The Marionette

Chapter Seven - The Evil in the Top Hat

Chapter Seven - The Evil in the Top Hat

Cara. Cara was the one I was dancing with. Oh god. She was sitting there with vacant eyes like she wasn't in there at all. As if no one were inside her body; she was an empty shell. I shivered as unease crept up my spine. The longer I stared at her, the more I felt ghostly fingers brush the nape of my neck. Or was that real fingers?

"Do you see what happens when you try and seek for the truth that I have hidden? I take what I want and your friend there, she has been interfering with my work with you. I have to have you; all of you." His breath was cool as it grazed my throat, "Nothing can stop it now. Your destiny is sealed, intertwined with mine. Do not try to find something that isn't there any longer. It is mine now. You are mine, and will be forever."

What was he talking about? Who was he?

"I don't understand. Who are you and why do you have my friend?"

His husky tone brushed my insides causing a thousand butterflies to erupt and flap around as he spoke in my ear, "Oh, Cassandra. I know how you feel about me. I am inside your mind, your..." his fingers trailed down my back so softly that goosebumps raised on my skin, "body. I can form the magical knot that blocks your memories, but I think this time, this time I will let you keep this memory so that you know what happens if you disobey. I will take everyone from you and you will never see them again... before. I. take. you. You have such a strong soul inside you, it's delicious. I can't seem to get enough."

Soul? Delicious? I'm not understanding. He's obviously some sort of psycho. Wait... that voice... the way he said my name. I know who he is.

"Vladimir? This is insanity. I'm having a mental breakdown. I don't know what we are all doing here and what you want with me or Cara. But I would like to leave now."

"Leave? Oh, no, Cassandra. No one is leaving yet. And I told you what I want and why she is here. I want you, all of you. And if I don't get it... I will take her life. Do you understand yet, Cassandra?"

His Russian accent was so thick and so sexy. God! Stop thinking that way! He is a stalker, a psychotic (possible killer) kidnapper who claims he wants "all" of me. What does that even mean? Why do I find him attractive instead of repulsive? I should be fighting mine and Cara's way out. I need an escape. As my eyes spotted an exit at the end of the aisle, Vladimir spoke up.

"There is no escape from me anymore, Cassandra. I am in too deep, embedded into your mind, your soul. Surrender and let me have what I want."

"No. I won't give you what you want. You can do whatever you want to me, but I will not surrender. I will not let you hurt my family or my friends."

He chuckled, the sound was so deep and sinister. I was truly fearful now. I need to wake up. He was standing beside Cara now, his hand on her shoulder. His other hand reached up and tipped his hat back to reveal such dark beauty. Vladimir's tone took on an allure that even I couldn't deny myself, it brought a craving out in me that devoured me whole.

Everything but Vladimir faded away. My pulse started to race, my heart hammered. He said something to Cara before making his way back to me. His steps were precise, meant to either intimidate or build a gnawing lust in the pit of your stomach. Mine was the latter. His posture was straight and his eyes held so much confidence it made my legs quiver.

I bit my lip as he came to stand behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist and his nose brushing my thumping pulse point.

"Cassandra, I want you. Do you want me?"

I couldn't deny that I did. I wanted him like I wanted chocolate when I was upset. It was a deep craving, a need to be quenched. I needed his touch, his husky voice in my ear, his breath on the sensitive skin on my throat. I was enamored. Him and only him.

"I want you."

That's all I could manage to get out. I was consumed. He was taking over my every thought, burning every nerve ending. My skin was electrified, tingles shooting across my skin. I don't want to escape him anymore, I want to kiss him. I want him to have all of me. I don't even care that I was giving up so long as he kissed me. I needed his lips on mine. So soft and silky. So cool to the touch. So sensual and tasty. Like ice.

"I know you do, Cassandra. I know exactly what you want. But first, I want you to do something for me."

"Anything."

His voice was full of promise as he spoke in my ear, his words stoking the fire within my soul, "Tell Cara that you want nothing to do with her anymore. Tell her that you belong to me and if she ever contacts you again, she will regret it."

I could feel the resistance tug at my heart, telling me not to do it, but it was as if I were under his spell and I was hopeless to stop the words from tumbling from my lips.

"Stay away from me, Cara. I want nothing to do with you or the other girls any longer. I belong to Vladimir now and forever. All of me is his. If you dare even try contacting me, you all will regret it. Stay away. I mean it."

He smiled but it was anything but friendly. It was dark, malicious. His lips were oh-so-tempting.

"That's my girl, Cassandra. Now, do you want it?"

My eyes slid to Cara who wore a blank expression before she left me alone with him. The guy who was pulling my strings. The Marionette who hid an unspeakable secret.

"I do. Please."

My voice had a hint of desperation and I surrendered to it; powerless to stop the overwhelming desire for his lips on mine. He slid his hands to my hips and gently pulled me against his front, his cool skin pressed against mine making me shiver. Why was he so cold?

Vladimir slowly leaned in, his lips came so very close to my own and I could feel my eyes automatically shut, waiting for the moment his lips met mine. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.

I felt his hand cup my cheek then his lips brushed mine and even with my eyes closed, I could see his arctic spheres, his waxen skin filling with life. A bright light lit in front of my closed eyes and I didn't even question it. I moved my lips against him, my fingers went to his silky white-blonde hair, clutching as I kissed him so desperately. I didn't want to stop; ever.

But he broke the kiss after a few minutes and that's when I felt the lightheadedness and nausea, my head was pulsating so hard I thought my skull would burst.

"Oh god! It hurts!"

He was by my cheek shushing me, his fingers pressing gingerly at my temples, numbness engulfed me, the pain ebbing away. "It's okay. You will be fully mine soon. Then you won't experience any more pain."

I choked out, trying to gather my breath, "What do you mean? What are you doing to me?"

"You will find out soon enough. Just remember my warnings, Cassandra. When you wake in your bed, you will remember everything that happened here and so will Cara. I would hate to rush this."

His fingers ran through my hair like he was fixing a doll's hair. It was creepy and odd and I still couldn't make sense of anything.

"I...I understand. I think." I frowned and shook my head, "No, I don't actually understand. What are you doing to me?"

His eyes fractured, glowing a brilliant blue, "Don't worry about it. You will be okay soon. Now, go home and get some rest, Cassandra, you're going to need all the energy you can get. I need you to rest."

I blinked and I was back in my bed still dressed in my pajama's and muddy slippers. "What the actual fuck?" My head was spinning. My body was shaking like it was going into shock. What was I supposed to do? No one would believe me and if I tried to contact any of my friends or family, Vladimir would keep good on his threat. I could tell he was the kind of man who didn't fool around. Was he even a man?

No man I know has eyes like that. No human alive I know has skin that pale. No human can zap energy from another like that. That's what he was doing, wasn't it? Taking my energy? Isn't that why he was insistent on me getting my rest to refuel my metabolism? What was he... he never said I couldn't find answers to that. Loophole. I will find out exactly what you are, Vladimir.