Desires

Chapter One: Back to the Beginning

The taste in my mouth was foul. I blinked groggily, trying to turn my head but finding that I couldn't. I was way too tired. I heard shouting in the distance but couldn't be bothered to find out what they were saying. I currently didn't care. All I wanted was some water, some mouthwash, and some more sleep. Seriously, my mouth tasted like crap.

God, I really hope I didn't eat any crap.

So, to accomplish those goals and get some bloody water, I had to move from where I was. Although I was laying somewhere soft and warm, I wanted to get out of here.

I started to tense up my muscles, trying to provoke movement.

I managed to turn my head just in time to see a woman enter my small space.

She smiled though it looked far from happy.

"You're awake" she said, almost in triumph. I blinked wearily, trying to keep her in focus. She was holding a small cup and I suddenly wanted nothing more than that cup. I needed it.

She held it up, as if offering it.

"Drink up. You need your strength" she gave it to me and I gulped it down greedily. Normally, the liquid would disgust me. It was thick and slimy, chunks of some unidentifiable thing swimming around in it.

But right now, I didn't care. It was the single most delicious thing I've ever tasted.

"Feeling better?" she asked. To my surprise, I was able to nod. Hell, I was able to sit up.

That stuff must have been made of magic.

"Alright then. Let me show you around" her voice was gentle now and she held out her hand for me to take.

Together, we walked down the hall. It was strange but it seemed to be made of dirt.

Were we underground?

How interesting.

The more we walked, the more something started to bother me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember anything. I couldn't remember my name or how I had gotten to this underground paradise. The woman seemed to pick up on my unease.

"Don't worry, honey. You have a purpose to be here, sure as anything. You'll learn what it is soon enough" the woman sounded sincere and in fact, she was. The only thing that was fishy about the situation was that she had a secret, something that she was supposed to keep from their newly undead warrior at all costs.

Mother had raised him for a reason. If he had retained any of his old self, he wouldn't ever even think about doing it.

But the beauty in it all was that he was a blank slate.

One that they could manipulate at will.

It was almost like magic.

*****

Annabelle's POV

We were finally within seeing distance of the castle. It loomed, larger than life and intimidating as hell. I looked at it, so imposing to the world, and wondering only one thing.

"How come this isn't a tourist attraction or something? It's huge, too huge for a human not to notice" I asked Adrian. He squinted at the castle, far below us because we were on a hill that had been near impossible to climb, and shrugged.

"Humans can't see the castle. It just looks like a decrepit, abandoned factory to humans. No one really visits and you can imagine what happens to the people who do wander here"

"Can you see the castle?" I asked, because he kept squinting and moving his head as if he were nearsighted or something.

"I can barely make out a hazy outline of the real castle but that's because I can see through the illusion it presents to outsiders. Still, it isn't enough to see it from this distance. I doubt even my mother can see it for what it is"

I looked at him in curiosity.

"So you can't see it at all?" I asked, deeply confused. When he was in the castle, did it still look like an abandoned factory? He didn't see the lavish interior at all?

He sighed.

"I can only see it for what it is when I'm inside. The illusion is simple and effective but anyone, and that includes humans, can see the castle from inside. It's a spell that witches put on it almost an eon ago to ward off intruders so only vampires can really see it. It's a fine piece of magic, that's for sure" he told me. I eyed the castle, not trusting it completely because of this new, magical influence. I've learned to be wary of witches.

Besides Adrian, of course.

"Interesting" I murmured. Adrian hugged my back against his chest, warming me with his heat.

"Don't be worried. This magic can't hurt you" he whispered, knowing my fear. I nodded but still glared at the castle.

"Why don't we just wait for nightfall before entering the gates?" he suggested, tugging me gently from my contemplation of the place I was meant to rule.

I nodded. It was probably best. Most vampires would be asleep right now and I was feeling pretty drowsy myself. Although the sun didn't hurt me, it made me sleepy and lazy.

He sat down with me on our little blanket that we had bought only days after the explosion. He cuddled up to me and fell into a cat nap in the full, blazing view of the sun.

I couldn't sleep. I was sleepy, true, but my mind was too full to be turned off.

Right now, my sleep schedule was beyond messed up. The vampire in me longed to be up at night, roaming around like a werewolf (Yes, I had asked if they existed but to Adrian's knowledge, they did not. I was still bummed out over that). But I had to keep walking with Adrian in full daylight. Since he was a witch, he loved the day, especially sunlight. He said that witches were the children of the sun, whatever that meant.

So we have had a pretty hard time of traveling but it was worth it. He'd been so caring, so careful to protect me even though it wasn't needed. He always made sure I was fed and I nagged him about keeping up with his health, reminding him that I needed to feed from someone strong and healthy. It was only after I mentioned my own personal benefit that he agreed to do something about his food eating habits. Apparently, he was quite the accomplished thief. He had no trouble taking care of us both, which I loved him for.

I trusted him with my life. And he never took that 'honor' for granted.

I had to be careful. This boy was dangerous.

And because of that, that danger of falling in love, that gratitude, I had no farther trouble falling asleep in his arms. He'd never do anything to hurt me.

Not this man. Not ever.

******

One important thing I want to say. I changed Annabelle's name to Elizabeth. Just want to say it so you don't confused...

I finally finished editing Regrets! I can't believe how different it is now...

So, I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to start this, considering all the other books I have, but I can't keep having you guys wait. So here it is. The beginning to the sequel.

I wanted to ask you guys. I think I've already mentioned that I want to put Regret up on Amazon. Do you think I should wait until I'm at least half done with Desires? I don't want to take forever writing this book but it is a possibility. And I don't want to keep other people waiting for eons until this book is done. I just want your opinion.

Anyways, I hope you liked it! :)