood up, he asked, mischievously, "How afraid of heights are you?"
"Very. Why?" I said hesitantly.
He started heading for the door and said "The roof is the best place to watch. You can see for miles."
"Is there room to walk around, so I don't need to be near the edge?"
As we reached the door, he slowly said with smirk "Yes."
As he opened the door, I sarcastically asked "Why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like the roof?"
As we headed up a long staircase, he snickered and offered "The view is breathtaking."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll love the view. It's the roof itself I'm not going to like, isn't it?"
As he opened a small door, he said "You'll have to tell me."
As I stepped out on the roof, I stopped and grabbed the door casing. There was about a foot wide path along the peek, and the rest was angled. "I'll just stand right here."
"You can't see the view from there." He teased and held out his hands to me.
I gave him a weary look and said "Okay. If you drop me, I'm kicking your ass."
He laughed and took my hands, jerking me into his arms. "I won't drop you." He said as he tried to hide his smile. "Trust me."
As he let go of my hand, I wrapped my arms around his neck and said "I do." The scariest part was that I did trust him, and I couldn't believe I meant it.
As he pulled my arms down and turned me around, so my back was against his chest, he asked "You really mean that, don't you?"
As I grabbed for his sides or hips or something I could hold on to, I squished myself against, terrified of the height and keeping my head and eyes up. "Yes. I do."
He gently held my waist and led me forward. "You know I won't let you fall, so why are you so afraid?"
"It's not the falling. It's the height. Falling would hurt like hell and kill me momentarily, but the height is what scares me."
He made a 'Huh.' sound and kept leading me forward. I didn't chance looking down, so I felt with my feet where to step. "We're halfway there."
"Okay."
"Are you going to be able to enjoy this?" He asked with laughter in his voice.
"After we stop moving, I should be fine."
He snickered and asked "Would you like me to carry you?"
"That might be better." As he abruptly scooped me up in his arms, I wrapped my arms around his neck and couldn’t hold back the small, startled squeak.
"Better?" He asked slyly.
"I’ll let you know when I catch my breath." I laughed.
"Fair enough." As he started to run, I buried my face between my arms and his neck.
When I felt him jump, I squeezed as hard as I could and blurted "What are you doing?!"
"Getting a better view." He snickered as he landed.
As he stood still, I slowly picked my head up and said "Not funny."
After he laughed, he said "Sorry. I couldn’t help myself."
"Is there enough room for me to stand? I'm not looking down."
"There's enough room." As he let my legs fall, he wrapped his arm around me, skimming his fingers across my bare back. "If you turn around, you'll see where we're going tomorrow."
"Okay." I let go of his neck and started to turn around, but I could quiet let go of him completely. "I might need a little help." I smiled weakly.
As he slowly slid his hands up my back to my shoulders, he turned me around and said "As you wish."
As I reached back to grab a hold of the sides of his shirt, I caught sight of the setting sun. "It's beautiful." I breathed.
Slowly, he slid his hands down my arms to my wrist, pulling me against him a little more, before he slid them across my stomach to hold me tight against him. He leaned forward and whispered against my ear "It is, now that you're here."
'Okay. This is so not good. I'm trapped on roof with him, and I can't even make myself want to let go of him. This sucks.'
We were quiet for a long while, watching the sun set, before he pointed out across the landscape in front of us and talked softly against my ear. "Do you see those hills over there? Where it looks like six of them coming together."
"Yeah." I said quietly.
"That's where we're going."
"It seems so far away."
"It's only a few miles."
"Only?"
"It takes about ten minutes to get there."
"Who else is going with us?"
"No one."
"No one? Do you think that's a good idea?"
"I don't think we'll be needing them."
"Your not worried about someone finding us out there?"
"Not really. It's still part of this property, so no one should be out there. ... Are you worried?"
"A little. I just thought they followed you everywhere."
"Most of the time, I go alone."
"Really? That doesn't seem like a very good idea."
"Why do you say that?"
"Aren't you worried about enemies?"
"Of coarse, but, if I have everyone with me, we stand out. When I'm alone, I can go unnoticed."
"That makes sense."
As the sky grew darker, and the colors of the setting sun began to fade, he said "Thank you for coming out here with me."
"Thank you for bringing me. I agree. ... It is breathtaking."
"Are you ready to go inside?"
I sighed lightly and said "Yeah."
As he slid his hands from my stomach to my arms, he said "You don't sound so sure about that."
As he gently turned me around, I said "I guess I don't really want to go back to my room, but I am getting a little tired."
He took my arms, placing them around his neck, and slid his hands down my sides to my waist. "Ready?"
'I wish I wasn't such a wimp when it comes to heights.' I nodded minutely and closed my eyes, so I didn't accidentally look down. As he slowly picked me up, I wrapped my arms tight around his neck and buried my face. After he jumped and landed, the worst feeling in the world hit me as I felt his thumb stroking the skin on my back. My skin wasn't crawling, and I didn't want to scream or tell him to 'stop'. It didn't really bother me at all. 'What the hell?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?! I should be thoroughly disgusted by this.'
He gently set me on feet and asked, hopefully "Would you like a drink?"
"That sounds really good."
He smiled and started leading the way. When we got to the door, he opened it and gestured for me to go in. "I'll just be a minute."
As I stepped into my room, I glanced up at him and said "Alright." After he shut the door, I went to the table to sit down. 'I can't even blame this on Eva. ... I trust him. ... That just doesn't seem right, but it’s what 'I' think and feel. No one else is making me think that. ... I need a drink and a good nights sleep.' Then the second worst feeling ever hit me, when I pictured Damian laying next to me, instead of Vincent. "What the hell is wrong with me!?" I scolded in a whisper. 'Where did that come from?! Why the hell would I picture HIM, instead of Vincent?! I love Vincent. Not Damian! ... Wasn't there some study done on people held captive falling for their captors? Something to do with the closeness and time or something like that... That has to explain this.' Thankfully, I heard the door shutting behind Damian as he came in because I was about to blurt 'Not good!' I turned my head to look at Damian, who was smiling from ear to ear, and couldn't stop myself from smiling back at him. "That didn't take long." I said as I reached for my drink. "You're not having one?"
"I was thinking I might have something else." He said with a hint of seduction in voice.
"You mean me."
"I was hoping so, yes."
"Do you have drain me?" I quietly asked as I closed my eyes for a long moment.
"Your blood won't change this time, will it?"
"I don't think so."
"Then, no. I don't." He softly said from behind me.
I gulped down half my drink and regrettably said "Alright."
"Do you know why your blood changes?"
"I have theory. ... When I heal someone, I don't just take and give what needs healing. I think I take a 'part' of them and give them a part me, too."
"That's an interesting theory. Why do you think that?"
"I think I take a part of them because I'm taking their pain, and what hurts them becomes my pain. I sort of replace their ailment with my undamaged self and heal the pain I take as my own."
"That's a good way to explain what you do. I never thought of it that way. ... What do think of your gift?"
"I think it's a gift and a curse at the same time."
"Why?"
"I like helping people, but I don't like the pain."
"I should have guessed that."
"If you've never felt it, it wouldn't cross your mind."
"Felt the healing from your point of view?"
"Yeah. It's pretty bad sometimes."
"Like with Isis?"
I stiffened at the memory and nodded. "He was something else. Did you see all of that?"
"Yes. I did. You were astonishing. I've never heard of a Healer being able to take objects into their own body from whoever they're healing. I was very impressed to say the least."
"So was he."
"Yes. He was. He couldn't believe it. I think he still has days were he thinks about it."
"Why do say you that?"
"I know him well enough to assume."
"You know him?"
"I sent him to you."
"You did? We thought Loucienna did?" He was quiet for several minutes, so I took a slow drink.
"How well did you know her and her followers?"
"I know enough to call them friends. They were there when we needed help and have been in and out since. Why do you ask?"
"A few of them used to work here."
"I know. One of them helped your brother get Charlotte out of the house."
"There's more than one of them still checking in with me."
"Amy and Carrie?"
"Not any longer."
I took a drink to buy myself a minute to think. 'How well DID you know them? ... Not any longer? ...' I slowly stood up and turned around to face him. "What do mean by that?"
"They stayed here for several years but decided this wasn't something they wanted to be part of."
"Why did you ask how well DID I know them?"
"They're no longer around." He said with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"What do you mean?"
He took a step closer and placed his hands on my shoulders, looking me in eyes. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell this, Alexis. They're dead."
"What? No. They can't be." I gasped and felt my heart and stomach sink. 'We just saw them maybe a month ago. They can't be. ... Unless ...' As I looked back up to him, I asked "Did you have anything do with it?"
"Not entirely."
I tried to step back out of his grip, but he wouldn't let me go. "What the hell does that mean?!"
"I had no choice. They were going to warn you that I was coming, but -"
"And you killed them for that?!"
"Let me finish. Three of them were going to kill you and the rest of them. I couldn't let that happen. Lucy, Amy, Carrie and Brett had no idea, but they were defending those who were going to hurt you. They got in the way. I'm sorry, Alexis. I didn't want it to end that way. I tried to explain it to them, but they wouldn't listen, even after I told them."
"So you're saying it was a mistake? You didn't mean to kill them? That they got in the way? And I'm supposed to be okay with this?"
"I don't expect you to be okay with it. I expect you to understand. I tried to get them to leave the three that were going to harm you and go, but they wouldn't. I ordered my followers to kill the three, first and foremost, and anyone else, ONLY if it was necessary."
"Are all of them ..."
"I'm so sorry, Alexis. We did try not to, but they wouldn't stop attacking."
I reached for the chair to sit down and asked "When?"
As he crouched beside me, he murmured "A few weeks before the hospital."
I finished my drink, closed my eyes and leaned forward to rest my head on my arms. 'No. He wouldn't just kill them, would he? His freak of brother would, but would Damian? He let Vincent and Charlotte go, why not them, too? ... I hate that I trust him. I really shouldn't, but he's been so careful not to do anything to upset or hurt me. ... At least that's he wants me to think.'
He started stroking my hair and whispered "Alexis?"
"I just need a minute." I said shakily, trying to force myself not to cry. 'This has been nothing but an emotional roller coaster ride. Every time I start to relax, he gives me shitty news or something happens. I wish I could go home.'
"I thought you knew. Myron should've known. I'm so sorry, Lex."
As I lifted my head to look at his expression, I said "Nope. He didn't. I'm sure he knows by now, though. Lucy and him were … close." He looked worried and sad, so I asked "You tried to stop them, but they kept going?"
He nodded and brushed my hair out of my face. "I swear."
"Would you swear on MY life?"
"I would." He answered quickly.
As I stood up, he did, too, and a step back. "I need to use the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute." I quickly walked away before he could stop me or say anything. After I shut the door, I grabbed a handful of tissues and let myself cry as silently as I could. After a few minutes, I knew I wasn't stopping any time soon, so I leaned against the wall and sank to the floor. I don't know how long I was in there, but, when I was finally able to get myself to stop crying, I stood up and splashed cold water over my face. 'He said he tried to stop them. Do I believe that? ... I should really tell myself no, but the sad truth is … I trust him.'
When I opened the door, Damian was standing there waiting for me. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." I said as I walked past him. "I should really get some sleep. I assume you're still thirsty."
"I am, but I can ... get something else."
"I'm fine."
"No. You're not."
'Just get it over with.' I stopped to lean against the piano and turned to face him. "I'm sad and upset, but I'll be fine."
He slowly reached for my shoulders and, as he pulled me into an embrace, he murmured "No. I can wait. ... I'm so sorry."
I really needed a hug, even if it was from him, so I let my guard fall and hugged him back, wrapping my arms behind him and putting my hands on shoulders. As I rested my head against his chest, I murmured "I know." I closed my eyes to try to keep myself from falling apart, again, but it didn't work. I buried my face in chest and cried myself out of tears. "Thanks. I needed that." I sniffled as I pulled away from him, sliding my hands from his shoulders to his sides and letting them fall.
He didn't let go, but he did let me pull away a little. "Feeling a little better?"
"Yeah." We stared at each other for a long moment, so I pulled away completely and started walking toward the bed.
"Alexis?" I stopped and turned to him. "I'll ... see you in the morning."
He seemed like he was going to say something else but decided not to, so I asked "What were GOING to say?"
"Get some rest."
"That's not what you were going to say."
"It's nothing. I'll ask you tomorrow after you've gotten some sleep."
'Great. Now, I feel guilty.' I took a step toward him and said "I know you feel like crap, too. I do appreciate you telling me. Otherwise, I never would've known. I don't think I can forgive this right this minute, but I will someday. Okay?"
"I can understand that."
I swallowed my pride, guilt, sadness, fear and worry and told myself 'Make him trust you and go home.' He turned to leave, so I figured I'd offer one last time. "Damian?" He stopped but didn't turn, so I walked to him and put my hand on his arm. "You need to drink." I whispered, shakily.
“You've had enough for one day."
"I can handle more than you think. I'm fine. ... I want you to."
"What?" As he turned to look at me with a surprised and confused look, I dropped my hand to my side.
"I want you to."
"You want me to?" He asked, skeptically, and I nodded to hide the fact that I really wanted to say no. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." I whispered and stepped closer, as I pulled my hair to one side. 'This is going to suck, literally, but it has to work. I have to get him to trust me, so I can go home.'
He searched my eyes for a long moment, before he closed the distance between us by grasping my waist and pulling me against him. As he leaned forward, I closed my eyes and stiffened, anticipating his bite, ... and venom. "Are you sure?" He whispered against the skin on the left side of my neck.
'Not really.' I thought, but I forced myself to put my left hand on the back his neck and the other on his upper arm and quietly said "Yes."
Inhaling deeply, as he slid his hands from my waist around my back, he pulled me tight against him. As his right hand stopped on the bare skin in the middle of my back, and his left stopped at the base of neck under my hair, he carefully bit down.
As his venom flooded through me, I gripped his shirt with my right hand and tightened my left hand into a fist. Hugging him tighter, I tried not to gasp in pain by holding my breath. When the pain finally dulled enough to think clearly and be tolerable, I relaxed my grip and tried to breath evenly in slow shallow breaths. 'Okay. The worst parts over. Now, if he can just stop himself before he drains me, I'll be okay.' As I started to produce more blood, I felt his grip tighten, and he started drinking faster. I quietly rasped "Easy. ... If you drink ... as slow you as you can, ... I'll be able ... to keep up with you." I felt him trying to slow himself down, but I heard his breathing increase and realized "You can't, ... can you?" He let out a frustrated hard breath. "It's okay. ... I know ... I taste different. ..." I felt his fingers start digging into my skin. Like he was trying to stop himself. "It's okay. ..." I felt myself getting a little weaker, so I added "Don't worry about it. ... I'll see you ... in the morning." I didn't want him to be upset because of the way my blood tastes, but I felt my arms getting weaker and my hands slowly losing their light grip. As I felt my body slipping away and my hands sliding down his arms, I said "It's okay."
****
